The Athenaeum Forum

The Premier League serves up another mouthwatering set of fixtures this weekend, with the top two sides in action on Sky Sports as the title race builds up to a tantalising crescendo. Sunderland are the latest side to try to derail Leicester in the first installment of a Super Sunday double header, where anything other than three points could open the door for Tottenham to close the gap when they welcome Manchester United to White Hart Lane in Super Sundays grand finale.Crystal Palace welcome Norwich to Selhurst Park on Saturday, with both sides desperate for three points that will pull them clear of the bottom three, while Arsenal look to keep pace at the top when they go head-to-head with West Ham. With so much at stake, we take a look at 10 questions that could be answered over the weekend.Can the Hammers all-but end Gunners title dream? (West Ham v Arsenal - Saturday, 12.45pm) Mauro Zarate (right) celebrates in West Ham win at Arsenal early in season How Arsenal have fallen off the pace quite so drastically is hard to comprehend, but their lacklustre displays have caused supporters of the club to show their discontent towards Arsen Wenger and his side once again.It seems the only way Wenger will silence those vociferous voices around the Emirates is to somehow mastermind a late title tilt, and to do that, the Gunners will almost certainly have to earn maximum points from their final matches.The Gunners were vastly improved in last weekends win over Watford, but the real test will be in Saturdays early kick-off, with the Hammers holding Champions League aspirations of their own. Victory at Upton Park will send a real statement to their title rivals; while defeat could effectively end their season. Title race run-in Leicester, Tottenham and Arsenal run-ins analysed Can Canaries build on last-gasp success? (Crystal Palace v Norwich - Saturday, 3pm) Martin Olsson is congratulated after late winner last week The very definition of a relegation six-pointer. Crystal Palace and Norwich lie 16th and 17th respectively, with Sunderland and Newcastle not far behind in the relegation places.Alex Neils side would be much deeper in the relegation mire had they not snatched a dramatic victory against Newcastle last weekend, and they have to build on that euphoria by pulling Palace further into trouble.Palace are in freefall, and have not earned three points since December 19. They did show some fighting spirit in last weeks draw at high-flying West Ham, and Alan Pardew will be demanding more of the same attitude against Norwich.The first goal will be key and if it is Palace who concede first, with their confidence already low, the Canaries could be flying high at Selhurst Park.Mitrovic to fire Newcastle to safety? (Southampton v Newcastle - Saturday, 3pm) Aleksandar Mitrovic has found his form at the right time Whenever a side is in need of points to steer them to survival, they need an in-form striker to score the goals to help them climb the table.Sunderland had Connor Wickham to instigate their great escape, Robert Earnshaw produced similar heroics in West Broms feat, while Aston Villa would already have been relegated if it wasnt for Christian Benteke last season. Spurs old boys to decide title? The Tottenham old boys that can deny Leicester their title dreams Aleksandar Mitrovic could be that man for Newcastle. The Serbia international has scored three goals in his last two Premier League games, as many as hed scored in his previous 18 in the competition.Southampton have suffered from inconsistency of late, and should Mitrovic carry on finding the net at a similar rate, the Magpies could start their climb up the table sooner rather than later.Is Roberto Martinez one more defeat away from severe pressure? (Watford v Everton - Saturday, 3pm) Leighton Baines has caused controversy this week With such a talented squad at his disposal, it is no wonder Roberto Martinez is under intense pressure to turn things around at Everton, with the Toffees in 12th position.The Spaniard has pointed out that their upcoming FA Cup semi-final has proven to be a unwelcome distraction, and also was unhappy with Leighton Baines comments that the squad lacks chemistry, but the excuses are wearing thin with the Everton faithful. Roberto Martinez insists Leighton Baines must take responsibility after being quoted as saying there is a lack of chemistry in the Everton squad. Watford represent perfect opposition in Evertons quest for a first win in four, as the Hornets look to have one eye on the FA Cup last four themselves.Another defeat, however, will only intensify the vitriol on the blue half of Merseyside.Is this the day the giant falls? (Aston Villa v Bournemouth - Saturday, 3pm) Villa are on the verge of the drop This day has been looming large in Englands second city for some time, but if Norwich better Aston Villas result on Saturday, then the Premier League mainstays will have their relegation confirmed.It is only a matter of time, but when confirmed the real inquest will begin as to what has gone so drastically wrong at Villa Park.Despite their woeful form, Villa may be able to stave off the inevitable for a little while longer yet, with Bournemouth having all-but secured their top flight survival.Either way, the sooner Villa can begin the inquest into their plight the better.Swans to break Premier League duck? (Swansea v Chelsea - Saturday, 3pm) Guus Hiddink will hope his side can retain focus It has been a tumultuous week at Chelsea, with Antonio Conte announced as Jose Mourinhos long-term successor - enough to cause much distraction ahead of a weekend fixture.Swansea have never beaten the Blues in the Premier League, and Guus Hiddink remains unbeaten in the league since taking over on an interim basis.However, there may not be a better time for the Swans to make sure of their top-flight safety and earn that elusive three points over the Blues, given all the commotion in midweek.Can Kevin De Bruyne continue to revitalise City? (Manchester City v West Brom - Saturday, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD) Kevin De Bruyne is back and firing on all cylinders With their rivals faltering around them, the stage looked set for Manchester City to give Manuel Pellegrini the perfect send-off by clinching their third Premier League crown.However, Citys title challenge has wilted in the extreme, and even a top-four finish is not guaranteed, but the absence of one of their big hitters seems to have been the root of the problem. City look a force once again with Kevin De Bruyne back in it. They put in arguably their best display of the season in the Belgians comeback game last weekend at Bournemouth, before earning the advantage over Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League after a 2-2 draw in Paris.De Bruyne was a star performer in both - leaving City fans wondering what might have been - and will be key to ensuring Pep Guardiola is competing the next seasons Champions League.Will Leicester slip up? (Sunderland v Leicester - Sunday, 1.