The Premier League resumes this weekend with the highlight being Monday’s derby between runaway leaders Manchester United and current champions Manchester City.
A win for United would take them closer to a record 20th title.
Before Monday’s top-of-the-table clash, much of the attention will be on the race for European places and the battle to avoid the drop.
Everton, sixth but with a match in hand, still harbour hopes of claiming a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League. This weekend, they have a crucial test at White Hart Lane as they face third-placed Tottenham.
In the first round, the Toffees beat Spurs 2-1 (Pienaar, Jelavic − Dempsey) and travel to London on the back of three league wins.
Tottenham have won only once in their last three matches but have a good record against Everton as, in the last 10 years, they beat them six times – 2-0, 2-1, 2-0, 5-2, 3-0, 4-3.
The Spurs suffered a blow on Thursday when key player Gareth Bale picked up a serious-looking ankle injury during the 2-2 draw with Basel in the Europa League.
The Manchester derby is the top fixture of the weekend.
After their 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter-final replay, United will be determined to strengthen their grip on top spot with victory over their rivals.
Wing-back Rafael and striker Wayne Rooney are expected to return for the Red Devils after missing their team’s defeat at Stamford Bridge due to injury.
City captain Vincent Kompany is happy with his recovery from a calf injury and declared that he is feeling “really strong” for his team’s remaining matches.
Chelsea turn their attentions to their quest for a top-four finish when they host Sunderland, now under the charge of Italian Paolo Di Canio.
On Thursday, manager Rafael Benitez saw his Chelsea team secure a 3-1 win over Rubin Kazan that kept the Blues on course to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.
The Black Cats have had a turbulent week after Martin O’Neill was dismissed and Di Canio was handed the job amid controversy due to the Italian coach’s politcal beliefs.
Arsenal, two points adrift of Chelsea, will be at the Hawthorns to face West Brom.
Manager Arsene Wenger can’t understand why the Arsenal fans are still very critical of striker Gervinho despite his excellent performances of late.
After their 2-1 win at Aston Villa, Liverpool host West Ham.
Manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful Luis Suarez will stay at Anfield despite speculation linking the Uruguayan forward with a move away from the club this summer.
At St James’ Park, Newcastle, who lost 3-1 at Benfica in the Europa League, face Fulham tomorrow.
While the Magpies are battling against the drop, the Cottagers seem to have pulled clear following Monday’s 3-2 win over QPR.
Another nail-biting encounter is the duel between relegation strugglers Queens Park Rangers and Wigan at Loftus Road.
The Rs need to win this match to bridge the gap on Wigan who are seven points clear.
New Reading boss Nigel Adkins will be up against his former club Southampton this weekend. The Saints are currently led by Mauricio Pochettino who replaced Adkins earlier this season.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Norwich-Swansea X
Reading-Southampton (12.45) 1
Stoke City-Aston Villa 1
West Brom-Arsenal X
Tomorrow
Chelsea-Sunderland (16.00) 1
Liverpool-West Ham (13.30) 1
Newcastle-Fulham 1
QPR-Wigan (17.10) 1
Tottenham-Everton (15.05) X
Monday
Man. United-Man. City (21.00) 1
Standings: Man.United 77; Man. City 62; Tottenham 57; Chelsea 55; Arsenal 53; Everton 51; Liverpool 48; West Brom 44; Swansea 40; Fulham 39; West Ham 36; Southampton, Stoke, Norwich 34; Newcastle 33; Sunderland 31; Wigan, Aston Villa 30; QPR, Reading 23.
The Championship
Birmingham-Millwall 1
Bolton-Wolves 1
Brighton-Leicester X
Burnley-Bristol City 1
Charlton-Leeds X
C. Palace-Barnsley 1
Derby-Ipswich 1
Huddersfield-Peterborough 1
Hull-Middlesbrough 1
Nottm Forest-Blackpool X
Sheffield Wed.-Blackburn X
Watford-Cardiff (18.20) X
Tomorrow (Wembley)
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final
Crewe-Southend (14.15) 1
League One
Bournemouth-Notts County 1
Colchester-Leyton Orient X
Coventry-Brentford X
Doncaster-Tranmere 1
Hartlepool-Bury 1
MK Dons-Crawley 1
Oldham-Carlisle 1
Portsmouth-Stevenage X
Preston-Scunthorpe 1
Walsall-Sheffield Utd X
Yeovil-Shrewsbury X
League Two
Barnet-Chesterfield X
Bradford City-Northampton X
Bristol R.-Wimbledon 1
Exeter-Dagenham 1
Fleetwood-Rochdale 1
Gillingham-Torquay 1
Morecambe-Rotherham 2
Oxford-Wycombe 1
Plymouth-Cheltenham X
York-Accrington X
Hot Four
Hull, Nottm Forest, Yeovil, Exeter.