The top two teams in the Premier League – Manchester City and Man-chester United – will be in action tomorrow in the main matches of the weekend programme.
At the Etihad Stadium, City clash with third-placed Tottenham Hotspur while Arsenal host United at the Emirates Stadium.
The outcomes from the corresponding first round matches produced a bonanza of goals: Tottenham-Manchester City 1-5 and Manchester United-Arsenal 8-2.
That home upset to City was Tottenham’s only defeat so far at home this season.
City assistant coach David Platt this week backed his players to win the title as he believes that there is enough experience in the squad to handle the pressures of the championship.
Tottenham manager Harry Red-knapp is staying away from title talk and this week set his sights on signing Marseille striker Loic Remy.
Arsenal will be looking to wipe out their humiliating defeat to United but will have to lift their game by several notches to achieve their goal.
The match will bring against each other two legendary figures for either side as Thierry Henry lines up for Arsenal while the returning Paul Scholes will anchor United’s midfield.
Henry was in the news in midweek for the wrong reasons after clashing with an Arsenal fan following the shock defeat at Swansea. The Frenchman later apologised.
Fourth-placed Chelsea, who take on Norwich at Carrow Road, will be after their third double of the season having completed the feat at the expense of Wolves and Sunderland.
The Blues, also in search of their sixth away win this season, had striker Fernando Torres admitting that 2011 was a difficult year for him. The Spaniard is hopeful he will experience better fortunes in the next 12 months.
Norwich have won their last three league and cup matches and are currently in ninth place.
Newcastle, who last weekend beat QPR to move up to sixth, travel to Fulham this weekend.
The Magpies continued to strenghten their forward line with the signing of Senegal forward Papis Demba Cisse from Freiburg as Fulham have won just once in their last five league matches.
Liverpool, still seeking to revive their top-four challenge, travel to struggling Bolton this evening. They are finding it tough to score at Anfield where they dropped 14 precious points so far.
Still, the Reds can boast that they have not lost in front of their own fans in the league this season.
At Molineux, Wolves play Aston Villa in a Midlands derby. The hosts are buoyed by their remarkable point garnered at Tottenham as Villa drew against Everton.
Martin O’Neill will be bidding to see his Sunderland side return to winning ways when they host Swansea City at the Stadium of Light.
The Swans, having lost once in their last six league and cup matches, are confident that their win over Arsenal will serve them in good stead.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Bolton-Liverpool 18:30 - 2
Everton-Blackburn - 1
Fulham-Newcastle - X
Norwich-Chelsea 13:45 - 2
QPR-Wigan - 1
Stoke-West Brom - 1
Sunderland-Swansea - X
Wolves-Aston Villa - X
Tomorrow:
Arsenal-Man. United 17:00 - X
Man. City-Tottenham 14:30 - 1
Standings: Man. City 51; Man. United 48; Tottenham 46; Chelsea 40; Arsenal, Newcastle 36; Liverpool 35; Stoke 30; Norwich 28; Swansea 26; Everton 25; Sunderland, Aston Villa 24; Fulham 23; West Brom 22; Wolves 18; Blackburn, QPR 17; Bolton 16; Wigan 15.
The Championship
Barnsley-Millwall - 1
Birmingham-Watford - 1
Blackpool-Crystal Palace - 1
Bristol City-Doncaster - 1
Burnley-Derby - 1
Cardiff-Portsmouth - 1
Coventry-Middlesbrough - 2
Leeds-Ipswich = 1
Peterborough-Brighton - 1
Reading-Hull = 1
West Ham-Nottm Forest - 1
Monday:
Southampton-Leicester 21:00 - 1
League One
Bournemouth-Tranmere - 1
Bury-Yeovil - 1
Carlisle-Walsall - 1
Charlton-Sheffield Utd - X
Colchester-Chesterfield - 1
Huddersfield-Brentford 18:20 - 1
Notts County-MK Dons - 1
Oldham-Exeter - 2
Preston-Leyton Orient - 1
Scunthorpe-Stevenage - 1
Sheffield Wed.-Hartlepool - 1
Wycombe-Rochdale 1
League Two
Aldershot-Accrington Stanley - X
Bradford-Burton Albion - 1
Cheltenham-Bristol Rovers - 1
Crewe-Dagenham - 1
Gillingham-AFC Wimbledon - 1
Morecambe-Torquay - X
Northampton-Barnet - 1
Oxford Utd-Hereford - 1
Plymouth-Crawley Town - 2
Rotherham-Port Vale - 1
Shrewsbury-Southend - 1
Swindon-Macclesfield - 1
Hot Four
Leeds, West Ham, Sheffield Wed-nesday, Gillingham.