Since the start of the Premier League in 1992, one simply cannot count the many enticing clashes on the field of play between Arsenal and Manchester United.
Tomorrow they will meet at the Emirates Stadium, again with so much at stake. With 15 matches still to play, the points forfeited will leave the losing side trailing behind in the title race.
In the first round at Old Trafford, United won 2-1 (Rooney pen, Diaby og − Arshavin).
Wayne Rooney appears to be carrying the entire load at Old Trafford this season as he keeps piling up the goals to keep United in the chase for honours.
He was four times on target against Hull and also netted the killer goal in the thrilling 3-1 (agg: 4-3) win over Manchester City in the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Arsenal are relying most on the deftness of captain Cesc Fabregas. He had another great game against Aston Villa in midweek but the Gunners failed to go beyond a 0-0 draw.
This week, Rooney also assured United that his future lies at Old Trafford and there was no truth in tabloid reports that he was about to join Barcelona or Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The last United victory at Arsenal's lair in the league came in February, 2005 − 4-2 (Giggs, Ronaldo 2, O'Shea − Vieira, Bergkamp). Last season, the Londoners won 2-1.
Today, Chelsea play away at Burnley, boosted by a 3-0 win over Birmingham who were coming from a run of 12 matches without defeat in the Premier League.
Chelsea also welcomed Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou back this week following Ivory Coast's exit from the Africa Cup.
Burnley are waiting for their first positive outing under new manager Brian Laws. The Clarets have suddenly become the net favourites for the drop, even if they are five points above the bottom team at the moment.
After their 2-0 victory over Fulham, Tottenham travel to the Midlands to tackle Birmingham.
As Spurs have reached a crucial point in the season, striker Jermain Defoe was quoted as saying that this time it would not be a false dawning for the club and that they would attain a top-four placing.
In five Premier League clashes at the Midlands, Birmingham lost only once to Spurs. Last season the Blues emerged triumphant 4-1.
The upset to bitter rivals United in the semi-finals of the League Cup, will urge Manchester City to go all-out for a place in the Champions League. Tomorrow they will be at Eastlands to cross swords with troubled Portsmouth.
The Citizens will be in search of their third double of the season, having won 1-0 at Portsmouth in August. So far, City have beaten Wolves and Blackburn at home and away.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, having declined speculation that he was about to join Juventus, will lead his side out against Owen Coyle's Bolton this afternoon.
In midweek, the Trotters beat Coyle's ex-club Burnley at home, while Liverpool figured in a goalless draw at Molineux against Wolves.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa will be keen to make up for their last negative results in London in their meeting against Fulham today. On the two occasions this season that Villa played in the capital they emerged empty-handed following defeats to Arsenal (0-3) and West Ham (1-2).