Several teams are facing must-win fixtures in the league while any cup semi-final must be regarded in the same way.
Here I will analyse the key games and make my predictions.
Manchester City v Manchester United: FA Cup semi-final (1715 Saturday)
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| Manchester City and United fans will travel to Wembley for the semi-final |
This is a match which would have made a fitting final, with serial winners Man Utd up against their noisy (and big-spending) neighbours Man City.
It is a shame for the spectacle that two of the key players - Carlos Tevez of City and Wayne Rooney of United - will be missing but there is sure to be a wealth of talent still on show.
Tevez will likely be replaced by Edin Dzeko or Mario Balotelli, who both cost City in excess of £24million.
Balotelli has shown both sides to his game since arriving but is certainly a talent and if on his game will cause United problems.
Dzeko has struggled to adapt to English football but this game gives him the perfect chance to prove the doubters wrong. He scored home and away for Wolfsburg against United in the Champions League last season and so the Red Devils will know all about the quality he possesses, but he should be confident as he has had success against this opposition before.
Roberto Mancini admitted he got his tactics wrong against Liverpool on Monday but I can see him going for a similar gameplan here.
Their first target will be not to concede and anything more than that will be seen as a bonus.
One player they will have to watch very closely is Javier Hernandez.
Hernandez, or Chicharito as he likes to be called, has been in scintillating form since moving to England from Mexico and is the perfect example of a natural goalscorer.
He has struck up a great partnership with Wayne Rooney, but with Rooney suspended he is likely to be partnered by Dimitar Berbatov in this game.
That should be no problem though as Berbatov is the Premier League's top scorer and Hernandez seems to be able to produce whatever the circumstances.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate to get one over on City and ensure their trophy drought goes on, but knows United are in for a tough game and City are no longer the pushovers they once were.
It is sure to be a tight game and may well go to extra-time, but United's experience should pull them through.
Prediction: 1-2 (AET)
Bolton v Stoke: FA Cup semi-final (1600 Sunday)
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| The battle between Gary Cahill and Kenwyne Jones could be key |
The winner will secure a place in Europe for next season and that would have been almost unthinkable at the start of the season.
Stuart Holden will be a big miss for Bolton as he has been excellent this season, but Owen Coyle is a terrific manager who is sure to get the best out of whoever is at his disposal.
Daniel Sturridge will also miss the game for the Trotters as he is cup-tied, so they will go into the game without two of their key players.
The loss of Sturridge may well be the biggest blow, but this does give an opportunity for Johan Elmander to partner Kevin Davies up front, something which worked well earlier in the season.
Stoke get a lot of criticism for their direct style but they are only playing to their strengths.
Yes, long-throws, set-pieces and long punts up the field are crucial for them, but there is a lot more to them as proved by their majestic wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant.
They are solid at the back, with the partnership between Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth one of the best in the country. This will be vital as they will need to be solid against Kevin Davies.
Tony Pulis has worked wonders for them as manager and deserves this recognition.
He gets a lot of bad press but in my opinion this is undeserved as he has done an unbelievable job and taken Stoke from obscurity to the top end of the game.
A lot of people have said the winner of this match will just be there to make up the numbers in the final, but that is not true at all.
Both will fully believe they have a chance of going all the way and lifting the cup in May, as both Man Utd and Man City have shown certain culpabilities this season.
This will be a close game and the nervousness created by being so close to silverware will force mistakes.
Bolton will not lose without a fight but Stoke may well just edge this one.
Prediction: 1-2
Birmingham v Sunderland (1500 Saturday)
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| Birmingham came from two down to draw at the Stadium of Light on the opening day |
A couple of months ago, they would have been shoe-ins to beat West Brom last week.
But, despite leading twice, they threw it away to lose 3-2 and are now embroiled in a relegation battle.
This game will be crucial for both sides, with a win for Birmingham possibly moving them ahead of the Black Cats in the table.
Sunderland's problems have all stemmed from the January departure of Darren Bent, and they now lack a cutting edge. Their defence is also struggling and Steve Bruce knows his side can't afford many more slip-ups.
In reality, one more win should be enough to see them safe but getting that win is going to get harder and harder as each of their remaining games is against a relegation rival.
If Sunderland don't start picking up points in these games the sides around them will inevitably leapfrog them and leave them staring at relegation.
Birmingham's draw at Blackburn last weekend will have been greeted with some disappointment as it offered a real chance for them to pull away from danger.
However, they will see this game as a similar opportunity and Alex McLeish will have his side well up for what could be a six-pointer.
Sunderland are really struggling but should stay up, though Birmingham are the more likely winners in this game.
Prediction: 2-0
Blackpool v Wigan (1500 Saturday)
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| Blackpool hammered Wigan 4-0 at the DW Stadium on the opening day |
Both sides are in horrible form and so a win here could be the difference between staying up and going down.
Blackpool thrashed Wigan on the opening day and in the Carling Cup last season, and that will give Ian Holloway's side a lot of confidence.
But they look a tired side and it will take a monumental effort for them to halt their slide and stay up.
They returned to something like the side they were earlier in the season against Arsenal last weekend, but must make sure they can get up for the games against the sides around them as well as the sides at the top.
A win for bottom-of-the-table Wigan would take them above Blackpool and plunge the Seasiders into the bottom three, and they would struggle to recover from that.
But a home win would see Wigan become cast adrift at the bottom and they look like a side running out of ideas and belief.
