Ferguson looks to leave Eriksson stranded

After avoiding defeat at the death at White Hart Lane last weekend, Manchester United will now try to tame Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Alex Ferguson will be seeking to avenge the upset to Sven-Goran Eriksson's side on Day 3 of the Premiership this season.

Last week's last-gasp draw at Tottenham saw United surrender top spot to Arsenal. The latter are enjoying a two-point lead.

United can temporarily reclaim their place at the summit once more this weekend as Arsenal are only in action on Monday night when they host Blackburn Rovers.

The Citizens have dropped to seventh place in the standings after a poor run of form in which they failed to win any of their last four league matches.

Man. City were boosted by the news that striker Benjani Mwaruwari completed his transfer from Portsmouth for a reduced fee of £3.87 million - half the price Pompey had asked for on the last day of the transfer window.

Eriksson was also pleased to hear that Micah Richards has vowed to commit his future to the club.

This weekend, a minute's silence will be observed in memory of the Manchester United Munich disaster 50 years ago.

In the six times that United and City met in the Premier League at Old Trafford, the latter have yet to register a win but claimed four draws to round the overall tally at home and away in 137 encounters as follows:

Manchester United: 53 wins; City 36 wins; 48 games finished as draw.

The last time City won at Old Trafford was way back in April 1974, 1-0.

Four draws

Emirates Stadium. In the corresponding first-round fixture in August between Arsenal and Blackburn, the latter had managed to hold the Gunners to a draw at Ewood Park.

That result was the first of four away draws Arsenal were involved in this season, the others coming against Liverpool 1-1, Newcastle 1-1 and Portsmouth 0-0.

The Londoners are now on a domestic run of nine matches without defeat.

Striker Emanuel Adebayor is in a hot scoring form lately. Last Saturday, he netted a brace against Manchester City and afterwards revealed that he is never satisfied with the number of goals he scores.

The Togo striker has a total of 21 goals compared to the 12 he netted last season. Certainly, those who claimed that Thierry Henry will be sorely missed, now have other ideas.

Blackburn have gained three straight draws in their last outings and will be more than glad if they could make it four in a row on Monday.

Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's formidable home record can see them through once more against Liverpool. The Blues dropped two precious points in the race for the title against Portsmouth last week and they are now six points behind Arsenal.

Argentine youngster Franco Di Santo, who joined Chelsea last month, is confident that he can be part of his new club's forward line.

Liverpool have also been in talks with another Argentine star as Javier Mascherano is set to sign a permanent deal of £18m at Anfield.

The Reds were back to winning ways after a 3-0 victory over Sunderland as striker Fernando Torres hit his 18th goal of the season.

Goodison Park. Today, Everton are expected to strengthen their fourth-placing in the standings when they host struggling Reading who have yet to chalk up their first away win of the season.

The Toffees will be keen to avenge their defeat at Reading earlier in the campaign. They are unbeaten in their last five league excursions, three wins and two draws, in which they conceded only one goal.

Manager David Moyes remarked that he was glad to add steel to his backline with the on-loan capture of Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner.

Royals boss Steve Coppell admitted fans' criticism was hurting him.

On the other hand he was delighted that his best player, Stephen Hunt, had put pen to paper on a new contract at the Madejski Stadium.

Villa Park. Newcastle have finally broken their scoring duck under new manager Kevin Keegan after Michael Owen's strike in last week's derby against Middlesbrough. The 1-1 draw was also the first point gained by the Magpies under the new management.

This afternoon, Newcastle will face Aston Villa who are likely to be be without the services of Gabriel Agbonlahor who suffered a pulled hamstring in the disappointing loss at Fulham.

Yet, Villa look more vulnerable in front of their own fans, having lost four league games to the two they suffered away.

The Toon have a formidable record at Villa Park, where in 14 Premier League games they lost only three, winning six and drawing the remaining five.

Reebok Stadium. Despite the departure of Nicolas Anelka, now at Chelsea, Gary Megson's Bolton seem well-equipped to beat the drop after adding a few quality signings last month.

Bolton host Portsmouth today. The Trotters have a good record against Pompey winning five points in their last three meetings without conceding a goal.

That run should bode well against a Portsmouth team who boasts the capture of England forward Jermain Defoe.

Harry Redknapp wants to sign Defoe permanently and has high hopes that the forward's sharp finishing will boost the club's prospects of booking a place in European football next season.

Pride Park. After their creditable performance against Manchester United, Tottenham will hope to have the confidence needed to notch up their second away win of the season against bottom-placed Derby.

So far, Tottenham have managed only one away win after beating Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny admitted that he would be overjoyed to stay at Tottenham beyond his current contract.

However, the Spurs' defensive department was severely dented by the news that Gareth Bale is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Derby are expected to give Australian international forward Mile Sterjovski his debut after he was granted a work permit.

For the first time this season, the Rams earned back-to-back points with draws against Manchester City, at home, and Birmingham, away.

Upton Park. Birmingham City, now in the drop zone, have failed to win in their last six league matches.

Yet, there are plenty of points to play for and today they visit West Ham, having already lost to the Hammers 0-1 at St Andrew's.

Strikers Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora can both be included in the West Ham squad after they scored in a specially-arranged practice match against QPR in midweek.

Stadium of Light. Sunderland, currently two points above the relegation zone, have a squad of players fighting for every ball, as they showed at Liverpool, in their attempt to stay in the top flight.

These attributes can also be attached to Wigan who have the same points total as their opponents. This relegation six-pointer will leave the losers disjointed.

The last time these two teams met in the top flight was in 2005-06 when the Latics made the double on the Black Cats, winning both matches 1-0.

Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough's French striker Jeremie Aliadiere (ex-Arsenal) feels that if his side topples Fulham today they will eventually retain their Premier League status.

Yet, after chalking up their first win of the season under manager Roy Hodgson against Aston Villa, Fulham will feel confident even if they are still in search of their first win on their travels.