Can United bounce back after Leeds shocker?

The first full Premier League programme of 2010 kicks off on Saturday with the title race back on, a real dogfight developing at the bottom of the table - and an awful lot depending on the weather.

First up are the leaders Chelsea who know that they could be knocked off their perch at the top of the table for the first time since the autumn if they slip up against Hull.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have just nine points from their last six league games - the same number as Wolves. And they face an unappetising trip to the north east without strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou who are in distinctly warmer climes for the African Cup of Nations.

The good news for Chelsea is that Nicolas Anelka could return and young striker Daniel Sturridge gave a good account of himself in the FA Cup against Watford and scored twice.

That easy win appeared to indicate that the Blues' December wobble was over. But there will be plenty of questions to answer if they fail to beat Hull, who have not won a game since November and have just three points from their last six games.

Arsenal are among the teams kicking off at 3pm on Saturday. They entertain an improving Everton side but have injury worries. As well as their long term absentees the Gunners will be without Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott, while Alex Song is on inernational duty.

If Arsenal fans have been cursing their luck with injuries this season they should spare a thought for David Moyes and his Everton outfit. He is likely to be without at least half-a-dozen first teamers, while Yakubu and Joseph Yobo are away at the Cup of Nations.

A win would send Arsene Wenger's side second in the table for a few hours at least. And a victory would seem to be on the cards - the Gunners are the division's form team and have dropped only two points in their last six games, while they showed plenty of heart to come from behind against West Ham in the Cup.

Manchester United strut their stuff in the evening kick-off against Birmingham at St Andrews. The Blues are actually in better form than United at the moment and have not lost for 12 games.

United on the other hand are coming off the back of a humilating cup loss to Leeds and have lost three of their last six games in all competition, while their away form is less than impressive.

Despite all that United will go top if Chelsea fail to beat Hull and they win.

Sir Alex Ferguson threatened to make wholesale changes to the side after the "shocking" loss to Leeds so who knows what team he will pick. What is for certain is that there will be hell to pay if they lose.

Elsewhere on Saturday Aston Villa have the chance to move into the top four when they travel to Wigan. A win would see them leapfrog Manchester City and Spurs.

Wigan are in a worrying slump that has seen them slide to within one point of the relegation places and will be desperate to take something from the game.

In the other Saturday games Bolton travel to Sunderland, with new manager Owen Coyle at the helm. Coyle's old club Burnley entertain Stoke and bottom club Portsmouth travel to Fulham with the threat of administration hanging over them.

On Sunday the big clash sees Liverpool entertain Spurs. It is yet another must-win game for Liverpool who are desperate to haul themselves back up the table and into a Champions League spot. Spurs are one of the teams above them and Harry Redknapp will want to maintain his push for Europe with a win.

The other game involves two teams battling at the bottom of the table as West Ham entertain Wolves.

The final game of the round comes on Monday night when Roberto Mancini takes his Premier League bow as Manchester City take on local rivals Blackburn in what could be a dress rehearsal of the Carling Cup final at Eastlands.