Benitez hopes Torres can start against Portsmouth

Another round of Premier League action beckons, weather permitting, and the first game of the weekend is potentially one of the most intriguing, as Liverpool travel to bottom club Portsmouth.

Under pressure Rafa Benitez hopes to be able to hand Fernando Torres a start as he comes back from injury, and he could be joined up front by youngster David Ngog. Jamie Carragher will make his 600th appearance for Liverpool at the back.

It is almost impossible to predict how the Reds will perform at the moment, but if they are to deliver on Benitez's promise of a top four finish they cannot afford to drop any points against Pompey.

Portsmouth will be no pushovers, however. They produced a battling performance in a losing cause against Chelsea in midweek and, with Avram Grant as manager, are increasingly bullish about their chances of staying in the top flight. Younes Kaboul is set to return at the back after suspension.

Manchester United travel to Fulham, who famously beat them at the Cottage last season. Alex Ferguson's men will be anxious to avoid a repeat of that slip-up, and the disciplinary meltdown that left them with just nine men by the end. A win is vital if they want to maintain the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table.

The Cottagers are sitting pretty in ninth place in the league and have made the last 32 in the Europa League. With Bobby Zamora in a rich vein of form there is no doubt they are a team to be reckoned with this season.

Alex Ferguson's injury crisis is slowly abating but United are still without Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville. Fulham recall Paul Konchesky and Chris Baird, who missed the midweek game through suspension. Defender Brede Hangeland also returns after being rested.

The evening game on Saturday sees Hull travel to Arsenal. The Tigers pulled off one of the upsets of the season last term when they won at the Emirates.

The Gunners were their usual frustrating selves this week, pulling off a great win at Anfield and then throwing much of that hard work away by drawing with Burnley. But a victory is essential if they want to stay in touch with the top two. However, Arsene Wenger will be without his skipper Cesc Fabregas - who has been linked with a move to Barcelona - after he picked up a hamstring injury in the Burnley game.

Hull are still in relegation trouble with just two points from their last three games and are missing midfielder Jimmy Bullard. He will not return from a knee injury until well into the new year.

Chelsea visit West Ham, managed by former favourite Gianfranco Zola, on Sunday looking to extend their lead at the top of the table. They appeared to put their recent wobble behind them with victory over Portsmouth in the week, but still looked unconvincing at times.

Frank Lampard looks set for another afternoon of abuse from fans of his old club but says he hopes the Hammers will avoid the drop. But he will also be hoping for a Chelsea win at Upton Park in what is always a frenetic derby match.

Mark Hughes' future at Manchester City is in question and he cannot afford a slip-up as his side visit Sunderland. City lost for only the second time this season to Spurs, but it has emerged that the Manchester club have approached Guus Hiddink about taking over in the hotseat.

City lie in eighth place in the table, a point behind Birmingham and Liverpool.

Fifth placed Spurs travel to 0-0 draw specialists Blackburn on Saturday after Harry Redknapp announced that he wants to finish in the top four. A win is be vital if those aspirations are to be met.

In the other games, fourth placed Aston Villa host Stoke and, on Sunday, Everton entertain high-flying Birmingham. In the final game of the weekend Wolves and Burnley clash at Molyneux, with Mick McCarthy certain to pick a stronger team than the one that lost to Manchester United. ·