We look at the big talking points ahead of another key round of top-flight fixtures.
Sunday 18 January 2015 16:09, UK
With another huge round of Premier League contests ahead of us, we ponder 10 questions that will be answered by the end of Monday....
Can the Gunners record an away win against one of their rivals?
Arsenal travel to Manchester City on Super Sunday looking to register what would be an all-too-rare victory at the home of one their Premier League rivals.
In fact, Arsene Wenger’s side won on only one occasion against a team that finished in the top nine in the previous campaign - at north London foes Tottenham Hotspur - while managing to pick up just four points out of a possible 24 in the process.
And with that miserable record on the road having continued so far in this campaign, all eyes will be on how the visitors fare at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Will the Saints keep marching towards the Champions League at St James’ Park?
Southampton moved up to third in the Premier League following their impressive 1-0 win at Manchester United last Sunday afternoon.
In fact, manager Ronald Koeman has now accumulated more points (39) at this stage of the season than in any of the south coast club’s previous top-flight campaigns.
And a first victory at Newcastle United in 12 attempts on Saturday Night Football would also give the Saints three straight Premier League away wins for the first time in their history.
Can QPR end 23 years of hurt against United?
Dennis Bailey remains a part of football history. Why? I hear you scream. The former QPR man is the last man to score a hat-trick for an opposition side at Old Trafford in the Rs 4-1 win over United in 1992.
That was also the last time QPR registered a victory over the Red Devils, an almighty 17 matches ago.
Will new Sunderland signing Defoe come back to haunt Spurs?
Sunderland finally got the deal over the line and Jermain Defoe is all set to make his debut at former club Tottenham after moving to the Stadium of Light.
The script is well and truly set but can the former England striker still cut it at the top level?
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is certainly wary of Defoe’s talents and there’s no denying his goal threat, but can Sunderland create the chances he needs, starting at White Hart Lane.
Only time will tell but there won’t be many backing against a Defoe goal against his former club - and his scored on all of his previous club debuts not to mention his full England debut
Can Downing’s dream season continue?
Stewart Downing’s form has been a key reason behind West Ham’s excellent league position and he deservedly won an England recall for the friendly against Scotland last November.
The former Liverpool winger has been involved in as many Premier League goals this season – 11 (four goals and seven assists) - as he managed in his previous three campaigns combined.
With West Ham going through their first tricky patch of the campaign, Sam Allardyce will be hoping Downing can continue his excellent form and inspire the Hammers back to winnings ways.
How will the Swans cope without Wilfried Bony?
Swansea City entertain Premier League leaders Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to get back to winning ways having not won in any of their previous three top-flight matches.
However, Garry Monk’s men will have to get back to winning ways without their top scorer this season Wilfried Bony after the Ivory Coast international completed a move to champions Manchester City earlier this week.
And that means all eyes will be on the Ivorian’s replacement in attack in South Wales, Bafetimbi Gomis, as the home side go in search of a first league win over the Blues in eight games.
Can Sanogo be the answer to Palace’s goal woes away from home?
Yaya Sanogo is expected to make his Crystal Palace debut at Burnley and there will be plenty of pressure on the France U21 striker to hit the ground running with Alan Pardew’s side failing to find the back of the net in five of their last six Premier League fixtures away from home.
That’s a lot of pressure for a player who has scored just one in 20 competitive matches for Arsenal and it remains to be seen whether he can find the net on a more consistent basis given a run in Palace’s first team.
However, Pardew seems to think so and even if the goals don’t flow straight away the new Palace boss is hoping the striker to bring the ‘chaos factor’, starting at Turf Moor.
Wanted, goals: Does Gil have the skills to pay the bills?
Aston Villa have managed just seven goals in 10 home games this season and the home faithful are becoming restless with Paul Lambert’s rigid style of play.
New signing Carles Gil, who can play on either flank or behind the strikers, has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Villa Park and his impact will be monitored closely on his debut against Liverpool.
Can Martinez tighten up Everton’s leaking defence?
It’s been a season of defensive woe for Everton with Roberto Martinez’s side conceding 34 goals already this season after only letting in 39 in the whole of 2013-14.
Sylvain Distin is still sidelined with a groin injury but John Stones’ return alongside Phil Jagielka and the return to fitness of Leighton Baines has been a huge boost for Toffees in recent weeks.
Martinez praised his side’s defensive effort in the 1-1 draw against champions Man City last weekend but they will need more of the same if they are to control in-form West Brom striker Saido Berahino.
Home is where the heart is: Will Leicester move off the bottom with a win?
Despite being rock bottom of the Premier League, Leicester have lost just one of the last 25 home meetings in all competitions and host a Stoke side that have won just eight of their last 58 away Premier League games.
A win could not only lift the Foxes from the basement but also out of the relegation zone completely.
