there are mouthwatering fixtures this weekend in the English Premier League,ties that could get neutrals and fans alike salivating because of the hallmarks of the games.

Manchester United host perennial rivals Liverpool and moments after that attentions would be swiftly switched to the North London derby between Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal.

Noteworthy,these ties have Champions League qualification all curried over it,with these teams all nursing hopes of making Europe's elite competition next season.

Feisty games,expect the infusion of passion because anything short of three points might not be good enough.

It is critical that none of them drops points on Sunday,but something must give way and it could just be the beginning of the end for anyone of the teams.

Yes Liverpool and Arsenal are still in the running for the Premier League title,but their genuine intent is to finish with the Champions League qualification places.

Let's look at what to expect in these games.

Manchester United vs Liverpool:
This tie between these two teams has always had an air of animosity,mainly by the achievements of both clubs. The last time Liverpool beat Manchester United at Old Trafford was in 2009,and it was a crushing one;4-1 was the scoreline for Rafael Benitez's team who defeated Sir Alex Ferguson's team in front of their fans. Although it must be mentioned that United went on to win the league that year,but echoes from that game still reverberates.



However you have a feeling that Liverpool have an ample opportunity now more than ever in the last five years to replicate that feat again.

A lot would ride on whose attack is more potent on the day. With the trident of Luis Suarez,Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge at their rampaging best,they have been a source of worry to the defences this season.

But then Robin Van Persie,Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata is an equal match if not better(forget their poor campaign so far) the trio a top draw. The wealth of experience in the latter surely surpasses that of Liverpool's.

The attack who comes to the party would definitely lift their team.
United has a tough ten days to navigate through,fixtures against Liverpool,Olympiacos and Manchester City would surely sum their season.
If they come out unscathed with all points in the bag,then there would be some belief creeping back into this David Moyes' team.

Moyes was optimistic that they would win and said beating Liverpool on Sunday would be "a big
boost",left to be seen if he would get his wish or will it be a false alarm?





Tottenham vs Arsenal

The North London derby has excitement written all over it and can't even be more than entertaining if it is taking place at White Hart Lane.

Tim Sherwood seems as though he is becoming disconcerted with his squad,following open criticisms in the media where he said they were 'gutless'

Spurs were once again beaten at home and in danger of crashing out of the Europa League after losing 3-1 to Benfica.

What looked like a revival under Sherwood seems to be peeling away now,the only remedy to an already bad season could be Champions League qualification.

They face Arsenal,a side that looked exerted from their trip to Bayern Munich,where they crashed out from the Champions League.

Spurs played on Thursday and are therefore two days short of rest unlike Arsenal who played on Tuesday.

However,Wenger revealed that some players would be out of their upcoming fixtures. Notably,Mesut Ozil who copped a hamstring injury in the game against Bayern.

It would be nice to see how both teams files up in the game but a boost for Arsenal,late January signing Kim Kallstrom is expected to make the team's squad for the game.

Expect both teams to really have a go at it for all three points,anything short might not just be good enough for me.

Will Emmanuel Adebayor be a torn in Arsenal's flesh on Sunday?

Other interesting matches to keep an eye on are that of Hull City vs Manchester City, then Aston Villa vs Chelsea.

Predictions: Man Utd vs Liverpool Spurs vs Arsenal
aulsports: 1-2 1-1