Man Utd look to go top as rivals concentrate on cup

There is only one Premier League fixture this weekend, but it could have implications for the title race as Manchester United look to go top of the table while their rivals are distracted by the 'romance of the cup'.

United, who were dumped out of the FA Cup in the third round by League One Leeds, entertain lowly Hull knowing that a win would see them leapfrog Chelsea and new leaders Arsenal to the top of the table.

However United are hardly the smooth-running machine that Alex Ferguson would like. They have just one win from their last four games and were beaten by local rivals Manchester City in a high-octane derby on Wednesday.

United's main problem has been at the back, and Nemanja Vidic should return to shore up the defence but Rio Ferdinand will once again be missing, and John O'Shea is to miss the rest of the season.

Hull kept a clean sheet at the weekend thanks to the heroics of keeper Boaz Myhill and if he can produce a similar performance then Hull could pull off a shock. Loan signgin Amr Zaki is unlikely to make the squad so soon after his arrival from Egyptian side Zamalek.

In the Cup there are nine fourth round ties featuring Premier League clubs on Saturday and another two on Sunday.

The most hotly anticipated clash on Saturday will be Leeds' encounter with Spurs. The once-great Yorkshire club reminded the footballing world of their pedigree when they stunned Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last round and were rewarded with a trip to White Hart Lane.

Paradoxically, Leeds' success could be their downfall. With United out of the picture and Liverpool also eliminated clubs like Spurs suddenly see the FA Cup as a realistic proposition.

Spurs bosss Harry Redknapp is also a fan of the competition and won it in 2008 with Portsmouth - he will field his best available team on Saturday.

The biggest upset of the day could come at the little-known Fraser Eagle Stadium, where Accrington Stanley of the fourth tier take on Premier League Fulham. The Lancashire club will welcome the game not only as a chance to go down in football history, but also to swell its coffers. This week they just managed to pay a tax bill after a High Court winding up order.

Another League Two club in with a chance of claiming a Premier League scalp is Notts County, who take on Wigan at Meadow Lane. County's hopes of a new dawn under Sven Goran Ericsson this season have faltered, and they too have faced a winding up petition. But they could enjoy a taste of the high-life if they bring down Roberto Martinez's men.

League leaders Chelsea have an unappetising trip to Preston to contend with. Preston's new boss is Darren Ferguson, son of Alex, and he would like nothing more than getting one over on his dad's arch rivals in the Premier League. However, Chelsea are in a spot of form - they put seven past Sunderland last time out.

Carling Cup finalists Aston Villa entertain League One strugglers Brighton. The Seagulls are managed by ex-Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet, who won the cup in 2000, and he says he is "excited" about the prospect of a tilt at a top six Premier League club. Villa boss Martin O'Neill will be hoping for a slightly less frantic match than Wednesday night's 6-4 encounter with Blackburn.

Two of Saturday's games are all Premier League affairs as form sides Everton and Birmingham meet at Goodison Park in what could turn out to be a humdinger of a tie, and bottom club Portsmouth host Sunderland - who shipped seven goals last time out.

Three of the Premier League's strugglers take on Championship sides. Reading may be in trouble in the league but that did not stop them beating Liverpool at Anfield in the last round and they will fancy their chances against Burnley at their Madejski Stadium. Wolves face Crystal Palace and Bolton entertain Sheffield United in the other games.

On Sunday there is another all Premier League affair as Stoke take on Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium. The Gunners are desperate to put an end to their five-year wait for a trophy and will see an FA Cup win as a distinct possibility- maybe as part of an unexpected double. Midfielder Abou Diaby could be a doubt however after he limped off during the win over Bolton on Wednesday that sent Arsenal top of the league table.

The final match of the round sees Manchester City travel to Scunthorpe where the Championship outfit will be dreaming of a famous victory - although their chances would appear to be slim. ·