Attention turns to the all-Premier League Carling Cup semi-final clash on Wednesday as Liverpool look to maintain their slender advantage over big-spending Manchester City, with the two sides having endured mixed fortunes of late.

There are seven Premier League games all kicking off at 3pm on Saturday and, by the end of the day, Manchester United and Spurs could have moved level with leaders Man City at the top. There is plenty to get your teeth into therefore and here we look at some of the key games.

Two defeats from three games in all competitions in January means Manchester City must get back on track against Liverpool in a Carling Cup semi-final first-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday (Manchester City 5/6 Liverpool 6/4 – Carling Cup outright).

With 20 games now gone in the Premier League this season for all clubs apart from Tottenham and Everton, there are five sides who need to start winning now if they are to escape the drama of the relegation dogfight sooner rather than later.

Another sporting weekend has come and gone and it is time to reflect on what we have learnt from proceedings over the past 48 hours with FA Cup shocks and controversy aplenty (Chelsea 4/1 fav FA Cup Outright).

With the January transfer window now firmly open, bosses up and down the country are checking available funds and players, as they look for a key buy to help them in the second half of the season. Here we look at five potential big deals.

The Premier League and Championship take a break this weekend as the FA Cup takes centre-stage, and Liverpool will be bidding to avoid an upset on Friday night as they host League One outfit Oldham Athletic.

After a busy Bank Holiday in the Premier League, there is no let up in the action as six teams do battle in matches on Tuesday that affect both ends of the table (totesport – Premier League).

The traditional New Year fixtures throw up several intriguing contests in the Premier League on Monday with Chelsea, in particular, desperate to bounce back from their 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. Here we preview the games.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish looks set to turn to struggling striker Andy Carroll for goals for the Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Friday (Liverpool 4/7 draw 3/1 Newcastle United 11/2 – match prices).