The Barclays Premier League returns to action this weekend with yet another crucial match that has top four implications.
Here are the five games to keep close tabs on.
Monday programming alert: Watch West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester United on Sportsnet World at 2:00 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester United
Saido Berahino has scored five goals in seven Premier League matches, which has helped saved West Brom on a few occasions. They’ll need that same display when they face Manchester United on Monday.
The Baggies might be facing the Red Devils at a decent time. Louis van Gaal’s squad is thinner thanks to injuries to Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. The positive is that Michael Carrick may be returning from his injury, which would be a big boost for the midfield.
Wayne Rooney is still suspended, so van Gaal will most likely continue with the diamond midfield with Juan Mata as the replacement for the United captain.
It worked well against Everton in the last game, but had it not been for some heroics from goalkeeper David De Gea, the Toffees would have at least earned a point.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Stoke City vs Swansea City on Sportsnet World at 10:30 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
Stoke City vs Swansea City
Swansea began their campaign with three straight victories. They’ve now gone winless in four straight matches. Their best opportunity to snap that skid was against Newcastle, but that ended in a 2-2 draw.
The hosts are 16th in the table, but are closer to the Champions League places than the relegation zone, while Swansea is level with Manchester United for fourth.
Swansea will be without Jordi Amat and Leon Britton due to injuries, while Jonjo Shelvey is suspended. Peter Odemwingie is the only player that’s ruled out for Stoke, but there are a few others who are doubtful, including Geoff Cameron, Mame Diouf and Victor Moses.
Stoke is always a tricky team to face, especially at the Britannia Stadium. This game is certainly winnable for both clubs, but Stoke has never lost at home to Swansea in the Premier League.
Arsenal vs Hull City
The international break wasn’t kind to Arsenal. They lost Mesut Ozil to a devastating knee injury, but have welcomed back Theo Walcott from a long layoff.
Meanwhile, Hull City have a relatively full-strength squad. Robert Snodgrass and Allan McGregor are their only two injuries heading into Saturday’s affair.
The last time these teams met, it was in the FA Cup final. Arsenal rallied from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in extra time. That ended a near decade-long trophy drought for the North London side.
Hull typically struggles against Arsenal. The Tigers’ last victory versus the Gooners was back in 2008 in a 2-1 triumph at the Emirates Stadium.
Hull has won just two games this season, but, in turn, the Tigers have only lost twice. Arsenal has drawn four times, and they cannot afford another slip up.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Arsenal vs HulL City on the four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, and Southampton vs Sunderland on Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET. || Watch Burnley vs West Ham United online at Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
Manchester City vs Tottenham
The reigning champions have lost just once this season in the Premier League. However, given the pressure that’s mounting on manager Manuel Pellegrini for some sloppy performances domestically, and in Europe, the casual fan wouldn’t notice.
Manchester City’s Champions League form hasn’t helped ease the tension around the Etihad Stadium, but the international break came at the right time. Now City enters their game against Tottenham with a fresh mindset.
Samir Nasri is ruled out with a groin injury, while Fernandinho is doubtful due to a hamstring issue, but Pellegrini still has a plethora of options.
The Citizens have a crucial European match against CSKA Moscow just three days after the Tottenham game, so it will be very interesting to see what kind of line-up Pellegrini uses this weekend.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Chelsea has been virtually unstoppable this season. If it wasn’t for a late Frank Lampard strike, they might have held on against Manchester City and would still have a perfect record.
Nonetheless, the Blues still have a solid lead over City. The league-leaders have a chance to increase that total when they face Crystal Palace.
Palace has claimed eight points since Neil Warnock was appointed manager. If the Eagles can somehow nick a result from Chelsea, it would be Warnock’s biggest result since he took charge.
Chelsea has won four of the last five games against Crystal Palace, but Palace won the last fixture back in March at Selhurst Park.
Both sides have one player that will miss the game due to an injury. Chelsea midfielder Ramires has a muscular issue, while Palace’s Scott Dann has a knee injury.
However, Adrian Mariappa and Andre Schurrle may also be ruled out, so both managers will have to rotate accordingly.