United, Chelsea in do-or-die duel

This weekend's plum fixture between Premier League leaders Manchester United and second-placed Chelsea is likely to have a huge bearing on this season's title race.

Arsenal are still in the hunt and a draw at Old Trafford this afternoon would significantly bolster the Gunners' championship hopes, provided they beat Wolves at the Emirates.

With six matches to go, the point totals and goal difference of the title-chasing trio read:

Manchester United 72 (+51)
Chelsea 71 (+53)
Arsenal 68 (+40)

In midweek, Manchester United and Arsenal were involved in the first legs of the Champions League quarter-finals. The Red Devils crashed 2-1 at Bayern Munich and lost their star striker Wayne Rooney who could be out for three weeks with an ankle injury.

The Gunners were hit by injuries to three players during their home clash with European champions Barcelona as Arsene Wenger's gamble on the fitness of defender William Gallas backfired. Nevertheless, the Gunners staged a magnificent comeback to level the tie at 2-2.

On the domestic scene, United and Chelsea sparkled in their last league outings, the Red Devils winning 4-0 at Bolton and Chelsea trouncing Aston Villa 7-1.

United have won their last five matches while Chelsea have netted 11 goals in their last two wins.

Alex Ferguson's team prevailed in three of their last four home league encounters against Chelsea: 3-0, 2-0, 1-1, 1-0. The Londoners' last victory at Old Trafford came in 2004-05: 3-1 (Tiago, Gudjohnsen, J. Cole − Van Nistelrooy).

Chelsea have scored a total of 115 goals in all competitions this season, 82 of which came in the Premier League.

Wenger was left fuming after Arsenal conceded a late equaliser in their match away at Birmingham last weekend. This afternoon, the Londoners take on Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have won their last four Premier League matches at home. Wolves have found their touch away from the Molineux, winning four times on their travels to equal their number of home victories.

The Midlanders have taken 10 points from their last four outings to improve their chances of avoiding relegation.

Spurs hold on

Tottenham consolidated fourth place after their home win over Portsmouth. This afternoon, the Spurs travel to Sunderland where striker Darren Bent (scored over 20 goals for the Black Cats) will be gunning against his former team.

Bent has indeed proved to be a good acquisition by Sunderland boss Steve Bruce who claimed that his team did not start in their 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will probably extend striker Eidur Gudjohnsen's loan for another season.

Tomorrow at St Andrews, Birmingham cross swords with Liverpool who will take great encouragement from the return to scoring form of their Spanish striker Fernando Torres who has netted seven goals in the last four matches.

Liverpool face an uphill task to claim fourth spot as, with six matches remaining, Tottenham are in the driving seat. Birmingham have won only once in their last six league and cup matches.

After their 3-0 win over Wigan on Monday night, Manchester City leapfrogged Liverpool in fifth place and are now only two points behind Tottenham. This evening the Citizens visit Turf Moor to meet relegation strugglers Burnley.

Burnley look to be on their way back to the Championship after collecting a mere point from their last eight Premier League matches.

Following their humiliating 7-1 defeat at Chelsea, Aston Villa will go flat out to regain their form when they face Bolton. Gabriel Agbonlahor is to be offered a contract extension by Villa boss Martin O'Neill.

Striker John Carew is hoping to be fit to start after he suffered a back injury against Chelsea. The Trotters have failed to score in three of their last four league matches.

Gianfranco Zola, who decided not to quit the club in this crucial phase of the season, has high hopes that West Ham, in the relegation mire after five straight defeats, will show their true character at Everton.

The Toffees are unbeaten in their last five league matches, conceding three goals. At Goodison Park, Everton have won their last four league games.

Europa League hopefuls Fulham have stuttered in the Premier League lately. In the bread-and-butter commitments, the Londoners have not won in their last four outings, losing three against Hull (away), Manchester City (home) and Manchester United (away). The Cottagers host Wigan tomorrow.

Stoke City are in clear waters but their opponents today, Hull City, must repeat their performance and win at home to Fulham last week to boost their fight against the drop.

Blackburn, whose away win at rivals Burnley was their first since they beat Bolton at the Reebok Stadium in late November, will be looking to claim back-to-back away victories when they square up to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.