Chelsea again on their travels after outing in Europe

For the fifth consecutive time, following Wednesday's Champions League excursion against Anderlecht in Brussels, Chelsea will be on the away front, this time at Portsmouth.

In their previous four league games following matches in Europe, Chelsea won twice, drew once and lost the other.

On the contrary, Arsenal faced totally different fortunes since they have always played at Highbury after the midweek Champions League matches. Today, they play Blackburn in London. Arsenal have won all of their four home games.

Liverpool and Manchester United experienced the same mixed bag of fixtures when they had to play twice at home and the same number of matches away. This weekend both are on their travels.

While Liverpool won only once out of the four league matches after Europe (drawn one and lost other two), United emerged victorious twice and drew the remaining two.

Following back-to-back defeats to Real Betis and Manchester United, Chelsea beat Newcastle 3-0 last week. This was the second occasion that the Blues lost two successive games since Jose Mourinho took over, after last season's defeats to Newcastle (away 0-1) in the FA Cup and Barcelona (away 1-2) in the Champions League.

Latics in London again

Wigan vs Tottenham. After their downfall against Arsenal, Wigan seek to compensate against other Londoners Tottenham.

Wigan look uncomfortable in their clashes with sides from the capital, having lost all three matches against Londoners as the upsets against Chelsea and Charlton were followed by the defeat to Arsenal.

Spurs are still cursing themselves for letting West Ham grab a point in the very last minute. Martin Jol's outfit are still finding it hard to score, having featured in four league and cup games when they scored more than one goal.

West Ham vs Man. United. The loss of Roy Keane has been a blow for the Red Devils, yet it was not shocking for the way he had left the club, having gone through the same routine before with his national side.

United will, however, strive on despite the loss of one of the most complete footballers the game had ever seen. Probably, they will look to sign an adequate replacement in January.

Following the home draw to Villarreal, United have still to qualify with one match to go - away at Benfica.

The last time the Hammers beat United at Upton Park in the league was in 1991-92: 1-0 (Brown) after ten attempts.

Arsenal vs Blackburn. The Gunners, having already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League claimed another win, away against FC Thun. While Thierry Henry has become annoyed about the transfer speculation surrounding him, Arsene Wenger repeated his wish of watching his compatriot signing a new deal.

The Rovers have gone on with their positive streak by pulling down the shutters at Manchester City, having now lost once in five matches.

Fulham vs Bolton. The Cottagers are worried that some of their key players may be tempted to leave the club at the start of the New Year.

Hot shot Kevin Nolan, seven goals from midfield, has been appointed captain at Bolton. Yet, boss Sam Allardyce told his ex-skipper Jay-Jay Okocha he still had a future at the Reebok Stadium.

Man. City vs Liverpool. In the Lancashire derby at the City of Manchester Stadium, Rafael Benitez's side will be hoping to stay on track in domestic competition after three straight matches in which they have not conceded a goal.

The Citizens have hit a sticky patch lately dropping eight points from 12. On the eight occasions City met the Merseysiders in the Premiership at home they won twice.

Aston Villa vs Charlton. Charlton continue to slip and slide, tumbling slowly but surely down the classification. They figured on the winning side once in their last six matches (lost three on the trot).

Villa went through the same experience, when they lost to Wigan (home), Manchester City (away) and Liverpool (home), before they picked themselves up to beat Sunderland away.

Everton vs Newcastle. After all the good work to emerge out of the relegation zone, Everton came unstuck against fellow strugglers West Brom, who hit them for four.

Newcastle suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, going down 0-3 at Chelsea. In four league matches against London sides (home and away), Newcastle earned two points from 12 and netted only once.

M'boro vs West Brom. Bryan Robson will return to his ex-club as manager with high hopes of earning a positive result sequel to the side's 4-0 hammering of Everton.

UEFA Cup hopefuls Boro had also emerged victorious at home to Fulham and seek to continue the good work against their rivals when they did the double against them last term.

Sunderland vs Birmingham. A dire clash for sides deep in the relegation mire, separated by a mere point.

This will only be their third meeting in the Premiership. In the previous clashes, Birmingham won at home and away (2002-03).