Liverpool or Manchester United? How will Dick Advocaat get on? Ten questions for the weekend

After a miserable week for the Premier League in Europe, attention turns back to domestic affairs in an action-packed fixture list.

With title and top-four aspirations, as well as survival hopes all to play for, there's a lot riding on the 10 league matches this weekend.

Who will take advantage out of Liverpool and Manchester United? Can Arsenal and Manchester City bounce back from disappointment? How will Dick Advocaat fare?

We ask the questions that should hopefully be answered by Monday morning...

Who will be smiling after Anfield showdown?

Liverpool and Manchester United face off on Super Sunday knowing this is a key fixture in the battle for the Champions League places.

Brendan Rodgers men are aiming for the longest unbeaten run of the season to match Chelsea’s 14, but defeat would severely dent their top-four ambitions.

The added spice of a huge rivalry between the two sides should only add to a fiery atmosphere at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Are Pellegrini’s days numbered or can victory give him a stay of execution?

Manchester City’s Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona has ramped up the pressure on under-fire boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Defeat to Burnley in the Premier League has seen them slip further behind in the title race, and the Chilean desperately needs to get a morale-boosting win over West Brom to get their season back on track, otherwise he could face the prospect of a trophyless season and some searching questions from unhappy owners.

Will Fabregas’ Cesc-appeal return for Chelsea against Hull?

Despite romping clear at the top of the Premier League, Chelsea have only won five of their last 12 games and the sparkling performances by Cesc Fabregas have also dried up.

Opta tells us that Fabregas has scored or assisted 86 goals in the opening half of the campaign over the last six seasons, but only 33 from New Year’s Day to the end of the season over the same period. It seems the former Barcelona man’s form consistently nosedives over the course of a season.

Will the Sunderland players get a taste for Advocaat against West Ham?

New Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has nine games to try and turn things around at the Stadium of Light after replacing Gus Poyet, starting with a tricky trip to east London.

Sunderland have failed to win in their last eight games, with a 3-1 FA Cup win at Fulham at the start of February the last time they tasted victory. The Hammers aren’t exactly flying though, having lost their last three.

Go fourth and conquer! Can Tottenham regain winning momentum at Leicester?

The 3-0 loss at Manchester United last weekend was a severe blow to Tottenham’s top-four ambitions and means they face an uphill task to secure Champions League football next season.

Leicester are seven points from safety and are running out of time to save their season. It looks an home banker, but stranger things have happened, especially when you consider the way Spurs defended at Old Trafford.

No Coloccini, no chance?

John Carver’s Newcastle want to avoid a third-straight defeat when they host Arsenal, but they’ll have to do it without influential defender Fabricio Coloccini, and that could make a tough task even tougher.

The Gunners are still licking their wounds from their midweek exploits in Monaco as they crashed out to the Ligue 1 side, but Arsene Wenger’s men have fired themselves up to third and they are now breathing down Manchester City’s necks.

What now for Martinez after Kiev nightmare?

Thursday was a night to forget to Everton. They were the last British team standing in European competition, but they were humbled 5-2 in Kiev as they crashed out of the Europa League.

Victory over Newcastle in their last Premier League has given the Toffees some optimism after a mediocre season, but QPR will be tough opponents as they look to avoid a fifth-straight defeat in their battle to beat the drop.

One for the form book at Villa Park?

Aston Villa are resurgent under Tim Sherwood, and they’re targeting a fourth win in succession when they host Swansea. Last week’s drubbing of Sunderland cost Gus Poyet his job and Villa have seen themselves move up to 16th in the table.

The Swans, meanwhile, are winless in three since their victory over Manchester United, but they will feel disappointed not to have got anything from games against Liverpool and Tottenham, and Garry Monk’s men have shown they can beat anyone on their day.

Will Burnley put Southampton’s top-four hopes to the sword?

Saints are struggling with just one win in five games at the moment, but Ronald Koeman’s men are still sixth in the table and continue to harbour hopes of making it into the Champions League spots.

Sean Dyche’s men are still on a high from their victory over Manchester City, against whom they’ve taken four points this season, and the Saints’ wavering home form could give the visitors hope.

Will defensive failings cost Palace?

Alan Pardew has seen his Crystal Palace side keep just one clean sheet in their nine Premier League outings under their new boss, but they’ve won two of the last three and look to be on the cusp of securing their survival.

Stoke’s usually reliable home form hasn’t been as rock solid this season, but Mark Hughes will see this game as a result his side should be winning as they look to secure a top-eight finish.