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Three people in the Premier League spotlight this weekend

Sports Mole highlights three people who will be in the spotlight in the Premier League this weekend.

Just a month remains in the 2014-15 Premier League season, with everything still to be decided at both the top and bottom of the table.

Already there is talk of managerial changes, summer signings and next season's title race, but there is still plenty to play for this season, with the top two going head to head this weekend.

Sports Mole picks out three people who will be in the spotlight this weekend.



1. Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal are Chelsea's closest rivals for the Premier League title, and host the current league leaders on Sunday looking to cut the 10-point gap to Jose Mourinho's side in a bid to be crowned champions for the first time since 2004.

Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates as he scores their second goal during the FA Cup Semi Final between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 2015© Getty Images

If the Gunners are to make a late run for the title, they will need Chilean international Alexis Sanchez, who netted a brace in their 2-1 win over Reading in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final, to be at his best.

The midfielder is the club's joint-top scorer in the league so far this season with 14 goals, the same number as striker Olivier Giroud, and 22 in all competitions since his arrival at the Emirates in the summer, including three in his last three outings.

Sanchez's contributions in his first season at Arsenal have not been limited to scoring goals though, as the 26-year-old has eight assists from his 28 appearances in the league, so Arsene Wenger will surely be looking to him to create something against a Chelsea side that have not lost since New Year's Day this weekend.



2. Sam Allardyce

The West Ham United manager looks increasingly likely to be heading for the exits at Upton Park at the end of the season, with more names being linked with his job by the day.

West Ham United's English Manager Sam Allardyce waits for the start of the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at Boleyn Ground in Upton Park, East London on February 28, 2015© Getty Images

The 60-year-old was charged with making his team play more attacking football by the club's owners ahead of this season, despite the team finishing 13th, comfortably clear of the relegation zone, during the 2013-14 campaign. The Hammers werepushing for a European spot early in the season, but a slip in form in recent months has seen them drop down the standings.

West Ham sit 10th ahead of Saturday's match against Queens Park Rangers, but the manager has had to contend with the likes of Garry Monk, Slaven Bilic and David Moyes all being linked with his job over the last couple of weeks.

With his side facing a team currently sitting in the relegation zone, the pressure will be on Allardyce to secure a victory this weekend, boosting his side's chances of finishing in the top half of the table this season and the likelihood that he will remain at West Ham next year.



3. Jordan Henderson

Liverpool will be looking to put their FA Cup exit at the hands of Aston Villa behind them when they return to action in the Premier League this weekend with a match against West Bromwich Albion, with the build-up to the match dominated by news of Jordan Henderson's new contract.

 Jordan Henderson of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on December 2, 2014© Getty Images

The club's current vice-captain penned a new long-term deal with Brendan Rodgers's side yesterday, seemingly confirming that he will take over from Steven Gerrard as captain when he moves on at the end of the season.

Henderson has been an ever-present for the Reds this season, making 48 appearances in all competitions for the team, scoring seven goals and regularly wearing the captain's armband as Gerrard has struggled with his fitness.

Although Gerrard is available for this match, all eyes are likely to be on Henderson as the potential future leader of the club, with Liverpool fans hoping that the midfielder will help the side put a recent run of poor results behind them.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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