United strive to open six-point advantage over Chelsea

One of the standout fixtures of the entire campaign is on tomorrow at Old Trafford where last season's runners-up Manchester United take on Chelsea, the champions.

The battle of wits between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson, of Manchester United, is always a joy to watch.

In his first two seasons at Chelsea, Mourinho enjoyed a great opening to the season and his side almost ruled from start to finish to claim back-to-back titles.

Yet, this time round, it is United who had the better start as their current three-point gap over rivals Chelsea testifies.

Although there is still much to play for in the title race, a win for the Red Devils tomorrow will give them a significant six-point lead over Chelsea. No doubt, the latter will do their utmost not to emerge from Old Trafford empty-handed.

Last season, the Mancunians put together a remarkable run of results in the last phase of the championship but their 0-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge secured Chelsea's second consecutive title.

United are the form team going into tomorrow's plum fixture but the Blues have kept up the pace.

Ferguson's side have shown more hunger in the way they took maximum points from their latest matches.

In recent past, after Man. United had suffered setbacks like the ones to FC Copenhagen, in the Champions League, and Southend (League Cup), they generally failed to bounce back in their next matches. This season has offered a different story though as United have been very consistent in the league.

In the Champions League, United face another stern challenge to reach the next round. Now, after the 1-0 loss at Celtic, they need to avoid defeat in their last group match against Benfica to qualify.

United have won seven straight games in the league, conceding only two goals in the process. Chelsea's last defeat, against London rivals Tottenham, came just three weeks ago.

The duels between Mourinho and Ferguson in the league favour the Portuguese who leads three wins to one.

Chelsea have advanced to the KO phase of the Champions League despite their 1-0 away loss at Werder Bremen on Wednesday.

Two away losses

Bolton vs Arsenal. Like United, Arsenal have yet to book a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League but their 3-1 victory over Hamburg at the Emirates Stadium should give them the boost they need for the final encounter away at Porto.

The Gunners have lost twice away from home in the league, at Manchester City and West Ham.

Bolton have now gone five league and cup matches without a win. The Gunners will be without defender William Gallas who suffered a thigh injury. Arsene Wenger has remarked that quality alone is not enough to win championships.

Newcastle vs Portsmouth. The Toon, just three places from bottom, have been boosted by the return of Kieron Dyer. He scored in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal last week.

Newcastle chairman Fred Shepherd has again declared that they have not received a takeover offer from the Belgravia Group.

Pompey, who have suffered three straight league defeats on their travels, have already visited St James' Park this term, losing 3-0 in the third round of the League Cup.

Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough. The Villans extended their positive outcomes even if they have the biggest number of draws (seven) in the classification.

Martin O'Neill has predicted that forward Gabriel Agbonlahor can become a future England player.

His Middlesbrough counterpart Gareth Southgate, in his first coaching experience, is rapidly coming to terms with the harsh realities of life in the top echelon.

Boro won twice in their last three league calls to Villa Park.

Liverpool vs Manchester City. This Lancashire derby features two managers, Liverpool's Rafael Benitez, and Stuart Pearce, of Manchester City, in dire need of points.

The Spaniard must improve Liverpool's points tally to revive his team's chances in the Premier League.

For his part, Pearce, a former England captain, saw his side earning only one point on the away front.

Pearce has said confidence is high at the moment after City's 3-1 win over Fulham in which Italian forward Bernardo Corradi opened his scoring account for the club.

In the Champions League, Liverpool secured top spot in Group C after a 2-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

Charlton vs Everton. The Addicks stayed on the losing track at Reading, even after sacking Iain Dowie, who was replaced by Les Reed. Many reckon Dowie should have been given more time.

Reed has held crisis talks with the players to convince them they they could still escape relegation.

Mikel Arteta, who netted the goal that finished off Bolton, has denied he wants to leave Goodison Park in order to claim a place in the Spanish national side.

Tottenham vs Wigan. Tottenham have received confirmation from the Premier League that manager Martin Jol can continue to lead the side from the touchline since he was not dismissed at Blackburn.

Jol remarked that for the Spurs to qualify again for Europe next season, they must believe more in themselves when playing away.

With the transfer window just over a month away, Wigan's Paul Jewell is scrutinising the continental market for significant captures.

Spurs defender Pascal Chimbonda, despite playing in front of his home fans, is still likely to be jeered by the away supporters after he left the Latics after only one season.

Fulham vs Reading. The Cottagers had high hopes of earning a point at Manchester City last week but the latter had other ideas.

Fulham will be keen to amend in the comfort of their own home, but they have won only three out of their six league games played there.

The Royals continue to surprise and successive wins at home to Tottenham and Charlton have moved them in a respectable eighth placing.

This will be the 29th clash between the duo in the league (never in top flight) and Fulham just edge their rivals 11-10 on past wins with seven encounters ending in draws.

West Ham vs Sheffield United. This week, the Hammers accepted an £85 million takeover bid, headed by Icelandic Eggert Magnusson.

Magnusson's consortium have secured agreement to buy 83 per cent of shares and the Hammers' board have put the proposal to the remaining shareholders.

On the field of play, the Londoners must still address their problems as they are just one point above the relegation trapdoor. One of the strugglers are Sheffield United who have started to treat every league game as a cup final in their bid to get out of troubled waters.

These two teams only met twice in the Premiership, in 1993-94, with the Blades holding the upperhand with a home 3-2 win and a 0-0 draw at Upton Park.