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Premier League questions: Can Brendan Rodgers silence his critics? And will Villa Park be Man Utd's haven again?

We look at the key talking points ahead of a key weekend in the Premier League

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard is congratulated

With another huge weekend of Premier League football ahead of us, we ponder 10 questions that will be answered by Monday evening...

Will Man City end up the Christmas No 1?

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard is congratulated
Image: Manchester City could end the weekend on top of the Premier League

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Manuel Pellegrini will be aware that Manchester City could make a huge statement in Saturday's early kick-off against Crystal Palace. 

Win and they would go level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League; win by five or more goals and City will end the weekend top of the pile as Chelsea can’t respond until the Monday Night Football, when they face a tricky trip to Stoke City.

If Jose Mourinho's side were to lose on Monday, then depending on goal difference, Pelligrini’s men will be top of the pops on Christmas Day despite chasing Chelsea’s tails for much of the season.

Can Villa finally make it home sweet home win against United?

That chance proves costly as Manchester United's Wayne Rooney puts the Red Devils ahead
Image: Manchester United are looking for a seventh league win in a row

Incredibly, Aston Villa have not beaten Manchester United in the Premier League at Villa Park since recording a 3-1 victory on the opening day of the 1995/96 season. Villa fans probably don't need reminding, but that was 18 fixtures ago.

And considering that Villa have also won just one of their last 37 top-flight encounters against United, a dreadful run that includes seven consecutive defeats, few will be expecting that trend to come to an end on Saturday afternoon.

What's more, Lambert only has 17 first-team players to call upon, meaning a dip into the academy will be needed to fill up the bench.

Surely, given the law of averages, the home side are due a change of fortune? United's momentum is at stake. 

What will improve - Hull’s dismal home form or Swansea’s poor away record?

Wilfried Bony ends up in the back of the net after a near miss
Image: Wilfried Bony's form is important to Swansea, who have been poor away from home

Swansea City should be strong favourites to bounce back from their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend with victory over a Hull City side who haven’t won since October 4.

But the Swans have been just as bad on the road this season as Hull have been at home.

Garry Monk’s side have not tasted victory away from the Liberty Stadium since the opening day at Old Trafford, while Hull have taken a league-low six points from seven home games.

Steve Bruce will be desperate for his side to give their fans something to cheer about before Christmas.

Will Charlie Austin continue to be QPR’s main man against the Baggies?

Charlie Austin celebrates after opening the scoring against Manchester City
Image: Charlie Austin could be the key to QPR's survival push in the Premier League

Queens Park Rangers were without in-form striker Charlie Austin through suspension for Monday night’s trip to Everton, and his absence was telling in a 3-1 defeat.

However, the 25-year-old returns to face West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon following the completion of his one-match ban.

And with Austin having been involved in eight goals in his previous eight matches for the west London club, six of which he has scored, the home side will be desperate for the frontman to maintain his recent good run in front of goal. Their Premier League survival could hang on his form.

Can depleted Saints get back to winning ways?

Jose Fonte (2nd L) reacts during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Sheffield United and Southampton
Image: Southampton have lost their last five games in all competitions

If Southampton are to break out of their five-match losing run against Everton this Saturday, they are going to have to do it the hard way.

Missing suspended trio Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Florin Gardos, as well as Dusan Tadic, Jake Hesketh, Jay Rodriguez, Sam Gallagher and Jack Cork, the Saints will turn to their much-vaunted academy to help fill out a depleted squad.

Ronald Koeman revealed that as many as seven under-21s trained with the squad on Thursday and Friday, but he will surely be hoping Graziano Pelle and Steven Davis are fit to start against the Toffees.

Can Harry Kane fire at the Lane?

Harry Kane’s form has been arguably the brightest light of a rather inconsistent campaign for Tottenham, but he has yet to score at White Hart Lane in the Premier League this term.

