With the busy festive run of games in full-swing and the January transfer window looming, the pressure is on for Premier League clubs to find a good run of form to carry them through the hectic period.
Top of the table Liverpool travel to an in-form Crystal Palace side who have picked up impressive points against Spurs and West Ham in the last week.
Jurgen Klopp’s team have been on a solid run themselves, defeating Spurs in their midweek fixture to go three points clear at the top of the league, while also boasting four members of the 2020 FIFA Men’s World 11 – those being Allison, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Thiago.
Meanwhile, second will meet fourth when Jose Mourinho’s Spurs welcome Leicester City.
Mourinho’s side will need a win to get back on track after their midweek loss, while Leicester will be looking to pick up three points and prove that they can be considered title contenders.
Surprisingly, Southampton occupy third place and will welcome the ninth placed side in the League, Manchester City.
The Saints have been impressive so far, a far cry from Pep Guardiola’s side who have majorly underperformed.
It shows how close the table is though, as a win for City will put them just a point behind Southampton.
There are also three big derbies this weekend, the first of which being Manchester United vs Leeds.
The two clubs will go head-to-head on Sunday for this first time in the league since 2004, in what is shaping up to be a brilliantly unpredictable game of football.
Elsewhere, Chelsea and West Ham face off in a London derby on Monday in an equally exciting tie.
Victory for the Hammers will see them leapfrog their opponents in the table, potentially rising as high as fourth depending on other results.
Chelsea, though, need a win to put their season back on track following two poor defeats in the last week against Everton and Wolves.
The final local encounter see’s Sam Allardyce take charge of his first West Brom game when they host Aston Villa.
‘Big Sam’ was appointed manager of the Baggies on Wednesday, following the dismissal of Slaven Bilic.
Allardyce’s previous club, Everton, will welcome Arsenal this weekend looking to capitalise on the Gunners’ poor form.
Mikel Arteta’s side have not won in the league since 1st November and have only scored twice in domestic competition since then.
Everton have put their shaky run behind them, picking up superb wins against Chelsea and Leicester in the last week.
Fulham could move out of the relegation zone with a win away at Newcastle on Saturday, following the Magpies 5-2 thrashing by Leeds on Wednesday.
Scott Parker’s side have tightened up defensively and will now look for goals from the returning Aleksandar Mitrovic – starting this weekend against his former club – to rise up the table.
Sheffield United are still looking for their first win of the season, and it could come against Brighton.
After a better showing against Manchester United, they are looking in good shape to get something from their encounter with the Seagulls.
Finally, Wolves and Burnley will face off on Monday night, with a win potentially moving the former into a European spot.
