Saturday 11 April 2015 16:25, UK
With the Premier League entering the business end of the season, we ponder 10 questions regarding this weekend's fixtures.
Can United win back Manchester from their bitter rivals?
Manchester United have lost their last four league games against Manchester City and they’ve never lost five on the spin.
They are favourites for this clash though after a run of five straight victories while City’s season is nosediving after suffering defeats against Burnley and Crystal Palace in their last three games.
Will the Loft rock QPR to a massive victory?
The Loftus Road atmosphere got the better of the Chelsea players in 2011 when they had two men sent off in a 1-0 defeat as the home crowd played a huge part in the victory.
This is the one game of the season QPR supporters crave victory in and on the back of winning four points from a possible six on the road last week, the relegation threatened side may prove a tougher nut to crack than many people expect.
Can Burnley add another top-four club to their list of scalps?
Although Arsenal rarely struggle against bottom-half teams, a trip to Turf Moor for any side has got banana skin written all over it.
Sean Dyche’s men are full of energy and have already drawn at home with Tottenham and Manchester United and sensationally saw off Manchester City 1-0.
Will Liverpool and Newcastle serve up another Sky Sports classic?
Liverpool v Newcastle games have seen a total of 130 goals, the joint-third highest scoring fixture in Premier League history and the most involving a team who have not been ever-present in the competition.
This Monday Night Football clash will hopefully draw comparisons with the 4-3 game played in 1996, where Stan Collymore netted a dramatic late winner to leave Kevin Keegan’s men deflated. Liverpool are desparate for a win.
Can the Foxes catch West Brom cold at The Hawthorns?
Leicester have been in good goalscoring form in their last couple of games and an early goal could go a long way to securing a big result in their survival bid.
The Hawthorns has seen the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season (10). Leicester just have to hope it is them rather than Tony Pulis’ side who strike early on Saturday.
Will the Tigers show their teeth at Southampton?
Things are starting to look ominous for Steve Bruce’s Hull side. They sit just a place and two points above the drop zone and have a nightmare run-in to contend with.
If they are to survive they will need to show more of a threat going forwards. Hull have failed to score in 13 of their last 23 Premier League games and have created less clear cut chances (20) than any other side in the division in 2014/15.
Can the Black Cats’ defence finally shine at the Stadium of Light?
Fresh from beating Manchester City, in-form Crystal Palace will fancy their chances of securing a result at Sunderland.
Glenn Murray and co have been scoring freely of late and if Sunderland are to have any chance of success their defence must tighten up. Only West Brom have conceded more goals at home in the Premier League this season.
Will Sherwood show Spurs what they are missing?
The Aston Villa boss returns to White Hart Lane on Saturday for the first time since leaving as head coach in May 2014.
He was replaced by Mauricio Pochettino just five months after succeeding Andre Villas Boas as Spurs activated a break clause in his contract.
Spurs laboured to a very dull 0-0 draw with Burnley last week and Sherwood may just remind the Tottenham hierarchy of his capabilities of making a team play exciting and attacking football.
Can Big Sam end his hoodoo against Hughes?
Mark Hughes has lost only one of his last 10 Premier League encounters with Sam Allardyce and the pressure is growing on the West Ham boss, who has overseen just one win in the last nine Premier League games.
It will be worth keeping an eye on Stoke City’s Charlie Adam too; has had 25 shots (inc. blocked) from outside the box in the Premier League this season but has scored only with one of those, and what a goal it was against Chelsea.
Can Gomis continue his hot-streak?
Bafetimbi Gomis has scored three goals in his last two Premier League appearances, one more than he managed in his previous 25 Premier League appearances for the Swans (2).
The Swansea striker is starting to fill the void left by Wilfried Bony’s departure to Man City but he’ll need to be on his game to beat an Everton defence that has just conceded one goal in their last three games.
