The old rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool will take centre-stage tomorrow as the two sporting foes clash at Old Trafford.
While the erstwhile struggling United will view this fixture as a chance to narrow the gap on the teams above them, the in-form Liverpool will be determined to stay in the title mix and consolidate their top-four position.
Critics have remarked that Wayne Rooney’s new bumper contract has given Moyes a dilemma amid rumours that Robin van Persie is also pushing for an improved deal.
In the 3-0 win at West Brom, English striker Danny Welbeck became the first player in Premier League history to record double figures for both goals and assists in five different seasons.
With no fewer than 12 players loaned to other clubs, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has been talking up the benefits of temporary outgoings.
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has spoken of his delight at playing alongside Luis Suarez. Henderson hailed Suarez as the man who has done more than most to turn the Reds into title contenders.
Liverpool owner John W. Henry is ready to back Rodgers in the summer market to the tune of £60 million − if the Reds qualify for the Champions League.
Manchester City were on the receiving end of another shock as thunder struck twice in the domestic cups.
Last season, Wigan Athletic, then in the Premiership, stunned mega-rich Manchester City in the FA Cup final, beating them 1-0.
Wigan were relegated at the end of the season but returned to haunt City in the FA Cup last weekend, defeating them 2-1 in the quarter-finals at the Etihad.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini’s dream of claiming four prizes has been shattered as City may well end up with the League Cup as their only silverware this season.
In the Champions League, City’s struggles continued this week as they went down 2-1 to Barcelona at the Camp Nou, going out 4-1 on aggregate.
In the Premier League, City are nine points behind Chelsea but have three games in hand.
This afternoon, they travel to the KC Stadium to play guests to FA Cup semi-finalists Hull.
Hull boss Steve Bruce has heaped praise on David Meyler (involved in the headbutt incident with Newcastle manager Alan Pardew) for his performance against Sunderland and his general conduct.
Bruce is dreaming of Europe after sealing an FA Cup semi-final spot.
Premier League leaders Chelsea, now seven points clear, go to Villa Park to face Aston Villa.
Chelsea have won their last three Premier League encounters, scoring eight goals and conceding two.
Despite Chelsea’s strong position, manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that he would rather have three games in hand in the title race like Manchester City do than the seven-point lead Chelsea currently have over Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Portuguese believes that Chelsea’s in-form defenders are the key to his team’s form in the league.
After the 4-0 rout of Tottenham, statisticians pointed out that six players at Stamford Bridge were not even born when Spurs last won at the Blues’ lair.
Another intriguing derby will take place in North London where Tottenham host rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane tomorrow.
After their crushing defeat to Chelsea, Spurs will be keen for a morale-boosting result against Arsenal.
With speculation growing that Tottenham will appoint Dutchman Louis van Gaal as their new manager in the summer, current boss Tim Sherwood has remarked that the “silence at the club is deafening”.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will have heard the boos aimed at Mesut Ozil during the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in midweek.
Ozil had a quiet outing which contrasted with his brisk performance in Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Everton on Saturday.
The Germany midfielder will not face Tottenham after suffering a hamstring injury against Bayern Munich.
The agent of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has remained tight-lipped on rumours of interest from Manchester United.
Everton’s FA Cup hopes are over for yet another season after their 4-1 loss at Arsenal.
The Toffees entertain Cardiff at Goodison Park in the Premier League. Everton left-back Leighton Baines has urged his team-mates to forget their Cup upset and focus on their remaining 11 league games.
Southampton, at home to Norwich, have lost twice in their last nine Premier League matches.
At the Liberty Stadium, Swansea entertain West Brom.
Swansea winger Nathan Dyer believes the break has arrived at the perfect time for the Welsh outfit.
Spanish coach Pepe Mel has been in charge of West Brom for just two months but is yet to win in seven games.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Aston Villa-Chelsea (18.30)2
Everton-Cardiff 1
Fulham-Newcastle 1
Hull-Manchester City (13.45) 2
Southampton-Norwich 1
Stoke-West Ham X
Sunderland-Crystal Palace 1
Swansea-West Brom 1
Tomorrow:
Man. United-Liverpool (14.30) X
Tottenham-Arsenal (17.00) 2
Standings: Chelsea 66; Liverpool, Arsenal 59; Man. City 57; Tottenham 53; Man. United, Everton 48; Newcastle 43; Southampton 42; West Ham, Aston Villa, Stoke 31; Hull 30; Swansea, Norwich 29; C. Palace 27; West Brom, Cardiff 25; Sunderland 24; Fulham 21.
The Championship
Bolton-Brighton X
Bournemouth-Middlesbrough 1
Burnley-Leeds 1
Huddersfield-Blackburn X
Ipswich-Wigan X
Leicester-Blackpool 1
Millwall-Charlton 1
Nottm Forest-Doncaster 1
Queens Park Rangers-Yeovil 1
Reading-Derby X
Sheffield Wed.-Birmingham 1
Watford-Barnsley 1
League One
Bradford-Gillingham 1
Bristol City-Swindon 1
Carlisle-Stevenage X
Crawley-Colchester 1
Crewe-Oldham X
Leyton Orient-Brentford (13.15) X
MK Dons-Peterborough X
Rotherham-Walsall 1
Tranmere-Notts County 1
Wolves-Shrewsbury 1
Tomorrow:
Coventry-Port Vale (16.00) X
Monday:
Preston-Sheffield Utd (20.45) 2
League Two
Burton-AFC Wimbledon 1
Cheltenham-Torquay 1
Chesterfield-Oxford 1
Dagenham-Morecambe 1
Fleetwood-Portsmouth 1
Hartlepool-Bristol Rovers 1
Northampton-Mansfield X
Plymouth-Scunthorpe X
Rochdale-Accrington 1
Southend-Bury 1
York –Wycombe 1
Tomorrow:
Newport-Exeter (16.00) X
Hot Four
Everton, Southampton, Sunderland, Swansea.