Friday 8 May 2015 16:40, UK
With another huge round of Premier League contests ahead of us, we ponder 10 questions that will be answered by the end of Monday…
Will Chelsea have a party against Palace? (Chelsea v Crystal Palace, Super Sunday, 1:30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
Champions-elect Chelsea can confirm the Premier League title with victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday as they enter this weekend's fixtures 13 points clear ahead of their nearest rivals Arsenal.
With the hard work seemingly done after positive results against Manchester United and the Gunners, will Jose Mourinho release the handbrake and allow his team to attack with pace and purpose like earlier in the season? If so, the home fans are in for a treat. Palace must heed the Hazard warning.
Golden Aguero to boot his way to the top of the scorer charts? (Tottenham v Manchester City, Super Sunday, 4pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
Sergio Aguero has netted nine goals in six Premier League appearances against Spurs and has bagged 21 goals this season despite an injury-hit campaign.
The Premier League's leading marksman is currently one goal clear of Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot and two ahead of the injured Diego Costa. A goal or two at the Lane may just make his lead an unassailable one.
Will Manchester United get back to winning ways? (Manchester United v Tottenham, Saturday Night Football, 5:30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
Not only have United lost their last two games, they failed to score in both. It’s worth noting they have not failed to score in three consecutive games since August 2007. West Brom are the visitors at Old Trafford and Tony Pulis’ boys have kept six clean sheets in their last 11 Premier League games.
They could be a tough nut to crack as United look to sew up Champions League qualification.
Can Arsenal continue to be ruthless on the road? (Hull City v Arsenal, Monday Night Football, 8pm, Sky Sports 1 HD)
Arsenal have won their last four Premier League away games all by a one-goal margin and are currently on a 13th unbeaten run in the league.
Despite being regarded as a team that have a soft centre, Arsene Wenger’s men actually are very reliable at outclassing the lower ranked teams in the Premier League, as proven by the fact they’ve lost just two games against bottom 10 sides in the last three seasons.
Can Villa forget about Wembley and concentrate on survival? (Aston Villa v Everton, Saturday, 3pm)
Wigan and Birmingham fans will be quick to tell Aston Villa fans that cup success can seriously hinder a Premier League campaign.
Tim Sherwood’s men went down fighting to Manchester City last weekend but picked up no points for their efforts and they are now just two points above the dreaded drop zone.
Can QPR drag themselves back into the survival race by ending their Anfield hoodoo? (Liverpool v QPR, Saturday, 3pm)
Last weekend’s 0-0 draw with West Ham was a missed opportunity for QPR, who now have just four games to save their season.
Rangers, who haven’t won at Anfield since 1991, are now four points from safety and have a tricky trip to Manchester City still to come. It's now or never.
Will Sunderland start turning draws into wins at a crucial time? (Sunderland v Southampton, Saturday, 3pm)
Dick Advocaat’s men have racked up 15 draws this season and are just one point above the relegation zone with five games remaining.
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Stoke was a step in the right direction for Advocaat’s men but wins, not draws are needed with games running out - starting this weekend.
Can Gylfi Sigurdsson continue to spearhead Swansea’s charge up the table? (Swansea v Stoke, Saturday, 3pm)
Swansea playmaker Sigurdsson has been quietly going about his business this season and is only the third player to reach double figures for assists this season (10) after Cesc Fabregas and Angel Di Maria.
He also found the net last weekend at Newcastle, showing that he has a killer instinct in front of goal to go along with his creative build-up play. Stoke and Mark Hughes will need to watch him closely in the mid-table clash.
Is this the weekend Danny Ings shows his Premier League quality in front of goal? (Burnley v West Ham, Saturday, 3pm)
Sean Dyce’s side suffered a major blow last weekend as they lost at home to fellow strugglers Leicester and it was a game where Ings failed to fire again.
Burnley’s main man, who notched 26 goals last campaign, only has fired nine times this season and hasn’t scored in the last 11 games. Now is the time for Ings to stand up and be counted.
Will the Foxes send the Toon to their eighth straight defeat? (Leicester v Newcastle, Saturday, 3pm)
John Carver’s side tackle in-form Leicester on the back of seven straight defeats which has left the club just five points above the relegation zone in 14th place in the table.
A defeat at Leicester is very plausible considering each team’s respective form and if that’s the way the cookie crumbles, Newcastle will be no longer flirting with relegation they’ll be dining with it.
