After the midweek European fixtures and the expected progress of English clubs into the knockout stages, it is time to take a peek at the domestic fixtures that once again throw up intriguing matches.
A better start there could not be with the big one in the City of Manchester, when a fluent Arsenal visit the Etihad. The Emirates versus Etihad, the competition comes down from the skies to see which is the better team on grass.
But before that, let us look at quite a few tantalising ties to look forward to this weekend.
The contrast
At Stamford Bridge, Tony Pulis will bring his brand of simple but effective football to battle the defensively insecure Chelsea. There may not be a Peter Crouch for the Eagles but expect Crystal Palace to want to play it long early and often.
Regardless, expect the individual brilliance of the Chelsea attack to turn this into a rout quickly. Jose Mourinho will also be looking to take advantage of any slip-ups Manchester City and Arsenal may make, either keeping pace or cutting into the lead Arsenal have over the rest of the league.
The football
This will certainly be at White Hart Lane with Liverpool the visitors. Look forward to an open attacking game as Liverpool play to win while the Spurs try not to lose.
A certain fragility seems to creep into the Liverpool defence and this should give a chance for Spurs to be a little brave and play with belief.
Andre Villas Boas will be looking to continue a good run of results, while Brendan Rogers has an early chance to watch his side perform post-Steven Gerrard (I know, he is only out for a few weeks… he is 33, however, and those thinking he could be converted into an Andrea Pirlo like playmaker are far too naive!) with Luis Suarez looking, as he always does, to bang in a few.
The interesting
How will Newcastle United fare against a sleek and smooth Southampton? Well, the Saints have had two very good performances and take on a Newcastle team that has been playing well too.
This could be high scoring with both teams taking turns to attack. A potentially thrilling match which could very well be won in midfield, with Cheik Tiote and Yoann Cabaye tasked with preventing the Saints from turning this into a tiki-taka fest.
The cracker
The Hammers to put Sunderland under the cosh! West Ham United need the points and Sunderland have fragile minds at the moment.
Having scored but still vulnerable at the back, the Black Cats need some luck to favour them but Sam Allardyce makes his own luck or will have to this weekend, with his position as manager looking more and more tenuous by the match.
Gus Poyet will realise that this is his team's chance to grab all three points - putting three past Chelsea but still ending up on the losing side, Sunderland need to grab a result, failing to do so potentially landing a hammer blow on team morale.
The biggie
Two of Europe's finest meet and it spells entertainment. Manchester City are enthralling at home, and with a good run of away results highlighted by the comeback in Munich, welcome an Arsenal side which still play arguably the best football in England right now.
A defeat to Napoli notwithstanding, Arsene Wenger will know that sitting back and absorbing pressure at the Etihad will end disastrously.
Expect a continental showcase, a true testament to the development of the Premier League as the total number of Englishmen on the pitch will be no more than a handful. – December 14, 2013.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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