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD) Leicester City players celebrate against Southampton Many of us refuse to believe they can do it even now, with Sunderlands quest for survival a potential stumbling block in the Leicester fairytale.However, the Foxes have shown a level of resilience beyond their inexperience, and travel to Stadium of Light full of confidence on the back of four successive 1-0 wins, where they have proven their battling qualities. Continuity breeds success, and the Foxes are proof of that. Claudio Ranieri has used the same starting line-up in 11 different top-flight games this season; no other starting line-up (from any side) has appeared more than five times.Slipping up is looking less and less likely, and if they continue to get the points they need to seal a remarkable title success, Ranieri will rely on the same players once more. Why change a winning formula?United to continue run at home away from home? (Tottenham v Manchester United - Sunday, 4.00pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD) Marouane Fellaini was on target in United win over Spurs During the Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford, Manchester United commanded an impressive record at many a Premier League ground, but the turbulence since means several defeats have tarnished many of those stats.However, despite their improvement in recent years as United have somewhat floundered, Tottenham are still without a home victory against them in their last 14 meetings. Louis van Gaals men are producing something resembling decent form after registering back-to-back wins, but they cannot afford any further slip-ups in their pursuit of a top-four finish.Spurs have arguably more at stake, though, as they trail leaders Leicester by seven points, and with the Foxes showing no sign of relenting, Mauricio Pochettinos men have to keep pace - and must ignore the history books in doing so.1-0 to the visitors? (Liverpool v Stoke - Sunday, 4.00pm) Liverpool celebrate after winning penalty against Stoke in Capital One Cup After their embarrassing 6-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season, each of the three meetings between Liverpool and Stoke this campaign have ended 1-0 to the away side.Both still retain faint European aspirations, but it would take a hefty collapse from the top six to let either Stoke or Liverpool in at this juncture in the season.Stoke have taken seven points from their last three games on the road, so dont bet against the Potters sneaking past a Liverpool side jaded by their Europa League exploits.You can watch Tottenham, Leicester and Manchester United in action on Sky Sports this weekend.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. 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Hugo Sanchez Jersey . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St.NASHVILLE -- Undeterred by his scoring drought, Ryan Ellis just kept shooting and it paid off Tuesday night. Ellis ended a 42-game scoring drought by notching the first of Nashvilles three third-period goals and added an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. Shea Weber scored in the first period, Craig Smith and Viktor Stalberg followed Ellis with goals in the third, and David Legwand had three assists to help Nashville snap a three-game losing streak. Lee Stempniak and Mikael Backlund scored for Calgary, which has lost four of its last five. Weber opened the scoring at 15:52 of the first period. With Nashville on a power play, Roman Josi sent a pass from above the right faceoff circle to Weber above the left, where he blasted a one-timer over the glove of Flames goaltender Karri Ramo. The Predators outshot Calgary 15-10 in the first. "We turned the puck over in the first period," Calgary coach Bob Hartley said. "We kind of gave them the first period that we didnt want to give them. We had no intensity. If its not for Karri Ramo, we could have gone on the plane after the first period." The Predators entered Tuesday with the leagues seventh-ranked power play, but had not scored a goal on the man advantage in their last four games. A night after recording his first-career NHL shutout in Carolina, Ramo got the start Tuesday and made 30 saves. The Flames drew even with 1:04 remaining in the first. From behind the Nashville net, Jiri Hudler carried the puck just above the goal line on the left side and slid a pass to an unchecked Stempniak in the lower part of the right faceoff circle. His shot beat Nashville goaltender Carter Hutton for his seventh goal of the season. Stempniaks goal was his first since Dec. 7, a span of 17 games. "I thought I did a good job tonight of handling the puck and keeping the forecheck at bay," Hutton said. "I thought we had the edge in the first. I thought (Ramo) made a lot of good saves and for me, I wwas able to make a couple of saves and handle the puck and get in the game.dddddddddddd" Hutton saw his first game action since a disappointing effort in Carolina on Jan. 5 that drew some criticism from Nashville coach Barry Trotz. He recovered nicely Tuesday night, making 22 saves. "That was a good bounce-back game for him," Trotz said. "I thought we did a really good job of containing Calgary for the most part, especially in the first two periods." Nashville went in front for good at 55 seconds of the third when Ellis carried the puck in on the left side, cut to the high slot and beat Ramo with a slap shot for his second goal of the season. "You just keep shooting, I think thats the biggest thing," Ellis said. "Our forwards did a good job of driving the net, and luckily it went in." Less than two minutes later, Smith gave Nashville a 3-1 lead on another Predators power play. Seth Jones slap shot from the centre of the blue line hit traffic in front of the Calgary net, and Smith dug the puck out and beat Ramo with a wrist shot to the glove side. Calgary though they had cut the Nashville lead at 4:17 of the third, but the officials ruled that Mark Giordano had played the puck to a teammate with a high stick. Stalberg put Nashville ahead 4-1 at 10:52 of the third when his redirection of Ellis shot got by Ramo, but Backlund made it a two-goal game at 13:07 with a nice move off the right half wall before beating Hutton on the stick side with a wrist shot. Backlund has a goal in each of his last three games. "Its nice for personal confidence," Backlund said. "Thats what everybody wants to do, and everybody tries to do. Im happy about it, but at the same time, if we dont win games, Im not satisfied." NOTES: Hudler had two assists in the game. He has assists in three consecutive games. ... Nashville is 17-2-4 when scoring first this season. ... The Predators concluded a five game home stand 2-2-1. . It was the first three-assist game for Legwand this season and the fourth of his career. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '