Although there were international fixtures this week, they have not impacted on league action. The Premier League has not had a break and continues on Saturday with some huge clashes at the top and bottom of the table.
With leaders Chelsea hosting Champions League hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur and a clash at the bottom of the table in Wales between Cardiff City and Fulham, there will be plenty of on-pitch battles. Here, Sports Mole takes a look at some of the big ones.
1. Mats Daehli vs. Lewis Holtby - Cardiff City vs. Fulham
Sometimes the fixture computer throws up some huge encounters, and the one between Cardiff and Fulham on Saturday is the biggest yet for both teams. Whichever side, if either, loses this game will be widely regarded as relegated. Certainly, there is not a more winnable game than the next-lowest team in the table, which is what both these sides are faced with here.
© Getty Images
There is little doubt that both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Felix Magath will be setting their respective teams up to battle, which could mean that this game lacks something in the way of quality. As such, it will be vital for both sides to have an outlet for that touch of quality required. For the hosts that could well be Daehli and Fulham will be looking to Holtby to create scoring chances after the battle in midfield.
The young Norwegian Daehli has impressed more than any other of Solskjaer's signings so far and might well be in line for a starting place after playing well off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur. He, like Holtby, is tricky on the ball, can use both feet and has the eye for a clinical pass. Whichever of the two players gets involved in the game more could go a long way to deciding a game that looks to have only one goal in it either way.
2. Ramires vs. Sandro - Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
There will be a lot of attacking talent on display when Premier League leaders Chelsea host Spurs. Andre Schurrle will surely be given another start following his hat-trick against Fulham last weekend, while Spurs have the likes of Andros Townsend in support of Emmanuel Adebayor. In order for those players to flourish, however, there will be the important task of winning the midfield battle.
© Getty Images
At the heart of the midfield will be Ramires for Chelsea and Spurs' Sandro. Ramires is not the typical enforcer type midfielder, as he roams from his position and often gets forward to support the attacks. However, his role is still crucial to the way the Blues play. If he gets on the ball a lot, then so will Eden Hazard and Schurrle, which should in turn lead to plenty of chances being created.
Sandro is about as typical an enforcer as you will see. He will sit deep alongside possibly Moussa Dembele and Paulinho and will be tasked with breaking up Chelsea attacks and Ramires's forays forward. He is a hard-hitting tackler with an excellent reading of the game and has made himself a vital player in Tottenham's success. When they play well, Sandro invariably does too.
3. Jonas Olsson vs. Robin van Persie - West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester United
Both teams are struggling for different reasons, which makes this game very interesting indeed. Pepe Mel has yet to win in his first six games in charge of the Baggies and his side are currently sitting just above the relegation zone. Conversely, David Moyes's United still need to overturn a 12-point deficit if they are to qualify from the Champions League.
The experience of centre-back Jonas Olsson has been mentioned as a vital aspect in West Brom's battle against the drop, and he will have a tough ask on Saturday. Robin van Persie has not had the same season that he did last time out, but is still a very real threat to any defence. If Olsson manages to win the battle of strength then there is no reason why West Brom cannot become the latest team to take something from United.
© Getty Images
Matt Domm
