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Premier League questions: Will Manchester United go toe-to-toe with Liverpool?

Jamie Carragher says Sam Allardyce isn't the right fit for Everton

Will Manchester United go toe-to-toe with Liverpool? Can Arsene Wenger snap his losing run? How do you stop Ashley Barnes?

Another exciting weekend of Premier League action is here but what are the burning questions ahead of matchday 30?

United and Liverpool kick things off with a bang on Sky Sports Premier League at 12.30pm on Saturday, while Super Sunday sees Arsenal try to get their season back on track against Watford and Tottenham travel to Bournemouth.

Stoke City and Manchester City round it all off on Monday Night Football.

Who will steal ahead in the race for second? (Manchester United v Liverpool - Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am)

There will be no tangible prize for the eventual runners-up, but there is certainly pride at stake. Champions-elect Manchester City could have the Premier League title wrapped up as early as March 31, but Manchester United and Liverpool will still be eager to finish as 'best of the rest'.

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Saturday's encounter offers both sides the opportunity to take advantage in the race for second. United currently hold all the cards, and victory would extend their lead over Liverpool to five points. Conversely, a Liverpool win sees them jump up into second, one point ahead.

An in-form Tottenham are also in contention, but Saturday's winners will be in pole position to finish behind City. Though bitter-sweet, it would still be some achievement.

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Will Wenger avoid unwanted record? (Arsenal v Watford - Nissan Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 12.30pm)

Arsenal have never lost four Premier League games in a row under Arsene Wenger. Never. You'd have to go back to 1995 - under caretaker Stewart Houston - when they last lost four on the spin.

Having lost to Tottenham, Man City and, most recently, Brighton, the prospect of such an unwanted feat is now a distinct possibility.

Wenger's men come up against a Watford side who have won two of their last three games at the Emirates, and four of their last seven.

Watford will also be chasing a third league win in a row, having enjoyed 1-0 victories over both Everton and West Brom - a similar outcome on Nissan Super Sunday could see the Hornets inflict a final sting in the tail of Wenger's 22-year reign.

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Will Howe finally prevail against Pochettino? (Bournemouth v Tottenham - Nissan Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 3.30pm)

Bournemouth are yet to beat Tottenham in five Premier League encounters (D1 L4), while they have failed to score in their last four meetings with Spurs.

Eddie Howe's side will hope Tottenham are slow off the blocks following their Champions League exploits against Juventus on Wednesday, but Spurs know they cannot afford slip-ups in their bid to secure a top-four finish.

In what will be Mauricio Pochettino's 144th league game in charge of Tottenham - moving him level with record-holder Harry Redknapp - the north Londoners will want to keep on the tails of second, rather than hand fifth-placed Chelsea renewed belief.

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Will Man City do it on a Monday night in Stoke? (Stoke v Manchester City - Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 7pm)

There's no telling yet if it will wet and windy at the Bet365 Stadium on Monday night, but it will be most certainly be Stoke's turn to weather the storm that is Manchester City.

The permutations of a March title triumph first relies on Liverpool beating United on Saturday, but also requires City to pick up three points at Stoke.

However, if it's not meant to be in March, it will most certainly be April. It's highly improbable that defeat on Monday would affect City's title chances.

In contrast, Stoke - winless in five - are sitting below the dreaded dotted line in 19th. A win would do their confidence no end of good.

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Will Allardyce find more home comfort at Goodison Park? (Everton v Brighton, Saturday, 3pm)

Sam Allardyce has endured a rocky period since taking over from Ronald Koeman with some supporters calling for him to be sacked after a sixth successive away defeat at Burnley on Saturday. However, Everton have lost just one of their nine home league games since Koeman's departure (W6 D2), and that was against Manchester United in January.

This clash could be a tricky one for the Toffees to negotiate as Brighton are unbeaten in five Premier League games (W3 D2) and have won back-to-back games in the competition for the first time.

Will Carvalhal get revenge on Wagner? (Huddersfield v Swansea, Saturday, 3pm)

As Sheffield Wednesday boss, Carlos Carvalhal won all four of his regular league meetings with David Wagner in the Championship, with both meetings at the John Smith's Stadium finishing 1-0. However, in the encounters that really mattered, Wagner's Huddersfield came out on top as they progressed on penalties in the play-off semi final en route to promotion to the Premier League last season.

Both teams are now odds-against to avoid relegation this season with Carvalhal making a huge impact in south Wales. In their nine Premier League games under him, Swansea have scored 14 goals and failed to score just once.

during the Sky Bet Championship play off semi final, second leg match between Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town at Hillsborough Stadium on May 17, 2017 in Sheffield, England.
Image: Carlos Carvahal and David Wagner meet again

Will Southampton maintain their unbeaten away run in 2018? (Newcastle v Southampton, Saturday, 3pm)

Despite their underwhelming Premier League position, Southampton have yet to taste defeat on the road this year as Mauricio Pellegrino's side have struggled to come out of their shells in front of a disgruntled home crowd. Three of their six away games have yielded maximum points though with wins at Fulham and West Brom in the FA Cup and another verdict over the Baggies in the Premier League.

After a run of eight home Premier League games without a win (D3 L5), Newcastle won their last game at St James' Park against Manchester United.

Time is running out for West Brom - can they kick-start their survival mission? (West Brom v Leicester, Saturday, 3pm)

Alan Pardew could do with that famous bounce factor kicking in at West Brom. The Baggies have lost their last five Premier League games and go into the weekend eight points from safety with only nine games remaining. Opta tell us that the home side has never previously won in the seven Premier League meetings between these sides, with five away wins and two draws. Indeed, it's most played fixture in Premier League history that hasn't seen a single win for the home side.

How will West Ham stop Ashley Barnes? (West Ham v Burnley, Saturday, 3pm)

Ashley Barnes impressed many onlookers with his performance in last weekend's 2-1 win over Everton, including Jamie Carragher, who said he wouldn't want to be marking Barnes when he's in this sort of form. The striker has been in bulldozing mood and has scored in his last two Premier League games. He's not scored in three English league games in a row since a run of four with Brighton in May 2011.

Ashley Barnes celebrates during the Premier League match between Burnley and Everton at Turf Moor
Image: Ashley Barnes is in fine form for Burnley

The Hammers may have problems trying to stop him considering their defensive injury problems. Winston Reid will miss the rest of the season with the knee injury he picked up in the 4-1 defeat to Swansea last weekend while James Collins and Angelo Ogbonna are both doubtful to make Saturday's clash.

Will Conte get Chelsea out of their current slump? (Chelsea v Crystal Palace, Saturday, 5.30pm)

Antonio Conte's side have lost four of their last five Premier League games and their lacklustre performance away at Manchester City drew criticism from Gary Neville and Carragher on Monday Night Football. This looks a good opportunity for the Blues to get moving in the right direction but the Eagles have won back-to-back Premier League games at Stamford Bridge and have been unfortunate to concede late goals against Manchester United and Tottenham of late.

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