Leaders Chelsea can further expose Newcastle's fragility

Chelsea, who have been swapping top spot in the Premier League with Liverpool, can retain their position when they host inconsistent Newcastle at Stamford Bridge today.

Newcastle are one of three teams yet to register their first win on their travels, along with Fulham and Stoke City.

Without doubt, Nicolas Anelka is the most in-form player at Chelsea at the moment, having scored 12 Premier League goals in as many starts. Strike partner Didier Drogba, however, will not be in action this afternoon as he starts a three-match ban he received for throwing a coin back to the Burnley fans during the League Cup last week.

At Newcastle, Michael Owen has been struggling to secure regular football and as a consequence his international future remains in the balance. Manager Joe Kinnear rejected talk of a rift with Owen. Midfielder Joey Barton has been sidelined for eight weeks with damaged knee ligaments but striker Mark Viduka is back in training.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have made it clear that goalkeeper Shay Given will remain at St James' Park in January, dismissing speculation the goalkeeper will be moving elsewhere.

After 15 calls to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, the Magpies are still without a win, having only earned two draws in the process.

Both Chelsea and Newcastle have failed to score in just one league match this season.

Anfield. Liverpool have kept the pace with Chelsea and today they face Fulham at home.

Liverpool club owners have stalled on a new contract for manager Rafael Benitez. Players close to signing new deals have made it clear that they would not put their names on the dotted line unless they know that the Spaniard has been granted an extension.

Benitez, Manager of the Month, was irate at the way the FA had called in Steven Gerrard, believing he was fit to play.

Fulham climbed to 10th place after their latest six-point haul from home wins over Newcastle and Tottenham.

Villa Park. After the 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Aston Villa have the same number of points as the Londoners, separated only by goal difference.

This afternoon, Villa have another hard nut to crack at home to champions Manchester United.

United have registered their biggest win of the season in the 5-0 hiding of Stoke at home. Young Danny Welbeck, having scored a gem of a goal, admitted that his first senior strike was the stuff of dreams, but refused to get carried away.

City of Manchester Stadium. Arsenal and Manchester City, two sides on the slide lately, will cross each other's shadows this afternoon.

City's 2-2 draw at Hull came after three straight defeats and Mark Hughes is confident that his side have finally turned a corner.

Not all is going well at the Emirates Stadium. Last season the Londoners did not lose in front of their own fans in the league but this term they have already lost twice.

Arsene Wenger stated that the international break hampered Arsenal's recovery from the defeat to Villa, in addition to losing Theo Walcott for three months after dislocating a shoulder in the build-up to England's friendly in Germany.

Fratton Park. Portsmouth boss Tony Adams made it clear he would leave the club if the board decided to sell Jermain Defoe in January.

Pompey take on Hull in their first meeting in the Premier League. The last time they met was in the 'old' Division II in 1991 with Portsmouth doing the double on Hull.

Hull's fine start (after 13 league matches) leaves them only third to Blackburn (1992-93) and N. Forest (1994-95) in list of promoted clubs since the start of the Premier League in 1992-93.

JJB Stadium. David Moyes, whose Everton tackle Wigan on Monday, was amazed that defender Phil Jagielka was overlooked by England for the friendly in Germany.

Last week, the Toffees failed to win once more at Goodison Park, this time against Middlesbrough. From a maximum of 21 points they only earned six in front of their fans.

Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough, having lost once in seven league outings, host Bolton. In eight Premier League matches at the Riverside Stadium, the Trotters have won twice. Bolton have won two and lost four on their travels this season.

Gareth Southgate, the Teessiders's boss, is convinced Stewart Downing is back to form. Jeremie Aliadiere and Mido can return for Boro after injuries.

White Hart Lane. After a series of positive performances since Harry Redknapp took over, the defeat at Fulham sent Spurs down to the bottom three once more.

Yet, one must point out that 11th-placed Sunderland are only four points better off than last placed West Brom at present.

Spurs tackle fellow strugglers Blackburn, who are just one point above the Londoners. After the Rovers' home loss to Sunderland, manager Paul Ince called for patience and assured the fans that they would eventually come good.

Britannia Stadium. Stoke City received a real mauling in the 5-0 defeat at Manchester United and Tony Pulis will be keen to see his players leave that poor display behind them and pull their socks up for their meeting with bottom club West Brom, winless in their last six league outings.

Stadium of Light. Roy Keane has dismissed rumours about his future and made it clear that he has a job to do at Sunderland. He was heartened with the victory at Blackburn, a win that came after four straight league and cup defeats.

Tomorrow, Sunderland square up to West Ham, whose worries continue to pile up as they lie just a mere point above the relegation zone.