Another top clash for United, Chelsea

Chelsea and Manchester United were involved in direct clashes against other sides in the running for the honours in their last Premier League outings. Chelsea played at Tottenham and United hosted Arsenal.

Tomorrow, the Blues will take on the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge.

United, who have a game in hand, are leading the race following their 1-0 victory over Arsenal. They’ve set a new club record of undefeated league matches from the start of a season – 16.

Chelsea should consider themselves unlucky not to have bagged the three points at White Hart Lane after Didier Drogba failed to score a last-minute penalty against Tottenham.

So far, Chelsea have dropped four points at home – a 0-3 defeat against Sunderland and a 1-1 draw with Everton. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident that after the draw at Tottenham his team has now turned the corner to halt the recent slump in form.

The media in the UK is linking Didier Drogba with a return to Marseille as Chelsea are reportedly showing great interest in unsettled Manchester City’s striker Carlos Tevez.

After United beat Arsenal, midfielder Darren Fletcher told reporters that he would like to see his side further extending their unbeaten run.

Alex Ferguson also spoke on the positive sequence but added that he could not see his team emulating Arsenal’s feat and go through a whole league campaign without a loss.

Last season, Chelsea did the double on United − 1-0 (Terry) at Stamford Bridge and 2-1 (J. Cole, Drogba − Macheda) at Old Trafford. For the last eight seasons the Mancunians have failed to topple Chelsea in London in the Premier League. Their last win at Stamford Bridge came in April 2002, 3-0 (Scholes, Van Nistelrooy, Solskjaer).

At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal square up to Stoke City, keen to improve a home record that has already been blemished with three defeats this season.

Arsene Wenger remarked that he believed this Premier League season was shaping up to be the toughest ever. He criticised the Old Trafford pitch that was badly hit by the snowy weather on Monday. The Gunners have now failed to beat United and Chelsea in the last 11 league matches.

Manchester City host Everton at Eastlands on Monday night.

Roberto Mancini appears to be more comfortable when playing on the away front now that his side has won five times to the four in front of their own fans. Everton, just two points above the relegation zone, are undefeated in their last six league away encounters.

Tottenham, travelling to Blackpool, are unbeaten in their last eight league and cup matches, having scored in every game.

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes said Spurs are in the title hunt but admitted that they must keep more clean sheets if they are to maintain the challenge.

The Tangerines have not lost in four matches − defeated once in seven. Tomorrow, they will be without influential skipper Charlie Adam due to suspension for five yellow cards.

At the Stadium of Light, Sunderland cross swords with Bolton.

The Black Cats, along with Manchester United, are the only two sides not to let their colours down at their own patch. On the other side of the coin, the Trotters lost twice on their travels.

Last season, Sunderland did the double on Bolton − 4-0 (Campbell, Bent 3) at home and 1-0 (Bent) away.

It seems, Roy Hodgson has been unable to lift Liverpool from the doldrums. This evening the Reds take on Fulham at Anfield with skipper Steven Gerrard back in the fold.

Fulham’s negative patch persisted and they could find themselves in the relegation zone if they finish on the losing end today.

The Midlands derby between West Brom and Wolves is not for the faint-hearted − 90 minutes of non-stop action will be in the offing tomorrow.

Last week the Baggies lost at Aston Villa but Wolves bagged three useful points at home to Birmingham to keep their survival hopes alive.

The sacking of Sam Allardyce came like a bolt from the blue after Blackburn Rovers lost at Bolton.

Allardyce will probably find another job soon but the fans loved ‘Big Sam’ and they were hurt by this sad episode following the arrival of the new Asian owners.

Today, Blackburn take on bottom-placed West Ham at Ewood Park where the fans are expected to make their voices heard in support of their former manager.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League
Sunderland-Bolton 13:45 - 1
Arsenal-Stoke - 1
Birmingham-Newcastle - X
Blackburn-West Ham - X
Wigan-Aston Villa - X
Liverpool-Fulham 18:30 - 1

Tomorrow:
Blackpool-Tottenham 14:30 - 2
Chelsea-Man. United 17:00 - X
West Brom-Wolves 13:00 - X

Monday:
Man. City-Everton 21:00 - 1

Standings: Man. Utd 34; Arsenal, Man. City 32; Chelsea 31; Totten-ham 27; Bolton 26; Sunderland 24; New-castle, Liverpool, Blackpool, WBA 22; Stoke, Blackburn 21; Aston Villa 20; Everton, Bir-mingham 18; Fulham, Wigan 16; Wolves 15; West Ham 12.

The Championship
Cardiff-Burnley - 1
Coventry-Norwich - X
Derby-Reading - X
Hull-Bristol City - 1
Leeds United-QPR - X
Millwall-Barnsley - X
N. Forest-C. Palace - 1
Portsmouth-Scunthorpe - 1
Sheff United-Swansea - 1
Watford-Preston - X
Ipswich-Leicester 18:20 - 1

League One
Brentford-Huddersfield - X
Bristol Rovers-Colchester - X
Dagenham-Peterborough - 2
Exeter-Sheff. Wed. - X
Hartlepool-Charlton - pp
Leyton Orient-Plymouth - pp
MK Dons-Oldham - 1
Rochdale-Bournemouth - pp
Swindon-Tranmere - 1
Walsall-Southampton - pp
Yeovil-Carlisle - X

League Two
Accrington-Burton Albion - pp
Aldershot-Lincoln City - 1
Bury-Stevenage - pp
Cheltenham-Stockport - 1
Crewe-Bradford - 1
Gillingham-Chesterfield - X
Hereford-Macclesfield - X
Northampton-Morecambe - 1
Oxford United-Shrewsbury - 1
Port Vale-Barnet - 1
Southend-Wycombe - X
Torquay-Rotherham - 1

Hot four
Arsenal, Portsmouth, Swindon Town, Port Vale.