It’s first versus third this weekend in the English Premier league, as Aston Villa face off against league leaders Arsenal.

Second placed Manchester City will be hoping the Villains can take points off the Gunners and reduce their lead at the top of the table, as City host Sunderland in a match they’re heavy favourites to win.

Let’s examine how the Premier League Fan Tokens are shaping up ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

Aston Villa ($AVL) vs Arsenal ($AFC)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has one of the best records against Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta of recent years. In the last five games between the two teams, Arsenal have won two, Villa have won two, with one draw. Villa scored a combined seven goals against Arsenal in those five games.

But Arsenal are a different animal this season. They’ve conceded just seven league goals all season, and are currently on an 18-game unbeaten run that’s put them at the top of the table – five points ahead of City, and six points ahead of Villa.

The Arsenal Fan Token ($AFC) is up 5.3% in the past week, and 22% in the past two weeks. In the past 24 hours, $AFC trade volume more than doubled from around $600,000 to over $1.25M.

The Aston Villa Fan Token ($AVL) gained as much as 20% in the past seven days – from $0.10 to $0.12. A fallback to the mid-$0.11 range left the token holding onto 14% gains by time of writing. Trade volume nearly doubled from $259,000 to just under $500,000.

It would appear that traders are speculating on the possibility of Unai Emery providing the necessary banana-skin to result in an Arsenal slip up this weekend.

Manchester City ($CITY) vs Sunderland

Manchester City are major favourites for this match, with some bookmakers giving odds as long as 11/1 for a Sunderland win. Man City won their last two games, scoring eight goals in the process. However, they also conceded six goals in those two games.

Newly promoted Sunderland have been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League this season, and currently sit in sixth place, just five points behind City.

The Manchester City Fan Token ($CITY) spiked to the tune of 33% in the space of a few hours on Dec. 4, buoyed by an influx of trade volume that jumped from $1M to over $33M. A subsequent cooldown left $CITY holding onto 12% gains over 24 hours, and 17% gains for the week.

Everton ($EFC) vs Nottingham Forest

Everton have climbed the league table to 10th position after a good run which has seen them lose just one out of their last five games. The last five head-to-heads have resulted in three wins for Everton, one win for Forest, and one draw.

Everton are favourites for this match, but face a resurgent Forest side that’s lost just one of their last seven under new manager Sean Dyche, who just happens to be returning to his former club.

Since the start of December, the price of the Everton Fan Token ($EFC) has increased by 7.6%. An increase in trading activity saw $EFC trade volume climb from $66,000 to $113,000 in the past week.

Tottenham Hotspur ($SPURS) vs Brentford

Tottenham Hotspur came from behind twice to secure a draw against recent opponents Newcastle. That kind of fight will undoubtedly act as a boost for a Spurs side that hasn’t won in their last five games. Spurs’ good early season form means they still cling to 11th place, and it would only take a win or two to carry them back up the table.

Spurs manager Thomas Frank will face his former team this weekend as Brentford arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The last five head-to-heads has resulted in three wins for Spurs, one for Brentford, and one draw.

The Tottenham Hotspur Fan Token ($SPURS) has reflected Spurs’ inconsistent form in recent weeks, but underwent a 2.5% spike in the past few days as traders potentially speculate on a Spurs win this weekend.

Leeds United ($LUFC) vs Liverpool

Despite currently sitting in 17th place, Leeds proved they have the potential to beat anyone on their day after thrashing Chelsea 3-1 in the midweek fixture.

The potential for another big upset is certainly possible this weekend, as Leeds face a struggling Liverpool team that have lost seven of their last ten league games.

The Leeds United Fan Token ($LUFC) fell by 6% in the past few days, but remains 15% higher than it was a month ago.

Fulham vs Crystal Palace ($CPFC)

These two teams’ stadiums are separated by just eight miles and we could be set for an exciting fixture in this South London derby. Fulham put four goals past Man City in their last match, but face stern competition against a Crystal Palace side that have lost just one of their last five, and currently occupy fifth spot in the league table.

Palace are now just one point behind fourth placed Chelsea, and a win against Fulham could send the Eagles into the top four.

The Crystal Palace Fan Token ($CPFC) gained 2.5% in the past few days. Despite undergoing some major ups and downs in recent weeks, the $CPFC token remains 30% more valuable than it was in September.

Greg Thomson: Fan Tokens Market Reporter