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Chelsea’s advantage at the top of the Premier League has been skewed in recent weeks by playing more games than their three title rivals.
After the midweek matches, the top-four picture will be much clearer.
Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal play games-in-hand on Tuesday and Wednesday, seeking wins that will tighten up an already exciting title race.

	It is not just the United game. We need to win all of them

	City defender Pablo Zabaleta
City have the toughest task as they head for a derby at Manchester United, who are out of title contention, but desperate to dent the championship hopes of their fierce rival.
Liverpool can move a point behind Chelsea by beating Sunderland at home, while fourth-place Arsenal – seven points off first place and looking the most vulnerable of the title contenders – hosts Swansea.
Here are five things to know about the midweek matches in the Premier League:

Testing times for city
Manchester City better have enjoyed the 5-0 romp against last-place Fulham on Saturday – it will be the easiest game they will have in some time.
The Manchester derby marks the start of a pivotal four-match, 20-day period for City that will see their title credentials severely tested by trips to Old Trafford, Emirates Stadium and Anfield.
Come through those games unscathed and the road to a second Premier League trophy in three years will be clear.
Chelsea have a six-point cushion over City having played three more games, and will look at the schedule of their main title rival and be happy to have points on the board.
“It is not just the United game,” City defender Pablo Zabaleta said. “We need to win all of them.”
City have won on their last two visits to United – a 6-1 thrashing in October 2011 and a 2-1 victory last April that briefly delayed their neighbour from securing the title.
 

Rooney-Mata partnership
Wayne Rooney may have to shoulder United’s attacking burden for the rest of the season following a knee injury to strike partner Robin van Persie that has ruled him out for up to six weeks.
The England international looks up to the task.
Rooney’s two goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win at West Ham – which included a memorable strike from almost 60 metres that looks to have sewn up the goal-of-the-season award – means he has scored in three of his last four league matches and has 17 goals this season for club and country.

	Juan is a very talented footballer ... and when he gets in positions you know as a forward you can make runs and he can see you

	Wayne Rooney
His partnership with Juan Mata, who should get more starts in his favoured No 10 position because of Van Persie’s injury, will be key to how United end the campaign and whether it can snatch a top-six finish that will secure a Europa League spot.
Mata started there against West Ham and looked a different proposition after some ineffective performances out wide over the last two months.
“It worked well,” Rooney said of his link-up play with Mata. “Obviously, Juan is a very talented footballer, got a good footballing brain and when he gets in positions you know as a forward you can make runs and he can see you.”

Suarez-Sturridge combo
Liverpool have scored 23 goals in their last seven games to cement their tag as the great Premier League entertainers – and the strikers at the centre of the scoring spree have their eyes on a record.
With 47 goals between them this season, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are only eight behind the Premier League best for a strike combination – set by Peter Beardsley and Andrew Cole for Newcastle during the 1993-94 campaign.
That haul was achieved when there were 42 games in a league season.
Suarez and Sturridge have eight games to break the record, starting with Sunderland on Wednesday.
	 

Vulnerable Arsenal
If anyone is going to drop out of the four-pronged race for the title over the next few weeks, it will most likely be Arsenal.
Chelsea exposed the threadbare nature of Arsenal’s squad by routing their London rivals 6-0 on Saturday, a result Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described as a “nightmare” in his 1,000th match in charge.

	We are in a situation now where after such a disappointment that the next game becomes vital

	Arsene Wenger
His midfield options have been devastated by injuries to Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, and striker Olivier Giroud is starting to struggle with the burden of being the team’s sole attacking focus.
“The players are deeply disappointed as we all are, but now I think let us prepare for the next game,” Wenger said after the loss to Chelsea.
“We are in a situation now where after such a disappointment that the next game becomes vital.”

Everton eye fourth
Given Arsenal’s predicament, Everton manager Roberto Martinez’s claim that the race for fourth is far from over does not look so fanciful after all.
Everton are eight points behind Arsenal, but have a game in hand over the Gunners and host them at Goodison Park on April 6.
If Everton beat Newcastle on Tuesday and Arsenal fail to win against Swansea, the gap between the clubs is very makeable.
Tottenham currently separate the pair, two points ahead of Everton, but having played a game more.


Five things to know about the Premier League 

Pablo Zabaleta is adamant Manchester City must win every match. Photo: EPA


United's Wayne Rooney shoots the opening goal - a nearly 60-metre lob - against West Ham. Photo: AFP 

Liverpool's Luis Suarez (left) and Daniel Sturridge together have scored 47 goals this season. Photo: Reuters

Striker Olivier Giroud is feeling the pressure as Arsenal's sole attacker. Photo: AFP 

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes the race for fourth is far from over. Photo: Reuters   

Sport

Football

Top-four picture is murky, but after the midweek matches it will all become clear


Five things to know about the Premier League

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Top-four picture is murky, but after the midweek matches it will all become clear

Top-four picture is murky, but after the midweek matches it will all become clear