Roberto Martinez has not done a bad job with them but every season is a struggle for Wigan as they simply don't have the backing of their fans as other clubs do.
Playing in front of a half-empty stadium each week must be disheartening for the players and is a major factor behind their struggles.
Charlie Adam will be the key to this game as he has been excellent this season and one of the sole reasons Blackpool have not yet been in the bottom three.
If he is as influential as he has been so far this campaign, Wigan will be in for a tough afternoon.
This should be an open game with plenty of goals as both teams like to get the ball down and play but are sloppy at the back.
But Blackpool are due a win and their fans will make a terrific atmosphere, and should just edge this one.
Prediction: 3-2
Everton v Blackburn (1500 Saturday)
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| Tim Howard's error handed Blackburn a 1-0 win at Ewood Park in August |
Their decision to sack Sam Allardyce with the side comfortable in mid-table has looked more ludicrous as the weeks have gone on, with Steve Kean failing to prove himself as a top-flight manager.
They are a team totally lacking in confidence at the moment and need some points soon to avoid slipping into the bottom three.
They just don't have enough firepower and, despite being experienced, a drop to the Championship is looking very possible.
Everton, meanwhile, have turned the corner. This was proved by last week's excellent 3-0 win at Wolves.
David Moyes' side always come good around this time of year and are now comfortably in the top half, so this game will be an extremely difficult one for Blackburn to pick up maximum points.
Only Stoke and Wolves have lost more away games than Blackburn this season and, with Everton losing just three times at home, it's unlikely they will come away with a win at Goodison Park.
Everton have a threadbare squad and have been hampered even more by recent injury troubles, but should still have too much for Blackburn.
Prediction: 2-0
West Brom v Chelsea (1500 Saturday)
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| Didier Drogba's hat-trick helped Chelsea to a 6-0 opening day victory over West Brom |
Fernando Torres should not start this game as he is clearly in no sort of form and showing no signs of getting into form.
He may well come good next season but for now he should be put on the back burner.
Chelsea will be in for a tricky game here as Roy Hodgson has got West Brom playing well.
He has still not lost a game in charge of the Baggies and they will have gained a lot of confidence from last weekend's 3-2 victory at Sunderland, which took them into the top half of the table.
Peter Odemwingie has had a promising first season in English football and is sure to cause problems for Carlo Ancelotti's beleaguered side.
The Baggies were thumped 6-0 at Stamford Bridge on the opening day but are a much improved side since then and will prove it in this match.
Their Premier League status is all but assured and they are able to play without too much pressure, which will stand them in good stead against the champions.
Ancelotti looks set to leave in the summer and the constant rumours may well have affected the players, and this game may show whether the Chelsea players are behind their manager.
West Brom come into this game in great form and Chelsea are really struggling, which could contribute to something of a shock result.
Prediction: 2-1
West Ham v Aston Villa (1500 Saturday)
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| Both teams are enduring disappointing seasons |
West Ham looked on the up a couple of weeks ago but successive defeats have flattened them and they are in dire need of a win here.
Villa fought hard to beat Newcastle last weekend but must not fall into the trap of thinking they are safe as there is still a lot of work to do yet.
The likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and Darren Bent need to step up their form to eradicate any relegation fears, as this side should not be battling near the bottom of the division.
This game will be difficult for them though. West Ham were destroyed 3-0 at Bolton last weekend and Avram Grant will be looking for a response.
They have showed some good form in patches this season and when they are on their game, they look a very good side.
But when they are off-form there aren't many worse sides in the Premier League and it is a matter of ensuring the good side of West Ham comes out more often.
Gerard Houllier would be happy with a point here but the players don't seem to want to play for him.
He is out of touch with the modern game and is the main reason Villa are battling near the bottom, and defeat in this game could put another nail in his managerial coffin.
West Ham will be motivated for this one and with the full backing of their fans at Upton Park, should pull through.
Prediction: 2-1
Arsenal v Liverpool (1600 Sunday)
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| A stoppage-time own goal from Pepe Reina gave Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Anfield in August |
The Gunners are slowly slipping out of the title race and each game is a must-win for them now.
Liverpool will make life extremely difficult for Arsene Wenger's side, with their 3-0 win over Manchester City on Monday very impressive.
Andy Carroll has caused Arsenal problems in the past and was pivotal in that victory over City with two goals, and will be the key if Liverpool are to have a chance in this game.
Kenny Dalglish is doing a terrific job for the Merseysiders and must be given the job permanently in the summer, as no one else could appease the fans now.
With Manchester United not playing a league game this weekend, that presents a real opportunity for Arsenal to close the gap and turn up the pressure.
But every time they have had a chance like this so far this season, they have blown it.
A defeat in this game could all but end their title hopes, so they should be well up for it.
Liverpool, despite still having frailties, seem to be playing with confidence now and this could be crucial as Arsenal will feel like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.
It should be a tight game but with Andy Carroll on form, he could terrorise this Arsenal defence.
He scored the only goal as Newcastle won at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season and Arsenal seem to fear him, so this could hold the key.
Arsenal will not give up on the title until it is mathematically impossible but the result of this game could make their task an improbable one.
Prediction: 0-1
It should be another exciting weekend, with FA Cup semi-final weekend always one of the highlights of the football calendar.
With the added drama of the relegation battle and title race, there will be crucial action wherever you look as the season draws to a close.
Nails around the country are about to be bitten to the core.
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