Title rivals eye chance to close gap on Chelsea

Chelsea play Tottenham on Sunday at Wembley in the Capital One Cup, a mouthwatering finale to what was once known as the League Cup. But with the Blues otherwise engaged, their Premier League rivals will be looking to close the gap on the table toppers. Having dropped four points in their last four matches, Chelsea are now just five points clear of Manchester City.

Liverpool v Manchester City

The Reds go into Sunday's encounter at Anfield after the worst possible result in Turkey on Thursday night. Not only did they lose to Besiktas but the game went to penalties, taking 30 more minutes out of already tired legs. With under 72 hours' turnaround, Liverpool will need the Kop to be at their most vocal against a City side that suffered its own European disappointment on Tuesday, losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the Champions League. "That extra period of 48 hours that City have could be crucial, certainly physically, especially as we will have very little preparation time," Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admitted. "But that's the way it's been dealt and we'll deal with it the best we can. The players have had lots of challenges to overcome this season and we are ready to keep performing and doing the best we can."

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Arsenal v Everton

It's a Super Sunday of Premier League action with the Gunners hosting Everton. The home side's league form has been good of late – five victories in their last six matches – but their horror show of a performance against Monaco on Wednesday will not easily be erased from the minds of the players or public. Fortunately for Arsene Wenger's team, they're up against an Everton side who – like Liverpool – spent Thursday night in Europa League action. Toffees' striker Romelu Lukaku is a doubt for the clash after hobbling off with a tight hamstring against Young Boys, the Belgian having already scored twice in the first half. In a miserable week for the Gunners, Wenger revealed in his Friday press conference that Jack Wilshere, sidelined since November, has had another operation on his troublesome ankle and will not be seen again for the foreseeable future. As for the Monaco debacle, Wenger says he and his players have a "responsibility" to atone for the abject display. "I expect a strong response in the Premier League because it is a different competition. We have an opportunity to maintain our top-three position."

Manchester United v Sunderland

The pressure is starting to increase on United boss Louis van Gaal after another disappointing result, the defeat at Swansea last weekend. Though they are currently fourth, United have only three points more than Tottenham in seventh and the Old Trafford faithful are beginning to fear that they may miss out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season. They face a Sunderland side on Saturday hovering just above the relegation zone but manager Gus Poyet senses United are vulnerable. "We need to look at that game as a good opportunity to play a certain way," explained Poyet.

West Brom v Southampton

Southampton could move back into the top four – for 24 hours at least – if they beat West Brom on Saturday. The Saints are fifth on 46 points, one shy of Manchester United and two behind Arsenal, who host Everton on Sunday. History suggests it won't be a goal fest at the Hawthorns with the last nine league clashes between the two teams producing a paltry 13 goals.

OTHER FIXTURES

Saturday

West Ham v Crystal Palace

Burnley v Swansea

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Stoke City v Hull