Derbies for front-runners

This afternoon, Premier League leaders Manchester United have the opportunity to move nine points clear of second-placed Chelsea who will be in action tomorrow.

Both front-runners will be involved in derbies this weekend with United facing Manchester City at Old Trafford while Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

After seeing Chelsea claiming the title for the past two seasons, United manager Alex Ferguson is convinced his team can do the talking on the pitch this time around and silence Mourinho.

United have signed veteran striker Henrik Larsson on a three-month loan deal that will cost the club £1m when the transfer window opens in January. The Red Devils can add more names to their squad, and surely Chelsea will not be outdone.

In the Champions League, United moved into the last 16 as group leaders after their 3-1 win over Benfica in midweek.

The last two derby results in the Premiership at Old Trafford were draws of 1-1 and 0-0.

Yet, the Blues have only another draw to show in all nine games against the Reds who won the remaining six league home derbies, including a 5-0 (Cantona, Hughes, Kanchelskis 3) rout in 1994-95.

England defender Micah Richards stressed that he is happy at Manchester City despite being linked with a move elsewhere.

The Chelsea-Arsenal clash will be the 139th London league derby with the Reds leading the Blues 57-39 in terms of wins.

Since Mourinho took over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea did the double on the Gunners last season, and the year before the two encounters ended in draws.

Didier Drogba has set himself the target of becoming the best striker in the country.

This week, the two derby rivals were engaged in Champions League action. Chelsea beat Levski at home to win their group, while Arsenal earned the point they needed at Porto to also progress as section winners.

Arsenal's 3-0 win against Tottenham included two dubious penalties.

Both Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry admitted they had a spat about the player's injury but now it is all over and the player will have to rest for maybe three weeks to regain his sharpness.

Return to Istanbul

Liverpool vs Fulham. Liverpool earned a place in the knock-out stage of the Champions League as group winners. On Tuesday, they fielded a depleted side in Istanbul - the scene of their Champions League win over Milan in 2005 - against Galatasaray to whom they lost 2-3.

Last Saturday, Liverpool finally forgot about their away gloom of earning only one point and scoring the same number of goals (this term) by trimming Wigan 4-0. Craig Bellamy came alive in that match after a turbulent court case.

Londoners Fulham, after defeating Arsenal 2-1, lost at Blackburn 0-2.

On the five occasions the two sides met at Anfield, Liverpool did not lose a match.

Portsmouth vs Everton. Everton fans were glad to watch the return of Andy Johnson from injury in Sunday's win over West Ham, but the goals came from Leon Osman and James Vaughan, his first this season.

Today, without the injured Mikel Arteta, Everton will be on the road, when they travel to Fratton Park where they won only once.

Pompey's injury troubles have caused havoc as they won only once in six league outings.

Boss Harry Redknapp said he was still focusing on survival, not a European spot, despite their sparking season opening.

Blackburn vs Newcastle. These two UEFA Cup contenders had different fortunes in midweek league matches.

Blackburn lost 0-1 at Charlton, while Newcastle continued with their good work with another home 3-2 win against Reading after they were 0-2 in arrears.

Michael Owen, recovering from a long-term injury, has high hopes that he could return to the fray before the end of this season.

In the last three league matches at Ewood Park, Newcastle won once and drew twice.

Watford vs Reading. The Hornets, having drawn at Manchester City, are in for a hard winter to sidestep relegation as they hit rock bottom.

These words cannot be attributed to their opponents after they raised many an eyebrow in their baptism campaign in the Premiership.

The fans are hoping that scoring sensation Kevin Doyle will remain at the Madejski Stadium and not be lured by one of the top sides.

Sheffield United vs Aston Villa. Aston Villa's top marksman Gareth Barry revealed just how close he came to quit the club and it was the arrival of Martin O'Neill that made him change his mind.

For the first time this season the Blades registered back-to-back victories against Watford (away 1-0) and Charlton (home 2-1) to open a two-point gap on the three clubs in the classification's basement.

Tottenham vs Charlton. Following Spurs' demise in the north-London derby they found their winning form to topple Middlesbrough 2-1 in midweek.

Charlton, who led at Sheffield United and then finished on the losing end, picked themselves up to beat Blackburn 1-0 at home and move off bottom place.

Attacker Jermaine Defoe insisted that he was happy at Tottenham despite his lack of first-team appearances.

Charlton boss Les Reed is urging his players to start taking the pressure off the over-worked midfielder Andy Reid.

Middlesbrough vs Wigan. Following their home setback against Liverpool, Wigan showed their true character when they beat West Ham 2-0 at Upton Park.

Middlesbrough, down at Tottenham 1-2, are still irate to have lost to leaders Manchester United following a controversial penalty in last Saturday's match.

Wigan, who made their bow in the Premiership last season, earned four points from their clashes with Boro so far, winning away and drawing at home.

Bolton vs West Ham. The Hammers have lost to Wigan at home and are now in dire trouble.

On their travels they are without a goal for more than three months - the last was Bobby Zamora's netting in the 1-2 loss at Liverpool on August 26.

Boss Alan Pardew is determined to maintain the club's tradition of developing home-grown talent.

Rumours are rife around the Reebok Stadium about Nicolas Anelka's future, maybe another transfer is in the offing for the unsettled Frenchman.

In the last seven Premiership matches, the Trotters picked a mere four points from a possible 21, having also failed to score in five of these encounters.