LONDON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Premier League returns to action this weekend after last week's FA Cup matches with Liverpool taking their unbeaten run to Jose Mourinho's Tottenham, while second place Leicester City entertain an improving Southampton and Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will have a test of his influence in a London derby away to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool's trip to White Hart Lane is the undoubted game of the weekend as Jorgen Klopp's men take on a Tottenham side that has improved under Jose Mourinho, but which still has work to do to assure a place in Europe for next season.
The big news ahead of the game is the confirmation of Harry Kane's torn hamstring, which will keep him out of action until April. While that might in some ways be good news for England, who should have the striker fresh for the European Championships, it is a huge blow to Spurs who have also lost midfielder Moussa Sissoko to a knee injury for the next three months, while Danny Rose, Ben Davies, and Tanguy Ndombele are also sidelined.
Consecutive wins have helped Leicester City overcome a minor blip in the form which saw them lose consecutive games, but Jamie Vardy and company will have to be wary of an improving Southampton, who have taken 10 points from their last four games to climb into a mid-table position.
Danny Ings is the form striker for the visitors with 13 goals this season - most of those over the last three months.
Aston Villa looks to be struggling for attacking options ahead of Sunday's visit of Manchester City following the injury to Wesley da Silva, while goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also out with a knee injury.
Manchester City was able to rest key players for their Cup win at home to Port Vale last weekend and are counting the days until Aymeric Laporte returns to full training after his knee operation last year.
Arsenal has looked sharper and more confident since Mikel Arteta replaced Unai Emery as a coach, although they were fortunate to progress in the FA Cup after being given a torrid first 45 minutes by Leeds United on Monday. They will find their resolve tested by a Crystal Palace side that sits one point above them in the table, with only one defeat in six games.
Chelsea remains fourth in the table with a five-point cushion over Manchester United, but three defeats in their last six games may hint to some tiredness among Frank Lampard's young players and they need to beat a Burnley side that tends to be stronger at home than away, to regain some confidence.
Burnley travels to Stamford Bridge on the back of three defeats and was thrashed 4-2 at home by Chelsea earlier in the season.
Carlos Ancelotti needs recover the optimism at Everton following their FA Cup exit at the hands of a side make up of Liverpool youngsters when Brighton visit Goodison Park, while Manchester United have to put their Carabao Cup defeat at home to Manchester City behind them and also get by without the injured Harry Maguire when they entertain Norwich City.
Norwich has shown they can play good football and if he shakes off a thigh problem, Teemu Pukki is a threat to a United side still struggling for consistency.
Elsewhere Wolves will fancy their chances at home to Newcastle United, before Watford aims to continue their great escape act away to fellow strugglers, Bournemouth.
Watford has taken 10 points from a possible 12 since Nigel Pearson arrived at the club, although the coach won't have liked how Tranmere came back from 3-0 down to force a draw in last week's FA Cup game. In contrast, Bournemouth has taken just one point from 12 as their long injury list continues to make life difficult for coach Eddie Howe.