Granted, that is only six games without a goal, but one of the main reasons why Tottenham have taken just 10 points from a possible 24 at home is a lack of goals.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are the joint-fourth lowest home scorers in the division, treating their fans to just nine goals. They’ll be hoping to improve that record against Burnley. 

Can Leicester finally stop the rot at Upton Park?

Nigel Pearson, manager of Leicester City, consoles David Nugent and Danny Simpson after 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa
Image: Nigel Pearson's Leicester are desperate for a win as they enter the Christmas period

The focus is on West Ham United’s rise up the Premier League, but form in the winter period could have more of a bearing on Leicester City’s season than the Hammers’.

Five points adrift of safety, Nigel Pearson’s side are desperate for a result, and even a positive point would give them some momentum going into Christmas.

The timing would be perfect. After West Ham, the Foxes host a Tottenham side always capable of halting their own momentum on Boxing Day, before the trip fellow strugglers Hull two days later. A result at Upton Park would set the double-header up perfectly.

Pearson needs Leonardo Ulloa firing again. The Argentine has just one goal in 11 games, having scored five in five at the beginning of the season. If West Ham stifle him, they’ll be halfway to a victory.

Can Sunderland record a record-breaking fourth consecutive derby win against Newcastle?

Jack Colback shoots the ball beyond Tim Krul for Sunderland at Newcastle in the February 2014 Premier League game at St James' Park
Image: Sunderland are looking for a fourth consecutive win over Newcastle, but will this time be playing against Jack Colback

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Incredibly, Sunderland head into Sunday afternoon’s Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches against Newcastle United, the last three of which they won.

And with the Wearsiders having also beaten their arch rivals 3-0 on both of their previous two league visits to the Magpies, the visitors are aiming to make it four top-flight wins in succession against Alan Pardew’s men for the very first time in their history in front of the Sky cameras on Super Sunday this weekend.

Will Brendan Rodgers silence his critics with a repeat hammering of Arsenal?

Brendan Rodgers: Frustrated on the touchline at Old Trafford
Image: Brendan Rodgers has another huge game to get Liverpool's season back on track

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It’s been a tough few months for the Liverpool boss, who has had to cope with the departure of Luis Suarez and the absence of Daniel Sturridge through injury. The Reds face Arsenal on Super Sunday having won just two of their last 14 Premier League encounters with Arsene Wenger's side.

One of those victories came just back in February, however, when Liverpool blew the visitors away in the first 20 minutes, racing to a 4-0 lead in double-quick time before eventually going on to beat the then-leaders 5-1.

Raheem Sterling bagged a double that day and got back into scoring form earlier this week in the Capital One Cup win over Bournemouth, and Rodgers will be looking to the youngster to provide the hosts’ biggest goal threat.

Liverpool’s defence has looked very shaky this season, though, and with Alexis Sanchez on stunning form since joining Arsenal, it is set to be a testing afternoon for the back four. This one could have plenty of goals in it.

Can Chelsea succeed where Arsenal failed?

Diego Costa celebrates with Chelsea team mates
Image: Chelsea's Diego Costa and co travel to Stoke for Monday Night Football

While Premier League leaders Chelsea have been perfect at home so far this season, winning eight from eight, they have been less convincing on the road.

Their last two away trips have seen them draw with Sunderland and then lose their unbeaten record at Newcastle.

Jose Mourinho knows his side will be in for another tough outing on Monday Night Football when they go to Stoke, who will have a spring in their step after their victory over Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters also came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-2 last season, but with Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic in the ranks, the Blues will surely be up for the battle this time around.

Watch Newcastle v Sunderland live on Super Sunday from 12.30pm, Liverpool v Arsenal on Super Sunday from 3.30pm and Stoke v Chelsea on Monday Night Football from 7pm, all on Sky Sports 1 HD. Plus, you can catch all the goals as they go in throughout the weekend on Sky Sports News HQ or via our interactive blog.

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