Clash of fourth-place contenders

Manchester City and Liverpool, two direct rivals for the fourth spot and entry into the Champions League next season, will go head to head in the main match of the weekend at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Citizens, who drew 1-1 at Stoke in midweek, have a game in hand on other the top six clubs.

Next week, Roberto Mancini's men will again travel to the Britannia Stadium to take on the Potters in an FA Cup fifth round replay.

Mancini expressed his desire to have Robinho back at City next season after the striker completes his loan spell at Santos.

Yet, the Italian coach must also remember how he undermined Robinho's morale when he withdrew the Brazilian soon after sending him on as a substitute in a league match.

Liverpool are fighting for qualification to the Champions League after so many hiccups this season. All managers err and Rafa Benitez is no exception. But the most irritating issue for Liverpool has come from US owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Unless they change their attitude, the Anfield club will remain with its hands tied and unable to make the necessary investment in new signings.

On the field of play, Liverpool saw their positive run halted when they went down to Arsenal in their last outing.

City are keen to keep their UAE owners happy by claiming a place in Europe next season. If Mancini fails to deliver, he could face the sack.

Benitez has just promoted 19-year-old Dani Pacheco to the first-team squad and the Spaniard could even start tomorrow. In their last four Premier League calls to City, the Reds are undefeated.

At the moment, league leaders Chelsea are only one point ahead of Manchester United in the standings.

Although the John Terry saga appears to have fizzled out, the controversy has hampered the club as did the news that defender Ashley Cole will be sidelined for three months.

In their last three outings, the Blues dropped five points after losing to Everton and drawing at Hull. This afternoon, Chelsea travel to the Midlands to play guests at Wolves, who beat Tottenham at Molineux in their last game.

After their important Champions League win at the San Siro, United will tackle Everton at Goodison Park.

On Tuesday, the Toffees played Sporting Lisbon at home in the first leg of the third round of the Europa League, winning 2-1.

Scottish managers Alex Ferguson and David Moyes have a great relationship but when their teams square up to each other, friendship is put to one side.

Arsenal were also involved in the last 16 of the Champions League this week but could not emulate United as they lost 2-1 at Porto.

The Gunners return to the domestic scene, having managed to keep their challenge for the championship alive after their home win over Liverpool. But Arsene Wenger will warn his boys that they cannot drop more points at home against the likes of Sunderland.

Steve Bruce will hope to avoid another war of words with Wenger as happened when Sunderland beat Arsenal 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. Following that win in late November, Bruce's side did not manage a single victory in 11 league games.

Tottenham fans were not happy that Harry Redknapp loaned striker Robbie Keane to Celtic after Spurs paid a huge sum to sign him back from Liverpool.

Much depends on the form of Jermain Defoe, scorer of 25 goals this season. Keane was the third best scorer at White Hart Lane with nine, one behind Crouch.

Tomorrow, Tottenham take on Wigan at the DW Stadium.

Boss Roberto Martinez has called upon the Wigan fans to back their side through thick and thin after they won once in their last eight league matches.

Aston Villa, who have drawn their last three matches in league and cup, cross swords with Burnley at Villa Park after they earned a draw at Turf Moor. The last time the two sides met at Villa Park in the top flight was in October 1975 when the spoils were shared (1-1).

Aston Villa's last league win against Burnley at home was a 2-1 win in April 1966.

London blues

Birmingham will be all out to regain their winning form in London this season when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Their previous trips to London have left them empty-handed - vs West Ham 0-2, Chelsea 0-3, Arsenal 1-3 and Tottenham 1-3.

After so many lapses, Fulham appear to have found their positive form again, having won three and drawn once in their last four outings.

A Lancashire derby is on tomorrow as Blackburn clash with Bolton. The Rovers will be in search of their first double after they beat the Trotters 2-0 away in November. Bolton have not won in their last nine league games.

Their last triumph came at Birmingham in September.