Tottenham look to claim another title-chasing scalp

After Tottenham Hotspur defeated Chelsea 2-1 (Dawson, Lennon) last November, their fans are now hoping that they can also topple Manchester United at White Hart Lane tomorrow to claim another significant home victory.

Yet, the Lilywhites failed in their brave attempt to earn a place in the final of the League Cup after their 5-3 aggregate defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal in midweek.

Premiership leaders Manchester United, following Wednesday's emphatic 4-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford, go to London, where they have failed to win in their last two visits in the league:
Jan. 24: vs Arsenal 1-2 (Rooney)
Dec. 16: vs West Ham 0-1

The Red Devils have banned Cristiano Ronaldo from talking about Real Madrid's interest in him.

Alex Ferguson remarked that goalkeeper Ben Foster, on a season-long loan at Watford, will return to the club and be part of the squad in the summer.

Tottenham defender Ledley King has had another scan on his bruised foot.

Young prospect Gareth Bale is believed to have turned down the chance to join Tottenham for £10m. He will remain at Southa-mpton until the end of the season and then hopes to sign for his preferred option - Manchester United.

Terry to return

Charlton vs Chelsea. Following their 3-0 midweek win over Blackburn at Stamford Bridge, the Blues will be involved in a London derby against the Valiants at the Valley.

Despite persistent doubts over his Chelsea future, Jose Mourinho continues to insist that he expects to see out his contract which runs out in 2010.

Captain John Terry will return to the side's backline this afternoon, yet Ashley Cole's knee ligament injury against Blackburn looks serious and he may well be out for a long period of time.

Charlton managed to collect a priceless point at Bolton, to the frustration of the home side who were guilty of so many near misses.

Liverpool vs Everton. The Reds have a score to settle against their arch-rivals after the 3-0 drubbing at Goodison Park last September.

After their 2-1 victory at West Ham, Liverpool reinforced third spot in the table. They have Momo Sissoko and Boudewijn Zenden back in the fray after long-term injuries.

Everton had a midweek break since their game against Tottenham was postponed. In 13 seasons of Premiership football, the Blues have won just twice at Anfield compared to six defeats and six draws.

Everton have signed midfielder Manuel Fernandes from Benfica for the rest of the campaign after he spent half of last season at Portsmouth.

Middlesbrough vs Arsenal. The Gunners have reached their sixth League Cup final after they ousted Tottenham 5-3 on aggregate.

Boss Arsene Wenger said he is prepared to field his young stars in the final and does not plan to recall to the starting XI the senior players who have not featured in the competition so far.

The Boro, who drew 0-0 at Portsmouth this week, held the Londoners to a 1-1 (Henry - Morrison) draw in September.

Arsenal, however, have an excellent record at Boro's lair where they have registered eight wins in 11 visits, including the 6-1 (Armstrong - Overmars, Anelka 2, Kanu 2, Vieira) thrashing of 1998-99.

Watford vs Bolton. The Hornets, having won back-to-back matches, one of them away at West Ham in the FA Cup, came a cropper at league leaders Manchester United.

While most of the Wanderers fans are thinking about the FA Cup replay against Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium on February 14, Sam Allardyce demanded that his side give full attention to the Premiership to try and secure a place in Europe.

Bolton are still reeling for the way they forfeited two points at home to Charlton on Wednesday night, and are thus still looking for their first victory of the new year.

Fulham vs Newcastle. The two sides had mixed fortunes in their midweek games: Fulham lost 0-2 at Sheffield United while Newcastle won 3-1 against Aston Villa at St James's Park.

Cottagers' boss Chris Coleman regrets that Vincenzo 'the little airplane' Montella will not be staying at Fulham beyond the summer. They must dangle a big carrot in front of Montella to persuade him to change his mind.

The good news is that Alexei Smertin, once at Chelsea, has returned from Dynamo Moscow to play for Fulham.

Coleman's men won 2-1 (McBride, Bocanegra - Parker) in the north-east earlier in the season.

In the Premiership, Fulham have recorded three wins at home against Newcastle's two away successes.

Manchester City vs Reading. The Royals maintained their rich vein of form with a good cup win at Birmingham to proceed to the fifth round and followed it by a 3-2 league victory over Wigan at the Madejski Stadium. This afternoon they travel to the City of Manchester Stadium.

City boss Stuart Pearce has just been confirmed as the new England Under-21 manager on a part-time basis despite his club's initial reluctance. While Pearce relishes his new challenge, his priority is his work at City.

Blackburn vs Sheffield Utd. Rovers boss Mark Hughes, having graced Wembley on many an occasion with United and later with Chelsea in triumphant FA Cup finals, now craves to be present as manager of Blackburn in the first showdown at the newly rebuilt stadium.

His side are looking for their first home win in 2007. In midweek they went down 0-3 at Chelsea while the Blades beat Fulham 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United's Keith Gillespie, who is suspended, has been asked by Neil Warnock to stay at the club after he earlier demanded a transfer.

Aston Villa vs West Ham. Both clubs have been busy in the January transfer window to strengthen their squad and retain their top-flight presence.

This fixture has been drawn at Villa Park on six occasions. The September meeting was also all square, 1-1 (Zamora - Ridgewell) at Upton Park.

Manchester United's Phil Bardsley joined Villa on loan and said that he would be happy to secure a long-term deal at the Midlands club.

Despite their loss at Newcastle the Villans showed that forwards Ashley Young and John Carew should be great assets.

The Hammers, who lost 1-2 in their home duel against Liverpool, finally succeeded in signing Birmingham's key defender Matthew Upson before Wednesday's deadline day.

Wigan vs Portsmouth. While the Latics are trying to stop the rot, having lost their last nine games in a row, Pompey are still fighting it out for a place in Europe.

Reading condemned Wigan to a club record eighth consecutive league defeat and Paul Jewell's side look increasingly like relegation material.

Portsmouth were disappointed that they only earned one point at home to Middlesbrough after a goalless draw on Tuesday.