Last week’s programme of fixtures in England was decimated with postponements due to the freezing conditions in all parts of the United Kingdom.
The Premier League, however, should resume today with a full programme that will be completed tomorrow with a top clash at the Emirates Stadium between Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Gunners are currently two points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand, while Chelsea are three points behind.
This programme is the return of Day Seven of the championship when Chelsea beat the Gunners 2-0 (Drogba, Alex) at Stamford Bridge. Those were happier days for the Blues, firing on all cylinders and leading the pack before a slump in form.
Frank Lampard, who is set to make his first start after a few weeks on the sidelines through injury, is really keen to give his team-mates a much-needed boost as Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are still in search of their early-season spark.
The Blues have now gone on a sequence of five Premier League matches without a win. Last season, Chelsea did the double on Arsenal − 2-0 (Drogba 2) at home and 3-0 (Drogba 2, Vermaelen og) away.
Arsenal toppled Chelsea once in front of their own fans in the Premier League these past six years. Indeed, Arsene Wenger’s men will be looking to keep deadly Drogba at bay, having been at his scoring best when playing against the Gunners.
This week, captain Cesc Fabregas said that the fear of losing big games could cost Arsenal the title.
“We have to learn to handle our nerves,” the Spaniard said.
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson wants his players to maintain their positive form as they look to preserve their unbeaten start to the Premier League when hosting Sunderland at Old Trafford today.
Ferguson became United’s longest-serving manager last week with his team topping the Premier League. However, the heavy snow denied him the chance to mark the milestone with a victory over title rivals Chelsea.
By extending his reign to 8,811 days, the 68-year-old Ferguson surpassed fellow supremo Matt Busby’s record set during his two spells in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Sunderland are just one of two teams against whom United failed to score this season (the other being Manchester City). The Black Cats are now in sixth place. They won twice and drawn once without conceding a goal in their last three outings.
Crown pretenders Manchester City lost the chance to top the standings in the top flight for the first time in 81 years last Monday when they were beaten at home by Everton.
Today, City travel to the north east to play guests to Newcastle.
The rift between manager Roberto Mancini and Carlos Tevez has now been patched up as defender Micah Richards hailed the Italian boss for giving him ‘a lot of confidence’ to get his career back on track.
Spurs undefeated
Tottenham, who play Milan in the first knock-out round of the Champions League, face Aston Villa in the Midlands in the evening kick-off today.
Spurs are undefeated in eight league and cup matches. The Villains’ win in the derby against West Brom gave the players and manager a much-needed shot in the arm at this crunch time of the campaign.
Also today, Liverpool take a trip to the seaside to cross swords with Blackpool with depressing thoughts that The Tangerines were the only side to beat them at Anfield in the league this season.
Liverpool are expected to be busy in the January transfer market with so many players being mentioned with a move in or out of Anfield. But the big if remains the future of boss Roy Hodgson, now that Rafael Benitez is without a job after being sacked by Inter on Thursday.
A cracker of a game should be the duel between Bolton and West Brom at the Reebok Stadium.
Two sides marshalled by ambitious managers in Owen Coyle, for the Trotters, and Roberto Di Matteo, for Albion. In all four times they met in the Premier League, home side Bolton never went down to the Baggies.
Another Boxing Day derby in London is scheduled for Craven Cottage, where Fulham take on West Ham.
The Hammers, although still at rock bottom, were over the moon for the way they gained a precious point from their game at Blackburn. These two struggling teams are divided by three points and a West Ham win could see them walk off from rock bottom.
Rumours are rife that Mark Hughes could be dismissed by the year’s end if Fulham go down to West Ham.
Last Monday, Everton defied the odds and kept Manchester City at bay after scoring two quick goals. Today, Everton entertain Birmingham at Goodison Park.
The Toffees will be without the bustling Anichebe, serving a one-match ban.
Wolves-Wigan is one of those matches that the home side must win if they want to survive another season in the top flight.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is working hard to strengthen his side with two ex-Wolves players Robbie Keane, of Tottenham, and Joleon Lescott, of Manchester City, being mentioned as possible signings.
The Latics have not won in their last five league matches.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Aston Villa-Tottenham (18:30) - X
Blackburn-Stoke - X
Blackpool-Liverpool - 2
Bolton-West Brom - X
Everton-Birmingham - 1
Fulham-West Ham (13:00) - X
Man. Utd-Sunderland - 1
Newcastle-Man. City - 2
Wolves-Wigan - 1
Tomorrow:
Arsenal-Chelsea (21:00) - 2
Standings: Man. United 34; Arsenal, Man. City 32; Chelsea 31; Tottenham, Sunderland 27; Bolton 26; Newcastle, Liverpool, Blackpool, WBA, Blackburn 22; Stoke, Everton 21; Aston Villa 20; Birmingham 18; Fulham, Wigan 16; Wolves 15; West Ham 13.
The Championship
Barnsley-Burnley - X
Cardiff-Coventry - 1
Crystal Palace-Norwich (14:00) - X
Derby-Doncaster - 1
Ipswich-Watford - X
Leicester-Leeds - 1
Middlesbrough-N. Forest - pp
Portsmouth-Millwall (14:00) - 1
QPR-Swansea (14:00) - 1
Reading-Bristol City - 1
Scunthorpe-Preston - pp
Sheffield Utd-Hull - 1
League One
Bournemouth-Plymouth - 1
Bristol Rovers-Walsall - pp
Charlton-Southampton (14:00) - X
Dagenham-Brighton (14:00) - 2
Exeter-Swindon - 1
Huddersfield-Hartlepool - 1
Leyton Orient-MK Dons (14:00) - 1
Notts County-Rochdale - pp
Oldham-Carlisle - pp
Peterborough-Colchester - pp
Tranmere-Sheffield Wed. - pp
Yeovil-Brentford - p
League Two
Accrington Stanley-Crewe - pp
Aldershot-Gillingham - 1
Bradford-Chesterfield - pp
Macclesfield-Morecambe - pp
Northampton-Burton Albion - 1
Port Vale-Lincoln City - pp
Shrewsbury-Bury - X
Southend-Barnet (14:00) - 1
Stevenage-Oxford Utd - 1
Stockport-Rotherham - pp
Torquay-Cheltenham - 1
Wycombe-Hereford - 1
Hot four
Manchester United, Reading, Huddersfield Town, Port Vale.