EPL Preview for this weekend ..

The race for fourth spot could take a decisive turn this weekend as it is derby day on Merseyside while England players look to prove their international form is a mere blip.

Following another lacklustre friendly display from the national team, the question of why England 'stars' perform better for their clubs has once more been asked.

But when none of the top 10 scorers in the Premier League this season are English, it is easy to see why there was a lack of cutting edge in Paris on Wednesday night.

The truth is that the Premier League has blossomed due to the continental influence and it will again be in evidence in a packed 10-game programme this weekend.

Fernando Torres has sparkled in his debut season in English football and he will be looking to add to his 20 league goals when Liverpool welcome Everton to Anfield on Sunday

With Liverpool currently two points clear of their local rivals in fourth, the result could help to determine who takes the fourth UEFA Champions League spot this season.

Before Merseyside pride is put at stake, though, there are seven matches on Saturday, including current leaders Manchester United against Aston Villa.

United are seeking a 14th win in a row over Villa in all competitions against a team whose European aspirations have taken a knock in recent weeks.

Arsenal are desperate to return to form after five games without a win, but head to Bolton Wanderers where they have lost their last three league matches.

The bottom two meet at Pride Park and Fulham will be anxious to record a first away success in 18 months to boost their hopes of survival.

In contrast, Derby County's relegation back to the Championship could be confirmed if they fail to beat Fulham and Birmingham City win at home to Manchester City.

Wigan Athletic will be hoping Portsmouth have one eye fixed on next week's FA Cup semi-final against West Brom when Steve Bruce takes his team to Fratton Park.

Sunderland claimed a first away win of the campaign last weekend and will be hopeful of three points at home to West Ham United.

Reading have steadily edged closer to safety in recent weeks, although Saturday's visitors to the Madejski Stadium - Blackburn Rovers - are not giving up in their pursuit of European qualification.

On Sunday, Chelsea will be confident of maintaining the pressure in the title race when they face Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge.

Kevin Keegan secured a belated first win in his second spell as Newcastle United boss last week and heads to Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

Birmingham City v Manchester City

Birmingham have not managed a clean sheet at home since Boxing Day. Man City's games have averaged only 2.3 goals this season - fewer than any other team's fixtures.

Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal

Bolton have gone 281 minutes without scoring a goal. Arsenal have gone five league games without a win for the first time since 1998. They have not gone six games without a win since 1994.

Derby County v Fulham

Derby will equal Sunderland's all-time Premier League record for games without a win if they fail to beat Fulham - 26 games. Fulham have not scored in the first half since 12th January - 10 games ago.

Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic

If Pompey win this game it will be their fourth successive home win - something they have not managed in the Premier League before. Wigan have made fewer substitutions than any other team this season - 63.

Reading v Blackburn Rovers

Reading have gone 12 games since drawing - the longest current run in the division. Blackburn have gained more points from losing positions than any other team this season - 19.

Sunderland v West Ham United

Sunderland only lost one of their first seven Premier League games against West Ham, but have won none of the subsequent six. Dean Ashton is the Premier League player who has committed the most fouls without getting booked - 49.

Manchester United v Aston Villa

United have gone 371 minutes since conceding a goal in the Premier League. Villa have gone 17 games without keeping a clean sheet - the worst current run in the Premier League and the club's worst run in the Premier League.

Chelsea v Middlesbrough

Didier Drogba has scored seven goals in his last eight Premier League starts. Boro have failed to score in their last five Premier League trips to Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

Tottenham have benefited from 13 substitute goals this season - more than any other team in the league. Newcastle have won their last four league games with Spurs, scoring three goals in each match.

Liverpool v Everton

18 of Fernando Torres' 20 league goals this season have come at Anfield. Everton have conceded only four goals in 2008 - a record only Man Utd can match.