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Premier League questions: Leicester to slip-up? Tottenham to better Man Utd record?

Leicester and Tottenham look set to go head-to-head for the Premier League title

The Premier League serves up another mouthwatering set of fixtures this weekend, with the top two sides in action on Sky Sports as the title race builds up to a tantalising crescendo.

Sunderland are the latest side to try to derail Leicester in the first installment of a Super Sunday double header, where anything other than three points could open the door for Tottenham to close the gap when they welcome Manchester United to White Hart Lane in Super Sunday's grand finale.

Crystal Palace welcome Norwich to Selhurst Park on Saturday, with both sides desperate for three points that will pull them clear of the bottom three, while Arsenal look to keep pace at the top when they go head-to-head with West Ham.

With so much at stake, we take a look at 10 questions that could be answered over the weekend.

Can the Hammers all-but end Gunners' title dream? (West Ham v Arsenal - Saturday, 12.45pm)

Mauro Zarate (r) celebrates his goal for West Ham against Arsenal
Image: Mauro Zarate (right) celebrates in West Ham win at Arsenal early in season

How Arsenal have fallen off the pace quite so drastically is hard to comprehend, but their lacklustre displays have caused supporters of the club to show their discontent towards Arsen Wenger and his side once again.

It seems the only way Wenger will silence those vociferous voices around the Emirates is to somehow mastermind a late title tilt, and to do that, the Gunners will almost certainly have to earn maximum points from their final matches.

The Gunners were vastly improved in last weekend's win over Watford, but the real test will be in Saturday's early kick-off, with the Hammers holding Champions League aspirations of their own. Victory at Upton Park will send a real statement to their title rivals; while defeat could effectively end their season.

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Title race run-in
Title race run-in

Leicester, Tottenham and Arsenal run-ins analysed

Can Canaries build on last-gasp success? (Crystal Palace v Norwich - Saturday, 3pm)

Norwich's Martin Olsson is congratulated after scoring the late winner
Image: Martin Olsson is congratulated after late winner last week

The very definition of a relegation six-pointer. Crystal Palace and Norwich lie 16th and 17th respectively, with Sunderland and Newcastle not far behind in the relegation places.

Alex Neil's side would be much deeper in the relegation mire had they not snatched a dramatic victory against Newcastle last weekend, and they have to build on that euphoria by pulling Palace further into trouble.

Palace are in freefall, and have not earned three points since December 19. They did show some fighting spirit in last week's draw at high-flying West Ham, and Alan Pardew will be demanding more of the same attitude against Norwich.

The first goal will be key and if it is Palace who concede first, with their confidence already low, the Canaries could be flying high at Selhurst Park.

Mitrovic to fire Newcastle to safety? (Southampton v Newcastle - Saturday, 3pm)

Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates his vital goal against Sunderland
Image: Aleksandar Mitrovic has found his form at the right time

Whenever a side is in need of points to steer them to survival, they need an in-form striker to score the goals to help them climb the table.

Sunderland had Connor Wickham to instigate their great escape, Robert Earnshaw produced similar heroics in West Brom's feat, while Aston Villa would already have been relegated if it wasn't for Christian Benteke last season.

Spurs old boys to decide title?
Spurs old boys to decide title?

The Tottenham old boys that can deny Leicester their title dreams

Aleksandar Mitrovic could be that man for Newcastle. The Serbia international has scored three goals in his last two Premier League games, as many as he'd scored in his previous 18 in the competition.

Southampton have suffered from inconsistency of late, and should Mitrovic carry on finding the net at a similar rate, the Magpies could start their climb up the table sooner rather than later.

Is Roberto Martinez one more defeat away from severe pressure? (Watford v Everton - Saturday, 3pm)

Leighton Baines of Everton in action
Image: Leighton Baines has caused controversy this week

With such a talented squad at his disposal, it is no wonder Roberto Martinez is under intense pressure to turn things around at Everton, with the Toffees in 12th position.

The Spaniard has pointed out that their upcoming FA Cup semi-final has proven to be a unwelcome distraction, and also was unhappy with Leighton Baines' comments that the squad lacks chemistry, but the excuses are wearing thin with the Everton faithful.

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Roberto Martinez insists Leighton Baines must take responsibility after being quoted as saying there is a 'lack of chemistry' in the Everton squad.

Watford represent perfect opposition in Everton's quest for a first win in four, as the Hornets look to have one eye on the FA Cup last four themselves.

Another defeat, however, will only intensify the vitriol on the blue half of Merseyside.

