This is the last weekend with a full English Premiership programme until early March, making it a key weekend for teams anxious to close the gap on their nearest rivals.
At the top, Chelsea will be looking for their best home form against Middlesbrough, having won a below-par three of their last six league games at Stamford Bridge. Even if they win, however, the champions could find themselves trailing Manchester United by nine points by the time they resume Premiership action on March 3. That is because United have tonight's home game against Charlton, which looks a gimme, followed by an away fixture at Fulham on February 24.
The most difficult task facing a Big Four team this weekend is Liverpool's trip to Newcastle, who have won five and drawn two (one against Manchester United) of their last seven home league games. Liverpool still have something to prove on the road (six defeats out of six away to top-half teams) and look vulnerable.
Reading and Everton rate the best-value home chances, but this looks a tricky weekend for betting on the Premiership. For the best bet in England, it is worth going further down the ladder to League One, where Bristol City - the best home side in the division - should beat Huddersfield.
Real Zaragoza have been one of the surprise packages in Spain this season, but there is no fluke about their top-six position and they can prove the point with another away win at Mallorca. The seeds of Zaragoza's success were sown last season - notably with a great run to the Copa del Rey final - and they have come to fruition under new coach Victor Fernandez. Zaragoza have won six and lost only two of their last 11 away games in all competitions - the defeats came at Barcelona and Real Madrid in the league, but more recently Zaragoza won 1-0 at Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.
Mallorca won their last home game against Recreativo, but that was only their second home victory in 11 attempts this season, and Zaragoza rate a solid handicap bet.
