Liverpool, Arsenal clash in search of third-slot boost

This afternoon's clash at Anfield, between Liverpool and Arsenal, could have a significant bearing on who will finish in third place, behind leading duo Manchester United and Chelsea, at the end of the season.

With eight matches to go, Arsenal are currently enjoying a one-point lead over Liverpool. The Gunners have a game in hand.

The only significant advantage for whoever finishes third will be in cash as a third- or fourth-place finish means a place in the qualifying round of the Champions League just the same.

Liverpool have a score to settle with the Londoners.

Arsenal have beaten Liverpool in all their meetings this season, winning their league duel at the Emirates Stadium 3-0 (Flamini, Toure, Gallas), before ousting them from the FA Cup (third round away) 3-1 (Rosicky 2, Henry - Kuyt) and the League Cup (quarter-final away) 6-3 (Baptista 4, Aliadiere, Song - Gerrard, Fowler, Hyypia).

Rumours this week were rife that Spanish giants Real Madrid were still chasing Rafael Benitez for next season. However, the Liverpool manager has made it clear that he still has a job to do at Anfield and wants to honour his contract.

With regards to that 6-3 beating by Arsenal, articles in the press said that Benitez had the last laugh as the Gunners' congestion of fixtures eventually saw them bow out of three knock-out competitions in the space of two weeks.

Before Liverpool beat Barcelona 2-1 at home, they took a much-needed rest at a training camp in Algarve, Portugal.

Wenger remarked that from next season, he will be choosing what is important and not.

Also today, leaders Manchester United entertain Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford, in a match between two sides who reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

The Ewood Park outfit are coached by former United player Mark Hughes.

The Red Devils can chalk up their ninth double of the season, since they have already toppled Rovers 1-0 (Saha) away.

In their last two away league matches, Blackburn won at Bolton and drew at Arsenal. Rovers have won 2-1 and drew 1-1 in their last two Premiership calls at Old Trafford.

Incidentally, the two other FA Cup semi-finalists, Watford and Chelsea, also cross each other's shadows this weekend at Vicarage Road.

Chelsea and Watford are separated by almost the entire Premier League standings as the Hornets look doomed to slip back to the Championship after only one season in the top flight.

Jose Mourinho has been counting on the number of Chelsea players who were involved in European Championship qualifiers during the past few days, with high hopes not to lose any of them through injury.

He will certainly be concerned about the wrist injury suffered by key midfielder Frank Lampard earlier this week.

Bolton, now seven points adrift of the Champions League zone, suffered four straight defeats in league and cup in which they conceded 13 goals and scored four.

After giving his all for the Wanderers, Sam Allardyce is now being linked with a move to Manchester City next season.

This afternoon, Bolton host strugglers Sheffield United at the Reebok Stadium.

Striker Nicolas Anelka remarked that he was glad to remain with the Trotters for the next campaign. The Blades will be without influential striker Rob Hulse, who revealed his fear of ending his career after suffering an horrific double fracture of his left leg - an injury that ended his season prematurely.

Martin Jol's Tottenham will be keen to put one over Steve Coppell's Reading who won the corresponding first round fixture 3-1.

Tottenham are just a point ahead of Reading in their fight for a UEFA Cup place. With Chelsea lifting the League Cup, that missing UEFA Cup slot will come via a top placing in the Premiership since the Blues will be engaged in the Champions League for sure.

Royals' promising 17-year-old winger James Henry has been loaned to Nottingham Forest for the rest of the season.

Tottenham's total of ten home wins is only bettered by Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

At Villa Park, Aston Villa, only seven points adrift of the relegation zone, square up to Everton.

In the last 18 Premiership matches the Midlanders have won only two, against relegation contenders Watford and West Ham, both at home.

Everton are in a dilemma as they search for serious investment while pondering whether to stay at Goodison Park or make a long-awaited ground move elsewhere.

In this same fixture last season, Aston Villa trimmed the Mersey-siders 4-0 (Baros 2, Delaney, Angel).

Owen still in the stiffs

Glenn Roeder said this week that Michael Owen will not be rushed back from injury to help England's European Championship qualifying campaign.

Newcastle face Manchester City at St James's Park and will be keen to rediscover their winning form after registering only one win in their last five matches in league and cup competitions.

The Citizens are desperate to move away from the relegation zone. Their 2-0 win at Middlesbrough was a massive lift for Stuart Pearce's men.

The former England player was renowned for his fighting spirit in his playing career and will certainly try to infuse that never-say-die attitude into his players in this final part of the season.

At Craven Cottage, Fulham play hosts to Portsmouth. Cottagers' manager Chris Coleman has branded the Premiership fixture list 'nonsense'. He was upset that his side had to play only two matches in nearly four weeks (FA Cup and international fixtures) when at the start of the campaign they had to play three games in a week.

Pompey's Harry Redknapp has loaned veteran striker Andy Cole to Birmingham City until the end of the season.

On the only three occasions the sides met in the Premiership, the south coast club won this fixture 3-1, but in the two previous meetings the home side held the upperhand 3-1, 2-0.

The big question in the west of London is if West Ham can do a Houdini trick and escape relegation in their remaining eight matches?

The road to salvation is indeed narrow and bumpy for Alan Curbishley's Hammers. Their opponents today, Middlesbrough, have won once away from home and are bracketed with a group of five other sides that could end the season on a sore note.

This is no time to acquire draws, the drop of two points will leave struggling sides staring relegation in the face.

The same poser can also be put in front of the Charlton management team and players.

Yet, if the Valiants remain on a positive trek, they will have more scope to fight since they are four points better off than West Ham United at the lower end of the standings.

Charlton face Wigan Athletic at the Valley today.

The Latics are five places above rock bottom but they have a cushion of six points on Charlton.