Premier League preview

Title rivals meet at Old Trafford; Derby day in Midlands and North East

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 10th January 2009

Premier League preview

Ferguson and Scolari: Old Trafford clash

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Aston Villa v West Brom
Arsenal v Bolton
Everton v Hull City
Fulham v Blackburn
Middlesbrough v Sunderland
Newcastle v West Ham
Portsmouth v Man City
Stoke v Liverpool
Sunday
Wigan v Tottenham
Man Utd v Chelsea

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Manchester United and Chelsea warmed up for their vital Premier League showdown with a defeat at Derby and home draw with Southend, respectively.

Hardly the most inspiring of performances from the title rivals, who must put their cup concerns to one side and focus fully on this season's thrilling title battle, with the eagerly-anticipated Old Trafford clash live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

Sir Alex Ferguson rested a number of key players for their Carling Cup semi-final, first leg, reverse at Pride Park and the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo can expect to step back into the starting XI, although the Portugal international may need a lift from one of his team-mates.

Luiz Felipe Scolari similarly tinkered with his line-up for the FA Cup third round draw with Southend, when the Blues saw their unhappy time at Stamford Bridge this season extended by the League One club.

Whispers of dressing room unrest continue to blight the West London club, with Portugal midfielder Deco, who has flattered to deceive for much of the season, being forced to deny suggestions he is only in the team because of his special relationship with 'Felipao'.

The title rivals know that they could kick off their clash on Sunday even further adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have striker Fernando Torres fit again and can extend their three-point cushion over the Blues to six if they defeat Stoke City on Saturday evening.

Rafa Benitez's hoped-for success at the Britannia Stadium would see the Reds move 10 points clear of United, although Ferguson's men can point to three games in hand. However, in these times of financial uncertainty, money in the bank is always preferred to a cheque in the post.

Stoke have suffered an alarming slide into the relegation places in recent weeks, but can still refer back to their home triumphs over Aston Villa and Arsenal earlier in the season as proof of the threat they can pose.

Aston Villa's next test as they aim to stay ahead of Arsenal in the race for fourth place is a Saturday lunchtime derby meeting with West Bromwich Albion, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

The Midlands showdown is sure to be a fiery encounter with much more than just local pride at stake as Villa challenge at the top and the Baggies struggle at the opposite end of the pile.

Tony Mowbray's side have won two of their last three Premier League outings to drag themselves to within two points of safety, but must halt a dismal run of seven successive away defeats to stay in touch.

Hoodoo

Arsenal go into their Emirates Stadium meeting with Bolton on the back of five successive victories against the Reebok Stadium side in all competitions.

Previously held up as the kind of physical side against whom the Gunners would struggle, the North London outfit may have laid that particular hoodoo, but their soft centre has already been exposed no fewer than five times this season.

It is unlikely that Brazilian World Cup-winner Denilson will have impressed enough during his Bolton trial to earn the opportunity to come up against his compatriot and namesake for the Gunners.

Across North London, Tottenham have been busy bolstering their striking options with Jermain Defoe now having had the finishing touches applied to his return from Portsmouth ahead of Sunday's trip to Wigan, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1.

With Defoe already paraded before the White Hart Lane faithful on Tuesday night, Spurs could have been left with a substantial amount of egg on their faces if the deal had not been rubber-stamped in time.

Harry Redknapp's side are only out of the bottom three on goal difference, making a trip to in-form Wigan hardly the most appetising, with the Latics winning five of their last six league games and out for revenge after their FA Cup third round exit at White Hart Lane last Friday.

Manchester City were another side to exit the FA Cup at the first hurdle, crashing 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, with Portsmouth next on the league agenda for Mark Hughes' men.

City boss Hughes has ridden the storm of criticism following their shambolic exit relatively well, and has bolstered his squad with the signing of left-back Wayne Bridge from Chelsea.

Cup holders Pompey were held to a home draw by Bristol City at the weekend which has done little to lift the mood around Fratton Park on the back of four successive league defeats and Defoe's departure.

Derby showdown

The focus in the North East will shift away from transfer speculation on Saturday and onto the derby encounter between Middlesbrough and Sunderland at the Riverside.

Boro have been forced to issue so many denials over winger Stewart Downing's future that they eventually lost patience on Wednesday and vowed never to speak about the subject again. We shall see.

The reception Downing receives from the Riverside faithful this weekend will also speak volumes, with Gareth Southgate's men in urgent need of a league victory following a run of five defeats and two draws in their last seven outings.

Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia has overseen an upturn in fortunes at the Stadium of Light, but the Wearside club have only a two-point cushion on the bottom three with the relegation battle still hugely congested.

North East rivals Newcastle are in a similar position ahead of their meeting with improving West Ham, who should not be fooled into thinking they are safe despite having jumped into the top half of the table.

History suggests that goals can be expected at St James' Park, with four scored in each of the last four meetings between the two, and a total of 24 recorded in their last six showdowns.

Magpies striker Michael Owen has a particular fondness for fixtures against the Hammers, having found the net 11 times in 13 games against the Upton Park club, although he has not scored in his last four Newcastle outings.

Hull City managed to keep the England international quiet in their FA Cup third round meeting last Saturday, with the Tigers' next test taking them to Goodison Park to tackle Everton.

David Moyes' men have been in superb form defensively in recent weeks and have not conceded a goal in five games since Ashley Young breached their rearguard to snatch a last-gasp winner for Villa over a month ago.

Phil Brown's visitors have seen some of their early season euphoria dissipate after a trio of Premier League defeats, although even the most excitable of Tigers fans could not have expected them to maintain their lofty early status.

Blackburn Rovers remain unbeaten in four matches under new boss Sam Allardyce ahead of their tough trip to Craven Cottage to tackle Fulham.

Only Manchester United and Liverpool have claimed more points on their own turf than Roy Hodgson's improving side, who have conceded just eight goals in their 10 home Premier League fixtures to date.

Roque Santa Cruz, who has now been confirmed as Manchester City's leading transfer target, is yet to feature under Allardyce, although Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts have performed well in his recent absence.