Premier League preview

With the transfer window having slammed shut, Premier League bosses turn their attention back to the pursuit of points.

With the transfer window having slammed shut, Premier League bosses turn their attention back to the pursuit of points. A busy weekend programme is likely to see a number of debutants unleashed, and all eyes will be on those taking to the field in new colours. While attention has been dominated by comings and goings over recent days, it is worth nothing that there is still a title race unfolding and a basement battle hotting up. It is possible that the picture could alter at opposing ends of the division over the weekend, with potentially crucial fixtures lined up at the top and bottom. Standing at the summit at present are Manchester United, with the Red Devils having opened up a seven-point lead. They could pull 10 clear on Saturday, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men offered another opportunity to put down a marker to their rivals. United did drop points on their last visit to the capital - at Tottenham - but will fancy their chances of making amends when they go to Fulham. The Cottagers will have been buoyed by their midweek derby win over West Ham, but will also be aware that a visit from United presents an entirely different challenge. Chelsea's faint title hopes now appear to be over, with the dropping of another two points at Reading on Wednesday leaving them 13 points off the pace. Cementing a top-four standing is now the priority at Stamford Bridge, with that particular race still keenly-contested. Newcastle were involved themselves last season, but have suffered a dramatic fall from grace. A welcome midweek win has edged them four points clear of the drop zone, but they could do with another shot in the arm when Chelsea arrive on Tyneside. Arsenal displayed commendable battling qualities to take a point off Liverpool in their last outing, but Arsene Wenger will be concerned that his side continue to give themselves a mountain to climb. The Gunners have picked up an unfortunate habit of starting games slowly, and they must kick that if they are to push on and retain their place at European football's top table. A visit from Stoke is arguably the last thing Wenger and his troops need right now, with the Potters having caused them plenty of problems in the past, but Tony Pulis' side are winless in five and may be there for the taking. Everton continue to grind out results and have plodded along relatively unnoticed in the race for UEFA Champions League football. Those above and below the Toffees continue to dominate the headlines, and David Moyes will be hoping that remains the case until the end of the season. Just one point separates Everton from the top four at present and they will move into that grouping on Saturday if they can take three points off struggling Aston Villa - a side that has gone seven games without a win, slipped to second from bottom in the standings and piled pressure on the shoulders of boss Paul Lambert. Queens Park Rangers are the only side keeping Villa off the foot of the table at present, but they have brought in considerable reinforcements in an effort to steer a course to safety. Harry Redknapp was expected to be busy on deadline day, and he did not disappoint. The challenge now is how to integrate the new boys into an underachieving squad and get them turning the corner. Norwich will be keen to ensure that those questions remain on Saturday lunchtime, with the Canaries having gone seven games without a win to slip back into relegation trouble themselves -