The start of Kevin Keegan's second spell in charge of Newcastle is likely to attract greater attention but Arsenal's ability to stay the pace with Manchester United in the title battle will also be under intense scrutiny this weekend.
The Gunners, who travel to Fulham on Saturday, have lost the services of first-team regulars Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue because of the African Nations Cup and they looked jaded last weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham.
The setback allowed United to move back to the top on goal difference with a crushing 6-0 demolition of Newcastle and another slip-up from Arsenal could see the psychological balance of power tilt decisively in favor of Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
PHOTO: AP
A week after that Old Trafford hammering, Newcastle will begin a second era under Keegan by hosting Bolton at what is sure to be a sold-out St James' Park.
United are at Reading on Saturday and, with Cristiano Ronaldo in rampant form, will regard the trip south as a banker for three points.
With 22 goals already this season and 16 in his last 13 games, Ronaldo has, in Reading boss Steve Coppell's view, redefined the role of wide players in the modern game.
"When I was player I went into the start of a season thinking a goal every six games would be a great return for a winger," Coppell said. "But Ronaldo is scoring almost a goal a game -- and he's not even a striker."
"He's scoring goals and he's also creating things for the team as well. He's got an awful lot going on in his game and he's a threat to any side in the world. You can only stand back and admire him because he's broken the mould in terms of what wide players can do," he added.
Reading have a reasonable record in terms of frustrating United, having secured three draws from five league and Cup meetings over the last two seasons.
But Coppell admits his side will be hard pressed to do any more than contain the champions.
"These are the elite teams by some way and they are always going to be difficult tests for us," he said. "But we've got to think we're capable of getting points off them. We know we've done it before, but that doesn't make it any easier."
Relegation-threatened Fulham could have Marlon King in their squad after agreeing a fee to take the former Jamaica striker from Watford.
While Arsenal have shown signs of weariness in recent weeks, there have been few indications that Chelsea are about to falter.
The arrival of Nicolas Anelka has assuaged concerns over Didier Drogba's absence on Nations Cup duty and Avram Grant's side are in a rich vein of form going into Saturday's trip to Birmingham.
Their hosts will be hoping to parade James McFadden as a Birmingham player after their manager, Alex McLeish, finally had an offer accepted for the Scotland star by Everton.
France midfielder Lassana Diarra is expect to make his Portsmouth debut against bottom side Derby following the 22-year-old's midweek move from Arsenal.
"My choice could shock and surprise people, I am conscious of that," Diarra admitted. "It isn't Arsenal, it isn't Chelsea -- but I know the Portsmouth manager, I know he is going to play me."
Liverpool's fast-receding hopes of getting back into the title race appear now to depend on an unlikely level of carelessness by the teams above them and Rafael Benitez's side will know they are in for a battle just to ensure a top four spot if they are unable to overcome Aston Villa at Anfield on Monday night.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
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