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#3 Manchester United look to better their average standards as they visit Aston Villa
These are testing times for Manchester United supporters who are annoyed as their club sits seventh in the Premier League. Ralf Rangnick's appointment in November initially looked like a great move but with every passing game, doubts are beginning to creep up. The Red Devils have become accustomed to a scoreline of 1-0 which is quite uncharacteristic of them, and are at a standstill.
They are far from their best and are only grinding out results in most games. Confidence looks at an all-time low for some players who have lacked the clarity of their role in the side.
Stevan Gerrard, on the other hand, has helped his Aston Villa side improve and he's leading the rebuild in January.
This will be the second meeting in a week between the two after United won their FA Cup game at Old Trafford on Monday. Villa looked like the better side for the majority of the game and had the ball in the back of the net a couple of times. Unfortunately, they were all ruled out due to VAR intervention.
Clearly, Gerrard's tactics got the better of Rangnick and with home advantage, Villa could really damage United in the Premier league. At this point, it would be difficult to expect this to be a one-sided tie, although in their last 22 visits, the Red Devils are unbeaten against the home side. Earlier this season, the side managed by Dean Smith beat United 1-0.
The fans want improved displays, not just three points this time.
#4 Liverpool gear up for an exciting reverse fixture in Premier League against the Bees
Remember we mentioned earlier that Chelsea have a lot riding on them to save the Premier League title race, Liverpool are no different. With a game in hand, the Reds are in third place, one point adrift of the Blues. Winning their next game could bring an important long-term advantage.
But it's easier said than done, especially if your opponent has already matched you toe-to-toe once before. Liverpool are not in the best form in the Premier League recently. They have dropped points in their last three fixtures, giving away the lead in two games.
That may ring a bell because Liverpool lost the lead twice when they visited Brentford in the Premier League earlier this season. A thoroughly entertaining draw that ended 3-3 with the Bees equalizing twice. It was a great sign of their character and replicating the same at Anfield would be a Herculean task.
But you can't put it beyond their scope considering the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane due to AFCON. But Diogo Jota has been in inspirational form, netting two goals in his last four Premier League appearances. We have a feeling that this game will not be devoid of goals and could either move Liverpool closer to Man City or result in a setback.
#5 Newcastle United look for three huge points as relegation contenders Watford visit
These are some seriously worrying times for Newcastle United fans who have been disappointed in their team, week in and week out. This Premier League campaign was supposed to be an exciting one for the Magpies as a result of their successful takeover, but it has been quite the opposite.
Their FA Cup defeat to English football's third tier side Cambridge United was a big setback and despite playing a full strength side, Eddie Howe's team lost. Keiran Trippier arrived as their first big signing of the new era and had a forgetful debut as far as the result is concerned.
Goals have not come for the Magpies, who have now signed Chris Wood from relegation-fighting Burnley. Well, what's better than strengthening yourself and weakening your opponent at the same time? But this is as crucial a contest for Watford as it is for Newcastle. The last game in the league was a 1-1 draw, but sharing points will be meaningless this time.
The Hornets sit just above the relegation zone, two points better of the Toons and these three points could provide some breathing space. The fixture has not been kind to the hosts, who have won only one game from last 10 in the Premier League against Watford.
Claudio Ranieri's side battered a clueless Man United and if Newcastle do not put their A-game on the table, their downfall could begin here on.
