Premier League questions: Arsenal to end 10-year wait for Old Trafford win?
Saturday 27 February 2016 14:12, UK
It's a huge weekend in the Premier League title race as Leicester and Arsenal look to maintain their quest to be crowned champions.
Manchester United and Arsenal play out the most-iconic fixture of the Premier League era at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, with the Gunners looking to overcome an old foe while staying in the title hunt.
Before that, leaders Leicester host Norwich as they bid to bounce back from their last-gasp defeat at the Emirates last time out, while Aston Villa look to breathe life into their unlikely survival bid when they travel to Stoke.
With so much at stake, we take a look at eight questions that could be answered over the weekend...
Will the Hammers show Big Sam the West Ham way? (West Ham v Sunderland - 12.45pm, Saturday)
Sam Allardyce returns to Upton Park for the first time since West Ham opted against renewing his contract and subsequently appointed Slaven Bilic - and it's fair to say things have changed.
Allardyce's reign came to an underwhelming end at the end of last season as three defeats from their final three league games saw Messrs Gold and Sullivan succumb to intense pressure from disgruntlement supporters.
The team was often accused of not playing in the West Ham way under Big Sam, an accusation which was hard to justify - after all, what is the West Ham way?
Fast forward 10 months, however, and Bilic's new-look Hammers outfit appear to encapsulate the definition of that mantra. Spearheaded by the Dimitri Payet, perhaps they'll demonstrate its true meaning.
Can Leicester reignite title charge? (Leicester v Norwich - 3pm, Saturday)
Leicester have had almost two weeks to mull over their dramatic defeat at Arsenal in their previous league outing.
The 10-man Foxes looked set to earn a vital point at the Emirates on Valentine's Day until Danny Welbeck's late, late winner threw the title race wide open.
Whether Claudio Ranieri will admit it or not, Leicester remain firmly in the hunt for the title, two points clear of the chasing pack.
A side's title credentials, though, are based on their ability to recover from setbacks. Can they display yet another trait of champions and keep their unlikely title bid firmly on track?
Can the Saints claim a maiden Premier League double over the Blues? (Southampton v Chelsea - 3pm, Saturday)
Chelsea have finally turned a corner under Guus Hiddink. The Blues are on a run of 10 games unbeaten in the Premier League but that record comes under threat from a Southampton side, who haven't conceded in their last six Premier League matches.
Ronald Koeman's side were comfortable 3-1 winners when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge in October, and with the European places in sight, Southampton will be confident of extending their own unbeaten league run and picking up a first Premier League double against Chelsea.
Will Stoke cement Aston Villa's fate? (Stoke v Aston Villa - 3pm, Saturday)
Aston Villa are destined for the drop. Rock bottom of the Premier League, eight points from safety and showing all the characteristics of a team in danger.
An embarrassing 6-0 defeat against Liverpool last time out underlined the severity of the situation unfolding at Villa Park.
However, manager Remi Garde is adamant his Villa side are still in with a shot of avoiding relegation, while it is still mathematically possible. Another defeat, this time against Stoke, will surely see such optimism fade further away.
Can Watford enter race for European spots? (Watford v Bournemouth - 3pm, Saturday)
An influx of summer arrivals, coupled with a last-minute change in the dug-out, led many to condemn Watford to relegation before a ball was even kicked.
Fast forward to February, though, and Quique Sanchez Flores' side are closer to leaders Leicester than they are to Aston Villa at the foot of the table.
With survival all-but secured, thoughts inside the Hornets' camp will turn to what else can be achieved this season.
Just four points separate ninth-placed Watford from the final Europa League qualification spot. Win on Saturday and suddenly a dream of European football could become a reality.
Will the home fans stick by Tony Pulis? (West Brom v Crystal Palace - 5.30pm, Saturday Night Football)
Despite sitting pretty safe in mid-table on 32 points, all is not well at The Hawthorns.
Pulis' cautious approach to games and lack of faith in more creative players has disgruntled fans. A recent poll conducted by the Birmingham Mail suggested that just two per cent are "very happy" with Pulis in charge.
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The tension on the terraces boiled over last weekend at Reading in the FA Cup when the Baggies head coach was abused by the travelling support and Chris Brunt hit by a coin thrown by one of the club's fans.
Can Arsenal end 10-year wait for Old Trafford win? (Man Utd v Arsenal - 2.05pm, Super Sunday)
You have to go all the back to September 2006 for the last time Arsenal left Old Trafford with a league victory.
Emmanuel Adebayor's late strike stunned left Sir Alex Ferguson's title chasing side playing catch up in the early stages of the 2006/07 season. This time around United are playing a different sort of catch as they look to salvage anything from what can only be described as an indifferent season.
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The tables have turned off the pitch as well as on it, with the Gunners heading to Old Trafford as the bookmakers' favourites for the first time in the Premier League era.
So can Arsenal live up to their pre-match billing, bounce back from their midweek Champions League defeat to Barcelona and strengthen their title bid, while dealing another blow to United?
Six in a row for Spurs? (Tottenham v Swansea - 2.05pm, Sunday)
Spurs are on the march. Mauricio Pochettino's men are second favourites for the Premier League title after a run of five straight wins in the league.
This team have the bit firmly between their teeth in their pursuit of greatness - and a first league title since 1961.
However, Tottenham have lost three games in domestic competitions at home this season and two of those defeats came straight after a Europa League fixture, to Newcastle in the Premier League and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
