IT PROMISES TO be another fascinating weekend of Premier League football with two derby matches down for decision on Saturday as well as a couple of crucial fixtures at the other end of the standings.
Here are five talking points to digest before the action unfolds…
Do Spurs now have the fire-power to match Arsenal?
In the build-up to Saturday’s North London derby, Mauricio Pochettino believes his side now have the fire-power to match the league’s top sides and in Christian Eriksen they have one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers.
With both sides coming into the game in fine form, the lunchtime kick-off promises to be an intriguing affair. Tottenham, in particular, seemed to have turned a corner under Pochettino and they are hot on the heels of their neighbours.
Yet, it’s not just the Eriksen show at White Hart Lane at the moment. Harry Kane has developed into a prolific marksman and this week signed a new long-term contract with the club. The England striker has scored 20 goals in all competitions this year and is the most in-form forward in Europe.
Arsenal are in a similar rich vein of form and will head across the capital confident of getting a result to create some daylight between themselves and fifth placed Spurs but the loss of Alexis Sanchez to injury could just tip the balance in the hosts’ favour.
Moreover, they haven’t come up against a Spurs attack as potent as the one currently available to Pochettino. True, Gareth Bale was the outstanding Tottenham attacking threat of recent times but, as a whole, this forward line is capable of dismantling any opposition rearguard – they showed that against Chelsea.
Victory over Arsenal on Saturday would be another significant step in the right direction for a side that looked likely to endure another underwhelming season only a few months ago.
Gerrard’s final Merseyside derby
Predictably, much of the pre-match talk has regarded Steven Gerrard as he prepares to play in his 33rd and last Merseyside derby. Some are saying it will be an emotional day for Gerrard, and while he’s had a considerable influence on nearly every one of those fixtures, this will be just another game for the Liverpool skipper.
Things are just starting to click for the Reds too. Brendan Rodgers’ side continue to fight on three fronts and although their priority must be on finishing inside the top four in the Premier League, a full strength team at Bolton just three days before the derby suggests Rodgers is keen to maintain the momentum.
While Gerrard will be the cynosure of all eyes, Daniel Sturridge’s return to fitness is more significant for Liverpool. Everton have started to find their feet of late but they will be tested when Sterling, Coutinho and Sturridge arrive at Goodison. The latter scored last week and will add another dimension to the Reds’ attack, one they’ve missed in his absence.
For their part, a win for the Toffees could act as the defining moment in their faltering campaign. Three points at Selhurst Park last time out suggested Roberto Martinez’s side have put their indifferent form behind them but Liverpool will be hoping to take advantage of any uncertainty and make this a false dawn for their cross-city rivals.
Life after Harry starts for floundering QPR
To many, Harry Redknapp’s resignation as QPR manager came as a surprise but his abrupt departure from Loftus Road could just be what the club needed. Rangers are winless in seven games in all competitions and last week’s defeat at Stoke was another indication that this side doesn’t have the fight or stomach for a relegation scrap.
Only Leicester are below QPR in the standings and while a new regime often spurs the players on, the visit of Southampton on Saturday is a tough start for Les Ferdinand, Chris Ramsey and Kevin Bond.
After a blip over the Christmas period, the Saints have since consolidated their fourth placed position and will be determined to make-up for last week’s defeat to Swansea when they visit London.
QPR desperately need to reverse their fortunes sooner rather than later or face the prospect of being cut adrift at the foot of the standings.
Hammers out to dent United’s top four aspirations
Although they’ve started to slip down the standings in recent weeks, West Ham are enjoying an outstanding season under Sam Allardyce. They would have left Old Trafford earlier in the season bitterly disappointed not to come away with at least a point but they have the chance to avenge that defeat on Sunday.
Louis van Gaal’s side remain in pole position to claim one two of the Champions League spots that are seemingly up for grabs (assuming Chelsea and City finish one, two or vice versa) but they have been far from convincing. They seem to have restored the type of home form that made them such a force under Sir Alex Ferguson but United remain far from their fluent best.
Their previously leaky defence has been tightened in recent weeks but, while they’ve ground out results, the performances have raised further questions marks over van Gaal’s tactics.
The Hammers gave United an almighty scare at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture and you’d expect them to throw everything at the visitors on Sunday. Whether United have enough about them to withstand West Ham’s direct, yet entertaining, approach will be an appraisal of their credentials.
Can new arrivals make the desired impact?
While the general consensus may be that the January transfer window was a quiet one in comparison to previous years, there were still several deals, particularly on Deadline Day, that stand out as good pieces of business.
Darren Fletcher’s move to West Brom is the obvious one. He may not have played a lot of football in recent years but the midfielder brings a wealth of experience to the Hawthorns and has the capacity to steer the Baggies clear of danger.
Aaron Lennon could also make his debut for Everton this weekend in the Merseyside derby and with the Toffees floundering in the lower echelons of the standings, the pacy winger may just be what they need to inject a spark.
Juan Cuadrado’s switch to Chelsea was the biggest move of the window and given his price tag was nearly £25 million, a lot will be expected of the Colombian. He could make his Premier League bow at Villa Park and while Chelsea don’t exactly require the same amount of immediate impact as West Brom or Everton need, Cuadrado just might be the additional weapon to fire Jose Mourinho’s side to the title.
Click here to view all of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
