The two Manchester clubs lead the way going into the first round of fixtures in 2011 but there are a host of managers under pressure.
The turn of the year is generally viewed in life as an opportunity to start afresh, complete with resolutions to kick any bad habits and move forward more productively.
There are several Premier League bosses who will be looking ahead to a brighter 12 months but unfortunately the difference is they cannot wipe the slate clean, they must get back on the treadmill at exactly the same point that 2010 left them.
The likes of Roy Hodgson, Gerard Houllier, Avram Grant, Mark Hughes and Carlo Ancelotti have all had to face difficult questions over their futures in recent weeks but remain determined to battle on.
Manchester United find themselves in a familiar position at the top of the table, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men going through the first half of the league campaign unbeaten and avoiding any of the crises perceived to be affecting their major rivals. The Red Devils begin this weekend's action on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports 2 and HD2, with an away game against a West Brom side that have dropped back into trouble following three successive defeats.
Manchester City have played two more matches than their local rivals but are only second on goal difference at present and any slip-up from United will present Roberto Mancini's men with the chance to climb to the summit by beating Blackpool. Nothing can be taken for granted against the dangerous Seasiders though, who have claimed a number of notable scalps already this term, especially away from home, and will fancy their chances of stretching a five-match unbeaten run.
Arsenal are two points further back in third after following up their magnificent victory over Chelsea with a 2-2 draw against Wigan on Wednesday that was hugely frustrating for supporters. Arsene Wenger defended his decision to make eight changes at the DW Stadium but is likely to select a side closer to the one that tackled Chelsea when the Gunners visit St Andrews. Birmingham's home record remains impressive, although they could do with turning more draws into wins if they are to pull away from their current standing just above the relegation zone.
Titanic tussle
Harry Redknapp's insistence that Tottenham can challenge for the title may not have convinced everyone yet but his side have enjoyed a fine festive period so far, beating Aston Villa and Newcastle despite having a man sent off in both games to stay in touch with the leading pack. Next up for Spurs is a London derby at home to Fulham, who won only their third league game of the season at Stoke on Tuesday but remain in the bottom three.
West Ham and Wolves, the only teams beneath the Cottagers, lock horns in a titanic relegation tussle at Upton Park on Saturday. Both sides will head into the game with a positive mindset, however, following encouraging results this week. Wolves came away from Anfield on Wednesday with a famous 1-0 triumph that took them off the bottom, while the Hammers are unbeaten in their last three outings.
Everton drew with West Ham in midweek to extend their own undefeated sequence to four games, although David Moyes will still feel his side have room to improve over the next few months if they can find a solution to their problems in front of goal. The Toffees could move into the upper half of the league by prevailing against a Stoke team that will be desperate to show the Fulham loss was just a blip.
Sunderland have encountered difficulties with injuries since Christmas and Steve Bruce called for a winter break after defeats to Manchester United and Blackpool. The Black Cats remain seventh going into New Year's Day and will be confident of sealing success against a Blackburn side still adjusting to life under new boss Steve Kean but buoyed by victory over West Brom last time out.
Hodgson test
There would appear to be a growing clamour among Liverpool supporters for Hodgson's time at the club to be brought to an end, with patience wearing extremely thin following the loss to Wolves. The Reds look a long way short of European contenders and are sure to face another stern examination against high-flying Bolton, who were edged out by Chelsea on Wednesday but continue to impress under Owen Coyle.
If the current Liverpool boss is feeling the pressure then former Anfield chief Houllier certainly is as well, with the Frenchman's Aston Villa side languishing just a point outside the drop zone following five defeats in six. Things do not get any easier for Villa with a trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to play Chelsea, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1. The Blues ended a dismal run by overcoming Bolton but have a lot of ground still to make up if they are to retain the Premier League trophy they lifted in May.
Sunday's second match, also live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, sees a Wigan side moving in the right direction come up against Newcastle. While the Latics have not lost in four and showed great character to salvage a point at home to Arsenal, Alan Pardew's Magpies have so far failed to pick up anything from a tricky set of festive fixtures and will be keen to earn a victory that consolidates their mid-table status.
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