Premier League fans had a treat this midweek with all 20 teams in action on the Tuesday or Wednesday. There is still no time to waste as the new set of fixtures is already upon us.
As managers up and down the country dust off their DVDs to see what they must counter from their weekend opponents, Sports Mole takes a look at five of the on-pitch battles that could decide the points in Saturday and Sunday's games.
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The former Everton player Marouane Fellaini has come in for a lot of criticism from Manchester United fans this season for his failing to take control of games as much as his size and strength suggests he should.
David Moyes, the Belgian's manager at Everton and now at United, will likely keep faith with his expensive summer signing.
Saturday's early kickoff against Newcastle United is a key game for Fellaini: he is up against a physical and creative midfield in Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye and would win some supporters over with a good display.
Cabaye is a vital player for Alan Pardew at Newcastle. He initially struggled this season after reportedly asking for a move, but that his form has gone up with his side's improvement is no coincidence. He has two goals and two assists so far and might well fancy it against United's midfield.
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There is very little most full-backs in the world can do when up against an in-form Eden Hazard, as showed in his match-winning performance against Sunderland on Wednesday night.
The Chelsea winger scored two brilliant goals and assisted another to help his side to a vital 4-3 win. Against Stoke City he will be up against another right-back who, like Phil Bardsley in midweek, could have a torrid time.
Geoff Cameron had a goal chalked off in Stoke's 0-0 draw against Cardiff on Wednesday, but it will be at the other end he will be busiest on Sunday. He will certainly need a lot of support defending against Hazard, but if he impresses then keeping the Belgian quiet would be a job well done.
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There is no doubt that when Manchester City come to town, the home team has a chance of scoring goals. They won but conceded twice at West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night and have lost four from seven away from the Etihad so far.
Key to the win was Yaya Toure. When given even a yard of space during a game, Toure will take over the entire pitch, striding into space and arriving late in the box. Closing down space quickly, however, is where Southampton have excelled this season.
However, the injury to Victor Wanyama against Aston Villa could be a decisive blow to the Saints. Usually, Wanyama operates as the midfield destroyer, clinging to any attacking midfielder who dares attempt to get into the box. With Morgan Schneiderlin also a doubt, Southampton will be lacking any real clout in defensive midfield.
Mauricio Pochettino, then, could opt to bring in Jack Cork as the most defensive-minded of his midfield. He would certainly be up against it attempting to stop Toure's marauding runs, but it could be where the battle is won if Southampton are to have any joy.
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In truth, it does not really matter who a team has at the back when up against a firing Luis Suarez. Norwich City on Wednesday night might as well have had no defenders such was the Uruguayan's dominance against them.
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has recently had his defence boosted by the return of James Collins and even the Welshman's best might not be enough to stop Suarez. Collins will need to use his extra physicality to unsettle Suarez, and even then will require plenty of help from central midfield.
Suarez, who has hit 11 goals in four games against Norwich, will be up against a team that will make life more difficult for him with a tough approach to defending. However, he showed that he does not need much more than an inch of room to score. If he wins this battle then there is only one way the points are going on Saturday.
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Fulham were much improved against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, with energy, pace and a clear gameplan. However, their lead was overturned and they ended with yet another defeat. The improvement must continue against Aston Villa this Sunday.
Villa will be looking to make it two away wins on the bounce after their surprise victory over Southampton, which came without the services of Christian Benteke.
Paul Lambert may well bring the big Belgian back into his lineup against what has so far been a shaky Fulham defence. The Whites improved at the back against Tottenham, but in Benteke there will be an entirely new problem to deal with.
As Brede Hangeland is still unlikely to return, the centre-back tasked with dealing with the striker would be Philippe Senderos. The Swiss is better in the air than he is dealing with strikers running at him at pace, so if he can keep Benteke quiet he might help his team to a crucial three points on Sunday.
Matt Domm
