Manchester City lost ground in the Premier League title race last week after a 1-1 draw at Everton saw them dropping to second place and two points behind Chelsea.
The Citizens will be under pressure not to fall further behind as they face a stiff test when playing Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, tomorrow.
The Gunners come into the match in high spirits following a 3-0 victory over Stoke City that put them just one point behind fourth-place Manchester United as they chase a Champions League spot.
This week, Manchester City strengthened their attacking prowess when they brought in Wilfried Bony for £28m from Swansea City.
The Ivory Coast striker will not be making his debut this weekend though as he is with his national team at the African Cup of Nations, which starts today.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had words of praise for Alexis Sanchez after the Chilean’s brace in the victory over Stoke.
However, there were more injury woes in store for the Londoners as this week it was confirmed that captain Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy will both be out for at least three months.
In the last ten direct encounters up north, City just edge Arsenal five-four on Premier League wins.
2013: City-Arsenal 6-3.
2012: City-Arsenal 1-1.
2011: City-Arsenal 1-0.
2010: City-Arsenal 0-3.
2009: City-Arsenal 4-2.
2008: City-Arsenal 3-0.
2008: City-Arsenal 1-3.
2006: City-Arsenal 1-0.
2006: City-Arsenal 1-3.
2004: City-Arsenal 0-1.
This afternoon Chelsea will also bid to return to winning ways away from Stamford Bridge when they face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
The Blues dropped five points on the road in the last few weeks after a 1-1 draw at Southampton was followed by a 5-3 upset to Tottenham.
Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech is likely to retain his place in the Chelsea goal as Thibaut Courtois is still nursing a hand injury.
Southampton are in seventh heaven at the moment following their 1-0 victory at Manchester United on Sunday that lifted the Saints to third place in the league standings.
Today, Ronald Koeman’s men travel to the northeast to play guests to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Manchester United take a trip to London to visit Queens Park Rangers.
This week, there has been a lot of speculation on the future of Colombian striker Radamel Falcao after he was left out of United’s squad against Southampton.
Reports said that Falcao could leave Old Trafford as early as this month.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will take on Aston Villa away keen to avenge the home loss at Anfield in the first round to the relegation-troubled side.
Following their impressive showing against Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham came back to earth with a bump as they lost away at Crystal Palace.
Today, the Spurs will tackle another team from the lower half of the standings when they host Sunderland at White Hart Lane.
At Upton Park, West Ham will be out for a first win in five league and cup matches when playing Hull City.
West Ham announced that they will begin selling season tickets for the Olympic Stadium from next April as the Hammers get ready for the move to their new Stratford home in August 2016.
City trophies in Malta
Former Manchester City and England greats Joe Corrigan and Peter Barnes will be in Malta next week for a special meeting with the local fans of the English champions at the supporters club (Cactus Pub) in Buġibba.
Corrigan, who played in goal for City, and winger Barnes, accompanied by Manchester City FC Supporters Club (1949) general secretary Kevin Parker, will be here along with the two trophies that the Sky Blues won last season – the Barclays Premier League and the Capital One (League) Cup.
On January 25, the club will be open as from 12.30pm for members and those English football enthusiasts wishing to meet the distinguished Manchester City representatives and have photos with the trophies.
A question and answer session will also be held later in the afternoon.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Aston Villa-Liverpool - 2
Burnley-Crystal Palace - X
Leicester-Stoke - X
Newcastle-Southampton (18:30) - 2
QPR-Man. United - 2
Swansea-Chelsea - 2
Tottenham-Sunderland - 1
Tomorrow:
Man. City-Arsenal (17:00) - 1
West Ham-Hull (14:30) - 1
Monday:
Everton-West Brom (21:00) - 1
Standings: Chelsea 49; Manchester City 47; Southampton 39; Manchester United 37; Arsenal 36; Tottenham 34; West Ham United 33; Liverpool 32; Swansea City 30; Newcastle United 27; Stoke City 26; Everton, Aston Villa 22; West Brom 21; C. Palace, Sunderland, Burnley 20; Hull City, QPR 19; Leicester 17.
The Championship
Brighton-Brentford - 1
Derby-Nottm Forest (13:15) - 1
Fulham-Reading - 1
Leeds-Birmingham - X
Middlesbrough-Huddersfield - 1
Millwall-Ipswich - X
Norwich-Cardiff - 1
Rotherham-Bournemouth - 2
Sheffield Wed.-Bolton - 1
Watford-Charlton - 1
Wigan-Blackburn - X
Wolves-Blackpool - 1
League One
Colchester-Walsall - X
Doncaster-Barnsley - 1
Fleetwood-Oldham - X
Gillingham-Coventry - X
MK Dons-Sheffield United - 1
Notts County-Crewe - 1
Port Vale-Peterborough - X
Rochdale-Crawley - 1
Scunthorpe-Bristol City - 2
Swindon-Chesterfield1
Yeovil-Bradford - X
League Two
AFC Wimbledon-Carlisle - 1
Bury-Wycombe - 1
Cambridge-Newport - X
Mansfield-Exeter - X
Northampton-Dagenham - X
Oxford-Southend - 1
Plymouth-Luton - X
Portsmouth-Burton - X
Shrewsbury-Hartlepool - 1
Tranmere-Accrington - 1
York-Stevenage - 1
Scottish Premiership
Aberdeen-Dundee - 1
Dundee United-Inverness - 1
Hamilton-Celtic (13:45) - 2
Motherwell-Kilmarnock - pp
Ross County-St Mirren - 1
St Johnstone-Partick - 1
Scottish Championship
Falkirk-Queen of South - 1
Hibernian-Cowdenbeath - 1
Livingston-Alloa - 1
Raith-Dumbarton - 1
League One
Ayr-Morton - 2
Dunfermline-Airdrie - 1
Forfar-Stenhousemuir - 1
Peterhead-Stirling - 1
Stranraer-Brechin - 1
League Two
Albion-East Fife - 1
Berwick-Montrose - 1
E. Stirlingshire-Annan - X
Elgin-Clyde - X
Queen’s Park-Arbroath - X
Hot four
Fulham, Middlesbrough, Watford, Wolves.