Buoyed by their League Cup triumph over Arsenal in midweek, Manchester City will be keen to maintain the momentum when they host Premier League leaders Chelsea at the City of Manchester Stadium this evening.
Against the Blues, still smarting from the League Cup exit at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, Mark Hughes's Sky Blues will be looking to end their bleak run in the Premiership, which saw them draw their last seven league matches.
Chelsea are still to feature in their first draw of the campaign, having won 12 times and lost twice. Their emphatic win over crown pretenders Arsenal left Chelsea five points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United.
It seems that Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti could achieve more than Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge as the Blues are showing that killer touch with the panache that the Portuguese had failed to conjure.
City's club owner Sheikh Monsour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak are still backing Hughes despite a poor run in the league. The cup win over Arsenal has given the manager a huge lift, however.
Gus Hiddink, who worked miracles during his short spell at Stamford Bridge, is being linked with the job at City if Hughes fails to last the pace this season.
City's only Premier League win against Chelsea (at home and away) came in the first season of the Premiership, in 1992-93, when the Citizens beat the Londoners 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.
In the 22 matches that followed, Chelsea remained undefeated and claimed doubles on City on eight occasions.
Manchester United eased into the semi-finals of the League Cup following a 2-0 win over Tottenham in midweek. This afternoon they play at West Ham with central defender Rio Ferdinand still out injured .
In their recent travels to London, the Red Devils lost at Chelsea 1-0 but they beat Tottenham 3-1 at White Hart Lane.
Last weekend, West Ham had a goal feast as they saw off Burnley 5-3 at Upton Park.
Arsenal will be eager to get back to winning ways after similar 0-3 back-to-back upsets to Chelsea (league) and Man. City (League Cup) in the past week.
Manager Arsene Wenger is still confident his charges have what it takes to get back in the running for the honours and will be eyeing all three points when they host Stoke who lost twice on the road in their seven league matches so far.
Tottenham take on Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow.
Following their nine-goal spree against Wigan, Spurs gave their all in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa to preserve their third placing in the standings.
Everton were unlucky against Liverpool in the derby after missing a series of scoring chances. In midweek, manager David Moyes received a significant lift when he led the team to the knock-out stages of the Europa League after beating AEK Athens in Greece.
Rafa Benitez has given the fans something to cherish after the latest lapses as Liverpool held the upper- hand in the Merseyside derby.
The Reds were still shorn of the skill and scoring potential of Fernando Torres who could make his return from injury against Blackburn this afternoon.
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is expected to return to the dug-out after missing the last three matches to undergo heart surgery.
Aston Villa, having lost once in the past eight league outings, entertain Hull who stunned Manchester City with a late equaliser last weekend. Manager Phil Brown is wearing a broad smile on his face as Hull stayed unbeaten last month.
At Craven Cottage, Fulham have become a force to be reckoned with, having lost just twice from seven league outings.
Tomorrow, the Londoners take on Sunderland, who like their counterparts are considered as a good side at home only.
Fulham have three wins and a draw to show at home on the six occasions they played Sunderland in the Premier League.