It might be because the latter has a game in hand, but for the first time in a long time Manchester City will enter the new Premier League week on top of the table and Liverpool will not.
City appeared to bottle their chances of closing the gap when they suffered a shock loss to Newcastle two weeks ago, but the Reds failed to capitalise and now find themselves well and truly back in a fight.
Liverpool are offered a great opportunity to win again this week when they host Bournemouth, while City will have their hands full with Chelsea.
Fulham
Last 5 Matches: LLLLWL
Ladder Position: 19th
Goal Difference: -30 (GF 25, GA 55)
United
Last 5 Matches: WWWDW
Ladder Position: 5th
Goal Difference: +14 (GF 49, GA 35)
A pretty big class difference between Fulham and United this season and it’s tough imagining the home side being able to contain the Red Devils for the whole 90 minutes. United enter this one off the back of an away win over Leicester and will be confident of repeating that result here.
Southampton
Last 5 Matches: DWWDD
Ladder Position: 16th
Goal Difference: -15 (GF 27, GA 42)
Cardiff
Last 5 Matches: LDLLW
Ladder Position: 18th
Goal Difference: -24 (GF 22, GA 46)
This looks like being a reasonably competitive fixture and a case to be made for both clubs. The Saints are undefeated through their five most-recent matches but meet a Cardiff side that is playing with plenty of heart and who recorded an emotional win over Bournemouth last week.
Liverpool
Last 5 Matches: LWWDD
Ladder Position: 2nd
Goal Difference: +41 (GF 56, GA 15)
Bournemouth
Last 5 Matches: DLWWL
Ladder Position: 10th
Goal Difference: -7 (GF 37, GA 44)
Bournemouth suffered a defeat at the hands of Cardiff last weekend and face an even bigger task in the form of Liverpool this week. The Reds have drawn their two most-recent matches but will be eager to respond and should simply prove too good for the Cherries.
Palace
Last 5 Matches: WLLDW
Ladder Position: 14th
Goal Difference: -7 (GF 26, GA 33)
West Ham
Last 5 Matches: DWLLD
Ladder Position: 12th
Goal Difference: -7 (GF 31, GA 38)
The weekend’s sole London Derby will see Palace host West Ham, and this looms as an ideal opportunity for both clubs to secure points. The Hammers held Liverpool to a draw last weekend, while the Eagles were too good for Fulham. At Selhurst Park, I am happy to sit on the fence.
Huddersfield
Last 5 Matches: LDLLL
Ladder Position: 20th
Goal Difference: -33 (GF 13, GA 46)
Arsenal
Last 5 Matches: WLWWL
Ladder Position: 6th
Goal Difference: +15 (GF 51, GA 36)
Another week, another huge task for Aaron Mooy’s last-placed Huddersfield Town. The Gunners suffered a defeat to Manchester City last week, but it’s tough imagining them being troubled too much by the Terriers.
Watford
Last 5 Matches: DWDLD
Ladder Position: 8th
Goal Difference: -1 (GF 33, GA 34)
Everton
Last 5 Matches: WLWLL
Ladder Position: 9th
Goal Difference: -2 (GF 36, GA 38)
It’s eighth versus ninth when Watford host Everton and both sides have been pretty inconsistent since Christmas. Everton became the latest club to feel Manchester City’s wrath midweek and they’ll find this a difficult prospect as well. This looks like a great opportunity for the Hornets to record a win.
Brighton
Last 5 Matches: DLLLD
Ladder Position: 13th
Goal Difference: -9 (GF 27, GA 36)
Burnley
Last 5 Matches: WWDDD
Ladder Position: 17th
Goal Difference: -20 (GF 26, GA 46)
Mat Ryan’s Brighton snapped a three-game losing streak last weekend and are offered a great opportunity to return to winning form, at the expense of Burnley. The Clarets have been reasonably competitive of late and represent plenty of value in head-to-head betting.
Spurs
Last 5 Matches: WLWWW
Ladder Position: 3rd
Goal Difference: +27 (GF 51, GA 24)
Leicester
Last 5 Matches: WLLDL
Ladder Position: 11th
Goal Difference: -1 (GF 30, GA 31)
Spurs have been in outstanding form again and they will be an extremely difficult prospect for a pretty inconsistent Leicester outfit this week. They have consolidated their position third in overall standings and can add to that again this weekend.
City
Last 5 Matches: WWLWW
Ladder Position: 1st
Goal Difference: +48 (GF 68, GA 20)
Chelsea
Last 5 Matches: DWLLW
Ladder Position: 4th
Goal Difference: +22 (GF 45, GA 23)
This is clearly the match of the round and we should be treated to some world class football when City hosts Chelsea. The Cityzens managed to leapfrog Liverpool into top spot after beating Everton midweek, but the Reds still do have a game in hand. City can keep the pressure on by winning this one.
Wolves
Last 5 Matches: LLWWW
Ladder Position: 7th
Goal Difference: +1 (GF 33, GA 32)
Newcastle
Last 5 Matches: LLWWL
Ladder Position: 15th
Goal Difference: -12 (GF 21, GA 33)
Wolves have recorded three wins in a row and are offered a great opportunity to make it four when they host Newcastle on Tuesday morning. The should win, but I can’t find an angle I am keen to pursue on this one and I am happy to watch.