Tottenham Hotspur will play host to Chelsea in a high profile London derby at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
Third placed Tottenham are 10 points behind league leading Manchester City, but have played two games less than both the Citizens and second placed Manchester United.
Fourth placed Chelsea are two points behind Spurs, having played one extra game.
Both teams will enter this battle for third place in good form, with Tottenham having lost one of their last 13 league games, and Chelsea riding a four game unbeaten streak.
Speedy wing duo Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale both look set to miss out for Tottenham, while strike pair Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe are injury doubts.
Chelsea captain John Terry has recovered from an Achilles injury and is expected to start in defense. With Luis Suarez being banned for eight games this week after being charged with racism, it will be interesting to see if Terry’s focus is impacted by his own ongoing racism charge.
David Luiz is sidelined with a knee injury for the Blues, while fellow Brazilian Ramires is expected to shake off a leg injury in time to play.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb away from the relegation zone when they play host to Norwich City on Tuesday.
Wolves are currently one point above the drop zone after losing their last two games, while Norwich will be looking for points to solidify their position in the top half of the table.
David Edwards and Jamie O’Hara are sidelined with injury for Wolves, with Stephen Hunt and Nenad Milijas likely to continue in the starting lineup.
Leading goal scorer Steven Fletcher will lead the Wolves attack, and has scored three goals in his last three Premier League games.
James Vaughan and Elliott Ward are ruled out with injury for Norwich, while Manchester United loanee Ritchie de Laet is also sidelined.
Grant Holt and Steve Morison will lead the Canaries attack, and the powerful strike pair have combined for 13 Premier League goals so far this season.
Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers will go head to head in a crucial relegation clash at Ewood Park on Tuesday.
Bolton currently sit bottom of the Premier League five points adrift of safety, while Blackburn are only one place and one point above them.
The loser of this game will be cast adrift at the foot of the Premier League table, and defeat in this game would also turn the screw on either of these under pressure managers.
Steve Kean has suffered many protests this season, but the Ewood Park faithful has pledged not to demonstrate against their manager during this game. It will be interesting to see if that pledge is kept should Rovers go a goal behind at any point during this crucial contest.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle is also feeling the heat from the terraces after leading the Trotters to five straight defeats. Coyle is well aware of the importance of this fixture, and said this week he expects a “dogfight” at Ewood Park.
Canadian striker Junior Hoilett is expected to return to the Blackburn attack, while Scott Dann and Gael Givet are sidelined with injury.
Bolton have no fresh injury concerns, but center back David Wheater is suspended.
Premier League leaders Manchester City will play host to Stoke City on Wednesday.
Many critics have predicted that City will falter during the winter months and their title challenge will become derailed. With that in mind, a December night game against a physical Stoke City team is surely an acid test to that theory.
City currently hold a slender two point lead at the top of the Premier League, while Stoke will be looking for points to consolidate their place in the top half of the table.
Defender Aleksandar Kolarov is ruled out with injury for City, while Gael Clichy and Edin Dzeko will return from suspension and injury respectively.
Center back Ryan Shawcross is suspended for Stoke, while Glenn Whelan and Andy Wilkinson are injury doubts.
It will de interesting to see if Jonathan Woodgate starts for Stoke, after the defender was subbed off by Tony Pulis just 19 minutes into last weekend’s 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Newcastle United will be looking to return to winning ways when they play host to West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.
Newcastle flew out of the gates this season, climbing to third after losing none of their opening 11 games. However, the Geordies have cooled off and fell to seventh after failing to win any of their last five contests. West Brom are currently five points above the relegation zone after winning one of their last four games.
Yohan Cabaye and Dan Gosling are suspended for Newcastle, while Ryan Taylor (ankle) and Danny Guthrie (groin) are injury doubts.
James Morrison is suffering from a hamstring injury and will be unable to play for West Brom. Youssouf Mulumbu and Paul Scharner are injury doubts for the Baggies and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Aston Villa will play host to Arsenal on Wednesday with both teams looking to bounce back from a defeat last weekend.
Mid-table Villa were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool last Sunday, while Arsenal lost 1-0 at Manchester City on the same day.
Arsenal can draw level on points with fourth placed Chelsea if they beat Villa, but Arsenal would have to win by eight clear goals to overtake their rivals from Stamford Bridge.
Villa striker Darren Bent is still struggling with a thigh injury, and it is unknown whether he will attend this game or use the evening as a chance to finish off his Christmas shopping.
