A tepid Manchester United dented their hopes of catching up with the Premier League's top four after failing to spark in a dour 0-0 home draw with 15th-placed Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The result left United in seventh place on 21 points from 13 games, 14 adrift of leaders Manchester City and six behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who were hosting third-placed Chelsea in the 1730 GMT kick-off.
Striker Romelu Lukaku returned to United's starting line-up after being dropped in four previous games in all competitions but he looked rusty and the home side were fortunate to scrape a share of the spoils against the more adventurous visitors.
Wilfried Zaha and Patrick Van Aanholt came close for Palace in the opening half and Cheikhou Kouyate had a goal correctly disallowed for marginal offside, while keeper Wayne Hennessey denied Jesse Lingard at the other end.
Lukaku also had a goal scrapped for fractional offside in the 57th minute before Andros Townsend spurned a gilt-edged chance for Palace when he shot wide from 10 metres after a good solo run.
Having introduced Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez in the second half, United manager Jose Mourinho finished the match with all his forwards on the pitch but the home side failed to carve out any supply routes in the closing stages.
Yes, Claudio Ranieri takes charge at Craven Cottage for his first game as Fulham manager.
The Cottagers are in dire need of points sitting bottom of the table with just five through the Premier League's first 12 games. Southampton sit just three points ahead, and thus both sides will be targeting a crucial win today.
It looks like it may be a 4-2-3-1 rather than the traditional 4-4-2 usually utilised by Ranieri.
For the first time as West Ham manager, Manuel Pellegrini faces Manchester City, the club with which he won the 2013-14 Premier League title.
An attacking look to his Irons team today. Michail Antonio comes in as part of an forward-most quartet that also includes Grady Diangana, Felipe Anderson and Marko Arnautovic. With three strikers on the bench (including the returning Andy Carroll), West Ham have some serious firepower.
No Benjamin Mendy for the visitors. Fabian Delph enjoyed an excellent international break, starting twice for England and captaining his country for the first time, and gets the nod as the Frenchman's replacement at left-back.
A must-win game for Jose Mourinho's side, but they will take heart from the fact that Crystal Palace have not won at Old Trafford since 1989, and lost 11 games straight at the stadium.
Roy Hodgson's side are also winless in their last seven in all competitions. A tough ask for his team.
Wilfried Zaha may be licking his lips, however. Matteo Darmian is back in the Manchester United team at right-back...
The surprise package through the first third of the season, Watford resume action with a tough home fixture against Liverpool.
The away team are without Joe Gomez after he took a bang to the ankle in training, while Troy Deeney makes his first start in seven weeks for Javi Gracia's side.
Watford have won five of their last seven at Vicarage Road, and beat Spurs at home earlier in the season. Another upset?
Two Premier League teams high in spirits meet on Merseyside this afternoon.
Cardiff have proves some naysayers wrong with a brighter spell of late, and will hope to continue their better form with an away victory at Goodison Park.
Everton have a torturous period on the horizon with games in December including clashes with Tottenham and Manchester City, as well as a Merseyside Derby next weekend, and thus victory here is a must. Marco Silva's men could go sixth if results go their way.
Finally, Leicester have made the trip down to Sussex for their meeting with Brighton.
With clean sheets in their last two games, Brighton will be looking to continue their strong defensive run with Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy paired in central defence again. Pascal Gross returns and Chris Hughton will be hoping he can provide for Glenn Murray. The 35-year-old striker is on excellent form with six goals this season, though he has never scored against Brighton's opponents today in seven previous attempts.
Jamie Vardy is on the bench after a groin niggle, so Shinji Okazaki leads the line at the Amex Stadium.
A strong start from Manchester United, and Anthony Martial has a good early opening. Aaron Wan-Bissaka does enough to put him off and Wayne Hennessey manages to smother the ball away.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 3pm (BST) on Saturday 24 November.
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live on TV or online in the UK.
Independent Sport will keep you up to date with all the goals as they fly in via our live blog.
Highlights will be shown at 10:30pm on BBC One.
Player to watch…
Anthony Martial: The Frenchman pulled out of international duty with an abductor injury, but has been in excellent form of late. The 22-year-old has scored three goals in four games, including the penalty in United’s 3-1 loss to Manchester City. United’s best attacking work against City came through Martial, and while he wasn’t at his efficient best he will no doubt be a threat to the Palace defence.
Anthony Martial has been in encouraging form for United (Getty)
Form guide…
Manchester United: DLWWWL
Crystal Palace: LLDLLL
Odds…
Manchester United to win: 2/5
Crystal Palace to win: 15/2
Draw: 15/4
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