We look at the big talking points ahead of another key round of top-flight fixtures.
Sunday 15 March 2015 15:59, 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 Manchester United finally find top gear?
After such an influx of talent in the summer and with an experienced manager at the helm, Manchester United fans have been once again left disappointed with the league campaign, despite playing less games than usual.
Former fan favourite Danny Welbeck’s winner helped Arsenal end United’s pursuit of the FA Cup on Monday, and now only a top-four finish will appease the disgruntled masses.
United go into the Super Sunday clash with Tottenham knowing that another home defeat will see Spurs move level on points with the 20-time top-flight champions.
Now would be the time for United to show what they are made of. Surely with such a myriad of talent among the ranks, they will find form soon?
Their performance in the first half at White Hart Lane against Mauricio Pochettino's men showed glimpses of the football they are capable of playing, but against a side looking for their third win in a row at Old Trafford, it will be anything but easy to replicate such a showing.
Can Chelsea regain their focus after their Champions League exit?
The stage seemed set for Chelsea to progress in the Champions League as Gary Cahill gave them the lead in the tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, only for 10-man Paris Saint-Germain to send the Blues crashing out in extra-time.
However, they are still in a commanding position to wrestle the Premier League title away from the Manchester stronghold, with a five-point lead over nearest rivals Manchester City still intact.
Nonetheless, Jose Mourinho will be fully aware that any slip-up against a tricky Southampton side in their Super Sunday encounter will allow City in, and their focus cannot slip for an instant.
Saints are severely short of goals at the moment, but as their victory over a then in-form Manchester United is testament too, with the quality in their squad, they cannot be underestimated.
With Capital One Cup success already under their belts, a Premier League title crown will certainly delight owner Roman Abramovich, but after a early Champions League exit, anything other than title success could see the Portuguese come under intense pressure.
Will an extended break work to Manchester City’s advantage?
Such an acrimonious Champions League exit is bound to have affected Chelsea in some shape or form, but with Manchester City not in European action until next week, could a 10-day break see them return to the fray looking fresher than their title rivals?
Rumours of a bust-up between captain Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho have been rife in the build up to their clash with Burnley in the Saturday Night Football, but boss Manuel Pellegrini has been quick to dispel such an occurrence took place.
If all is well in the blue half of Manchester, City could put real pressure on Chelsea before their Super Sunday clash with Southampton with victory in Lancashire.
Wilfried Bony is yet to fire for the Blues, but helping his new employer send out a real message will certainly go a long way to justifying the fee shelled out on him in January.
Can Liverpool keep pace? Is Daniel Sturridge ready to fire them to a top-four finish?
What a 2015 it has been for Liverpool. They still remain unbeaten since the turn of the year, and a switch in system has seen Brendan Rodgers prove once again he is the man to carry the Reds to the next level.
In such a competitive league, a top-four finish will represent a successful season for Liverpool, especially after their stuttered start to the 2014/15 campaign.
And one man who is capable of firing the Reds into those Champions League qualification places is Daniel Sturridge, staring against Swansea in the Monday Night Football.
The England hitman has been eased back in action sensibly by Rodgers, and is now primed and ready to get back among the goals on a consistent basis.
Giroud or Welbeck? Who should lead the line against West Ham?
Arsenal continued their fine domestic form by knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup on Monday night, with old-boy Danny Welbeck returning to haunt his boyhood club.
Welbeck's form has improved of late, with Arsene Wenger quick to praise the England forward's tenacity after leading the line at Old Trafford.
Olivier Giroud has come under much scrutiny recently for his profligacy in front of goal, but the Frenchman has an excellent scoring record against the Hammers with four goals in his last four games against Sam Allardyce's men.
Is Welbeck a safer option to run the channels and not neglect his defensive responsibilities? Or is Giroud's attacking prowess too good to leave on the bench?
Does Romelu Lukaku need a rest? Is there other firepower at Everton?
Romelu Lukaku played a huge role as Everton recorded a vital 2-1 win in their Europa League clash with Dynamo Kiev in midweek.
After spending almost all his transfer budget on the Belgian hitman, Roberto Martinez has been reliant on the 21-year-old to fire his side to success, with little other alternatives in attack.
However, after making his 40th appearance of the season, coupled with the weight of expectation on his young shoulders, is it time for Lukaku to be given a rest against Newcastle on Saturday?
Newcastle have won just one of their previous eight away matches, and could represent an opportunity for the Toffees to earn victory without their talisman.
Can Tony Pulis avoid the curse of the Manager of the Month?
Since taking over at West Brom, Tony Pulis has turned around the Baggies' fortunes around, and steered them clear of the relegation zone.
The former Stoke boss takes on his former employer on Saturday hoping being awarded the February Manager of the Month award is not a bad omen.
The award is often perceived as the beginning of the end of league form, and against a Potters side with three consecutive wins under their belts, it will be anything but plane sailing in the West Midlands for Pulis.
Can Sunderland's misfiring strikers fire them clear of safety?
Sunderland have managed only 23 goals in their 28 Premier League this season, a return which has left them perched perilously close to the relegation zone.
And the Black Cats' strikers have contributed just nine of those goals, a record which simply must improve if the team are to avoid a second successive scramble for top-flight survival.
Gus Poyet masterminded a dramatic last-gasp escape last season, but another defeat against a rejuvenated Aston Villa will pile the pressure on the Uruguayan's shoulders once more.
Would another defeat condemn Leicester to the dreaded drop?
A relegation six pointer is an overused term in football, but that sums up the importance of Saturday’s clash with Hull for Leicester.
After making a promising start to life back in the big time, the Foxes’ form has deteriorated rapidly, and a run of six defeats in seven league matches has seen them cut adrift at the bottom of the table.
Despite Hull's recent resurgence, the Tigers represent beatable opposition, and anything other than three points could see the Foxes with an even more imposing gap to overcome.
Can Charlie Austin impress England boss Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace?
With the England squad set to be named next week for the upcoming matches against Lithuania and Italy, it is Charlie Austin’s last chance to impress the Three Lions' coach Roy Hodgson on Saturday.
With Crystal Palace struggling for form on their own patch, Austin will fancy his chances of firing QPR to a vital three points, and improving his own stock in the process.
Hodgson has plenty of options at his disposal, but if Austin can produce the good at Selhurst Park, then the England supremo may not be able to ignore the Rs hitman.
