Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini can’t afford his team to slip up at Southapton this weekend
This weekend’s Premier League programme kicks-off with Newcastle’s visit to Tottenham’s White Hart Lane in the early kick-off.
The home side are enjoying a good season and could go above third place Chelsea in the Premier League table, should the Blues slip-up at home against Wigan.
The home side will be without key striker Jermain Defoe, who could be on the sidelines for up to three weeks. Spurs may start this clash with Emmanuel Adebayor up front, but Clint Dempsey could fill-in up top.
Newcastle have experienced an upturn in form since the arrival of the likes of Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko.
The Magpies have claimed two consecutive victories and are six points clear of the relegation zone. However, a defeat in north London could mean Alan Pardew’s team being dragged back towards the drop zone.
Chelsea will be looking to strengthen their position in third place with a victory over Wigan at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have won just one game in their last six games, but will be expected to defeat the Latic’s on home soil.
Wigan’s only two victories in their last six games have been achieved against lower league sides. Their poor run of form has led the Latics to slip into the relegation zone. Roberto Martinez’s team are two points away from safety.
Two of the top flight’s recent strugglers meet at Carrow Road, as Norwich host Fulham. The home side head into this game on a terrible run of form and have won just one of their last six games in all competitions, a 3-0 win at Championship side Peterborough. The Canaries are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.
The visitors are only above the Canaries on goal difference and have only won one game in their last four top flight outings. The Cottagers will be hoping that star striker Dimitar Berbatov recovers from a hamstring injury which kept him out of their last clash with Manchester United.
Stoke host Reading at the Britannia Stadium looking to rediscover their best form. The Potters have won just one game in their last six games in all competitions, a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
Tony Pulis’ side have in fact lost three out of their last four Premier League games and are tenth in the Premier League table.
The visitors form is in stark contrast to their hosts, having won five out of their last six games in all competitions, including winning three out of their last four games in the top flight. The Royals are two points clear of the drop zone.
Bottom of the table QPR face a tough trip to Swansea’s Liberty Stadium. The home side are eighth in the Premier League table, but haven’t been in the best of form in recent weeks. The Swans have claimed just one victory in six games.
The visitors strengthened their squad in the winter transfer window, but the Hoops have drawn the last three Premier League games, three of them 0-0. A lack of goals has been a problem for Harry Redknapp’s side and they face one of the toughest defences in the top flight in this clash.
Sunderland host Arsenal at the Stadium of Light looking to recover from last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Reading and move into the top half of the Premier League table. The Blacks Cats defeated Arsenal at the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup last season and will be hoping for a repeat of that in this clash.
Arsenal head into this clash four points behind fourth place Tottenham and a point behind fifth place Everton. The Gunners have a good record against the Black Cats, winning 10 out of their last 18 encounters with the north east side.
In the late kick-off Southampton host Manchester City at St. Mary’s. The home side have failed to win in their first three games under new boss Mauricio Pochettino and are just three points clear of the relegation zone.
Champions Manchester City are ten points behind bitter-rivals and league leaders Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table. City have drawn their last two top flight games and can’t afford another slip-up on the south coast.
Can Manchester City make up ground on rivals Manchester United this weekend?
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