Emile Heskey and Chris Herd are also ruled out with injury for Villa, while James Collins is doubtful with a knee problem. Gabby Agbonlahor has returned from suspension for Villa, and will be looking to add to his season tally of five Premier League goals.
Midfielder Alex Song is suspended for Arsenal, while defender Johan Djourou is sidelined with a groin problem.
Robin van Persie will lead the Arsenal attack, and is just one goal short of Thierry Henry's club record for goals scored in a calendar year.
Everton will be looking to end a three game winless streak when they play host to Swansea City on Wednesday.
Everton sit four points above the relegation zone after their recent run of poor form, while Swansea are one point further ahead.
Striker Denis Stracqualursi could be set to make his first start for Everton since joining the club on loan from Argentine team Tigre. Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman are injury doubts and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Royston Drenthe will feature in midfield for Everton, and the speedy Dutch winger is confident his teammates can go on a good run of form and climb up the league table.
“I want to finish high in the league with Everton – in seventh or eighth.” Drenthe told BBC Sport. “If we can start winning games, maybe we can get European football – that would be great.”
Winger Nathan Dyer is sidelined with a foot injury for Swansea, while Spanish defender Angel Rangel looks set to return from an ankle problem.
Manchester United will be looking to keep up the pressure on league leading Manchester City when they travel to face Fulham.
Second placed United are currently two points behind City after three straight Premier League wins. Fulham are five points above the relegation zone after winning two of their last three games.
Bobby Zamora looks set to return to the Fulham attack, and the club continue to deny rumors of the England international striker being unsettled at Craven Cottage.
Simon Davies and Steve Sidwell are ruled out with injury for Fulham, while Zdenek Grygera and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer are also sidelined.
United will be without Brazilian midfielder Anderson and Tom Cleverley, while Darren Fletcher and Rafael da Silva are also sidelined. Captain Nemanja Vidic and striker Michael Owen are long-term injury absentees for the Red Devils.
Despite all the criticism they have received, United are within touching distance of the top of the table, and their veteran boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes they are poised for a title run.
“The important thing is to be there (at the top) on New Year’s Day,” Ferguson told BBC Sport. “If you’re involved right at the top part then you know the second half of the season, we’ll relish that.”
Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland go head to head at Loftus Road on Wednesday with both teams looking to climb away from the relegation zone.
Sunderland are one point above the relegation zone after winning one of their last seven games, while QPR are two points further ahead and are winless in their last four games.
Danny Gabbidon is ruled out with a leg injury for QPR, while Anton Ferdinand and Jay Bothroyd are injury doubts.
Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is fit again for QPR, and will be hoping for a return to the starting lineup.
Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown look set to return from injury for Sunderland, while yong striker Connor Wickham is expected to miss out with a knee problem.
New Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill will be taking charge of the Black Cats for the third time, and is steeling his team for a tough battle against the Hoops.
“We saw the efforts that QPR put in against Manchester United (in a 2-0 defeat last weekend), I know they could have conceded a few more goals, but they could have scored two or three themselves,” O’Neill told BBC Sport. “They will be battling right until the end.”
Liverpool will be looking for a third straight win when they travel to face Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
A win would lift Liverpool to level on points with fourth placed Chelsea, though the Reds would need to win by nine clear goals to leapfrog the Blues.
Wigan are currently in the relegation zone, and are one point adrift of safety after last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
Defender Emmerson Boyce is doubtful for Wigan and will be assessed ahead of kickoff, while striker Hugo Rodallega is struggling with an injury.
Captain Steven Gerrard remains sidelined with injury for Liverpool, while Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy is an injury doubt.
Jay Spearing will serve the final game of his suspension for Liverpool, meaning Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and JonJo Shelvey could again form the core of the Reds’ midfield.
Uruguay international striker Luis Suarez was this week handed an eight game ban from the FA, but the suspension will not be in effect for this game.
Tottenham Hotspur will play host to Chelsea in a high profile London derby at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
Third placed Tottenham are 10 points behind league leading Manchester City, but have played two games less than both the Citizens and second placed Manchester United.
Fourth placed Chelsea are two points behind Spurs, having played one extra game.
Both teams will enter this battle for third place in good form, with Tottenham having lost one of their last 13 league games, and Chelsea riding a four game unbeaten streak.
Speedy wing duo Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale both look set to miss out for Tottenham, while strike pair Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe are injury doubts.
Chelsea captain John Terry has recovered from an Achilles injury and is expected to start in defense. With Luis Suarez being banned for eight games this week after being charged with racism, it will be interesting to see if Terry’s focus is impacted by his own ongoing racism charge.
