One of the biggest clashes in the Premier League calendar is the Manchester derby between City and United.

Tomorrow’s duel engenders more drama since both teams are currently in the top three.

At Old Trafford, United can go past their neighbours if they claim the three points but City have been boosted with Raheem Sterling’s first hat-trick in the absence of Sergio Aguero.

City’s last upset came at Tottenham four matches ago, while United were beaten by second-placed Arsenal earlier this month at the Emirates Stadium.

In Europe this week, City beat Sevilla 2-1 at home and United took a point in Russia against CSKA Moscow.

Louis van Gaal believes that the derby will determine his side’s title hopes. The United boss also said he has been surprised with Wayne Rooney’s strength of character, professionalism and leadership qualities.

United were desperate to make amends for their shambolic defeat at Arsenal and did so with a fluent performance at Everton last week.

At Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini asserts authority and dropped Vincent Kompany after the captain ignored advice and played for his country in midweek internationals.

In the last ten Premier League showdowns between United and City, the home side just edge their neighbours 5-4 in terms of wins.

2014: United-City - 4-2
2014: United-City - 0-3
2013: United-City - 1-2
2011: United-City - 1-6
2011: United-City - 2-1
2009: United-City - 4-3
2009: United-City - 2-0
2008: United-City - 1-2
2006: United-City - 3-1
2005: United-City - 1-1

Arsenal appear to be firing on all cylinders, winning their last three league matches, netting a total of 11 goals and conceding two.

They continued with the good work on Tuesday following a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich.

This evening, Arsenal entertain Everton at home and manager Arsene Wenger says his side have to go all out in attack if they are to stand any hope of becoming genuine title contenders.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is confident that Arsenal can use the momentum of two strong Premier League performances to give themselves the perfect build-up for future matches at home and in Europe.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez branded his side’s performance “uncharacteristic” after they lost 3-0 at home to United.

West Ham continue to blow bubbles and silence their critics with yet another remarkable win at Crystal Palace that leaves them in fourth place.

Manager Slaven Bilic insists Andy Carroll is finally over his injury hell and ready to propel the Hammers to even higher standards this season.

This afternoon, West Ham tackle champions Chelsea at Upton Park.

Jose Mourinho believes double standards are afoot in the continued hounding of Diego Costa and this week hit out at TV companies.

He hailed the character of Costa after the forward returned from suspension to inspire the Blues to a much-needed victory – a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Comeback kings Leicester have done it again... this time at Southampton, levelling the score at 2-2 after they were two goals in arrears.

Today, the Foxes take on Crystal Palace at home.

Manager Claudio Ranieri says the way Leicester keep coming back to take points from losing positions makes him feel younger.

Meanwhile, Juergen Klopp brought a breath of fresh air to the Premier League for the way he handles Liverpool from the touchline and in his meetings with the media.

Tomorrow, Klopp will get an enormous greeting for his first league match at Anfield against Southampton.

James Milner believes Klopp’s animated style of management can make him the equivalent of Liverpool’s 12th man during matches.

The north-east derby between Sunderland and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light sees the Toon’s latest manager Sam Allardyce making his home debut.

Georginio Wijnaldum scored four times last week as Newcastle registered their first Premier League win in style – beating Norwich City 6-2.

For the first time this season, Steve McClaren’s smile was not masking a frown.

Through eight winless matches the head coach had grinned as negativity descended on him and his team.

UK soccer fixtures

Premier League
Arsenal-Everton - 18:30
Aston Villa-Swansea City
Leicester-Crystal Palace
Norwich City-West Brom
Stoke City-Watford
West Ham-Chelsea

Playing today
Bournemouth-Tottenham - 15:05
Liverpool-Southampton - 17:15
Man. United-Man. City - 15:05
Sunderland-Newcastle - 13:00

Standings: Manchester City 21; Arsenal, Manchester United 19; West Ham United 17; Leicester City 16; Crystal Palace 15; Tottenham Hotspur 14; Southampton, Everton, Liverpool 13; Stoke City 12; Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion 11; Swansea City, Watford 10; Norwich City 9; Bourne-mouth 8; Newcastle United 6; Aston Villa 4; Sunderland 3.

The Championship
Blackburn-Burnley - 13:30
Bolton-Leeds United
Brighton-Preston
Charlton-Brentford
Fulham-Reading - 14:30
Huddersfield-Derby
Hull-Birmingham
Nottm Forest-Ipswich
QPR-MK Dons
Wolves-Middlesbrough

Monday:
Cardiff-Bristol City - 20:45

League One
Barnsley-Fleetwood
Blackpool-Crewe
Bradford-Wigan
Burton-Port Vale
Chesterfield-Scunthorpe
Colchester-Walsall
Gillingham-Southend
Peterborough-Doncaster
Rochdale-Oldham
Sheffield Utd-Millwall - 13:15
Shrewsbury-Bury
Swindon-Coventry

League Two
Accrington-Dagenham
Bristol Rovers-Newport
Exeter-Notts County
Hartlepool-Crawley
Luton-Plymouth
Morecambe-Leyton Orient
Northampton-Stevenage
Oxford-Barnet
Portsmouth-Mansfield
Wycombe-Carlisle
Yeovil-Cambridge
York City-Wimbledon