Lancashire teams in derbies at Anfield, Old Trafford

This weekend, the two Liverpool clubs duel with teams from Manchester as Liverpool play Manchester City at Anfield and Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford.

Both Liverpool and Everton are passing through a lean spell while Manchester City have lost ground in the title race after five successive draws. Manchester United are still sharing second spot in the standings with Arsenal despite their 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in their last league outing.

In the first match of the day, Liverpool will be all out to end their poor run of one win in five league matches when they face Manchester City.

Liverpool have been struggling defensively lately and manager Rafa Benitez must have worked overtime to tighten up his defence.

Several former Liverpool players who in the past backed the club through thick and thin, lately seem to have altered their position as Craig Johnston, the former Reds midfielder, has taken a swipe at Benitez.

The Australian remarked that the Spanish manager has lost the dressing room after the latest setbacks, yet the fans have always supported Benitez and this relationship is the only thing that could save him from the sack.

It is a different story at the City of Manchester Stadium as Mark Hughes's XI have not won in the league since September 28 when they beat West Ham 3-1 at home.

Contrary to Benitez, the City boss had unlimited transfer funds to strengthen the squad and yet the team's results in the last few weeks have been very disappointing.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United have a perfect record - five wins in five league matches. Manager Alex Ferguson said he was happy to rely on his present squad in his bid to lead United to an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title.

Their opponents today, Everton, are only five points above the relegation zone, with just one win in five league encounters.

Everton manager David Moyes is keeping his fingers crossed that his injured trio of Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman recover in time to take the field at Old Trafford.

Five clear

Chelsea, who have gone five points clear at the top of the Premier League, should consolidate their position when they take on lowly Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have won their last three league matches without conceding a goal, scoring 10 in the process.

Emmanuel Petit, the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder, has described French compatriot Nicolas Anelka as an ace in the Blues' team. Wolves, having slipped into the relegation zone, are just three points above bottom-placed Portsmouth.

The last occasion Wolves held the upperhand at Stamford Bridge was in March 1979 when they won 2-1.

Arsenal have lost yet another crucial player for a lengthy period. The latest injury victim is striker Robin van Persie who will be sidelined for up to six weeks after tearing his ankle ligaments in Holland's 0-0 draw with Italy last week.

The Gunners are on a roll as they gained 19 points from a maximum of 21 in their last seven league matches. They are now five points behind Chelsea and have a game in hand.

The Londoners travel to the North East today to play guests to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light where they have not lost in their last five calls, including a 4-0 (Henry, Ljungberg 3) thumping in April 2003.

Fourth-placed Tottenham cross swords with Wigan at White Hart Lane. In their last two home matches, Spurs beat Sunderland and Everton (League Cup) 2-0 with goals from Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone on both occasions.

Good news for the Spurs fans is that goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is expected to make a full recovery from the injuries he suffered in a horrific motorcycle accident. Wigan have lost four matches on the away front and only Blackburn have a worst record with five setbacks.

Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa kept their top-five placing even if they won only twice in their past six games.

This afternoon, the Villans take on Burnley at Turf Moor in what should turn out to be an entertaining affair in light of the contestants' cavalier approach to the game.

After the latest hiccups, Stoke can return to winning form when they entertain bottom side Portsmouth at the Britannia Stadium.

In late October, Pompey trounced the Potters 4-0 at Fratton Park in the fourth round of the League Cup.

Bolton-Blackburn meetings have always been nail-biting stuff. The Lancashire duo are placed in the bottom part of the classification with Rovers two points ahead.

Former England striker Darius Vassell, who is playing in the Turkish League with Ankaragucu, is planning to join the Trotters in the New Year.

After their draw at Liverpool, Birmingham host Fulham at St Andrews. The Blues have lost only once in their five meetings at home against the Cottagers − 0-1 (Pembridge) in October 2004.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is happy with the improvement being shown by goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The Londoners, with only one away win, have drawn their last three away matches: Wigan (1-1), Manchester City (2-2) and West Ham (2-2).

Two sides in the bottom four are Hull and West Ham, who clash at the KC Stadium. Manager Phil Brown is indeed under pressure since every match is like a cup final for him and his struggling team.

However, chairman Adam Pearson is sensing a new spirit since he returned to the helm of Hull City.

Striker Dean Ashton has been forced to retire after failing to recover from the injury he sustained when on international duty with England. West Ham will be asking for a compensation of £5 million from the Football Association.