The Premier League returns to action on Saturday with the clubs looking forward to the final stretch now the January transfer window has closed.
New signings, such as West Ham’s Jordan Hugill, and those who didn’t get the switch they desired, like Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, provide intriguing subplots.
Here are our match previews :
BURNLEY V MANCHESTER CITY (16:30)
Jose Mourinho effectively conceded the Premier League title to Manchester City on the eve of this weekend’s matches – and it is easy to see why given the 15-point gap.
Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering men make the short trip to Turf Moor looking to rack up a 23rd win in just 26 league matches.
Sean Dyche’s men are flying high in seventh but have endured a dip in form recently, failing to win in their last eight. That run may well extend on Saturday.
LEICESTER V SWANSEA (19:00)
Riyad Mahrez hoped to be heading to Burnley this weekend as a City player. Instead, the Algeria forward remains at Leicester having been outpriced for a deadline-day move to Etihad Stadium.
Claude Puel has done a fine job as Leicester boss but it will be interesting to see how he copes with the impact of a disgruntled player who has not trained since the possibility of an exit arose.
This issue is sure to hang over King Power Stadium, where the visitors are looking to capitalise on unrest and secure another valuable three points.
BOURNEMOUTH V STOKE (19:00)
Bournemouth will be feeling like royalty after their slaying of champions Chelsea on the King’s Road in midweek.
The challenge for Cherries boss Eddie Howe is to ensure his men are just as motivated to beat Stoke.
Although that win took them up to 10th in the table, such is the congestion in the bottom half that only five points separates them from the drop zone. Stoke have the worst away record in the division, meaning they have to be seen off. But boss Paul Lambert has four points from his two games in charge.
Eddie Howe (r) celebrates the win at Chelsea.
BRIGHTON V WEST HAM (19:00)
Jordan Hugill is in contention to make his debut for West Ham when they visit Brighton on Saturday.
The forward arrived at the club from Preston North End before the transfer deadline and, alongside the fit-again Michael Antonio, is available to strengthen David Moyes’ attacking options.
There is an air of mystery about the new signing, who was in the lower reaches of the professional game at Tranmere Rovers only in 2015. But with Andy Carroll and Marko Arnautovic among those out, he has to shine.
WEST BROM V SOUTHAMPTON (19:00)
This really is a battle of the strugglers, with two of the bottom three meeting at The Hawthorns.
Since Alan Pardew took over there, he’s won just one of his 11 fixtures. The only ray of light for them is the fact they held onto highly rated Northern Ireland centre-back Jonny Evans throughout the January transfer window.
If you think Pardew’s record is bad, then Saints are winless in 12. In this relegation six-pointer, defeat for either will lead to worry levels going through the roof.
