MIDDLESBROUGH v MANCHESTER UNITED (Saturday 12.45)

Middlesbrough lost 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in their last matchand have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five games, picking up only four points.

Boro are currently next to bottom of the Premier League, three points clear of West Brom but three points behind Newcastle. They will be without Chris Riggott, whilst Emanuel Pogatetz hopes to return.

United beat Spurs 5-2 in their last league match, their fourth straight win. In their last five league matches, they have won four and lost one. They are three points clerar of Liverpool at the top, with a match in hand as well.

United are likely to be without Rio Ferdinand, who picked up a rib injury during the 1-0 Champions League win over Arsenal on Wednesday night. They are also likely to be without Gary Neville, while Owen Hargreaves is still out.

Prediction: United beat Middlesbrough 1-0 earlier this season at Old Trafford, but last season's clash at the Riverside ended in 2-2 draw.

United are now on course to win the Premier League title for the third successive year after their dramatic victory over Spurs, while Boro are still three points from safety and face a potentially challenging home stretch with fixtures against Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham still to come.

Sir Alex Ferguson may rest some key players in preparation for Tuesday night's Champions League second-leg semi final at Arsenal, but they should still be too strong for Boro. Gareth Southgate's men will struggle to grind out even a goalless draw against the defending champions. Everything points to a United victory.

LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE UNITED (Sunday 13.30)

Liverpool won 3-1 at Hull City last time on the road, their sixth win in seven matches. In their last five, Liverpool have won four and drawn one. They are currently second in the league, three points clear of third-placed Chelsea.

Captain Steven Gerrard is hopeful for this match, after the midfielder resumed to training following a groin injury.

Newcastle drew 0-0 with Portsmouth in their last game, their ninth straight league match without a win. Of the last five, they have drawn two and lost three, picking up only two points. Newcastle will be without Steven Taylor, but Jose Enrique hopes to return for this match.

Prediction: Liverpool beat Newcastle 5-1 earlier this season at St James' Park, and last season's match at Anfield resulted in a 3-0 Reds victory.

With both teams out of all other competitions, their primary focus will now be on their Premier League tasks. For Liverpool, it is keeping up their unlikely title chase on leaders, while Newcastle face the almost impossible task of avoiding relegation. 

Liverpool's attack has been stellar recently, scoring 11 goals in their last three league matches. Newcastle's, on the other hand, has been lacklustre, only scoring once in their last three matches. They failed to score against Pompey even though manager Alan Shearer fielded three strikers.

Liverpool have been near enough invincible at Anfield this season, having not lost a Premier League match there - and that dominance looks set to continue as they enter this game as heavy favourites.

Read previews of four weekend matches - Middlesbrough v Manchester United, Chelsea v Fulham, Portsmouth v Arsenal, and Liverpool v Newcastle, ALL with the best bookmakers match odds, at Sports Betting Review now!