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Premier League preview

England's top flight returns after an arduous fortnight

By James Dall Last updated: 20th November 2009

Gerrard: City showdown

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Saturday
Liverpool v Man City
Birmingham v Fulham
Burnley v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Wolves
Hull City v West Ham
Sunderland v Arsenal
Man Utd v Everton
Sunday
Bolton v Blackburn
Tottenham v Wigan
Stoke v Portsmouth

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The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield.

After what seemed like the longest fortnight in history, England's top flight returns. There are several intriguing encounters on offer, as table-toppers Chelsea host Wolves, a depleted Arsenal head to Sunderland, struggling pair Hull City and West Ham do battle, and Manchester United meet Everton.

Sky Sports 1 & HD1 brings you live coverage of Liverpool's encounter with Manchester City. This is arguably a must-win game for both sides. The Reds, who look set to be boosted by Steven Gerrard's return to the starting XI, have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions. After a shock 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last time out, Benitez has seen his team slip to seventh - the title dream is most likely over. Mark Hughes may have seen his City side lose just once in the league this season, but five straight draws have blotted what was a promising start.

Leaders Chelsea take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in one of five 3pm kick-offs on Saturday. The Blues are strong favourites to see off Mick McCarthy's charges, who are without a league win since 20th September. Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea will doubtless be buzzing from their recent scalp of the champions and will be eager to continue their march at the summit. It is likely to be an uphill struggle for Wolves, who will be looking to end Chelsea's incredible run of having not conceded at home for 14 hours and 32 minutes.

Second-placed Arsenal head North East to the Stadium of Light with an injury list longer than Peter Crouch's inseam. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger recently revealed his concern that November injuries have been unkind to his side, and those comments appear to have tempted fate. Robin van Persie is the latest key man to be sidelined for the long-term, and Wenger's men must prove they can cope without the dangerous Dutchman. For Sunderland, manager Steve Bruce could see this as an ideal time to play Arsenal and in the process rectify what has been recently rocky form.

Hull City versus West Ham United is a massive game. The Tigers' dramatic win over Stoke two weeks ago temporarily lifted the pressure on boss Phil Brown's shoulders, now they take on lowly West Ham. Just a point separates the duo, with the Hammers currently in the relegation zone. Hull's recent home form has been encouraging, with seven points accrued from three matches. West Ham, though, are in trouble. There was hope that their second win of the season against Aston Villa would act as a turning point, but they remain with one three-point haul to their name in 11 encounters.

Rocket

Manchester United tackle Everton in an evening kick-off at Old Trafford looking for a response after they went down to a 1-0 loss at Chelsea prior to the international break. The Red Devils can take heart from an imposing record against the Toffees - they have lost just once in 28 league meetings - and, with a rocket up their backsides, will be hungry to return to winning ways. The campaign so far has proved to be a difficult one for Everton, but they did at least notch their first win in five matches a fortnight ago. David Moyes could do without his side being just five points above the wrong end of the table.

Birmingham City lock horns with Fulham at St Andrews in a game where all statistics point towards a low-scoring draw. Premier League games between Birmingham and Fulham have averaged just 1.8 goals per match, while half of the 10 meetings between have ended as stalemates. The Blues' last two encounters have ended in draws, but the grit demonstrated in their last fixture at Anfield must have been encouraging for head coach Alex McLeish. His side face a stern test in Fulham, who are unbeaten in their last five fixtures and will be out to secure a victory that could continue their rise up the table.

The last clash on Saturday sees Burnley welcome Aston Villa to Turf Moor. The Clarets' outstanding home record of five successes from six games has helped them to 10th in the table. Owen Coyle's men also demonstrated resolve on the road after they snatched a point at Eastlands. Villa, meanwhile, are fifth in the standings and will go into the game on a high after their demolition of Bolton, which was their first win in four attempts.

Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers begin Sunday's action, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. The North West duo are both unsettlingly close to the drop zone, so victory will be paramount in a bid to edge away from early danger. Blackburn hold a decent record versus the Trotters, but their away form makes for concerning reading: they have lost 10 consecutive matches on the road in the Premier League. For Bolton, an improvement defensively is a must, with the strain again increasing on manager Gary Megson.

At 3pm, Tottenham Hotspur do battle with Wigan Athletic. Spurs' somewhat fortuitous defeat of Sunderland last time out sees them in the lofty heights of fourth in the table. At home they have been impressive, winning 10 of their last 12 games at White Hart Lane. Wigan are easily the league's most unpredictable side, with it impossible to know which Latics will turn up; the one that beat Chelsea or the one that lost to Portsmouth.

Stoke City against Portsmouth concludes the weekend's fixtures, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1. Travelling Pompey supporters have endured many disappointing trips away from the South Coast, with the club winning won only one of their last 19 Premier League matches on their travels. The Britannia Stadium is not an easy place to go, with Stoke a well-drilled outfit under Tony Pulis. Success for Portsmouth could move them off the foot of the table, depending on how other results go, so the motivation is there for Paul Hart's charges.

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