Rovers seek to avenge Gunners' hiding

This weekend's Premier League programme is a repeat of the opening fixtures of the four-match Christmas holidays that ended on New Year's day.

On December 23, Arsenal gunned down Blackburn Rovers 6-2 at the Emirates Stadium. So, Mark Hughes's side will go flat out to avenge that heavy defeat at their ground this evening.

Since that remarkable win, Arsenal went on to beat Watford away and Charlton at home in the league. Yet, sandwiched in between these two victories was the shock upset at Sheffield United.

Last Saturday, the Gunners toppled FA Cup holders Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield and on Tuesday night, in the League Cup quarter-finals at the same venue, they ran amok with the 'Pool in a 6-3 hiding.

Blackburn dumped Everton out of the FA Cup with a 4-1 trimming at Goodison Park last week. Before that remarkable triumph, the Rovers won five of their last six league and cup matches (their only loss was that at Arsenal).

Hughes remarked that Morten Gamst Pedersen has rediscovered his best form and the front line has been buzzing with the outbursts of South African Benni McCarthy and young Matt Derbyshire.

In the past three league clashes at Ewood Park, the Rovers beat Arsenal without conceding a goal.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa. A born scorer will continue to hit goals like Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham are still doing at the moment. Now, Manchester United have another evergreen striker in Henrik Larsson (on loan from Helsingborg). He scored on his debut in the FA Cup victory (2-1) over Aston Villa at Old Trafford last Sunday.

So, this will be the third meeting between United and Villa, with the Midlanders having also lost 0-3 at home in the league.

Alex Ferguson wants his side to be the first victorious club at the new Wembley in the FA Cup. Villa's erratic form persisted and their last win was the 1-0 victory at Everton on November 11, Chris Sutton netting the all-important goal.

Chelsea vs Wigan. Chelsea were hoping that the 6-1 win over Macclesfield will give them the boost needed to return to winning ways in the Premiership, having dropped six priceless points in their last three outings.

However, in midweek, the Blues surprisingly drew away 1-1 with Wycombe in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

The club dismissed all reports concerning the future of Jose Mourinho. The English press also mentioned that the Blues had approached Guus Hiddink to replace the Portuguese coach next summer.

Wigan signed the much-travelled David Unsworth from Sheffield United on a free transfer.

Watford vs Liverpool. After the thrashing of Bolton to retain third spot in the league, Liverpool came tumbling down with cup setbacks to Arsenal both at home - 1-3 and 3-6.

Jerzy Dudek, one of the heroes in Istanbul in the Champions League final win over Milan, dropped clangers in both cup disasters against the Gunners.

Midfield ace Momo Sissoko has high hopes of returning for the Merseyside derby against Everton on February 3 after being sidelined for three months with a dislocated shoulder.

Watford have progressed in the FA Cup but manager Adrian Boothroyd has remarked that he prefers to escape relegation than go all the way and win the cup.

Bolton vs Manchester City. Three weeks ago the Trotters won this confrontation at the City of Manchester Stadium via a brace of goals from Nicolas Anelka. This weekend, they will be in search of their third double of the campaign after beating Newcastle and Portsmouth at home and away.

Defender Sylvain Distin, one of the most wanted men on the market, uttered that he would remain at the club if City's ambitions match his.

Stuart Pearce said that he was looking to generate funds for transfers by offloading fringe players.

Sheff. United vs Portsmouth. Neil Warnock, like Watford manager Boothroyd, admitted that his main aim was to sustain the club's status in the Premiership and decided not to play his full team in the 0-3 home defeat to Swansea in the FA Cup.

After killing off speculation that owner Alexandre Gaydamak was thinking of selling the Hampshire club, Harry Redknapp warned sides looking to sign his golden oldies, Andy Cole and Nwankwo Kanu, that their future is still at Fratton Park.

Tottenham vs Newcastle. These two teams will be involved in Cup replays this month after draws at Cardiff and Birmingham, respectively.

In their 'first round' meeting in the Premiership at St James's Park, the Toon won 3-1 (Dyer, Martins Parker - Murphy).

Martin Jol and Glenn Roeder both hoped that their team would improve their away records in cup ties, but now they will have to re-play at home. Since both clubs are involved in the Uefa Cup they would have done without an extra match.

Everton vs Reading. David Moyes, who expected his side to have a good run in the FA Cup, saw Everton knocked out at the first hurdle.

Reading won their postponed match at home to Burnley 3-2 on Tuesday. A forward sign for Everton is that Spaniard Mikel Arteta aims to extend his contract at Goodison Park as Moyes informed Fulham that Simon Davies was also staying put.

Meanwhile, the Royals were glad to hear that Kevin Doyle has decided to sign a new deal.

Charlton vs Middlesbrough. Charlton's miserable season continued when they were ousted from the FA Cup by League One side Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Alan Pardew said that he would have to sell Darren Bent, but the offer must be at least £7m. Pardew has installed ex-Hull boss Phil Parkinson as his assistant.

Charlton have lost only once to Middlesbrough in the Premiership at their own lair - 1-2 in 2004-05.

West Ham vs Fulham. Alan Curbishley will be hoping that their 3-0 home win over Brighton in the FA Cup will give them fresh impetus in their struggle to escape the dreaded drop.

After the signing of Italian attacker Vincenzo Montella on loan from Roma till the end of the season, Fulham parted ways with Luis Boa Morte (£3m), who has been signed by West Ham.

Fulham have now given the captaincy armband to Michael Brown.