Test of nerves at Anfield

Chelsea boasted an unbeaten record away from home this season until they suffered their first setback last month when going down 3-0 at Manchester United.

The Blues travel to Liverpool tomorrow still enjoying the best record on their travels but they will have to be extra careful not to concede another defeat that could jeopardise their chances.

In midweek, all Premiership sides were involved in another programme of matches with current leaders Manchester United going on to consolidate their lead at the top.

Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to join Liverpool in second place as Rafa Benitez's team only managed a point at Wigan after a one-all draw. United are now two points clear and with a game in hand.

Londoners Chelsea were boosted with the news this week that Michael Ballack is looking to prolong his stay at Stamford Bridge as assistant manager Ray Wilkins stressed that Chelsea will not be transferring Didier Drogba.

Chelsea, however, let goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini join Tottenham on a free transfer in midweek.

Liverpool, having paid 20m for lethal finisher Robbie Keane, were perplexed that the striker did not show up after Benitez preferred to call up unknown Frenchman David Ngog instead of the ex-Spurs man.

Benitez appears to have lost his plot lately as the team became the pundits' favourite for a drawn result.

United downed West Brom away 5-0 on Tuesday. This evening they face in-form Everton at Old Trafford looking to secure another three points before waiting for the outcome of tomorrow's clash of nerves at Anfield, hoping their nearest rivals would 'kill off' each other in a stalemate.

After the 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the FA Cup, Everton had to settle for a similar result, this at home to Arsenal in the league. Today, Tim Howard and Phil Neville will be facing their ex-mates. Wayne Rooney, formerly of Everton, is down with hamstring trouble.

Alex Ferguson has again hinted that a winter break would do a wealth of good. It seems, there are other Premier League managers who favour this move.

At Villa Park, high-flyers Aston Villa, 1-0 winners at Portsmouth on Tuesday, could temporary go second if they beat Wigan today.

Villa will parade Emile Heskey − scored on his debut at Fratton Park − in front of their own fans before the match against the burly forward's former club Wigan.

Heskey is at his second spell with manager Martin O'Neill after working together at Leicester City. Villa have already beaten Wigan 4-0 in the first round.

A London derby in prospect is the clash between Arsenal and West Ham at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have found their rhythm once more and the draw at Goodison Park on Wednesday was a point gained rather than two lost.

This week, the Hammers paid a club record fee of 8m to acquire the services of Germany attacker Savio Nsereko from Brescia.

Uganda-born Nsereko, 19, will fill the void left by Craig Bellamy.

After their defeat at West Ham, newcomers Hull can return to winning ways against West Brom at the KC Stadium.

Tigers boss Phil Brown did well to capture the signature of Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard. The last time Hull beat WBA in the league was in 1991-92 (1-0), in the 'old' Third Division.

Fulham must forget about Bullard and concentrate on their job to stay in a safe mid-table position. The Londoners, coming from a 1-0 upset at Sunderland, host troubled Portsmouth this afternoon.

Cottagers' boss Roy Hodgson claimed that Bullard's demands to sign a new deal left him with no option but to sell the midfielder.

Pompey boss Tony Adams has been a busy man this month wheeling and dealing to keep his side afloat. The FA Cup demise at home to lowly Swansea, when Portsmouth were defending the trophy, has put Adams's name along with those who can get the sack before Easter.

At Man. City, Mark Hughes has cash to spare as he scrutinises the market trying to tempt star players to jump on his bandwagon.

Today, City square up to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. The three points acquired at home to Newcastle in midweek gave Hughes's team a much-needed shot in the arm and deviated attention from the off-field troubles of Brazilian Robinho.

Tomorrow, Newcastle will be hoping for a further lift in confidence with a win over Sunderland in the north-east derby.

Newcastle avoided defeat to Sunderland in their last four Premier League meetings: 2-0, 3-2, 2-0, 1-1.

Harry Redknapp will expect an improvement from his players at Tottenham after all the cash he spent in the transfer market in his bid to avoid the dreaded drop.

Spurs, following their home win over Stoke, will combat Bolton away.