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Five talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League action

:Headline: Five talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League action: ID:389024: from db_amp
With the start of the winter break, only eight of the teams are in action.

The first Premier League winter break will be split over two weekends, giving players, managers and fans some time to recharge their batteries for the run-in.

While most of Liverpool's squad have used the opportunity to get away for some warm-weather relaxation, it will have been business as usual for the eight teams involved this weekend.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points across the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

Fun in the sun

Sun loungers and cocktails will be furthest from anyone's minds when Brighton host Watford in Saturday's televised late kick-off. The Seagulls will take heart from the way the team battled back to earn a 3-3 draw at West Ham as they aim to keep some daylight between themselves and the bottom three. Watford, meanwhile, find themselves back in trouble following the bounce under new boss Nigel Pearson – and will be kicking themselves after last week's late capitulation at home against Everton.

Toffees eye the top six

Experienced Italian Carlo Ancelotti has made a positive impact after taking over at Everton (Yui Mok/PA)

When Carlo Ancelotti arrived at Goodison Park, he inherited a club looking set for their own survival scrap. However, slowly but surely the Italian former Chelsea boss has the team moving forward again and unbeaten in the four league games since losing their FA Cup third-round tie at Liverpool. Victory over an out-of-form Crystal Palace side would push Everton closer to the top six – and leave the Eagles, who have not won since Boxing Day, glancing over their shoulder.

Can resurgent Cherries blunt the Blades?

When Sheffield United opened the Premier League campaign at Bournemouth, few would have predicted the fortunes of both clubs some six months down the line. Chris Wilder's well-organised side could end the weekend in fifth – but the Cherries head to Bramall Lane with a point to prove after back-to-back Premier League wins lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Beleaguered Irons seek safe haven

A late capitulation against Brighton at the London Stadium last weekend left West Ham still stuck in the bottom three – with more questions over the direction of the club. Co-owner David Gold has insisted the Hammers are "moving upwards" despite their current poor form. Heading to Manchester City on Sunday is hardly the ideal place to go in search of a first league win since New Year's Day – but with Raheem Sterling sidelined by a hamstring problem, it is always the hope which gets you.

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131
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