Wednesday 11 February 2015 13:16, UK
With the Premier League in full flow this week, we take a look at the questions that could be answered on Wednesday evening...
How will Manchester United line up – and how will they play?
Manchester United have been called many things over the years, but rarely have they been labelled a ‘long-ball team’.
However that was Sam Allardyce’s post-match assessment after United needed a late equaliser from Daley Blind to draw 1-1 at West Ham on Sunday.
Louis Van Gaal countered the claim in an unusual manner by producing four pages of stat sheets in his press conference ahead of the clash with Burnley.
However, the true proof will be on the pitch and United, despite having the second-best home record in the league, have hardly set pulses racing at Old Trafford this season.
There will be plenty of attention on how they go about their business against Burnley.
Can Man City get out of their rut without Ivorian duo?
It’s not been the best of years for Man City so far. They haven’t won in the Premier League since New Year’s Day, were knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough and saw their title hopes dented further by a 1-1 home draw with Hull City at the weekend.
While all is not yet lost, especially with Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony available after this midweek match, City simply cannot afford to lose at the Britannia.
If they do then they could find themselves 10 points behind leaders Chelsea and with a mountain to climb to retain their title – even with their Africa Cup of Nations winners back amongst the squad.
Will the sequel fail to match the original?
Everton and Chelsea served up one of the all-time great Premier League matches when they met at Goodison Park in late August, with defending not top of either teams' agendas.
Instead it was all about goals and the game went back and forth until Chelsea eventually pulled away to win 6-3.
Another nine-goal thriller looks unlikely at Stamford Bridge, though, as both teams appear to have tightened up significantly since their last meeting.
Only Southampton have conceded fewer goals in the league than Chelsea while Everton seem to have finally shored things up after the back, keeping a clean sheet in their last three games.
With Chelsea again missing the suspended Diego Costa and Everton managing just one shot on target in the Merseyside derby, goals could be at a premium on this occasion.
Which sub will be a starter for the Baggies?
After his comments last week that he wants to leave West Brom for a ‘bigger club’, Saido Berahino found himself relegated to the bench for the trip to Burnley on Sunday.
Whether the decision was tactical or not, it took just 16 minutes for Berahino to be introduced in place of the injured Victor Anichebe.
But it was another substitute, Brown Ideye, who made the biggest impact as he came off the bench at half-time and headed home the equaliser to make it 2-2.
With Anichebe a doubt for the clash with Swansea due to injury, which of his Turf Moor replacements will Tony Pulis hand a starting role to?
Can Saints continue their march towards European football?
When Southampton won 3-1 at Upton Park earlier in the season, few people would have predicted they would be third in the Premier League table the next time they met.
But Ronald Koeman's side have continued to defy expectations and, with just 14 games of the season left, are now genuine contenders for a Champions League place.
West Ham were being mentioned in the same breath as Southampton at one stage of the campaign, only to slip away slightly in the past few months.
Still, there is no doubt they can challenge for a place in Europe and could also dent Saints' own ambitions with a win at St Mary's.
Will it be a night to remember for Alan Pardew?
Since Alan Pardew left Newcastle United to join Crystal Palace in December, the form of the two sides could barely be more contrasting.
While Pardew’s Palace have won five of their last six, Newcastle, under the stewardship of Jon Carver, have only won once.
A victory for Palace at Selhurst Park would move them to within two points of the Magpies in the Premier League table and would surely put a huge smile on Pardew’s face.
It certainly looks like goals could be on the cards as their league meeting at St James’ Park ended 3-3 and Newcastle won their Capital One Cup clash 3-2.
