Preview: Key fixtures might tilt the balance in Premier League

LONDON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal's home game to Sunderland and Manchester City's visit to play Liverpool are the key matches of the weekend in the Premier League and could go a long way towards deciding this season's title.

Both Arsenal and Manchester City earned their places in the EFL Cup final this week but that Wembley meeting will be in the background when Arsenal faces a Sunderland side that took two points off the league leader with a 2-2 draw in the Stadium of Light last November.

The Emirates Stadium is likely to be a different matter and Arsenal eased worries about a recent wobble in form with a 4-0 win away to Leeds United at the weekend and its 1-0 win at home to Chelsea in midweek.

Sunderland has been excellent this season and remains unbeaten at home, but has only two wins on the road.

Sunday's match between Liverpool and Manchester City looks to be a fascinating encounter between two sides who are both capable of excellent football, but who have shown constant flaws during the season that have cost valuable points.

Manchester City has a nasty habit of failing to hold on to leads, while Liverpool also has defensive issues to resolve, and Liverpool coach Arne Slot is struggling to find reliable cover at right back with Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez all injured.

Aston Villa was stunned at home to 10-man Brentford last weekend and now has a difficult visit to the south coast when Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth has three wins from four games despite losing Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.

Tammy Abraham could make his Aston Villa debut after his transfer move and should boost Unai Emery's attacking options.

Michael Carrick has lifted Manchester United into fourth place and has the chance to consolidate that at home to a Tottenham side that hasn't won in the Premier League since a 1-0 win away to Crystal Palace on December 28th.

Under-pressure Thomas Frank will take heart from last weekend's fightback to claim a point against Manchester City, but he must wish his players could repeat their European form in domestic competition.

Chelsea has Cole Palmer and Estevao available for the visit to play Wolverhampton Wanderers who sold striker Jorgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace at the end of the transfer window.

Strand Larsen could make his Crystal Palace debut away to Brighton, where all eyes will be on 40-year-old James Milner, who will equal Gareth Barry's record of 653 Premier League appearances if he plays on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Yoane Wissa faces his former club for the first time when Newcastle United hosts Brentford. Burnley is at home to West Ham in what is probably the last chance to get on the survival bandwagon for under-pressure Scott Parker, while Fulham's Harry Wilson has the chance to show Everton what they are missing after failing to sign him in the transfer window.

The round of games gets underway on Friday night as Leeds United hosts Nottingham Forest in a tense game between two sides just above the relegation zone. Nottingham Forest is still without Chris Wood with a knee injury while Neco Williams is suspended. ■