England looks to Premier League to ease 2018 pain

English football will hope a typically rousing weekend of Premier League action can take some of the sting out of the country’s failure to win the right to stage the 2018 World Cup.

Thursday’s FIFA ballot in Zurich and the subsequent revelation England had won just two votes, were a kick in the teeth for football’s birthplace.

But the global appeal of the Premier League remains undimmed and this weekend is likely to witness another intriguing chapter in the title race, with just six points separating the top five ahead of the latest round of matches.

Manchester United’s bid to maintain their position on the top of the Premier League with victory at Blackpool on Saturday however has been scuppered by the freezing temperatures in England.

United are two points clear of second placed Chelsea but they may lose first place after their game was postponed as a result of the snow that has ravaged most of the country, with temperatures dipping below minus eight in Blackpool.

Chelsea are set to have captain John Terry back from a nerve injury as they look to return to winning ways against Everton after collecting just one point from their last three league fixtures.

“We have dropped too many points recently,” England defender Terry said. “Looking back only two or three weeks ago, we were so many points clear and in the goal difference as well. Now both gaps have been closed.”

Saturday’s other matches see Arsenal face Fulham just two days after Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer put an end to talk of a move to the Gunners by signing a new deal that will keep him at Craven Cottage.

Birmingham, fresh from their League Cup quarter-final derby win over Aston Villa, take on Tottenham, Blackburn face strugglers Wolves, Manchester City play Bolton and relegation-threatened Wigan go up against Stoke.

Basement club West Ham will look to build on their shock 4-0 League Cup win over holders Manchester United when they travel to Sunderland on Sunday, when West Brom take on Newcastle.

Liverpool, who booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League following a 1-1 draw away to Steaua Bucharest on Thursday, welcome Aston Villa to Anfield on Monday.

Fixtures (1400GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Arsenal v Fulham, Birmingham v Tottenham, Blackburn v Wolves, Blackpool v Manchester United (postponed), Chelsea v Everton, Manchester City v Bolton, Wigan v Stoke

Sunday

Sunderland v West Ham (1600GMT), West Brom v Newcastle (1330GMT)

Monday

Liverpool v Aston Villa (2000GMT)