English Premier League Fixtures, Previews, Picks: Tottenham-Chelsea, Manchester United-Arsenal Dominate EPL Weekend

What a strange world we find ourselves in: Spurs clear favorites over Chelsea ahead of Sunday's clash at White Hart Lane. We're just getting used to Tottenham being a persistent fixture at the top of the league, but playing an alpha against a club that some see as half of a Big Two? It only underscores the strange days of today's league, a place where we're looking for Spurs to be our guide. Take us back to the world of mid-table finishes or give us a validating win on Sunday. I know it's a lot to ask given you just won at the Emirates, but this are you/are you not a contender game you're playing with us? You have to understand: There are other uncertainties in this year's Premier League, and as fans, we're trying to get some things nailed down.

For example, there's also Manchester City. They're at West Ham United this weekend, and while it's hard to see the Hammers getting a result, after last week's performance from City against Bolton, we're ready for a big pay-off. The combination of David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tévez were tantalizing against the Trotters. Their fluidity and creativity? Unexpected! Who knew Roberto Mancini was willing to loosen the reins? But despite testing the woodwork a couple of times, City only got one goal. This week against West Ham, we need to see more. If we don't get it, the same questions will persist: Is City a real contender if they can't paste a result on the league's bottom-dwellers? Given how they handled Fulham two weeks ago, we should expect City to be convincing.

And then there's Monday: Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford, where the Gunners have had only slightly greater success than Chelsea's had at White Hart Lane. Arsenal's won twice at Old Trafford since we said goodbye to the 20th century, their last win coming in 2006. While that may not sound so long ago, consider the names Lehmann, Silva, Ljundberg, Hleb, Baptista, Flamini - all of whom featured for Arsenal that day, when Emmanuel Adebayor's late goal gave the Gunners a famous win (on their way to finishing 21 points back of United). For Arsenal, only two players who saw action that day, Cesc Fàbregas and Emmanuel Eboué, might see time on Monday. For United, the number is seven.

9. Everton versus Wigan Athletic, Goodison Park (Liverpool), Saturday, December 11, 10:00 a.m. Eastern - If the Toffees lose this one, they'll be jumped by the 18th place Latics, and while that's unlikely to land them in a drop, it underscores the problems David Moyes's team has had through 16 matches. Given the Toffees have only won twice at Goodison all season, it's worth considering the implications of dropping points to Wigan. Does that start a full-on crisis at Everton? Because last year, the only thing that kept the Toffees from being drawn by Wigan was a stoppage time penalty kick from Luis Saha.

8. Bolton Wanderers versus Blackburn Rovers, Reebok Stadium (Bolton), Sunday, December 12, 8:30 a.m. Eastern - It's a Lancashire Derby, everyone. What a festive occasion, though I don't doubt the powers of Sam Allardyce to make this into a plodding affair. With a big Bolton team not too far removed from their former manager's philosophies, there may be the temptation to let Christopher Samba and Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander and Ryan Nelson, Jason Roberts and Zat Knight pummel each other. OK - I'm actually talking myself into this, but until the gloves come off at the Reebok, I choose to look at this as a chance for Bolton to football their former boss off the park. Blackburn may sit 11th, but they're not actually very good. Bolton should use them to bounce back from last week's loss to City ...

6. Stoke City versus Blackpool, Britannia Stadium (Stoke-upon-Trent), Saturday, December 11, 10:00 a.m. Eastern - Thanks to Kenwyne Jones, Stoke has quietly become one of the league's more fun teams to watch. Even when the Trinidadian is not scoring, he's a force that can single-handedly crumble a defense. When Ricardo Gardner and Matthew Etherington are feeding of their big striker's energy, Stoke finally has a balance between power and production. Between Ian Evatt and Craig Cathcart's problems matching up with the Potters' attack and Stoke's central defenders (all four of them) lacking the mobility to move with the Tangerines, this could turn into a shootout.

5. Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Birmingham City, The Molineux (Wolverhampton), Sunday, December 12, 8:30 a.m. Eastern -The second derby of our countdown, one of two in the greater Birmingham area, would rank closer to 10 on this list were it not a meeting of rivals. Not even a five match unbeaten streak is enough to make Brum interesting, while Wolves are starting to make people believe they're in this relegation battle for the long haul. As a result, Mick McCarthy is rumored to have money to spend in January, though on Sunday against a Blues side to whom they've lost three in a row, Wolves have to make due with the same team that's won only two of 12.

4. Aston Villa versus West Bromwich Albion, Villa Park (Birmingham), Saturday, December 11, 10:00 Eastern - Villans have started to call for Gerard Houllier's head, though for the wrong reasons. A lost in translation moment at Anfield on Monday had Houllier muse that if Villa had to lose 3-0, might as well be to Liverpool, since he likes them. That doesn't seem so bad to me, or would we just prefer coachspeak while deluding ourselves into thinking the Reds' former boss has no affection for Liverpool?

Instead of complaining about that, why don't Villans focus on the fact that the team isn't very good? Injuries or not, the step back from the halcyon days of Kevin MacDonald has been pronounced and disproportionate. Against West Brom, in a derby, with Mark Albrighton and Gabriel Agbonlahor farther along, Ashley Young back from suspension and the trio of Emile Heskey, Carlos Cuellar and Barry Bannan potential healthy?

3. Newcastle United versus Liverpool, St. James's Park (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), Saturday, December 11, 12:30 p.m. Eastern - Newcastle is still without Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson, Hatem Ben Arfa and Steven Harper. Kevin Nolan's a doubt, but Chris Hughton, he's definitely going to be a miss. Alan Pardew has the manager's job at Newcastle United, and while he implied the circumstances of his hiring were less than ideal, the squad need not linger on Mike Ashley's stupidity. The shake-up might do them some good. That doesn't make the sacking fair, but ... lemons. Lemonade. Fruit drinks. Grape soda. Grapes. Sour grapes. Oh, damn it that firing was horrible.

2. Tottenham Hotspur versus Chelsea, White Hart Lane (London), Sunday, December 12, 11:00 a.m. Eastern - Coming off a match-winning goal the last time these sides met, Gareth Bale has to relish the opportunity to go at Paolo Ferreira, Chelsea's third choice right back, forced into action because of injuries to José Bosingwa and Alex. Some good news for Chelsea: Frank Lampard may return. Carlo Ancelotti will make that decision before kick-off on Saturday. If Lamps is back, Chelsea will have their full midfield in place for only the fourth time this season. Against a Spurs midfield that will be without Tom Huddlestone and Rafael van der Vaart, an area that's been a glaring weakness could prove a strength for Chelsea come Sunday.