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What you must not miss in the EPL this weekend

December 05, 2014 11:27 IST

Table toppers Chelsea have seen their lead reduced to just six points thanks to a revival from reigning champions Manchester City. If Chelsea slip, City can pile on the pressure to make EPL battle a little interesting

Newcastle vs Chelsea

When: Saturday, December 6

Time: 1815 IST

Image: Chelsea's John Terry in action in the warm up. Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Chelsea will try to stay unbeaten for a club record 24th straight match when they visit Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday having had little time to recover from their midweek win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Jose Mourinho's men maintained their unbeaten start with a 3-0 home victory over Spurs which preserved their six-point lead over champions ManchesterCity at the top of the table. They have not lost any match since April.

Veteran striker Didier Drogba, who scored Chelsea's second goal against Tottenham, said he enjoyed the busy December period and was delighted they were top and not chasing the leaders.

"It's better to be in this position," he told Sky Sports "It's good for us. I love this time of year and hope we are going to make our fans very happy this December."

Manchester City vs Everton

When: Saturday, December 6

Time: 2300 IST

Image: Manuel Pellegrini the manager of Manchester City looks on during a training session. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

City, who won 4-1 at Sunderland with in-form striker Sergio Aguero scoring twice to take his tally to 19 in all competitions, are at home to erratic Everton.

ManchesterCity defender Pablo Zabaleta, who scored his first goal of the season in the win at Sunderland, told the club's TV channel the champions were back in good form after a somewhat patchy start.

Wednesday's win was City's fourth in a row in all competitions and the Argentine defender said: "I think we look much better than at the beginning of the season. We are sharper and very clinical. Sergio (Aguero) is in great form and we want this to continue."

Southampton vs Manchester United

When: Tuesday, December 9

Time: 1030 IST

Image: Marcos Rojo and Michael Carrick of Manchester United applaud the fans. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

With stuttering Southampton, in third, hosting improving fourth-placed Manchester United on Monday, the leading pair could be clear of the pack by Saturday night as pre-season predictions of a two-horse title race come closer to reality.

After 14 matches Chelsea have 36 points, City 30, Southampton 26 and United 25.

Things are also looking up in the red half of Manchester with United beating StokeCity on Tuesday to chalk up their fourth successive league win.

They will try to do what local rivals City did last Sunday by taking all three points from Southampton at St Mary's skipper Wayne Rooney, who missed the game against Stoke, is expected to recover from a knee injury.

West Ham vs Swansea

When: Sunday, December 7

Time: 1900 IST

Image: Diafra Sakho, left, of West Ham United celebrates. Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

Fifth-placed West Ham United, a point behind Manchester United, host Swansea City on Sunday, while Arsenal, who are a further point back in sixth, travel to Stoke on Saturday.

Source: REUTERS
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