Two of the title rivals are in action on Saturday, with Chelsea hosting West Ham United and Arsenal travelling to Hull City.
The teams are level on points, with Chelsea ahead on goal difference, but any slip-up from the Blues could see Arsenal overtake Carlo Ancelotti’s side and also move top.
In the race for the fourth Champions League place, Tottenham Hotspur host Blackburn Rovers in the early match. Aston Villa are also in action as they travel to Stoke City looking to keep the heat on Roberto Mancini’s men.
One of the day’s more intriguing matches sees Birmingham City entertain Everton as both clubs look to continue their good form in the second half of the season.
Two crucial matches take place at the bottom of the table as Burnley host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bolton Wanderers take on Wigan Athletic.
Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn
Harry Redknapp’s side currently occupy fourth spot, with back-to-back wins against Wigan and Everton strengthening their claims for Champions League football.
Spurs are one of only two teams to have won at Ewood Park this season, with their 2-0 victory in December coming courtesy of two goals from Peter Crouch.
Blackburn still have to host Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal this season, but the Spurs match looks one of their toughest on paper.
Birmingham City v Everton
This is the third time these teams have met in three months.
In December, Alex McLeish’s side earned a creditable 1-1 draw at Goodison Park after going 1-0 down to an early Diniyar Bilyaletdinov goal.
They went one better in the FA Cup the following month as goals from Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson secured a 2-1 win in the fourth-round.
A win for Everton will see them leapfrog their opponents, while a Birmingham triumph will stretch their lead over the Toffees to five points.
Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic
Wigan trail Bolton by one point, but have a match in hand.
The Latics’ 1-0 win over Liverpool on Monday was one of their most famous victories since securing promotion to the top flight in 2005.
Hugo Rodallega scored the only goal in that match and he is the club’s top scorer with eight goals.
Bolton were brought crashing down to earth after two wins in a row when they were beaten 4-0 by Sunderland on Tuesday.
This fixture has ended 0-0 on the last two occasions and has only produced two goals in the last four matches.
Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers
These sides are level on points, with goal difference keeping Wolves out of the drop zone.
Burnley manager Brian Laws has dubbed the encounter a ‘must-not-lose’, but it is wins that Burnley need as the former Sheffield Wednesday chief only has one since taking over from Owen Coyle.
Wolves have performed well at home to Chelsea and Manchester United of late, but with no reward.
They have only won once in the league since beating Burnley 2-0 in the reverse fixture on 20th December.
Chelsea v West Ham United
The Blues trail leaders Manchester United by two points, but with a match in hand.
Chelsea will be in league action for the first time since their surprise 4-2 defeat to Manchester City two weeks ago.
West Ham held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw earlier this season, and also earned a point with the same scoreline at Stamford Bridge in the 2008/09 season.
Gianfranco Zola’s side are three points above the relegation zone but will look upon the 2-1 home defeat to Bolton last Saturday as points dropped.
Stoke City v Aston Villa
This Midlands derby has produced 10 goals in three matches since Stoke were promoted in 2008.
The Potters host Aston Villa for the first time since the opening day of last season when they triumphed 3-2 after a late winner from Mamady Sidibe.
With Tottenham playing earlier in the day, Villa could be seven points off fourth place by the time this match kicks off.
Hull City v Arsenal
Since the shock 2-1 defeat to Hull City at the Emirates Stadium last season, Arsenal have won each of the three matches the teams have played – two in the league and one in the FA Cup.
Another win here could take them top, but only if Chelsea fail to beat West Ham.
Four Barclays Premier League wins in a row has put the Gunners in a strong position, but Hull have beaten Manchester City and drawn with Chelsea in their last two home matches.
Barclays Premier League fixtures
Click on a fixture below to view the match preview
Tottenham v Blackburn (Referee: Howard Webb )
Birmingham v Everton (Lee Probert)
Bolton v Wigan (Mike Dean)
Burnley v Wolves (Steve Bennett)
Chelsea v West Ham (Mark Clattenburg)
Stoke v Aston Villa (Kevin Friend)
Hull City v Arsenal (Andre Marriner)
“Two crucial matches take place at the bottom of the table” .
Credits: PremierLeague.com
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