Spurs look to affirm their top placing in north London

The top three places in the Premier League standings feature Chelsea followed by Charlton and Tottenham. At White Hart Lane this afternoon, the Spurs will clash with Arsenal in the north London derby with intentions of conserving their high placing.

As goals continued to pile up in the Premiership, the clubs below Chelsea were pleased last week that the leaders had dropped their first points of the season.

Tottenham were particularly glad about the Blues' hiccup (vs Everton 1-1) as they held on to their record of 11 consecutive victories in the top flight from the start of a season. That feat was attained in 1960-61.

Today, Tottenham will seek to claim their first win at home since Sol Campbell defected to Highbury in 2001. Their last home league win over Arsenal came in 1999-00: 2-1 (Iverson, Sherwood - Vieira).

Last season, the fans were gifted with a goal feast in the Gunners' victory by the odd goal in nine.

Meanwhile, Robert Pires re-marked he was surprised that Arsenal did not sign a replacement for Patrick Vieira. He also apologised for his bizarre penalty miss against Man. City that could have cost his side points with the score reading 1-0.

This week, Arsenal's 'reserves' defeated Sunderland 3-0 away in the League Cup third round.

Chelsea vs Blackburn. Jose Mourinho stated that his team was robbed after they were annuled a 'legitimate' Didier Drogba goal for offside at Everton. The game is full of ups and downs and Mourinho should know better.

On Wednesday, the League Cup holders bowed out to Charlton in a penalty shoot-out.

In the foreword of a new book on Chelsea, owner Roman Abramovich wrote that he wanted to build a legacy at Stamford Bridge that will last 100 years. Damien Duff can return against his former side.

Last week, Rovers attained their fourth clean sheet of the season with a 2-0 home win over Birmingham.

Charlton vs Bolton. Charlton lead Bolton by two points before this clash between two of the most improved sides in the Premiership these last few years.

What is odd about Charlton is how they have won all of their five away matches but then emerged triumphant only once in four games at home.

In the League Cup at Chelsea, the Addicks played their hearts out to give boss Alan Curbishley a special threat.

Wigan vs Fulham. Who can deny Wigan's lofty heights in their first ever presence in the Premiership and being also one of the 'youngest' sides in the league - elected to the 'old' Division IV in 1978.

The Latics are enjoying their bright start and the much more fancied sides who are well below them should examine carefully what is making them tick and find out how Wigan's formula works.

Fulham, having paid homage to their best ever player Johnny Haynes, last week saw off Liverpool to complete a perfect farewell to one of the ambassadors of football.

M'boro vs Man. United. The meeting of Alex Ferguson and former assistant Steve McClaren has now become a norm.

Boro are still talking about the 'goal' that never was at Upton Park, where West Ham gained all the points in a 2-1 win.

It seems that these goal-line decisions always go in favour of defenders... perhaps it is time that the forwards hold the upper hand!

United's negative performances at Old Trafford persisted and they have now failed to win in their last three Premiership games. Wayne Rooney, who ended his teenage years last Monday with high hopes of becoming more mature, will be keen to score his club's 1,000th Premiership goal.

Both United and Boro surpassed their League Cup hurdle this week.

Liverpool vs West Ham. The Dr Jeykll and Mr Hyde story at Liverpool - great in Europe but appalling at home - goes on. The fans are not happy with the way the latest chapter developed in London.

The European champions' display at Fulham was a shambles to say the least and this was followed by the League Cup exit at Crystal Palace.

It is indeed absurd to read that some of the fans will not welcome Michael Owen back (clause in his contract reads he can go for £10m) when he can guarantee the side at least 20 goals a season.

The Hammers' last league win at Anfield was 42 years ago (2-1) after 33 attempts.

Man. City vs Aston Villa. These two teams have finished on the losing end in their last Premiership outing - City at Arsenal (0-1) and Villa at home to Wigan (0-2).

In eight Premiership calls at City's patch the Villans won once, 3-1 (Merson, Dublin, Hendrie - Goater) in 2000-01.

Birmingham vs Everton. In the battle of the Blues at St Andrews, Everton will be boosted by their superb display against Chelsea at Goodison Park while the Baggies' misery in the Premier continued with another defeat at Blackburn (0-2).

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright's passionate address to underline his backing for David Moyes paid off last week.

Birmingham supremo David Gold gave a vote of confidence to Steve Bruce, but the fans are thinking it might be the 'kiss of death'.

West Brom vs Newcastle. Newcastle's 3-2 win against Sunderland in the derby gave the fans and all a much needed boost. It is great to watch the Newcastle players rally behind Graeme Souness when he is under great pressure to deliver.

Bryan Robson watched Albion go down at Bolton when he thought the Arsenal win could have served them as a spur.

In midweek, WBA eliminated Fulham away in the League Cup.

Sunderland vs Portsmouth. This will be the sides' first duel in the Premiership.

In the second grade of the English game, the Black Cats won all of their last four home clashes between these two sides.