Premier League: Five things to look forward to this weekend

With another exciting set of exciting matches scheduled for this weekend, the clash for the title and the bid to avoid the drop is certainly going to get tighter. Here are ive things to look forward to in this weekend's round of fixtures.

#1 An unfamiliar sight at Old Trafford

For almost two and half decades, since the dawn of the Premier League, one thing has been fairly certain. Manchester United have almost always finished above Liverpool. More than that, there has only been one occasion in which the Reds have come to Old Trafford ahead of United in the table. This time around, it will be an unfamiliar sight as the home side bid to keep their push for fourth place alive and the away side are challenging for the title.

With a crucial home-tie against Olympiakos in a few more days, the prospect of facing the League’s most lethal attack is daunting to say the least. Particularly in a season in which United haven’t looked their free-scoring self and have already lost four times at home. Although the home side are unbeaten in four, Liverpool will know that a victory will not only boost their title hopes but also take away any chance of United finishing in the top four.

#2 Can Mitroglu and Magath save Fulham?

Fulham have lost four straight-home games on the bounce and haven’t won since New Year’s Day. Their once mighty home form has deserted them and that coupled with their disastrous away form means that the Cottagers currently languish at the bottom of the table. Although the London side are just four points off safety, the problem for them is that they don’t look like they can win games. The arrival of Felix Magath and £12m signing Kostas Mitroglou has done little to change the fortunes of the club.

And whilst the visit of Newcastle may look like a good opportunity to end their horrible run, it is also worth noting that even with all the hoopla about their manager’s head-butt, they still won 4-1 at Hull in their previous game. With a Champions League hat-trick to his name already this season, Mitroglou looks like the one of the few who are capable of dragging Fulham out of this mess.

#3 Which injury-hit North London club will come out on top?

As we move towards the business end of the season, the continuous run of games mean that injuries are bound to happen. Unfortunately for both North London clubs, all the injuries seem to be concentrated on a particular area of the field. For Arsenal, Mesut Özil’s hamstring injury has meant that he joins Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby (remember him) and Kim Kallstrom on the treatment table. And for all of their attacking quality, they are bound to miss a few of them.

For Spurs, the injury crisis is in the center of defense, with Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches out, and Etienne Capoue also unavailable to cover. That leaves Spurs with just one fit center back in Y Kaboul. Should another injury strike again in that area of the pitch, neither manager would be able to do much. But, given both side’s current form, a win is crucial. Should the Gunners get it that would cement a top four spot for now.

#4 Will there be any goals at the Stadium of Light?

If you are on the lookout for goals, then one place you better avoid, is the Stadium of Light. Because, this weekend’s clash pits together the worst home attack against the worst away attack. So a 0-0 is perhaps on the cards. With both sides struggling for goals it remains to be seen if there will be any in the North east this Saturday.

For all of their upwardly mobile status, Crystal Palace are still only two points away from the drop zone and another defeat, to relegation-rival might just put them in more trouble than they are in right now. For the Black Cats however, the two games in hand, might prove handy in the end after all.

#5 Will Hughton finally throw caution to the wind?

It is hard to say where Norwich’s troubles started. But a defining point would certainly be the 2-0 defeat against West Ham last month. Although they outplayed the Hammers for much of the game, the removal of two of their best attacking players in the final 15 minutes handed the Hammers the initiative. They promptly scored twice to compound the Canaries misery.

Although his side haven’t shipped in too many goals, his natural tendency to play safe has been hugely unpopular with fans. With a tough run-in and lying just four points above the bottom three, now might well be the perfect time for Hughton to throw caution to the wing and adapt a more adventurous approach. Whilst a trip to the South Coast club isn’t easy by any means. The fact that the Saints have only won once at home since November should give the Canaries plenty of hope. And if Hughton lets his side off the leash, three points are certainly there for the taking.