Matchday 17 of the Barclays Premier League features a game between Liverpool and Arsenal, both of whom desperately need a win to keep their top four aspirations alive. Meanwhile, Newcastle and Sunderland face one another in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Here are the five games to watch this weekend in the Premier League.
Monday programming alert: Watch Stoke City vs Chelsea on Sportsnet World at 2:00 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Stoke City vs Chelsea
Chelsea is tied on points Manchester City for first place in the league with 39 points. Any slip up could result in the holders leapfrogging Jose Mourinho’s side before New Year’s Day. Stoke will try to put another dent onto the Blues’ record on Monday at the Britannia Stadium.
Both sides have a couple of injury concerns. Chelsea will welcome back Didier Drogba and Thibaut Courtois, but the latter may not start as a precaution, so Petr Cech will get the nod.
Stoke will give fitness tests to Bojan Krkic and Stephen Ireland ahead of the game. Manager Mark Hughes is already without four other players, so if either Bojan or Ireland aren’t fit enough, that will alter Hughes’ plans.
Chelsea has won five of the last six games against Stoke, shutting them out in each victory. However, the last defeat came at the Britannia last December, so another shock could be on the cards.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Liverpool vs Arsenal on the four main Sportsnet channels and Sportsnet World at 10:30 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Arsenal has won five of their last eight games, but has also suffered shock defeats to Swansea, Manchester United and Stoke City. Regardless, the Gunners are only two points behind the top four.
Liverpool continues to slip further away from the Champions League places, winning just twice in their last eight Premier League games. The Reds are seven points behind West Ham for fourth place. Another loss would be a crucial blow.
Calum Chambers will return, but at least nine players will be out for Arsenal on Sunday. That includes Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil.
Mario Balotelli was suspended and fined for his controversial Instagram post. He joins Glen Johnson, Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan on the absentee list. Dejan Lovren is listed as doubtful.
Arsenal has been the better side in this fixture in the previous six meetings. The Gunners have won four of them, losing just once.
Newcastle United vs Sunderland
The Tyne-Wear derby should be heated as always. However, both Sunderland and Newcastle have had their struggles this season, so winning this game could be massive for their confidence.
Newcastle could have up to 14 players out with injury. Cheick Tiote, Sammy Ameobi and Papiss Cisse might play, but at least 11 others will be unavailable to manager Alan Pardew.
Patrick van Aanholt is the only player that Sunderland’s Gus Poyet won’t have in the squad. Emanuele Giaccherini and Billy Jones should be available to Poyet this weekend.
Newcastle has only won once in the previous six derbies and has been outscored 10-4 in that span. That includes two defeats at home, where they’ll host Sunderland on Sunday.
Southampton vs Everton
Southampton has lost four straight matches and hasn’t won since Nov. 8 against basement dwellers Leicester City. The Saints were defeated by heavyweights Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal during that run, but also fell to lowly Burnley.
Everton isn’t doing much better, either. The Toffees earned just their fifth win of the Premier League season against Queens Park Rangers on Monday.
The Merseyside club will be significantly healthier than their opponents on Saturday. Kevin Mirallas is the only player that’s ruled out due to injury. Christian Atsu, James McCarthy and Darron Gibson are listed as touch-and-go for kickoff.
Southampton is weaker thanks to Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama’s suspensions. The Saints could have as many as five players out with injuries, including captain Steven Davis.
Everton has done well in this fixture over the last few years. They’ve won three matches and tied twice in the previous six meetings against Southampton. However, the Saints are undefeated in five straight home games versus the Toffees.
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Manchester United has won six straight matches, which has led them to third place in the table. The Red Devils are only eight points back of league-leaders Chelsea and five behind crosstown rivals Manchester City for second.
Louis van Gaal’s side should have a relatively easy game against Aston Villa, a team it has defeated seven straight times in all competitions.
United’s squad is still depleted by injuries. Daley Blind, Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling aren’t available for selection, but Angel Di Maria might be able to participate in the game.
Villa manager Paul Lambert has just as many selection headaches. Alan Hutton and Kieran Richardson are suspended, but Nathan Baker could be fit to play. Tom Cleverley is unavailable because he cannot play against his parent club while on loan.
United has outscored Villa 21-4 in the previous seven games against each other, so the hosts could be in for another rough day.
