Anfield stages one of the big fixtures of the season this afternoon as Liverpool take on Manchester United. Matches between these two rivals always produce drama and leave the fans on the edge of their seats.
Leaders United are six points clear of Liverpool so the latter will be determined to make the most of home advantage as they look to close the gap on the top teams.
England defender Glen Johnson, who was injured in his comeback match against Stoke, could figure for the Kops today. They have won three league and cup matches on the trot and saw Andy Carroll grab his first league goal this season in a 2-0 win over Everton in the Mersey-side derby.
At Old Trafford, Rio Ferdinand has labelled Danny Welbeck a star for the future. The young striker, who was involved in England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro, has scored three goals in the two last league and cup matches for United.
Wayne Rooney has received a lot of criticism this week following his dismissal in Podgorica and the subsequent three-match ban.
Coach Fabio Capello was quick to announce that the Manchester United striker will not be involved in England’s friendlies prior to the Euro finals as he looks to find a suitable replacement ahead of the group matches.
Manchester City and Aston Villa, still unbeaten in the Premier League, will go head-to-head this afternoon at Eastlands.
The Citizens will be determined to pick up all points as they look to keep the pressure on United.
Roberto Mancini’s men have been in excellent form lately, bagging three successive wins without conceding a goal.
The Villans have drawn all their three league matches on their travels. Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been told that he does not need a back operation and could even be fit to face City today.
Third-placed Chelsea, three points adrift of the Manchester duo, play Everton in the late kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
The good news for the Blues is the great form of Frank Lampard.
He scored a hat-trick in the last league match at Bolton and had a fine performance for England when called up as substitute against Montenegro.
The Everton fans are urging manager David Moyes to hold on to his players.
Some top clubs are already chasing ‘whiz kid’ Ross Barkley after his cameo roles for the Toffees this season.
Moyes is doing everything in his power to convince Barkley to sign a long-term deal when he turns 18 next month.
Newcastle will probably have their sternest test so far this season as they entertain Tottenham at St James’s Park tomorrow.
Fabricio Coloccini, the new Toon captain, is having talks with the board over a new contract.
Striker Shola Ameobi is fit again and is expected to be in the squad but midfielder Yohan Cabaye is doubtful.
After their 5-1 drubbing to Manchester City at White Hart Lane, the Spurs won four straight league matches, including the derby against Arsenal at White Hart Lane.
Arsenal will have home advantage when they host Sunderland at the Emirates tomorrow.
Manager Arsene Wenger has rubbished critics who wrote that the Gunners would not place better than eighth come May as his counterpart at Sunderland, Steve Bruce, is determined to turn around the club’s flagging fortunes and silence his detractors, who have mentioned Martin O’Neill as his replacement.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Chelsea-Everton (18:30) - 1
Liverpool-Man. United (13:45) - X
Man. City-Aston Villa - 1
Norwich City-Swansea City - X
QPR-Blackburn - 1
Stoke City-Fulham - 1
Wigan-Bolton - 1
Tomorrow:
Arsenal-Sunderland (14:30) - 1
Newcastle-Tottenham (17:00) - X
West Brom-Wolves (13:00) - 1
Standings: Man. United, Man. City 19; Chelsea 16; Newcastle 15; Liverpool 13; Tottenham 12; Aston Villa 11; Stoke 9; Norwich, Swansea, QPR 8; Fulham, Everton, Wolves, Arsenal 7; Sunderland 6; West Brom, Wigan 5; Blackburn 4; Bolton 3.
The Championship
Brighton-Hull (18:30) - 1
Bristol City-Peterborough - X
Burnley-Reading - X
Cardiff-Ipswich - 1
Coventry-Nott’m Forest - X
Derby-Southampton - 2
Middlesbrough-Millwall - 1
Portsmouth-Barnsley (18:20) - 1
Watford-Crystal Palace - 1
West Ham-Blackpool - 1
Tomorrow:
Birmingham-Leicester (14:00) - X
League One
Brentford-Scunthorpe - 1
Chesterfield-Notts County - X
Exeter-Huddersfield - 2
Hartlepool-Wycombe - 1
Leyton Orient-Bury - 1
MK Dons-Bournemouth - 1
Rochdale-Colchester - X
Stevenage-Charlton - X
Tranmere-Oldham - 1
Walsall-Preston - 2
Yeovil-Carlisle - X
Tomorrow:
Sheff. United-Sheff. Wed (13:00) - X
League Two
Accrington Stanley-Swindon - X
Wimbledon-Crewe - 1
Barnet-Aldershot - X
Crawley Town-Shrewsbury - 1
Dagenham-Plymouth - 1
Hereford-Bradford - X
Macclesfield-Oxford United - X
Southend-Morecambe - 1
Torquay-Gillingham - X
Hot Four
Manchester City, Middlesbrough, West Ham, MK Dons.