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Sunderland's underwhelming season looks set to deteriorate into a relegation fight as they prepare for a home match with Fulham on Saturday.

The arrival of Martin O'Neill as manager in December 2011 prompted an upturn in Sunderland's form and gave fans cause for optimism after several years of stagnation under Steve Bruce.

But despite the arrival of striker Steven Fletcher and winger Adam Johnson for big money in the off-season, Sunderland have failed to impress so far in 2012/13.

They sit 15th in the Premier League standings, just five points outside the relegation zone following a run of four matches without a win.

O'Neill's men have tasted defeat in each of their past three fixtures, going down 2-1 away to West Bromwich Albion last time out.

The outlook is somewhat brighter for Fulham, albeit only just. 

Everton will be seeking their first league victory in four attempts when they host struggling Reading in the English Premier League.

David Moyes' team have had a largely disappointing February, drawing at home to Aston Villa and losing away to Manchester United and Norwich in the league.

They were also held to a 2-2 draw away to lowly Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup fifth round, before beating the third-tier outfit 3-1 in a replay at Goodison Park on Tuesday.

Everton are at home again this weekend, and will be strongly favoured to pick up all three points against Reading, who are in trouble at the wrong end of the table.

Southampton will look to build on an improved home record in 2013 when they host bottom-placed QPR on Saturday.

The English Premier League clash at St Mary's pits the 16th-placed Southampton - who are three points above the relegation zone - against a struggling QPR outfit who are winless in six.

Southampton won just three of 10 Premier League fixtures at home last year, leaving them perilously close to the bottom three.

But home draws against Arsenal and Everton in 2013 were followed by a memorable 3-1 win over reigning champions Manchester City, a result that has boosted the confidence of the entire club.

Moussa Sissoko shapes as Newcastle United's key man as Alan Pardew's side aim for a third straight win when they travel to Swansea.

Sissoko has already proven himself as a fine acquisition since joining Newcastle United from Toulouse in the January transfer window, scoring three goals and setting up two others since he made his debut in a 2-1 victory away to Astron Villa.

Since that win on January 29, Sissoko has helped Newcastle United to three more victories across all competitions, while the north-east club have won all but one of their past four fixtures in the English Premier League.

A win over newly-crowned League Cup champions Swansea on Saturday could see Pardew's men move as high as 10th, depending on other results.

Real Madrid will be aiming for two wins in the space of five days over arch-rivals Barcelona when they host the La Liga leaders on Saturday.

The reigning Spanish champions stunned Barcelona 3-1 at Camp Nou in their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Tuesday with Real advancing to the final 4-2 on aggregate.

While victory in Madrid would be unlikely to make much of a difference in the La Liga title race, Real are always keen to inflict punishment on Barcelona, while it would also put pressure on their local rivals Atletico Madrid.

Juventus can take a step closer to back-to-back Serie A titles when they take on Napoli in a top-of-the-table clash on Friday night.

The leading two teams in Italy's top flight will meet at Napoli's Stadio San Paolo with the home side desperately needing a victory to stay in touch with Juventus.

The league leaders are six points ahead of Napoli and would almost have one hand on the Serie A championship if they win at Stadio San Paolo, although Juventus have not won there since 2000.