David Luiz is sidelined with a knee injury for the Blues, while fellow Brazilian Ramires is expected to shake off a leg injury in time to play.
Fourth placed Chelsea are two points behind Spurs, having played one extra game.
Both teams will enter this battle for third place in good form, with Tottenham having lost one of their last 13 league games, and Chelsea riding a four game unbeaten streak.
Speedy wing duo Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale both look set to miss out for Tottenham, while strike pair Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe are injury doubts.
Chelsea captain John Terry has recovered from an Achilles injury and is expected to start in defense. With Luis Suarez being banned for eight games this week after being charged with racism, it will be interesting to see if Terry’s focus is impacted by his own ongoing racism charge.
David Luiz is sidelined with a knee injury for the Blues, while fellow Brazilian Ramires is expected to shake off a leg injury in time to play.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb away from the relegation zone when they play host to Norwich City on Tuesday.
Wolves are currently one point above the drop zone after losing their last two games, while Norwich will be looking for points to solidify their position in the top half of the table.
David Edwards and Jamie O’Hara are sidelined with injury for Wolves, with Stephen Hunt and Nenad Milijas likely to continue in the starting lineup.
Leading goal scorer Steven Fletcher will lead the Wolves attack, and has scored three goals in his last three Premier League games.
James Vaughan and Elliott Ward are ruled out with injury for Norwich, while Manchester United loanee Ritchie de Laet is also sidelined.
Grant Holt and Steve Morison will lead the Canaries attack, and the powerful strike pair have combined for 13 Premier League goals so far this season.
Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers will go head to head in a crucial relegation clash at Ewood Park on Tuesday.
Bolton currently sit bottom of the Premier League five points adrift of safety, while Blackburn are only one place and one point above them.
The loser of this game will be cast adrift at the foot of the Premier League table, and defeat in this game would also turn the screw on either of these under pressure managers.
Steve Kean has suffered many protests this season, but the Ewood Park faithful has pledged not to demonstrate against their manager during this game. It will be interesting to see if that pledge is kept should Rovers go a goal behind at any point during this crucial contest.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle is also feeling the heat from the terraces after leading the Trotters to five straight defeats. Coyle is well aware of the importance of this fixture, and said this week he expects a “dogfight” at Ewood Park.
Canadian striker Junior Hoilett is expected to return to the Blackburn attack, while Scott Dann and Gael Givet are sidelined with injury.
Bolton have no fresh injury concerns, but center back David Wheater is suspended.
Premier League leaders Manchester City will play host to Stoke City on Wednesday.
Many critics have predicted that City will falter during the winter months and their title challenge will become derailed. With that in mind, a December night game against a physical Stoke City team is surely an acid test to that theory.
City currently hold a slender two point lead at the top of the Premier League, while Stoke will be looking for points to consolidate their place in the top half of the table.
Defender Aleksandar Kolarov is ruled out with injury for City, while Gael Clichy and Edin Dzeko will return from suspension and injury respectively.
Center back Ryan Shawcross is suspended for Stoke, while Glenn Whelan and Andy Wilkinson are injury doubts.
It will de interesting to see if Jonathan Woodgate starts for Stoke, after the defender was subbed off by Tony Pulis just 19 minutes into last weekend’s 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Newcastle United will be looking to return to winning ways when they play host to West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.
Newcastle flew out of the gates this season, climbing to third after losing none of their opening 11 games. However, the Geordies have cooled off and fell to seventh after failing to win any of their last five contests. West Brom are currently five points above the relegation zone after winning one of their last four games.
Yohan Cabaye and Dan Gosling are suspended for Newcastle, while Ryan Taylor (ankle) and Danny Guthrie (groin) are injury doubts.
James Morrison is suffering from a hamstring injury and will be unable to play for West Brom. Youssouf Mulumbu and Paul Scharner are injury doubts for the Baggies and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Aston Villa will play host to Arsenal on Wednesday with both teams looking to bounce back from a defeat last weekend.
Mid-table Villa were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool last Sunday, while Arsenal lost 1-0 at Manchester City on the same day.
Arsenal can draw level on points with fourth placed Chelsea if they beat Villa, but Arsenal would have to win by eight clear goals to overtake their rivals from Stamford Bridge.
Villa striker Darren Bent is still struggling with a thigh injury, and it is unknown whether he will attend this game or use the evening as a chance to finish off his Christmas shopping.
Emile Heskey and Chris Herd are also ruled out with injury for Villa, while James Collins is doubtful with a knee problem. Gabby Agbonlahor has returned from suspension for Villa, and will be looking to add to his season tally of five Premier League goals.
