Unbeaten City line up Norwich as rivals battle to keep pace

WITH only two of the top seven playing each other this weekend the pressure is on the Premier League front runners to keep up the pace and, with runaway league leaders Man City playing newly promoted Norwich and likely to win handsomely, the chasing pack cannot afford to slip up.

The most intriguing fixture is the clash between Newcastle, who are overachieving massively, and Chelsea, who are doing the opposite. But there are plenty of other mouthwatering match-ups on Saturday as the battle for the Champions League places hots up.

On Sunday there may well be a welcome return to the dugout for Martin O'Neill if he is confirmed as the new boss of Sunderland in time for their clash with Wolves.

Here's the pick of the weekend's action:

Newcastle v Chelsea
It's fourth v fifth in what promises to be a fascinating encounter to kick off the weekend. Nobody expected Newcastle to be anywhere near the top of the table at this stage of the season and they continue to defy the odds. After last week's controversial draw at Manchester United the Magpies are back in front of their home fans at the Sports Direct Arena, and under pressure Chelsea will be in for a tough game. Newcastle's early season run was expected to come to a juddering halt against the Manchester teams, but Alan Pardew's men gave as good as they got against City and United. They will now consider themselves favourites against Chelsea, who are faltering badly. Andre Villas-Boas has come out fighting and is adamant that his position is not under threat, but there is no doubt the team will be on edge after losing three of their last four games. John Terry will return after suspension and the Blues will need all his experience if they are to get anything from this game. On a more sombre note there will be tributes to Wales manager and former Newcastle stalwart Gary Speed, who died last weekend, before the game.

Man City v Norwich
Roberto Mancini's strikers will have been desperately showing off in training this week hoping to get a starting berth against Norwich, who visit the Etihad cast in the role of whipping boys. Canaries manager Paul Lambert has urged his side to show "no fear", but it is hard to believe that they are looking at anything other than damage limitation against the unbeaten league leaders. Some may predict a cricket score but Norwich will not roll over without a fight. They earned a draw at Liverpool and gave a good account of themselves at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. But Roberto Mancini has a full squad to choose from while Norwich are without the likes of James Vaughan and Elliott Ward. 'Home win' is not the bravest prediction in the world, but it is a safe one.

Tottenham v Bolton
Spurs are riding high in third spot and could even go second if Man United slip up on Saturday. Harry Redknapp said he believed his side could win the title if they carried on playing as they are and if they perform to the best of their ability then third-bottom Bolton should present no problems. Spurs may have slipped up against PAOK Salonika on Wednesday in the Europa League, but Spurs' big guns will be keen to make amends. It is hard to see how lowly Bolton will keep the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale at bay considering the Trotters have lost five of their last six games and look toothless up front without Daniel Sturridge and Johan Elmander.

Wigan v Arsenal
The Gunners may be a little nervous about visiting a relegation threatened team in the north west, the last time they did so they twice threw away a lead and lost 4-3 to Blackburn. However, Arsene Wenger's men have bucked up their ideas since then and, despite drawing with Fulham last week, they have been rocketing up the table and are unbeaten in the league since the north London derby in early October. Robin van Persie missed the Carling Cup defeat to Manchester City in midweek but should be back in the side on Saturday, and that alone should be enough to earn Arsenal the points. Wigan have no injury worries but it could be another busy afternoon for Ali Al-Habsi in the Wigan goal. Up front Hugo Rodallega may view the game as an audition for Arsenal, a team he has been linked with in the past.

Aston Villa v Man Utd
Saturday's evening kick off sees Alex Ferguson's men travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa. Ferguson is likely to be even more red faced and short tempered than usual after being forced to apologise to fans, not for the first time this season, after United were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Crystal Palace in midweek. If title rivals City get their expected victory against Norwich earlier in the day the pressure will be on United to maintain their pursuit of the league leaders. Ashley Young can expect a hot reception from the home crowd after leaving Villa for United in the summer, while the hosts will be desperate to return to winning ways after one win in six.

In Saturday afternoon's other fixtures bottom club Blackburn take on Swansea and West Brom visit QPR. Sunday's games see Everton entertain Stoke at lunchtime and the afternoon kick off is Wolves against Sunderland, who may have unveiled Martin O'Neill as their new manager by then.

Liverpool are in action against Fulham on Monday night. ·