Premier League weekend preview: Liverpool v Arsenal, Newcastle v Sunderland and all the major talking points

Video: The Independent looks ahead to this weekend's Premier League games

Premier League weekend preview: Liverpool v Arsenal, Newcastle v Sunderland and all the major talking points. (Getty Images)

Each week, The Independent looks ahead to the weekend's action in the Premier League, focusing on the key matches and the major talking points.

This week, Simon Rice and Jack De Menezes focus on Sunday's late afternoon kick-off between Liverpool and Arsenal, two teams who are not where they want to be in the Premier League standing, with neither side looking like they can challenge for the title.

Liverpool ended their week with an encouraging win away at Bournemouth in the League Cup, having lpreviously lost heavily to bitter rivals Manchester United and were sent crashing out of the Champions League. The Reds will be buoyed by Raheem Sterling's return to form against Bournemouth as they struggle to find an effective striker in the wake of Luis Suarez's departure and the long-term injury of Daniel Sturridge.

Arsenal lost 5-1 at Anfield last season, but before that, the Gunners hadn't lost in Liverpool since 2007. Arsenal tend to play well at Anfield while Brendan Rodgers' side put in good performances when in London. Arsenal have had a lift recently with two 4-1 wins over Galatasaray and Newcastle in succession, with Olivier Giroud back to his scoring ways.

The upset of the weekend could be Newcastle v Sunderland. The Magpies have had a topsy-turvy season, with a dreadful start followed by six wins in a row, then another dip of form before being the first and so far only team to beat Chelsea this season. Their most recent perform, their 4-0 capitulation to Spurs in the League Cup, mean the Black Cats may fancy their chances against their rivals, although Gus Poyet's men are becoming renown for their penchant for a draw this season.

Premier League fixtures

Saturday:

Manchester City v Crystal Palace (12:45) Aston Villa v Manchester United (15:00) Hull v Swansea (15:00) QPR v West Brom (15:00) Southampton v Everton (15:00) Tottenham v Burnley (15:00) West Ham v Leicester (115:00)

Sunday:

Newcastle v Sunderland (13:30) Liverpool v Arsenal (16:00)

Monday:

Stoke v Chelsea (20:00)