LONDON, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The neighboring cities of Liverpool and Manchester will take center stage in the Premier League this weekend in what promises to be two fascinating games between Everton and Manchester United and Manchester City and Liverpool.
David Moyes' arrival at Everton has ended all talk of relegation after four wins and a draw from their last five games. That run has even lifted them above Manchester United, who sit in 15th place ahead of their last-ever visit to Goodison Park on Saturday.
While Everton is flying and morale is sky-high after a successful test event at their new stadium in midweek, every passing week seems to bring a new setback for Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim.
Amorim has lost Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez for the rest of the season and has doubts over Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Cristian Eriksen to add to his problems, and another defeat against the side coached by the man who replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford could be a fitting way to resolve the club's current on and off-field issues.
Manchester City also has issues ahead of their game at home to league leaders Liverpool on Sunday after they were dumped unceremoniously out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in midweek.
City saw John Stones added to their injury list, which includes Rodri and Manuel Akanji, while Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland have to be considered doubts after not playing on Wednesday.
Liverpool was held to a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa on Wednesday night and their lead at the top of the table could be down to just five points by kick-off if Arsenal wins their London derby at home to West Ham on Saturday.
Arsenal is hindered by injuries in attack, but Mikel Merino performed well as a 'false 9' last week away to Leicester City, and they start as clear favorites against a side that is still searching for an identity under Graham Potter after three defeats and a draw in their last four games.
Third-place Nottingham Forest travel to Newcastle and both sides need a reaction after last weekend's defeats against Fulham and Manchester City, with Newcastle especially looking to improve after a 4-0 thrashing.
The game should show an interesting contrast between in-form strikers Alexander Isak for Newcastle and Forest's Chris Wood.
Bournemouth could move into the top-four with a win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and much will depend on how an improving Wolves is able to deal with Bournemouth's pressing and if Wolves striker Matheus Cunha has a good day.
Chelsea's search for consistency away to Aston Villa is hindered by a long injury list, which includes striker Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana and Marc Guiu.
Tottenham travels to play Ipswich Town, where Liam Delap and Jayden Philogene will carry the hopes of the relegation-threatened home side, Fulham and Crystal Palace play a mid-table London derby.
Finally, Leicester City coach Ruud van Nistelrooy is under increasing pressure as his side entertains Brentford after nine defeats in their last 10 league games in which they have scored just four goals and conceded 25. ■
