It's London vs Manchester as Premier League race hots up

IT'S north London versus Manchester this week as Arsenal and Spurs take on Manchester United and City in two massive games on Sunday. And it is a sign of the shifting sands in the Premier League that the Spurs, City game is a higher stakes encounter than the clash between United and Arsenal.

With those four teams up against each other Chelsea will be hoping to make up some ground on the top three with a win over Norwich, while Newcastle and Liverpool, who face teams near the bottom of the table, will know they have a great chance to leapfrog Arsenal if the Gunners slip up against United.

At the bottom the clash between Wigan and QPR could be hugely significant while Blackburn visit Everton hoping to continue their ascent up the table.

Here's the best of the weekend action:

Arsenal v Man United
Once upon a time this was the biggest and most eagerly anticipated showdown of the Premier League season, and fireworks were guaranteed. But those days are long gone and Arsenal find themselves 12 points behind their old title rivals going into this game. The Gunners need a result to keep their slender hopes of Champions League qualification alive, but title-chasing United will hardly be quaking in their boots as they head down the M6, even though their form of late has been patchy to say the least.

Although times have changed there should still be quite an atmosphere at the Emirates. Firstly there is the small matter of the extraordinary 8-2 drubbing meted out to Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier this season. The United fans will want a repeat; Gooners will be baying for revenge. Secondly there will be a throwback to the good old days of tunnel bust-ups and flying pizzas thanks to the presence of Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry, both of whom could get a run out. Perhaps some things haven't changed too much after all, this probably is a must-watch match.

Manchester City v Spurs
A few years ago, when United and Arsenal were in their pomp, the idea that one of the season's title deciders could be played out between City and Spurs would have seemed preposterous, but this game really is that big. A win for City will dump Spurs out of the Premier League hunt and pile huge pressure on United before their game with Arsenal, but if Tottenham can come away with a win, or even a draw on Suday lunchtime, then we have a three way title race on our hands. However, the chances of the latter result look slim. City's home record this season reads played ten, won ten with just four goals conceded and 31 scored. Spurs have also proved to be a frustrating bunch. Every time they convince the watching public they have a real chance of winning the league they slip up. It happened against Stoke earlier in the season and they fluffed their lines against Wolves last week.

This game might not be the classic some hope for. Spurs' striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be missing under the terms of his loan deal from City while the home side are still without Vincent Kompany at the back and the Toure brothers are on international duty. Both sides have looked jittery of late, but City should just about shade it.

Bolton v Liverpool
The Saturday evening kick off is a big one for all concerned. Bolton are in terrible trouble at the bottom of the table and need to turn things around fast. Last season they impressed everyone with their slick passing football, but they have been awful this term. Liverpool may fancy their chances away from Anfield where they only seem able to draw, and Kenny Dalglish will be anxious to get three points under his belt having seen his side slip to seventh in the table. However, he has a Carling Cup semi final against Manchester City and an FA Cup clash with Manchester United coming up in the next week, so he may be tempted to rest some of his big names.

Misfiring strikers Andy Carroll and David Ngog will be centre stage. Will Reds striker Carroll be entrusted with a place in the starting line up? The big man has yet to make his mark a year after joining from Newcastle in a £35m move. Time is surely running out for the burly centre forward to prove that he has what it takes. Someone who has already proved to Liverpool that he doesn't have what it takes is Ngog, who managed fewer than 20 goals in three seasons at Anfield. His performances for Bolton have hardly made him a crowd favourite at the Reebok either, but he will be desperate to prove everyone wrong on Saturday.

Norwich v Chelsea
Could this be the week for Fernando Torres? The £50m misfit has been with Chelsea for a year now and has managed just five goals (one fewer than his Liverpool replacement Andy Carroll) and no-one seems to know what to do with him. Should the club sell Didier Drogba and put their trust in Torres, or be done with it and flog the Spaniard? With Nicolas Anelka gone and Drobga at the Africa Cup of Nations this could be his moment - unless Daniel Sturridge steals it from him. Whatever happens up front Chelsea really cannot afford to lose at Carrow Lane. But, rest assured, Norwich will not roll over and if Torres cares to watch the efforts of Grant Holt and Steve Morison in the Norwich front line he will see what can be achieved even if you aren't blessed with the skills of Maradona.

Fulham v Newcastle
This will be Newcastle's first visit to the capital since September when they drew 0-0 at QPR, during their long unbeaten run at the start of the season. Alan Pardew's outfit made a great start campaign before the wheels started to fall off before Christmas, but they have turned things around and are on a three-match winning streak. They may be without forward Demba Ba, one of the players of the season so far, who is on international duty (along with new signing Papiss Demba Cisse) but they coped admirably without him last week as they overcame QPR in Newcastle. Another win on Saturday would lift the Toon back into the top five. For a side many tipped for relegation the Toon are performing miracles this season. As for Fulham, they are hovering just above the drop zone and Martin Jol will not be happy with what he has achieved so far in his first season at Craven Cottage. They have beaten Arsenal and drawn with Chelsea in recent weeks, but they have also lost to 10-man Blackburn and conceded a late equaliser to Norwich. They have been erratic to say the least, so who knows what lies in store on the banks of the Thames.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Mark Hughes manages QPR at home in the league for the first time against Wigan, and it is a must-win game for the Hoops who have been dragged into the relegation zone. They simply cannot afford to lose to the division's bottom club. Blackburn, who have been on quite a roller coaster ride this season and have risen to the giddy heights of 17th in the league, visit Everton. Swansea travel to Sunderland for a game that is unlikely to produce an avalanche of goals, while there are two Midlands derbies as Stoke entertain West Brom and Wolves host Aston Villa. ·