While Cheslea will spend the weekend trying to advance in the FA Cup, Manchester United will have the chance to climb over the Blues and claim the top spot in the Premier League table.
Standing in the way is Wolverhampton and a trip to Molineux.
Making it three: United already owns a pair of wins over Mick McCarthy’s team this season. The Red Devils won the reverse league fixture 3-0 and took a 1-0 win in the Carling Cup – both at Old Trafford.
Danger man: With 16 goals in his last 15 league games, it will almost be a surprise if United striker Wayne Rooney doesn’t score.
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It’s a thin schedule this weekend, but you still have some viewing options:
Check out this week’s TV schedule
Before we move on to the other matches, let’s have a look at the table:
Now, we’re ready:
Arsenal vs. Burnley
It could be a case of beauty versus the beast as the Clarets visit the Emirates on Saturday.
Ramsey gets good news: Aaron Ramsey had successful surgery this week on his broken right leg, and his career doesn’t appear to be in peril, according to multiple reports. Intentional or not, that was a nasty tackle from Ryan Shawcross.
Of course…: The Clarets know they’ll need to amp up the physicality to escape north London with a result.
“We are going to go there and still throw tackles in because it is a physical game and we are fighting for our lives,” Burnley defender Leon Cort said.
“I don’t believe anyone goes there to kick them. People know that when they play against Arsenal they have to get in their faces and stop them from playing. A lot of teams try to get tight to them and put them under pressure when they get the ball as if they don’t they will punish you.
“The only effect it (Ramsey’s injury) will have on them is that they are going to want to win the game for him on Saturday. We just have to be strong and try to get what we can.”
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West Ham United vs. Bolton
Neither team is in the relegation zone, but neither is too far from it, either, as the Hammers battle Bolton at Upton Park on Saturday.
A fortress?: West Ham hasn’t given up a home goal in its last four matches.
Injury worry: Thanks to a brutal tackle from Manchester City midfielder and Dutch international Nigel de Jong, January signee and U.S. international Stuart Holden is out for the next six weeks with a broken right leg.
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Everton vs. Hull City
The Toffees will look to continue their recent strong form when Hull City visits Goodison Park on Sunday.
Didn’t I just see you?: After playing as teammates for the United States in Amsterdam in mid-week, Everton’s Landon Donovan and Hull City’s Jozy Altidore will serve different sides this weekend.
History lesson: The Tigers won the reverse fixture, taking a 3-2 win over Everton at the KC Stadium back in November.
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Wigan Athletic vs. Liverpool
The Latics will try to defend their home turf when the Reds come calling on Monday.
The power of Moses: According to Click Lancashire, Wigan’s Victor Moses will make his first Premier League start against Liverpool.
They said it: Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, to Sky Sports on his team’s place in the table: “It’s going to be a really tight finish. You are looking at probably one of the most exciting Premier League campaigns ever.
“Three teams are trying to win the title, then you have four teams going for fourth spot and eight teams trying to avoid relegation. It is about reaching certain standards, being consistent with them and not allowing your football to be affected by your position in the table.
“But I feel that the group we have now is as strong as it has been all season, we have come a long, long way and probably now we are one result away from really finishing the season strong.”
History lesson: Liverpool and Wigan have met 11 times in all competitions with the Reds winning nine and drawing the other two.
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Liverpool have won 9 and drawn 2 out of 9 games v. Wigan, hm? I understand the disparity between the clubs, but…
That would be dominance, wouldn’t it?
It was a typo…
west ham united kept clean sheets against both b’ham and hull at upton park. how is it that you say they have given up a home goal in their last 4 matches?