Chelsea face test of nerve as Man Utd threaten title hopes

It may be FA Cup semi-final weekend, but the Premier League refuses to give up the limelight as league leaders Chelsea prepare for one of the crunch matches of the season that could go a long way towards deciding the title.

The big match at Stamford Bridge will clash with Arsenal's game at Wembley but it's not just the Gunners who will be keeping a weather eye on developments in the league this weekend. Liverpool, who are in action in the other semi-final on Sunday, will be monitoring their rivals in the race for a top six finish – Southampton and Spurs.

At the bottom, there is no game for Hull, Sunderland or QPR this weekend, which gives Burnley and Leicester a real incentive to get some points and pile the pressure on their relegation rivals.

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Here's the best of the weekend league action:

Chelsea v Man United

Whatever you think about the TV schedules you can't blame Sky for televising this match, one of the season's blue riband clashes. Romantics, and Arsenal fans, will want a rejuvinated United to storm Stamford Bridge and set up the possibility of a thrilling climax to the season, but the reality may be a little different.

Jose Mourinho has only ever lost one home league game at Stamford Bridge, which tells its own story. Then there are the tactics to consider. On paper the Blues need 12 points to win the title, but in reality Mourinho knows that if his side can avoid defeat to United and Arsenal then the league is as good as theirs. If they go out to beat United and come unstuck then Arsenal will sense blood next week. With that in mind the Special One is unlikely to take any risks and will set out not to lose.

Louis van Gaal is something of a pragmatist as well, and he knows that a draw on the road against Chelsea would be a decent result. United have little or no chance of winning the title, but if they can keep a steady ship they should finish above City and in the Champions League spots, and that would be considered a decent outcome after a topsy-turvy season at Old Trafford.

Thus, the realities of modern football mean that this may not be quite the thriller people are hoping for. But football is a funny old game so it might be worth keeping the remote at hand if you choose to watch the Arsenal game on Saturday evening.

Man City v West Ham

How bad is Man City's slump? We will find out on Sunday lunchtime when beleaguered Manuel Pellegrini sends his side out against West Ham. Both managers are under pressure but Sam Allardyce has less to fear from this fixture than his opposite number. A win for the Hammers could be the final nail in the coffin for the Chilean manager, who won the league so easily last season but who suddenly finds himself under the spectre of Jurgen Klopp.

Pelegrini has been criticised for failing to get the best out of his star players in recent weeks, and if he cannot rouse them after the humiliation they experienced against Man United last week, then it could be time for a change.

City's opponents, West Ham, are hardly in good form themselves and if they get anything out of the game it will be a major surprise. With his defence in such bad form Pellegrini will at least be grateful that Andy Carroll will not be available for the visitors.

Newcastle v Tottenham

It's business as usual up on Tyneside as the disgruntled fans bemoan another season of aimless mediocrity under the guidance of Mike Ashley. At least Spurs have something to fight for as a win at St James' Park would leave them level on points with Liverpool and there is also the possibility of European football for the team that finishes seventh in the Premier League, depending on who wins the FA Cup.

Stoke v Southampton

Not a glamour clash but a critical one for Southampton, who are still in the running for a top four finish. If they can rediscover their early season form against an out-of-sorts Stoke side with little to worry about between now and the end of the season the Saints could find themselves within two points of fourth placed Man City on Saturday evening.

Crystal Palace v West Brom

Tony Pulis will return to Selhurst Park on Saturday with the words of Alan Pardew ringing in his ears. Pulis steered Palace away from relegation in spectacular fashion last season but walked away from the club at the start of the current campaign. This time round Pardew has repeated the trick, taking over in mid-season with the Eagles in dire straights and guiding them up the table.

So successful has he been that Palace are nine points above West Brom in the table, and the home fans will take great pleasure in reminding Pulis of that fact. However, Pardew said this week that Pulis should be "thankful" that Palace are secure in mid-table as it will afford him an easier ride. Pulis's ride home might not be so easy if Palace take the points however, as they are in danger of being sucked into the relegation battle.

This weekend's other fixtures:

SATURDAY

Everton v Burnley

Leicester v Swansea