Japan-bound United eye tonic

Champions Manchester United, who suffered one of their two Premier League defeats this season at Arsenal, visit White Hart Lane today to take on the Gunners' rivals Tottenham.

In their home match against Sunderland last Saturday, United needed a last-minute goal from defender Nemanja Vidic to break down their opponents. In midweek, Alex Ferguson's men had to settle for a two-all draw at home to Aalborg.

Serbian Vidic has revealed that Ferguson convinced him to stay as he considered leaving Old Trafford soon after he joined. At Spurs, United will be less the suspended duo of Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra.

Tomorrow, United travel to Japan for the FIFA Club World Club.

Harry Redknapp's Spurs are still languishing in the bottom part of the standings, even if they made another step in the right direction by toppling West Ham away on Monday.

The tug-of-war for new players will soon start with the opening of the second transfer window in January.

Redknapp is keen to sign striker Peter Crouch from his ex-club Portsmouth.

After their 3-1 triumph at PSV in the Champions League confirmed them as winners of Group D, Liverpool are aiming to retain top spot in the Premier League by beating Hull at Anfield.

Liverpool's American owners and Rafael Benitez's agent are still engaged in talks over a new three-year contract for the Spanish manager. The latest reports claim that Benitez is poised to sign the deal next week.

Hull, meanwhile, continue to impress. Last weekend, they came from 1-0 down to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 and move to within two points of fifth-placed Aston Villa.

Chelsea will be engaged in their third London derby of the season when they host West Ham at Stamford Bridge. The Blues drew 1-1 at home to Tottenham but lost to Arsenal 1-2, also in front of their own fans.

Hammers' boss Gianfranco Zola is now optimistic that his team have come through the injury crisis that hampered their progress in the past few months.

In the Champions League, Chelsea defeated CFR Cluj at home to book a place in the knock-out phase.

This week, Arsenal received contrasting reports about the progress of injured duo Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo da Silva.

Rosicky is not expected to return before March but Da Silva is expected to to make his comeback later on this month.

This afternoon, Arsenal travel to the northeast to tackle Middlesbrough.

In the last three years, Boro managed two wins and a draw at home against the Gunners.

Unbeaten in their last four league matches, Aston Villa are widely tipped to maintain their push for a top-four finish when they host Bolton at Villa Park.

In their last four calls to Villa's patch, Bolton lost only once in the league.

Only one point separates Fulham from Stoke City and the Londoners will look at their away encounter with the Potters as an opportunity to widen that gap. That will not be easy as Stoke have shown themselves to be true battlers this season.

Doubts continue to surround the future of Portsmouth manager Tony Adams. The team's early exit from the UEFA Cup has increased the pressure on the former England captain but in his defence, Pompey have lost only once in their last seven outings and are placed seventh in the Premier League.

Tomorrow, they play hosts to Newcastle who surrendered a two-goal lead at home to Stoke last week.

Everton were on the receiving end of a dramatic defeat against Aston Villa last week. After fighting back to make it 2-2 in the dying minutes, Everton allowed Villa to snatch the winner in stoppage time.

That was the Evertonians' fourth defeat at Goodison Park this season.

David Moyes will lead his team against Manchester City away this afternoon. Contrary to their opponents, City will be banking on their positive home record to climb up the table.

Paul Ince, walking on a tightrope, takes his struggling Blackburn side to the JJB Stadium to face Wigan. The relegation-threatened Rovers are facing a hard winter in their struggle to keep afloat.

Sunderland's managerial post is sought by a horde of high-profile coaches. Former boss Roy Keane has claimed that his job at the Stadium of Light will not be his last as manager.

The Black Cats are at home to bottom club West Brom today in what promises to be a tight relegation duel.