Premier League returns

After a small break, the Premier League returns on Saturday, as the stars of what many call the best league in the world return to England after international duty.

The day's early kick off sees two bitter rivals go head to head in the Merseyside derby, as Liverpool host Everton. The Toffees don't have the best record at Anfield, but a win will see them move to within three points of Liverpool. A win for the home side would see them leapfrog Manchester City into third, ahead of their game on Sunday.

Leaders Chelsea play an ever improving Crystal Palace team at Stamford Bridge. The Blues go into this one with a ten point lead at the top of the league, but they must be wary of Palace. who have won their last three games and also won this fixture last season.

Tottenham currently sit in second place, but they are under intense pressure from the teams below them. Spurs face a very tricky away match against Burnley, who will be looking to secure a couple more good results to assure that they aren't pulled into a relegation battle at the end of the season.

After sitting in sixth place for what seemed an eternity, Manchester United moved up to fifth before the international break. Having played less games than the teams above them, United will be feeling confident of a top four finish, but will face some tricky matches along the way, starting today. They host West Brom, who have had a great season themselves. Albion are looking to put together a strong end to the season in an attempt to catch Everton in seventh.

A poor start to the season suggested that West Ham United would have a relegation battle on their hands come May. The Hammers managed to pull away from the bottom three, but relegation is a very real possibility for today's opponents Hull City. The Tigers have improved hugely under the management of Marco Silva and now find themselves just three points from safety.

Craig Shakespeare is looking to become the first British manager to win his first four Premier League games in charge of a team, as Leicester City take on Stoke City. Relegation looked certain not too long ago for the Foxes, but a great winning run  has turned things around. They will feel that a couple more wins will see them safe. It has been another solid season for Stoke City, who are looking to secure their top half finish.

It's the same old story for Sunderland. In the bottom three for the majority of the season and then usually at around this time of the year they see an upturn in results that is just enough to keep them up. Black Cats fans will be hoping that is the case again this season, as they go into Saturday's match with Watford seven points from safety. The Hornets have slipped to fourteenth and will look to stop themselves from being dragged into the relegation conversation.

The evening kick off sees two local rivals meet at St Marys, as Southampton take on Bournemouth. The teams have exactly the same points in the league, and with the attacking ability and mentality that they share, we could be treated to a great game of football.

Sunday's fixtures see two important matches at both ends of the table. First, in a relegation six-pointer, Swansea City take on Middlesbrough. Following that, under pressure Arsene Wenger leads his Arsenal team against Manchester City at the Emirates.