Manchester City’s slim title prospects will be under severe threat when they host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, tomorrow.
The champions are currently trailing leaders Manchester United by a massive 12 points and nothing less than a victory will appease Roberto Mancini to keep his team in the hunt.
After their early exit from Europe, City put the English league on top of their agenda. However, in recent weeks they dropped precious points against unfancied oppo-sition which left them with a mountain to climb.
City’s form in front of their own fans is somewhat worrying given that their last home win in the league dates back to last month when they had the better of Fulham.
They are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup but winning this competition could not be enough to save Mancini from the sack.
Chelsea, too, are not enjoying a positive season having the un-heralded Europa League and FA Cup as their only realistic chances of silverware. They’re favourites, though, to finish among the top four in the final classiciation.
In the first round Chelsea and City cancelled each other in a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
United will be looking to strengthen their grip at the top of the standings when they travel to QPR in a top-against-bottom clash at Loftus Road.
Alex Ferguson’s men have enjoyed a positive record in London this season and will hope for more of the same this afternoon.
United are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Reading earlier this week.
Luis Nani made a welcome return to the team and the Portuguese winger is being tipped to further boost Manchester United’s challenge on all three fronts – Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
A London derby is set for Monday at Upton Park where West Ham take on Tottenham.
Andres Villas-Boas has just led the Spurs to the last 16 in the Europa League but his biggest target is to see the team playing Champions League football next season.
Arsene Wenger is facing hard times at Arsenal as the Gunners are staring at another barren season following the shock elimination to Blackburn in the FA Cup and their 1-3 upset to Bayern Munich that put them on the edge of Champions League exit.
Today, the Gunners will be looking to restore some lost pride and their challenge for a top-four finish when they play relegation-troubled Aston Villa at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Newcastle entertain Southampton in a basement clash at St James’ Park tomorrow.
The French contingent at Newcastle is settling down nicely according to boss Alan Pardew as the Toon, now four points off the relegation zone in the standings, have won five of their last nine league and cup matches.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Arsenal-Aston Villa 1
Fulham-Stoke City (13:45) X
Norwich-Everton 2
Qpr-Man. United 2
Reading-Wigan 1
Wba-Sunderland 1
Tomorrow:
Man. City-Chelsea (14:30) X
Newcastle-S’Thampton (14:30) 1
Monday:
West Ham-Tottenham (21:00) 2
Standings
Manchester United 65; Man-Chester City 53; Chelsea 49; Tottenham 48; Arsenal 44; Everton 42; Liverpool 39; Swansea, West Brom 37; Stoke 33; West Ham 30; Fulham, Sunderland, Norwich 29; Southampton, Newcastle Utd 27; Aston Villa 24; Reading 23; Wigan 21; Qpr 17.
League Cup Final
Bradford-Swansea (17:00) 2
(Wembley Stadium − Tomorrow)
The Championship
Blackburn-Leeds 1
Blackpool-Leicester 2
Bolton-Hull City X
Brighton-Burnley 1
Bristol City-Barnsley X
Charlton-N. Forest X
Huddersfield-Ipswich 1
M’Boro-Millwall (18:20) 1
Peterborough-Birmingham X
Sheffield Wed.-C. Palace X
Watford-Derby County 1
Tomorrow:
Wolves-Cardiff City (15:00) 1
League One
Bournemouth-Sheffield Utd 1
Brentford-Walsall 1
Carlisle-Mk Dons X
Colchester-Tranmere X
Coventry-Crewe 1
Doncaster-Yeovil 1
Leyton Orient-Crawley X
Oldham-Portsmouth1
Scunthorpe-Hartlepool 1
Shrewsbury-Stevenagex
Swindon-Preston 1
League Two
Accrington-Cheltenham 2
Aldershot-Fleetwood X
Barnet-Rochdale X
Burton-Exeter 1
Chesterfield-Gillingham X
Dagenham-Wimbledon 1
Morecambe-Bristol Rovers 1
Northampton-Plymouth 1
Oxford-York City 1
Torquay-Port Vale 2
Wycombe-Southend X
Hot Four
Watford, Brentford, Oldham, Northampton.