With the Manchester derby on Monday night, today's focus will be on the battle to avoid the drop with just four games this afternoon in the Barclays Premier League.

Bottom side Reading are involved in the early kick-off as they play host to a rejuvenated Southampton side from 12.45pm. The main subplot invovles the return of Nigel Adkins to St Mary's after he was sacked by the Saints in January.

His replacement Mauricio Pocchettino has led Southampton up to 12th, four points clear of the relegation zone and will move a step closer to survival with a win today.

There is another relegation battle among the 3pm games as Aston Villa travel to Stoke knowing that a win would see them move out of the bottom three and up to within a point of their hosts.

The Potters are on a poor run, having lost seven of their last 10 league games but have a strong home record at the Britannia.

Also at 3pm Chris Hughton's Norwich entertain Swansea at Carrow Road and Champions League-chasing Arsenal make the trip to 8th place West Brom.

A win for the Gunners would lift them above Chelsea and within two points of 3rd place Tottenham.