Arsenal genuine title chances? John Stones needs to stand up and Manchester United look ominous
Sunsport brings you seven things to look out for over a bumper midweek Premier League programme
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ARSENAL get the chance to return to the top of the Premier League - for a day at least - when they take on struggling Everton tonight.
The sides clash in one of two matches today before current leaders Chelsea travel to Sunderland tomorrow in one of eight top-flight matches.
How clubs fair in a period of three matches within a week may have a major impact on who does what in the league this season - and there are plenty of things to look out for over the bumper midweek programme.
Are Arsenal Chelsea's number one title rivals?
While all others at the top are slipping up and showing inconsistencies, the Gunners and Chelsea keep on shining and the London clubs look the main players right now.
But while Arsenal's playing ability is never in doubt, their mental toughness is open to question after a history of falling away when it matters most.
Chelsea show no signs of relenting on their run of nine straight wins, which means the pressure is on Arsenal to keep in touch and a trip to Everton will be an acid test of their character.
Ronald Koeman's side are not in the best of form at the moment, but with the Dutchman calling on his players to show their toughness and get back to basics you just know the Toffess will be up for the fight at Goodison Park.
Arsenal need to impose themselves physically before they earn the right to play - if they do that then top spot beckons, but anything less and doubts may start to creep in.
John Stones needs to prove he's the real deal
Questions over John Stones' ability to be a truly top class defender have been there throughout his career, with a series of sloppy mistakes taking away from his undoubted potential.
The early stages of his Manchester City career looked promising with a run of assured performances, but the doubts have resurfaced over the past month with some indifferent displays for club and country.
City have shipped seven goals in two league matches, with Stones fortunate that Claudio Bravo has taken more than his fair share of blame.
The very best players learn from their mistakes, and quickly. It is time for Stones to stand up, assume control and lead with his performances.
Watford striker Troy Deeney won't give him a moment to relax or switch off at The Etihad on Wednesday.
Have Manchester United turned into top four contenders?
A fortnight ago the outlook around Old Trafford looked bleak, with Jose Mourinho's side failing to secure results even though performances were improving.
But all of a sudden they are right back in the mix for a top four spot this season, thanks to City, Liverpool and Tottenham all stumbling.
Mourinho looks to have discovered his best side and formation, and the settled look to his team has coincided with a six-match unbeaten run.
Only two wins have come in those games, but they bad luck in front of goal can't last forever and the manner of the 1-0 victory of Spurs when it mattered most on Sunday was a welcome sign for the club's fans.
United have a decent run of games over the Christmas and New Year period, and if they can score well over that series of matches they could well be in shape to secure Champions League qualification.
Is Jamie Vardy unleashed?
When you are 16 league and cup matches without a club goal, questions are going to be asked of your star striker and Jamie Vardy provided the best answer possible with his hat-trick against Manchester City.
Those goals would have lifted the weight off the shoulders of the England striker - now he needs to go on a run of hot form to help Leicester climb away from relegation trouble.
Bournemouth will be smarting from the manner of their defeat at Burnley at the weekend, but their defence does leak goals and give opportunities, so Vardy should be licking his lips ahead of Tuesday's trip to the south coast.
Can Loris Karius prove his manager right?
It may be out of his hands, but the Liverpool goalkeeper is the name on everyone's lips thanks to the over-the top reaction of the Neville brothers and Jurgen Klopp.
Men working in the media criticising someone for speaking to the media is rank hypocrisy, but the situation has not been helped by Klopp having a pop back at Gary and Phill.
Now all eyes will be on everything Karius does after a couple of dodgy displays, when he could have done with his boss trying to dampen and row instead of fanning the flames.
Liverpool have dropped five points in their last two matches, and need to arrest the slump at Middlesbrough.
It would help the young goalkeeper if his defence starts doing the job properly in front of him - and so would a much needed clean sheet.
Are Tottenham falling away?
Two wins from the last eight matches is simply not good enough if you genuinely want a crack at the Premier League title.
That already looks beyond Tottenham - now they need to just show they are equipped to finish in the top four of the table.
One of those wins was a lucky escape against West Ham, and losses to Chelsea and United have shown this group is short of being a top side.
They have to get back to winning ways against Hull on Wednesday, no other result would be acceptable.
Now or never for West Ham
A horror run against four of the top six has left West Ham one point clear of the bottom three - but now comes their chance to start to climb the table.
Burnley, Hull and Swansea are the next three up for the Hammers, the first two of those matches at home.
Three games that on paper are very winnable, and how Slaven Bilic's side fair over the next couple of weeks will tell us a lot about what this season holds in store for the club.
Senior players are back to fitness, there are no excuses now and they simply have to build on their impressive draw at Liverpool by winning at least two of the next three games.
Do that, and the future looks brighter. Lose two of them, and relegation scrap looks the only option.
