Newcastle host a Chelsea side on Sunday who are in unfamiliar territory and looking to get their season back on track after three defeats in four Premier League matches (Newcastle 4/1 to beat Chelsea).
It seems almost impossible to talk of this fixture being pivotal in the Blues season after the start they made to the campaign, but recent results and performances mean that, although they are still top of the table, the chasing pack have closed right in and a runway league success now seems just a pipe dream.
It is true that Carlo Ancelotti has had to deal with the loss of the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry but such an expensively-assembled squad should be able to cope with injuries.
However, they are still capable of tearing teams apart on their day and should be good enough to get a draw at St James’ Park against a Newcastle side who have surprised many people this term.
Chris Hughton has got the Magpies playing as a unit and their 1-0 victory at Arsenal proved that they deserve their place back in the Premier League.
They will have to do without regular centre-backs Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini, both of whom are beginning three-match suspensions, while Joey Barton still has one game of his own ban to serve.
Chelsea have already lost three times away from Stamford Bridge this term but we predict they will come away from the north east with a point on Sunday.
The other Sunday fixture sees Liverpool travel to Tottenham and the same applies to the Reds as to the Blues.
Defeat here and the knives will once again be out for Roy Hodgson, who has overseen a mini-revival in Liverpool’s season after the worst start in their Premier League history.
Four wins and a draw from their last six games has seen the Anfield outfit reach ninth spot and they are only three points behind Spurs and six points off a Champions League spot.
But Harry Redknapp has got something going at White Hart Lane and there appears to be an air of confidence among the Tottenham players that they can beat anyone at present, and the European victory over Inter Milan will have gone a long way to instilling that belief in the players.
Rafael van der Vaart is a major doubt with an ankle problem while Jermaine Jenas could miss out with a calf injury, but Spurs have plenty of cover and look good in all areas of the pitch.
They also have the ‘Gareth Bale factor’ with opponents up and down the country now aware of just what the Welshman can achieve.
It is all right knowing what to expect – stopping him is another matter.
Joe Cole looks set to return for Liverpool after a hamstring injury but Steven Gerrard is still injured and a home win by at least two goals is forecast for this fixture in north London (Spurs 7/1 to win 2-0).
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