Another weekend is upon us in the English Premier League, with all the paper columns being dedicated to the crisis growing at Arsenal following their Capital One Cup defeat to Bradford City. The Gunners will have a chance to make up for the shocking defeat, but only until Monday, when they travel to Reading.
Meanwhile, it will be the battle of Manchester as City look to close the gap on United. The defending champions are six points behind and can come to within three of United, if they beat Newcastle at St. James' Park in the early kickoff.
United host struggling Sunderland, 3-1 losers to Chelsea last weekend, later on Saturday and nothing short of three points is expected.
Here is a look at all the Premier League fixtures for this weekend and the predictions to go along with it.
Newcastle vs Manchester City at St. James' Park: Following their crushing 3-2 defeat to United in last weekend's epic Manchester Derby, Roberto Mancini will know one more slip up and the their grip on the title will loosen quicker than you can say "Premier League champions."
However, Newcastle will try to make it as difficult as possible. The Magpies are on a woeful run at the moment, having lost five of their last six Premier League games. A win at home against the champions, might just be the fillip needed to get back on track.
City will be without Gareth Barry after the midfielder was suspended for one game for using improper language towards the referee in the Derby game, while Hatem Ben Arfa is a doubt for Newcastle due to a hamstring injury.
Prediction: City to just edge it 2-1
Manchester United vs Sunderland at Old Trafford: United will be still buzzing from the win over their rivals City, and Sunderland can expect a drubbing.
The likes of Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney will look to add to their goal tally against a Sunderland side currently lying in 15th. Martin O'Neill's men, however, will take some confidence from the 3-0 win over Reading Tuesday, but even a point against United, who are yet to draw a single game this season, will take a monumental effort.
Prediction: 3-0 to United, with Van Persie bagging at least a brace
Liverpool vs Aston Villa at Anfield: Brendan Rodgers has finally got his Liverpool side playing the way he wants, with the Reds improving considerably from the start of the season. That progress has also reflected in the Premier League table, as Liverpool currently find themselves in the top half for the first time -- in tenth on 22 points from 16 matches -- just four points off a Champions League place.
Villa, under Paul Lambert, have been far from convincing this season and lie in 17th, level on points with third from bottom Wigan.
Luis Suarez, after missing the 3-2 win over West Ham through suspension, will be back in the lineup, and the Uruguayan will be keen to find the back of the net as soon as possible.
Prediction: 2-0 to Liverpool
Norwich vs Wigan at Carrow Road: Following a disappointing run of results, Wigan, after an encouraging start, find themselves in the bottom three, while Norwich are flying high, level on points with Liverpool.
Carrow Road has proved to be something of a fortress for Norwich this season, with the Canaries pulling off impressive wins over Arsenal and Manchester United. However, Roberto Martinez will be desperate for his Wigan side to pick up points, and the Latics might just pull off a win.
Prediction: 2-1 to Wigan.
QPR vs Fulham at Loftus Road: Harry Redknapp has begun his reign at QPR with three consecutive draws, meaning the Premier League bottom club are still without a win in 16 games this season. Fulham will be in buoyant mood after their victory over Newcastle and will expect a tough fight, but three points is what Martin Jol will be expecting.
Redknapp, however, is an astute manager, and sooner rather than later he is expected to turn his team's fortunes around, and it might just begin with a win over fellow London club Fulham.
Prediction: 3-2 to QPR
Stoke vs Everton at the Britannia: Stoke are one of the form teams in the Premier League currently, while Everton will look to build on that last-gasp come-from-behind win over Tottenham. In Nikica Jelavic and Marouane Fellaini, Everton have as potent a frontline as any in the Premier League.
Stoke have one of the best defenses in the league, but their resolve will be put to the stiffest of tests by David Moyes' men.
Prediction: 1-0 to Everton
Tottenham vs Swansea at White Hart Lane: Another Sunday game for Spurs -- this time at White Hart Lane against a dangerous Swansea side. The Welsh team have already picked up a memorable win in North London, a 2-0 win over Arsenal, and they will be looking for a London double against Spurs.
Tottenham inexplicably lost all three points in their previous match against Everton, shipping two goals in the final moments of the game after it looked like they were on their way to a 1-0 victory. They are currently in fifth, level on points with the Toffees, with Swansea able to join them on 26 points with a win.
Prediction: 2-2
West Brom vs West Ham at the Hawthorns: From flying high and being third in the Premier League at one point, West Brom have rather been brought back down to earth with three straight losses. However, they face a West Ham side who have lost three out of their last four matches, albeit against tough opposition.
Something has got to give in this game, and it just might be the Baggies that edge it owing to their home advantage.
Prediction: 2-1 to West Brom
Reading vs Arsenal at the Madejski: What can you say about Arsenal this season that hasn't been said already? They look like the palest of pale shadow of the team that bossed the Premier League a few years ago. With calls for Arsene Wenger to resign growing every day, the Gunners will want to silence their doubters starting with a convincing victory over a Reading side, who are second bottom with just nine points.
Arsenal are still only two points adrift of a Champions League place, and five behind third-placed Chelsea; so all is not lost. However, having said that, Reading will look at the game as the perfect opportunity to take on a side bereft of confidence and try to get their campaign kick-started with a morale-boosting win.
Prediction: This game will not be anything like the unbelievable 7-5 League Cup match, but Arsenal need to stand up and be counted. So, 4-1 to Arsenal.
