The English premier league is back after FA Cup and Champions league exploits. The EPL has not fared very well in the champions league and for the 1st time in 17 years, no English team has progressed to the quarter finals. Current league front runners Manchester United have had a tough spell in particular.

A downtrodden Manchester Unoited look to get back to the business of the Premiership

Ten days ago they were talking about doing the treble. In that time spell, they lost a controversial champions league game to Real Madrid, and struggled to a 2-2 FA Cup draw against Chelsea, after cruising in the 1st half. United will look to reassert themselves over a Reading side who are knee in relegation zone, and recently sacked their manager.

EPL title holders Manchester City will look to maintain their slim hopes of retaining their title as they have a tough game against a typically resilient and determined Everton side. City’s task will be made that much harder as Everton will be looking to make amends for their poor performance in the FA Cup in their 3-0 lost to Wigan

Tottenham Hotspur  v Fulham; Tottenham are having a fantastic season, currently sitting in 3rd place. They come in after a tough loss to Liverpool, last week, which has ignited talk of another late season collapse. Spurs need a win to pick up the points over a Fulham side having a dismal season.

Chelsea v West Ham United; The controversy at Chelsea just continues to swirl and the  team just keeps on playing. Confidence is high right now after a good result against Man Utd in the FA Cup, followed up by advancing in the Europa league.  West Ham have come off the boil lately and will find it tough in this London derby.

Swansea City v Arsenal; Arsene Wenger is facing the toughest time in his Arsenal career with the Gunners in a fight to make the Champions league as they currently sit in 5th place. Arsenal come into the game after being knocked out of the Champions league and face another year of not wining a trophy. For Wenger it’s Champions league or bust.

Aston Villa face Queens Park Rangers as both the relegation strugglers come into the game off vital wins last weekend that kept their hopes of premiership survival alive. QPR stay rooted to the bottom but, are only 4 points from safety. While Villa’s win lifted them out of the relegation zone. It’s a six point affair with the losers looking like favorites for relegation.

Southampton v Liverpool; Liverpool come into the game off a great win over Spurs, and will look to continue their push for a top four position. Southampton have had only one win since their management change, are in need of points to avoid being dragged into the relegation fight.

Sunderland and Norwich City, Two teams that are on the fringe of the relegation fight, face off, as both will need a few more points before they can feel relatively safe.

Wigan Athletic meet Newcastle United in a bottom of the table clash. Wigan have Mage a living of late season rallies that have kept them in the top league. They come in full of confidence after a great FA cup win over Everton last week. Newcastle are still and up an inconsistent team even after their recent transfer window signings. Both clubs need a win for obvious reasons.

With 9 games to go, its getting sticky in the premiership. Manchester United are 12 points clear in pole position but after their recent results, and rumours of an unhappy Wayne Rooney, it could get difficult. While in the relegation fight, there are up to 8 teams caught in its grasp. Here on out, every game is vital.