Liverpool aim for fourth straight win over United

There's no doubt about which is the biggest game of the weekend - the North West grudge match between Liverpool and Manchester United that could go a long way towards deciding the title. That game kicks off on Sunday lunchtime, by which time Arsenal could well be top of the table and praying that Liverpool and Blackburn, who play Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, can spring upsets to keep them there.

If the Gunners are to go top they will have to overcome West Ham on Saturday evening. Arsenal will be confident of victory over the Hammers, particularly if Nicklas Bendtner's transformation from liability to lethal finisher proves not to be a flash in the pan.

Arsene Wenger could elect to replace midfielders Abou Diaby and Denilson, who played against Hull, with his first choice pairing of Alex Song, who is back from suspension, and Cesc Fabregas, who is expected to be fit after hamstring trouble.

West Ham do not have a bad record againt Arsenal in north London, with two wins and a draw from their last four visits. However, things are not going well for the Hammers right now - they have lost their last three games and shipped nine goals in the process. They are languishing three points off relegation but they will be lucky to get anything from this game.

Also on Saturday Aston Villa and Spurs are in action as they battle for the all-important fourth Champions League berth. Aston Villa take on Wolves at lunchtime on Saturday. A win would put them one point above Liverpool and with a game in hand, and temporarily level on points with Spurs.

Villa have not lost at home so far this year and Wolves have yet to win back-to-back games in 2010. Mick McCarthy's team are also struggling at the bottom of the table, level on points with West Ham, but with a far worse goal difference. On paper the Villans look favourites.

Spurs take on Stoke on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win would guarantee them fourth place until Wednesday at the very least.

Stoke won at White Hart Lane earlier in the season and will be hoping to do the double over the Londoners. They also welcome back Ryan Shawcross who is available after the suspension he received for breaking Aaron Ramsey's leg.

Spurs are likely to be without Ledley King, Tom Huddlestone, David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon, Jonathan Woodgate and Carlo Cudicini. Lennon's fitness is a particular concern as the England winger is not responding to treatment on a groin problem and England need him ready for the World Cup. Roman Pavlyuchenko is likely to retain his place up front alongside Jermain Defoe.

Elswhere on Saturday Everton play Bolton, Sunderland take on Birmingham and Burnley travel to Wigan. Portsmouth, who were finally docked nine points by the FA this week, take on fellow strugglers Hull, who have appointed Ian Dowie as their new manager. If he fails to win his first game in charge the Tigers could be doomed.

On Sunday it's all eyes on Old Trafford where Liverpool will try and beat Manchester United for the fourth successive game, and Nemanja Vidic will try not to get sent off yet again. In each of the three defeats the Serbian has seen red, and another dismissal today could send Sir Alex Ferguson up the wall.

The United manager is already fuming over Steven Gerrard's participation. He apparently believes the Liverpool captain should have been banned for swinging an elbow at Portsmouth's Michael Brown on Monday night.

Last season Liverpool ran out 4-1 winners at Old Trafford, but they are a shadow of the team that inflicted that humiliation on their bitter rivals. However, the Reds are improving and will be hoping to make a game of it. They may not be in the title hunt but yet another win over United could well scupper the Red Devil's title challenge.

Wayne Rooney will have other ideas of course, and the best player in the league could prove too much for Liverpool's defence to handle. Old stagers Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes could both play a part.

Off the field the fans, between whom there is usually no love lost, could put aside their differences to protest at the two clubs' sets of American owners, who have saddled both with huge debts.

After all that excitement, Fulham - the magnificent conquerors of Juventus on Thursday night - will try and shake off their hangovers as they face fourth-place-chasing Manchester City at Craven Cottage.

The final game of the weekend sees Chelsea, still licking their wounds after their Champions League exit, travel to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers. Sam Allardyce's men knocked Chelsea out of the Carling Cup and they could give their title hopes a huge knock if they can take a point or three off the Londoners.

Carlo Ancelotti will be looking for a swift and brutal response from his players after the humiliation of defeat on Tuesday at the hands of their old boss Jose Mourinho. How they react to that defeat will be fascinating. ·