Chelsea and Arsenal press for an early advantage

Champions Chelsea and London rivals Arsenal lock horns at Stamford Bridge tomorrow in a Premier League clash after the Community Shield match earlier this month.

If there will be a winner after the 90 minutes this weekend, the ones on top will gain a three-point advantage so early in the season.

It is a pity that two of the favourites for the championship crown will have to clash at this phase of the campaign.

Last season we had Chelsea versus Manchester United on day one of the league.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal left it late to gather all the points last Sunday, but Chelsea did it with the last kick of the match.

Coach Jose Mourinho claimed they were never that superior and Wigan were left without the point they so richly deserved. Yet, it is victories like the ones at the JJB Stadium that will tilt the balance in favour of the eventual champions at the end of the season.

The dismissal of Jermaine Jenas, of Newcastle, at Highbury was also one of the topics of the day. The Gunners still deserved the points in the end. Reports said referee Steve Bennett has been in touch with Newcastle to apologise for his error of judgment during that game.

Some critics insisted that it is something psychological that is keeping Sol Campbell away but the Arsenal defender stressed that there was nothing wrong with him.

Chelsea have failed to defeat Arsenal in their last nine Premiership encounters at Stamford Bridge - four wins for the Gunners and five draws.

Chelsea's last home win against their London rivals came in 1995-96 (1-0). Yet, the Blues are now undefeated in 30 Premiership matches, since that upset at Manchester City in the ninth match of last season.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa. The Red Devils appear to be hungrier for the title this season.

United fell behind last year due to their erratic start when they were hit by injuries. Alex Ferguson is working hard for the story not to repeat itself.

Following their win at Everton, United ought to add three more points against appalling travellers Aston Villa. Peter Kenyon's claims that Chelsea will dominate the championship race once more have angered United and gave the players extra impetus to do well.

Villa and Bolton went goal crazy in the first nine minutes of last week's match, netting four times before settling for a 2-2 draw.

Liverpool vs Sunderland. After the 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough, where captain Steven Gerrard could have scored a hat-trick, the Reds will be out to claim their first win of the season in front of their fans.

Yet, what heartened Liverpool was that their side was formidable in midfield and at the back.

The Black Cats found out for themselves how big is the gap between the Premiership and The Championship when they went down at home 1-3 to Charlton.

In the only five occasions the two sides met at Anfield in the league, Liverpool won once: 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, 1-1, 0-0.

Bolton vs Everton. Following two major setbacks at Goodison Park, against Villarreal and Manchester United, Everton will hope that they will be more positive on their travels.

On the other hand, Bolton, having finished three points beneath their rivals and earned their first passport to Europe last season, will be keen to surpass them this time round.

Sam Allardyce continued to enlarge his foreign legion at the Reebok Stadium with the capture of Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata from Fiorentina.

In six Premiership meetings at the Trotters' den, the Blues won once, in 2003-04 (2-1).

Tottenham vs Middlesbrough. Spurs were glad to open with a win and a clean sheet at Portsmouth.

Martin Jol is hoping to give Edgar Davids his baptism after he cried out at Pompey with injury.

Huddlestone, Brown, El Hamdaoui, Parmarot and Davis also missed out with injuries.

Boro were glad to earn a point from their first outing at home to Liverpool and Steve McClaren was delighted that Stewart Downing signed a new deal.

At White Hart Lane, Spurs defeated Boro only three times in the last ten league matches.

Newcastle vs West Ham. After the visit to London on Sunday left the Toon empty-handed, they will have high hopes of chalking up their first three points at home to another side from the capital.

Graeme Souness was right after all... Jermaine Jenas's dismissal was a wrong decision. At least, Jenas will be in the side to bolster the midfield.

The Hammers could not have hoped for a better opening, defeating Blackburn 3-1 with evergreen Ted Sheringham again among the scorers last week.

Birmingham City vs Manchester City. Both contestants were involved in 0-0 draws in their opening fixture, yet Birmingham were on the road.

In the clash of two Cities, Birmingham will be keen to consolidate their run of seven undefeated matches at St Andrews.

Manchester City found that life without Shaun Wright-Phillips has left a void in their way towards goal, but Stuart Pearce is confident he can redress the situation.

Charlton vs Wigan. Alan Curbishley wore a big smile at Sunderland as he watched his side bury the opening fixture jinx that had produced four straight losses before (vs Bolton 1-4 away, vs Manchester City home 0-3, vs Chelsea home 2-3 and vs Everton home 1-2).

At their own home comfort against Wigan, the Valiants can cash in once more.

Wigan players were warned by boss Paul Jewell to forget about their debut in the top flight, after their stoppage time upset to champions Chelsea. Jewell can give a debut to Australian midfielder Josip Skoko.

Blackburn vs Fulham. Blackburn's tough approach, so heavily criticised last season, was witnessed once more in the 1-3 defeat at West Ham, where forward Paul Dickov was sent off.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman was quoted as saying that he would not sell his attacker Luis Boa Morte... not even for £10 million. Coleman has made Boa Morte skipper of the side.

Coleman will also be glad to welcome Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop back from injury.

The Londoners will be hoping to continue with their latest good work at Ewood Park, where they won in their last two calls (3-1, 2-0).

West Brom vs Portsmouth. West Brom did well to claim a point at Manchester City. Boss Brian Robson will give a debut to new £3 million signing Nathan Ellington, who finished as The Championship's top marksman with 24 goals last season.

Chris Kirkland will probably remain in goal even if Russell Hoult is back from injury after his great display in the 0-0 draw at Manchester City.

Portsmouth fell flat on their faces against Tottenham at Fratton Park and will be keen to claim their first points of the season.