United eye derby win to close in on title

Three points clear at the top and with a game in hand, Manchester United have their 18th league title in sight.

On the other hand, Liverpool's chances of ending their long wait to win the top prize in English football are disappearing fast.

The two title rivals' remaining fixtures are:

Manchester United
Tomorrow (14.30) - Home vs Manchester City.
Wednesday, May 13 (21.00) - Away vs Wigan.
Saturday, May 16 (16.00) - Home vs Arsenal.
Sunday, May 24 (16.00) - Away vs Hull City.
Wednesday, May 27 (20.45) - vs Barcelona (Champions League final in Rome).

Liverpool
Today (18.30) - Away vs West Ham.
Saturday, May 16 (16.00) - Away vs West Brom.
Sunday, May 24 (16.00) - Home vs Tottenham.

If Manchester United beat neighbours City at Old Trafford tomorrow, Alex Ferguson will have one hand on the championship trophy he has already won 10 times since the start of the Premier League in 1992-93.

In the Champions League, the Red Devils thrashed Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium to set up a final clash with Barcelona.

While Cristiano Ronaldo has ruled out a move to Real Madrid, Wayne Rooney remarked that he was willing to sign a new contract to end his career at Old Trafford. United have also awarded a new deal to South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung.

Liverpool will be in London this evening to tackle West Ham at Upton Park. The Reds should be satisfied with their performances this season even if they finish without a piece of silverware.

Boss Rafael Benitez is glad that defender Daniel Agger has signed a new four-year contract. Fernando Torres (missed win over Newcastle) and Javier Mascherano are set to return but Xabi Alonso is out for Liverpool today.

West Ham have emerged as the surprise package of the Premier League this season and many English fans are of the opinion that Gianfranco Zola deserves to be named Manager of the Year.

In less than eight months, Zola and his right-hand man Steve Clarke have led the Londoners to seventh place with a very good chance of playing in the Europa League.

London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea were knocked out by United and Barcelona respectively in the midweek Champions League semi-finals.

Chelsea were livid at Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after he turned down at least three legitimate penalty appeals by the Blues when they were leading 1-0.

Incidentally, Arsenal and Chelsea will meet tomorrow at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League. Arsenal are in search of a double after their 2-1 (Van Persie 2 - Djorou og) win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.

Chelsea have an FA Cup final against Everton to look forward to after beating the Gunners 2-1 in the semi-finals.

At Goodison Park, Everton, having already clinched a place in the Europa League, will entertain Tottenham.

Both teams figured in the UEFA Cup this season but failed to leave their mark, especially the Spurs who fielded a weakened side in their last encounter against finalists Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Blues have won only once in their last five outings. Spurs' Jermaine Jenas could be on the move in the close season after Inter expressed an interest in the England midfielder.

A needle match is the north-east derby between relegation strugglers Newcastle and Middlesbrough at St James' Park on Monday night. This result is likely to have a huge bearing on the two rivals' slim hopes of avoiding the drop.

On taking charge of Newcastle as interim manager, Alan Shearer was confident that his players would respond to the club's plight but this failed to materialise. The commitment of most of the members of the Magpies' squad has left much to be desired this season.

Middlesbrough have been playing with fire for many a season and they appear to be on the road of no return. Boro boss Gareth Southgate told his players to forget their relegation troubles for a few days.

Hull City have been falling slowly but surely towards the relegation trapdoor and now find themselves in serious trouble after losing at Aston Villa on Monday. The Tigers, in their first season in the Premier League, take on fellow newcomers Stoke at the KC Stadium.

Leading Hull by five points, the Potters will be looking to move further clear of the relegation zone.

Blackburn and Portsmouth are hovering above the danger zone but they are not safe yet. The Rovers have lost three of their last four matches while Portsmouth have won only once in their last six outings.

Pompey's caretaker manager Paul Hart will not begin discussions on a new contract until his side secure their Premier League status.

Blackburn's Chris Samba and Benni McCarthy, who limped off in the 1-3 defeat at Manchester City, are both expected to return.

Fulham, who are one point adrift of seventh-placed West Ham, are not ready to abandon their chase for a berth in the Europa League.

The Cottagers take on Aston Villa, who have already claimed their European passport, in front of their own fans.