A North East mini-special this week, plus Tottenham continues to poke its nose into other people's business

Team to Watch - Sunderland

When Steve Bruce took Sunderland to Stamford Bridge last season he left with a famous 3-0 win and history could repeat itself on Saturday.

The cast of Sunderland's touring group will be different this time around, but a win is certainly on the cards for the new look Black Cats.

Martin O'Neill is now at the helm and he's already beaten Manchester City since taking over at the Stadium of Light, a result that started a three game winning streak.

The wins following the City triumph have both been on the road and they could be joined by another when you consider Chelsea's current home form.

Putting aside the flattering 4-0 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup, Chelsea have failed to win either of the last two league games they've played in front of their own fans.

Doubts remain about Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas and the criticism will only increase should another disappointing result follow the home draw with Fulham and the defeat to Aston Villa.

Team to Avoid - Newcastle

It's always quite frustrating when an opponent changes their manager just before they are about to play you.

Sunderland have proved what a managerial change can do, having won five and drawn one of their seven league matches since appointing Martin O'Neill.

Queens Park Rangers will be hoping for a similar response from their players under new boss Mark Hughes when they travel to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Rangers have not won since mid-November and lost six of their last eight games under Neil Warnock, but they come up against a Newcastle side missing two of its most important players.

Demba Ba, who has been in fine goal scoring form this season, and Cheik Tiote have both left for the Africa Cup of Nations after the impressive win over Manchester United last week.

Ba scored one of the three goals that night, his 15th since joining in the summer, and the Senegalese international has netted over half of Newcastle's league goals this season.

The defence, which looked so solid during Newcastle's unbeaten start, has already been struck by injury and now their midfield and attack has been weakened too, pointing to a shock away win.

Banker Clean Sheet - Tottenham

Not only did Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham see them move level on points with Manchester United, it was also the eighth time they have a kept a clean sheet this season.

Tottenham have been lauded for their attacking football, but their defensive solidity should not go unnoticed.

Harry Redknapp's side have already kept eight clean sheets this term, which is the same as leaders Manchester City and only one less than both Manchester United and Swansea.

Their record for goals conceded is also impressive because they have let in just 20, a tally bettered only by City and Liverpool.

In fact, if you ignore the eight goals Tottenham conceded in the first two games of the season, they have shipped just 12 in 18 games.

Next up for Spurs, who are now even stronger at the back following the return from injury of Michael Dawson, is Wolves, a side without a win from seven league and cup games.

Injuries and Suspensions

Arsenal's injury crisis got even worse on Monday night with the news that make-shift full-back Francis Coquelin will be out for a few weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Leeds.

Striker Marouane Chamakh became the latest player to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations following the match.

Monday's match winner, Thierry Henry, has admitted he has nowhere near enough match fitness to complete a full 90 minute game at the moment.

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey will be sidelined for a month after further aggravating his Achilles injury against Bristol Rovers at the weekend.

Villa have plugged the hole left by Heskey with a two-month loan deal for former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, who could face Everton this weekend provided he receives FIFA clearance in time.

Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has returned to full training and could be back, after a seven game absence, for Saturday's match.

Manchester City failed in their bid to have Vincent Kompany's red card, from Sunday's match against Manchester United, overturned.

He has three games remaining of his four-match ban and will miss the league games against Wigan and Tottenham, as well as the Carling Cup semi-final second leg.

City striker Mario Balotelli suffered a recurrence of his ankle problem during the first half of Wednesday's game against Liverpool, while Reds midfielder Jay Spearing limped off with a hamstring strain.

Manchester United duo Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley are still around a month away from a return, according to boss Alex Ferguson, while Michael Owen won't be back until mid-February either.

QPR will be without midfielder Alejandro Faurlin for the remainder of the season after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against MK Dons on Saturday.

Newcastle striker Sammy Ameobi has been ruled out for 'several months' after picking up a knee injury whilst playing for the reserves.

New Players

Keep an eye on our Ins & Outs page for details of all the arrivals and departures on the Fantasy League Player List.

The Fantasy Football Show

For more insight and analysis ahead of the weekend's Premier League action listen to our podcast, The Fantasy Football Show by clicking here.

Fantasy League have made their predictions for the weekend. Do you agree? Which teams do you think are the ones to target? Please leave your comments below...