Vital fixtures coming up for title-chasing trio

Premier League leaders Chelsea have 11 more matches to go and chasing duo Manchester United and Arsenal a game less.

At present, the Blues lead United by six points and the Gunners by ten. The vital fixtures will come in mid-April when the trio will be involved in direct clashes in the space of a few days.

Apart from the title-winning team, the second-placed side will earn an automatic entry in next season's Champions League.

League Cup winners

Norwich vs Chelsea. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea claimed their first honour of the club's new era since the arrival of Roman Abramovich after beating Liverpool in the League Cup final.

During the match, the fans had to endure more antics from Mourinho as he was sent into the dressing room for his 'silence gesture' to the Liverpool supporters after Chelsea scored an equaliser.

At the end of the match he went on to shake hands with the Liverpool staff, but, would he have been in the same mood had Chelsea finished on the losing end?

In their last nine league travels, the Londoners won eight and drew one match. Goalkeeper Petr Cech, after claiming ten clean sheets, is on a Premier League record of 961 minutes without conceding a goal.

The Canaries, at home to Manchester City on Monday, lost all the points in their attempt to avoid the drop.

C. Palace vs Man. United. The Red Devils will continue to apply the pressure on Chelsea if, as expected, they obtain all points at Selhurst Park today.

The Mancunians, having won seven out of their last eight league excursions, will probably give another outing to Ruud van Nistelrooy with the Champions League return tie at the San Siro in mind.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has backed United fans in their opposition to Malcolm Glazer.

Palace, following their vital win over Birmingham, are now four points clear of the relegation zone.

Arsenal vs Portsmouth. After dropping two priceless points at Southampton, Arsenal won their FA Cup replay at Sheffield United in midweek but only after a penalty shoot-out.

Arsenal's comedy of errors in their defensive department continued at St Mary's Stadium. Arsene Wenger tried to protect himself from the erratic performances in Europe by saying that the English considered that their clubs should do well in the Champions League or go on to win the trophy.

That is indeed the main target. There's only one winner in a match but to fall to such a low standard as Arsenal did in Munich is another matter. Pompey have lost four on the trot on their travels in the League.

Everton vs Blackburn. The Everton players have agreed not to talk about Champions League football even if they are the best placed team for that fourth berth.

The Blues have won six out of their last eight Premiership home matches. The Rovers, having gone past Burnley to earn a place in the last eight of the FA Cup, have high hopes of staying above the demotion area now that new boss Mark Hughes has settled in at Ewood Park.

Newcastle vs Liverpool. Steven Gerrard is human and can put through his own goal as he did in the League Cup final, though it was his first ever.

The England man later said that the side must stay focused to attain a fourth place finish and that the Champions League dream is still there. He also added that he had not given up his dream of lifting a trophy as Liverpool captain.

The Toon are in a vein of good form as they won four games on the trot to improve their chances in the domestic and UEFA Cup competitions.

Manchester City vs Bolton. This Lancashire derby is scheduled for Monday night. The Trotters lost at Middlesbrough after a string of positive results, but they will pick themselves up and persist with their fight to earn a place in Europe.

The Citizens earned a win at Norwich to keep themselves away from danger but they are also outside the European places zone.

Southampton vs Tottenham. The Saints, having seen off Brentford at the second attempt to progress in the FA Cup, must keep within striking distance of the clubs above since they appear to be anchored to third spot from the bottom.

The Spurs also needed a replay (at Nottingham Forest) to earn their slot among the last eight of the FA Cup. Boss Martin Jol has stated that he will remain at White Hart Lane after being linked with the vacant job at Ajax.

Fulham vs Charlton. This London derby is the second successive one for the Cottagers. They lost at Tottenham last Saturday.

Although they failed to win in their last three league excursions, Charlton earned significant draws at Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Aston Villa vs Middlesbrough. While M'Boro continue to fight for a best finish in the Premiership they have also moved in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

Villa, meanwhile, persist in frustrating their own supporters and entered their dressing rooms to a chorus of boos following another pathetic display against Everton.

West Brom vs Birmingham. This all-Midlands affair is a high profile match and sparks will fly at the Hawthorns. Albion appear to be on the track for a return to the second grade of the League.