A busy month of Premier League football will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday night, with all 20 teams primed for action. Here are five things to look out for. Click here to bet on the matches.
Mourinho risks oblivion
A few times this season, it has appeared as though Manchester United manager José Mourinho cheated death. Critical comeback wins against Newcastle United and Juventus particularly stand out as two matches that ought to have galvanised his team and helped build momentum. Instead, the Red Devils continue to stumble along, with no purpose or impetus.
They host Arsenal on Wednesday, where defeat could leave them as many at least 11 points behind the top four. This would be a damning indication of no progress at the club and could mean the end of the road for the Portuguese boss at Old Trafford.
Arsenal to make their mark?
If United are a team hurtling towards mediocrity, their opponents this week are undoubtedly on the up. Unai Emery appears to have completely transformed Arsenal in his short stint in charge. The Gunners now appear to have the kind of bite that lacked for so many years in the team, and have barely lost the flair they are famous for. A win at Old Trafford would come hot on the heels of a dreamy 4-2 triumph over Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday. It would also ensure they keep touch with the top of the table, as they slowly creep into the conversation as potential title contenders.
City to run riot
Leaders Manchester City will be facing one of their favourite opponents in the league, when they take on Watford on Tuesday night. They have won every single one of their last six matches against the Hornets, but they have even been more ruthless in recent clashes. In just the last three encounters, the Citizens have smashed Watford 5-0, 6-0 and 3-1. They are also on a hot run in the league at the moment, with a total of 16 goals scored in their last four games. One of those was a 6-1 rout of Southampton.
Ranieri’s Leicester reunion
Claudio Ranieri will finally get the chance to manage against Leicester City for the first time since he left the club, when his Fulham side welcome the Foxes to Craven Cottage. Ranieri is immortalised as a Leicester legend after he led them to a very improbable Premier League title in 2016. He, however, became the victim of his own success as he was fired for failing to retain those heights the following season. He had a short spell in charge of Nantes in Ligue 1, but he is now back in the Premier League. He will have a point to prove to his former employers on Wednesday night.
Fireworks at Brighton?
Brighton and Crystal Palace clash at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday, in what could be a fiery clash. The two sides share an unlikely rivalry, given that they are not from the same locality. Following some critical clashes in history though, both sides have come to regard this as one of their more significant games of the season. The two sides last met in April, when the Eagles edged Brighton 3-2, with all goals scored in the first half.