Manchester United will try to bring to a halt Chelsea’s impressive start to the season when they host the Premier League leaders at Old Trafford tomorrow.
Jose Mourinho’s Blues had an outstanding take-off to their new campaign, scoring in all league and cup matches played so far.
In midweek, they also claimed a record victory in the Champions League when crushing Maribor 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Louis van Gaal’s United continue to strive to close the gap with the leaders. Their next fixture will be a big test for them in front of their own fans.
In their last outing, United had to come from behind twice for a 2-2 draw at West Brom.
Mourinho is sweating on the fitness of Diego Costa who is nursing a groin strain while Frenchman Loic Remy has been ruled out with a muscle injury suffered against Maribor.
If Spain’s Costa fails to recover, veteran Didier Drogba is likely to lead Chelsea’s forward line tomorrow.
The outcome of the last ten league matches between United and Chelsea at Old Trafford sees the home team holding an edge with five wins to the Londoners’ three.
2013: United-Chelsea 0-0.
2013: United-Chelsea 0-1.
2011: United Chelsea 3-1.
2011: United-Chelsea 2-1.
2010: United-Chelsea 1-2.
2009: United-Chelsea 3-0.
2007: United-Chelsea 2-0.
2006: United-Chelsea 1-1.
2005: United-Chelsea 1-0.
2005: United-Chelsea 1-3.
Second-placed Manchester City are five points behind Chelsea following a comfortable 4-1 win over Tottenham in their last match with Sergio Aguero netting all goals for the champions.
The striker is now the club’s leading Premier League scorer after going past the previous best mark of 58 held by fellow Argentinian Carlos Tevez.
However, City misfired badly on Tuesday and threw away a two-goal lead at CSKA Moscow to return home with a 2-2 draw that left them trailing group rivals Bayern Munich and Roma.
City travel to London to play guests to West Ham in today’s early kick-off at Upton Park.
The Hammers can be a stumbling block to City, having lost just one in five league matches.
Veteran manager Sam Allardyce headed for his 60th birthday with West Ham occupying a top-four position.
Southampton continued their excellent start to the season after hitting Sunderland to the tune of 8-0 in their last outing.
Today, the Saints remain at St Mary’s Stadium to play Stoke.
Ronald Koeman, the Saints boss, was delighted with how his midfield provided the ammunition to the forward line for the Saints to score their biggest league win since 1921.
Liverpool were rather lucky to gather all three points from their last match at Queens Park Rangers. However, the Reds were outclassed by Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday following a 3-0 defeat at Anfield.
Liverpool face another tricky test today as they host a Hull City side that went close to upsetting Arsenal before conceding a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw last week.
This afternoon, the Gunners head to the north east to play beleaguered Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
On Wednesday, Arsenal needed late goals to see off Anderlecht 2-1 in Belgium and now they’re in a strong position to reach the knock-out stages.
However, Arsene Wenger’s men will have to up their game significantly in the Premier League as they’re currently 11 points behind leaders Chelsea.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Liverpool-Hull City - 1
Southampton-Stoke - X
Sunderland-Arsenal - 2
Swansea-Leicester (18:30) - 1
West Brom-Crystal Palace - 1
West Ham-Man. City (13:45) - 2
Tomorrow:
Burnley-Everton (14:30) - 2
Man. United-Chelsea (17:00) - X
Tottenham-Newcastle (14:30) - 1
Monday:
QPR-Aston Villa (21:00) - 1
Standings: Chelsea 22; Manchester City 17; Southampton 16; West Ham, Liverpool 13; Manchester United 12; Arsenal, Swansea; Tottenham, Stoke 11; Hull, Aston Villa 10; Everton, West Brom, Leicester 9; C. Palace, Sunderland 8; Newcastle 7; Burnley, QPR 4.
The Championship
Birmingham-Bournemouth - 2
Bolton-Brentford - 1
Brighton-Rotherham - 1
Derby-Wigan - 1
Ipswich-Huddersfield - 1
Leeds-Wolves - X
Middlesbrough-Watford - 1
Millwall-Cardiff (13:15) - X
Nottm Forest-Blackburn - 1
Reading-Blackpool - 1
Sheffield Wed.-Norwich - X
League One
Barnsley-Bristol City - 2
Coventry-Peterborough - 2
Crewe-Sheffield United - 2
Doncaster-MK Dons - X
Gillingham-Crawley - 1
Oldham-Bradford - 1
Port Vale-Leyton Orient - X
Preston-Fleetwood - 1
Scunthorpe-Notts County - X
Swindon-Colchester - 1
Walsall-Chesterfield - X
Yeovil-Rochdale - X
League Two
AFC Wimbledon-Tranmere - 1
Cambridge-Hartlepool - 1
Carlisle-Oxford - X
Luton-Northampton - 1
Newport-Accrington - 1
Plymouth-Cheltenham - 1
Shrewsbury-Portsmouth - 1
Southend-Bury - X
Stevenage-Burton - X
Wycombe-Dagenham - 1
York-Mansfield - X
Tomorrow:
Morecambe-Exeter (14:00) - X
Hot four
Swansea, West Bromwich Albion, Derby, Reading.