Midfielder Alex Song is suspended for Arsenal, while defender Johan Djourou is sidelined with a groin problem.
Robin van Persie will lead the Arsenal attack, and is just one goal short of Thierry Henry's club record for goals scored in a calendar year.
Everton will be looking to end a three game winless streak when they play host to Swansea City on Wednesday.
Everton sit four points above the relegation zone after their recent run of poor form, while Swansea are one point further ahead.
Striker Denis Stracqualursi could be set to make his first start for Everton since joining the club on loan from Argentine team Tigre. Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman are injury doubts and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Royston Drenthe will feature in midfield for Everton, and the speedy Dutch winger is confident his teammates can go on a good run of form and climb up the league table.
“I want to finish high in the league with Everton – in seventh or eighth.” Drenthe told BBC Sport. “If we can start winning games, maybe we can get European football – that would be great.”
Winger Nathan Dyer is sidelined with a foot injury for Swansea, while Spanish defender Angel Rangel looks set to return from an ankle problem.
Manchester United will be looking to keep up the pressure on league leading Manchester City when they travel to face Fulham.
Second placed United are currently two points behind City after three straight Premier League wins. Fulham are five points above the relegation zone after winning two of their last three games.
Bobby Zamora looks set to return to the Fulham attack, and the club continue to deny rumors of the England international striker being unsettled at Craven Cottage.
Simon Davies and Steve Sidwell are ruled out with injury for Fulham, while Zdenek Grygera and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer are also sidelined.
United will be without Brazilian midfielder Anderson and Tom Cleverley, while Darren Fletcher and Rafael da Silva are also sidelined. Captain Nemanja Vidic and striker Michael Owen are long-term injury absentees for the Red Devils.
Despite all the criticism they have received, United are within touching distance of the top of the table, and their veteran boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes they are poised for a title run.
“The important thing is to be there (at the top) on New Year’s Day,” Ferguson told BBC Sport. “If you’re involved right at the top part then you know the second half of the season, we’ll relish that.”
Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland go head to head at Loftus Road on Wednesday with both teams looking to climb away from the relegation zone.
Sunderland are one point above the relegation zone after winning one of their last seven games, while QPR are two points further ahead and are winless in their last four games.
Danny Gabbidon is ruled out with a leg injury for QPR, while Anton Ferdinand and Jay Bothroyd are injury doubts.
Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is fit again for QPR, and will be hoping for a return to the starting lineup.
Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown look set to return from injury for Sunderland, while yong striker Connor Wickham is expected to miss out with a knee problem.
New Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill will be taking charge of the Black Cats for the third time, and is steeling his team for a tough battle against the Hoops.
“We saw the efforts that QPR put in against Manchester United (in a 2-0 defeat last weekend), I know they could have conceded a few more goals, but they could have scored two or three themselves,” O’Neill told BBC Sport. “They will be battling right until the end.”
Liverpool will be looking for a third straight win when they travel to face Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
A win would lift Liverpool to level on points with fourth placed Chelsea, though the Reds would need to win by nine clear goals to leapfrog the Blues.
Wigan are currently in the relegation zone, and are one point adrift of safety after last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
Defender Emmerson Boyce is doubtful for Wigan and will be assessed ahead of kickoff, while striker Hugo Rodallega is struggling with an injury.
Captain Steven Gerrard remains sidelined with injury for Liverpool, while Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy is an injury doubt.
Jay Spearing will serve the final game of his suspension for Liverpool, meaning Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and JonJo Shelvey could again form the core of the Reds’ midfield.
Uruguay international striker Luis Suarez was this week handed an eight game ban from the FA, but the suspension will not be in effect for this game.
Tottenham Hotspur will play host to Chelsea in a high profile London derby at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
Third placed Tottenham are 10 points behind league leading Manchester City, but have played two games less than both the Citizens and second placed Manchester United.
Fourth placed Chelsea are two points behind Spurs, having played one extra game.
Both teams will enter this battle for third place in good form, with Tottenham having lost one of their last 13 league games, and Chelsea riding a four game unbeaten streak.
Speedy wing duo Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale both look set to miss out for Tottenham, while strike pair Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe are injury doubts.
Chelsea captain John Terry has recovered from an Achilles injury and is expected to start in defense. With Luis Suarez being banned for eight games this week after being charged with racism, it will be interesting to see if Terry’s focus is impacted by his own ongoing racism charge.
David Luiz is sidelined with a knee injury for the Blues, while fellow Brazilian Ramires is expected to shake off a leg injury in time to play.