Is this the day the giant falls? (Aston Villa v Bournemouth - Saturday, 3pm)

Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Westwood of Aston Villa show their frustration after Everton's third goal
Image: Villa are on the verge of the drop

This day has been looming large in England's second city for some time, but if Norwich better Aston Villa's result on Saturday, then the Premier League mainstays will have their relegation confirmed.

It is only a matter of time, but when confirmed the real inquest will begin as to what has gone so drastically wrong at Villa Park.

Despite their woeful form, Villa may be able to stave off the inevitable for a little while longer yet, with Bournemouth having all-but secured their top flight survival.

Either way, the sooner Villa can begin the inquest into their plight the better.

Swans to break Premier League duck? (Swansea v Chelsea - Saturday, 3pm)

Image: Guus Hiddink will hope his side can retain focus

It has been a tumultuous week at Chelsea, with Antonio Conte announced as Jose Mourinho's long-term successor - enough to cause much distraction ahead of a weekend fixture.

Swansea have never beaten the Blues in the Premier League, and Guus Hiddink remains unbeaten in the league since taking over on an interim basis.

However, there may not be a better time for the Swans to make sure of their top-flight safety and earn that elusive three points over the Blues, given all the commotion in midweek.

Can Kevin De Bruyne continue to revitalise City? (Manchester City v West Brom - Saturday, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)

Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after opening the scoring in Paris
Image: Kevin De Bruyne is back and firing on all cylinders

With their rivals faltering around them, the stage looked set for Manchester City to give Manuel Pellegrini the perfect send-off by clinching their third Premier League crown.

However, City's title challenge has wilted in the extreme, and even a top-four finish is not guaranteed, but the absence of one of their big hitters seems to have been the root of the problem.

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City look a force once again with Kevin De Bruyne back in it. They put in arguably their best display of the season in the Belgian's comeback game last weekend at Bournemouth, before earning the advantage over Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League after a 2-2 draw in Paris.

De Bruyne was a star performer in both - leaving City fans wondering what might have been - and will be key to ensuring Pep Guardiola is competing the next season's Champions League.

Will Leicester slip up? (Sunderland v Leicester - Sunday, 1.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)

Leicester City players celebrate against Southampton
Image: Leicester City players celebrate against Southampton

Many of us refuse to believe they can do it even now, with Sunderland's quest for survival a potential stumbling block in the Leicester fairytale.

However, the Foxes have shown a level of resilience beyond their inexperience, and travel to Stadium of Light full of confidence on the back of four successive 1-0 wins, where they have proven their battling qualities.

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Continuity breeds success, and the Foxes are proof of that. Claudio Ranieri has used the same starting line-up in 11 different top-flight games this season; no other starting line-up (from any side) has appeared more than five times.

Slipping up is looking less and less likely, and if they continue to get the points they need to seal a remarkable title success, Ranieri will rely on the same players once more. Why change a winning formula?

United to continue run at home away from home? (Tottenham v Manchester United - Sunday, 4.00pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)

Marouane Fellaini goal, Eric Dier, Manchester United v Tottenham, Premier League
Image: Marouane Fellaini was on target in United win over Spurs

During the Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford, Manchester United commanded an impressive record at many a Premier League ground, but the turbulence since means several defeats have tarnished many of those stats.

However, despite their improvement in recent years as United have somewhat floundered, Tottenham are still without a home victory against them in their last 14 meetings.

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Louis van Gaal's men are producing something resembling decent form after registering back-to-back wins, but they cannot afford any further slip-ups in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Spurs have arguably more at stake, though, as they trail leaders Leicester by seven points, and with the Foxes showing no sign of relenting, Mauricio Pochettino's men have to keep pace - and must ignore the history books in doing so.

1-0 to the visitors? (Liverpool v Stoke - Sunday, 4.00pm)

Liverpool players celebrate after Joe Allen scores the winning penalty against Stoke
Image: Liverpool celebrate after winning penalty against Stoke in Capital One Cup

After their embarrassing 6-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season, each of the three meetings between Liverpool and Stoke this campaign have ended 1-0 to the away side.

Both still retain faint European aspirations, but it would take a hefty collapse from the top six to let either Stoke or Liverpool in at this juncture in the season.

Stoke have taken seven points from their last three games on the road, so don't bet against the Potters sneaking past a Liverpool side jaded by their Europa League exploits.

You can watch Tottenham, Leicester and Manchester United in action on Sky Sports this weekend.

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