After a week when the FA Cup took centre stage, the Premier League is back this weekend, and the plotlines are already in place for all 20 teams.
Drama is a certainty at both ends of the table, and as always there are a few individuals who will carry extra pressure into games.
Below, Sports Mole singles out three people who are desperate for success this weekend.
1. Roberto Martinez
Not even the distraction of playing in the FA Cup could encourage Everton to produce their best, but at least it wasn't another loss for the Toffees. A late goal from Romelu Lukaku earned his side a replay with a 1-1 draw against West Ham United on Tuesday, and it rescued Martinez from being forced to explain another loss. However, the pressure still remains on the Spaniard's shoulders.
© Getty Images
Everton have lost four successive games in the Premier League, and they currently sit just four points above the relegation zone. After enjoying such a successful start to life at Goodison Park last season, very few would have expected Martinez's side to struggle so much with the added expectancy to build on that fifth-place finish. The fact is that Everton just haven't been good enough this season, and the Toffees supporters have made it clear how disappointed they are through some of their reactions at home games in recent weeks.
Some critics have decided that Martinez's style is the problem, despite it being the same approach which surprised so many last season. Have Everton become too predictable? Perhaps. Teams look more comfortable dealing with Everton's creative players, and defences have found a way to limit the influence of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, two of the club's star performers last season. The real problem appears to occur when Everton are chasing games, which they have been forced to do far too often, thanks largely to a struggling defence. Martinez's eagerness for his side to play a patient passing game is great to watch when they are winning, but the tactician can look stubborn when it goes wrong. It will be interesting to see if Martinez makes changes during Saturday's game against Manchester City, especially if they're put on the back foot early on.
2. Bafetimbi Gomis
It looks like Swansea City supporters are going to have to accept that Wilfried Bony's move to Manchester City isn't just a transfer rumour anymore, but an apparent inevitability. If reports this week are accurate, Swansea will receive around £30m to allow the Ivorian to complete his switch to the Premier League champions. If Bony, who is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, has played his final game for the club, then the problem is clear for Garry Monk's side.
© Getty Images
Bony scored 20 goals in the Premier League in 2014, more than any other player in the calendar year. It's that form which caught the eye of City, and it's the same record which has allowed Monk to make such a good start to life as Swansea boss. Monk has proved his doubters wrong by keeping his side in the top half of the table, but losing a match-winner in Bony creates a big challenge for him. Gomis, who arrived at the club in the summer, was also linked with a move away in recent weeks after being forced to serve as Bony's understudy, but he looks set to be given more chances to shine. If he can build up a partnership with attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, the goals could continue to flow for the Swans. A week ago Gomis was nothing more than a squad player, but he will now play a key role in helping Swansea continue their fine campaign, starting with the trip to Upton Park to face West Ham United on Saturday.
3. Alan Pardew
Pardew is back at Palace, finally. His move from Newcastle United was dragged out for as long as possible, but he is now manager of the team he spent four years with as a player. An FA Cup third-round tie against Dover Athletic wasn't the toughest first test he could face, and it proved to be a routine afternoon as the Eagles recorded a comfortable 4-0 win. However, Palace's season, and Pardew's performance, will not be judged by how well the team does in the FA Cup.
The former Magpies boss arrives at Selhurst Park with Palace sitting 18th in the Premier League table. Palace haven't won a league game since beating Liverpool 3-1 on November 23. Eight games have passed without a win since then, and as all Eagles supporters will know, that is relegation form. The appointment of Pardew was made with the hope that the squad would receive a big boost, and that his experience will be the difference in the second half of the season. If he is going to achieve his goals, Palace must return to form as soon as possible. When the games start to run out, inevitably the luck escapes you.
© Getty Images
His first Premier League game in charge comes against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday teatime. The stands will be packed full of supporters expecting a big performance as Palace look to get their season back on track. The campaign may be defined by how they perform against sides around them in the table, but a win this weekend would quickly improve the mood around the club. Can Pardew deliver the goods on his return to Selhurst Park?
