In pre-season forecasts, Chelsea were ranked among the top sides that could give the two Manchester teams a serious challenge for the championship. Yet, with only 11 matches played the Londoners are nine points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool, who clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, were also mentioned as outsiders for the league title but they’ve already fallen behind and their aim seems more focused on a place in the Champions League next season.
However, that also seems to be a tall order for the Reds with the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal ready to fight to the bitter end for the fourth berth.
Lately, both Chelsea and Liverpool hit a negative patch.
The Blues only earned three points from nine in the Premier League while Liverpool chalked up six points from 12.
Tomorrow’s match in London is also being dubbed as a duel of the costly strikers who failed to live up to expectations in the Premier League as Fernando Torres (Chelsea) and Andy Carroll (Liverpool) are struggling to find the net as frequently as their fans had hoped.
At the Etihad Stadium, Newcastle will put their unbeaten record on the line against the league leaders.
Newcastle’s fans failed in their bid to stop club owner Mike Ashley from renaming St James’ Park to the Sports Direct Arena.
On to the pitch, the Magpies are six points behind Manchester City and the neutrals are keen to see how far the Alan Pardew’s men can really go.
Second-placed Manchester United travel to Wales this evening to play guests to Premier League newcomers Swansea.
Alex Ferguson, fresh from marking his 25th year at Old Trafford, will continue with his quest to retain the championship crown as United have won three of their last six Premier League encounters.
Swansea boss Brandan Rodgers is relishing the opportunity for his players to tackle Ferguson’s team and he reckons the home support would have a special effect on the issue.
On Monday, Tottenham will be keen to extend their run of eight undefeated Premier League matches against Aston Villa at White Hart Lane. On the other hand, Villa have lost only once on their travels.
Today, Arsenal take on Norwich at Carrow Road in the early kick-off.
The Gunners, having won four straight matches in the league, had chief striker Robin van Persie scoring eight goals from a total of 13 that sunk their opponents.
This week, Cesc Fabregas was quoted as saying that Arsenal cannot afford to allow Van Persie to follow him and Samir Nasri out of the Emirates Stadium as uncertainty over the Dutchman’s future is starting to gather ground.
The Canaries have won once in their last five league outings.
At Goodison Park, Everton will be looking to better their poor record of one league win in their last six league matches when they play Wolves.
This weekend, the Everton supporters’ group – Blue Union – are planning a second peaceful protest to convince owner Bill Kenwright to sell the club.
Meanwhile, Wolves’ home win over Wigan in their last outing will serve them in good stead for the future.
After the 5-0 annihilation of Stoke at the Reebok Stadium, their best performance of the season, Bolton will be hoping for more against West Brom away.
The Baggies have lost their last two matches and are struggling at the wrong end of the standings.
However, the club owners are already in talks with veteran manager Roy Hodgson to give him a contract extension at the Hawthorns.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Everton-Wolves - X
Manchester City-Newcastle - 1
Norwich-Arsenal (13:45) - 2
Stoke-QPR - 1
Sunderland-Fulham - 1
West Brom-Bolton - X
Wigan-Blackburn - X
Swansea-Man. United (18:30) - 2
Tomorrow:
Chelsea-Liverpool (17:00) - X
Monday:
Tottenham-Aston Villa (21:00) - 1
Standings: Manchester City 31; Manchester United 26; Newcastle 25; Chelsea, Tottenham 22; Liverpool, Arsenal 19; Aston Villa 15; Norwich, Swansea 13; QPR, Stoke 12; Wolves, West Brom 11; Sunderland, Fulham, Everton 10; Bolton 9; Blackburn 6; Wigan 5.
The Championship
Barnsley-Doncaster - 1
Birmingham-Peterborough - 1
Burnley-Leeds (13:45) - X
Coventry-West Ham - 2
Derby County-Hull City -X
Middlesbrough-Blackpool - 1
Nottm Forest-Ipswich - 1
Reading-Cardiff - 1
Southampton-Brighton - 1
Watford-Portsmouth - X
Tomorrow:
Leicester-Crystal Palace (16:00) - 1
Millwall-Bristol City (14:15) - 1
League One
Brentford-Charlton - 2
Colchester-MK Dons - X
Huddersfield-Notts County - 1
Leyton Orient-Stevenage - X
Oldham-Chesterfield - 1
Preston-Rochdale - 1
Scunthorpe-Hartlepool - 1
Sheffield United-Carlisle - 1
Tranmere-Sheffield Wed. - X
Walsall-Bury - 1
Wycombe-Bournemouth - 2
Yeovil-Exeter - 1
League Two
AFC Wimbledon-Swindon - 2
Aldershot-Gillingham - X
Bradford-Rotherham - X
Bristol Rovers-Barnet - 1
Cheltenham-Port Vale - 1
Crawley Town-Oxford United - 1
Dagenham-Southend - 2
Hereford-Burton Albion - X
Macclesfield-Accrington - 1
Morecambe-Crewe - 1
Northampton-Shrewsbury - 2
Torquay-Plymouth - 1
Hot Four
Manchester City, Stoke City, Southampton, Huddersfield.