Wounded Man United take on Wolves as Arsenal celebrate

WITH Manchester City not playing this weekend the chasing pack has the chance to make up some ground on the runaway league leaders, and hope that the pressure causes them to slip up against Chelsea on Monday.

Manchester United will be out for blood after being knocked out of the Champions League and Mick McCarthy's men could be Wolves to the slaughter. Down in London, Arsenal will be anxious to celebrate their 125th birthday in style with a win over Everton.

Here's the pick of the weekend's action:

Man Utd v Wolves
So, how will Manchester United react to the shame of being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages? There is no doubt that Alex Ferguson will want a response, and woe betide the players if they don't provide it. First up are Wolves, who will hardly be relishing a trip to Old Trafford in the circumstances. Mick McCarthy's men have not managed a point away from home since August, and there has been unrest at the club this season with some fans turning on the manager. However, they beat Sunderland last time out and with Nemanja Vidic ruled out with a serious knee injury they may fancy their chances of compounding United's misery. But anything other than a home win would be a massive surprise and would indicate that there is something very wrong at Old Trafford.

Arsenal v Everton
The Gunners have the opportunity to move into the top four for the first time this season if they can overcome Everton at the Emirates. Arsenal have definitely rediscovered their mojo in recent weeks, even if the second string came badly unstuck against Olympiakis in the Champions League this week. In the league they have taken 19 points from a possible 21 since losing the north London derby to Spurs. Arsene Wenger will also be anxious that a weekend of celebrations to mark the club's 125th anniversary is not marred by any mishaps on the pitch. But with Robin van Persie in scintillating form they should be able to overcome an Everton side lying in tenth place an with an erratic record. It will be a chance for Arsenal's Mikel Arteta to say hello to a few old faces. His old midfield mucker at Everton, Tim Cahill, is badly missing his distribution skills, and has yet to score this season. The Toffee's are badly in need of some firepower, they have managed only 15 goals in 13 league matches and, amazingly, Arteta, who left the club in August is still their second-hghest scorer. Arsenal will expect to claim all three points in this one.

Liverpool v QPR
An intriguing clash is in store at Anfield, where QPR are the visitors on Saturday afternoon. The Reds lost ground in the race for Europe when they were undone by Fulham on Monday night and cannot afford any more slip-ups. However, they have not been having the best of times at Anfield in recent weeks. They have drawn five of their seven home games this season and scored only nine times in the process. Jay Spearing is suspended for Liverpool and with Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard (as usual) injured, Jordan Henderson may get his chance in the centre of midfield. Indeed the team could have Dalglish written all over it. Six of the likely starting line-up, including mercurial striker Andy Carroll, arrived since he took over from Roy Hodgson. As for QPR, they have adapted well to life in the top flight, and although this game will not have been high on their hit list for points at the start of the season they may fancy their chances of earning at least a draw.

Stoke v Tottenham
On Sunday the main attraction features high flying Spurs and Stoke, the scourges of Europe. Tottenham are emerging as serious title contenders and are just two points behind Manchester United in second, with a game in hand. But they cannot afford to slip up and a trip to the Britannia will certainly test their mettle. Stoke are mid-table in the Premier League but have out-performed Spurs in Europe and are through to the knock-out stages of the competition. Stoke's European run has taken its toll on them domestically, although they will be fresh going into this game weekend. So, too, will be Spurs, and with the likes of Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor all in good touch the Londoners will be hopeful of extending their 11-game unbeaten run.

There are plenty of other intriguing match-ups this weekend. On Saturday, Newcastle, who acquitted themselves admirably during their recent run of games against Manchester City, United and Chelsea, will hope to get back to winning ways against Norwich and stay in the running for Europe.

Bolton will be desperate to kick-start their season when they take on Aston Villa, and Fulham head to south Wales to play Swansea. Bottom club Wigan head for The Hawthorns and a meeting with West Brom.

On Sunday Martin O'Neill takes his bow as Sunderland manager in a crunch match against fellow strugglers Blackburn. It is a debut he cannot afford to mess up.

And then on Monday night it's all eyes on Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on Manchester City, in what is arguably the biggest game of the Christmas period. ·