Manchester City and Manchester United will continue their cat-and-mouse game at the top of the English Premier League when they return to domestic action on Sunday.
United’s victory over Tottenham last weekend maintained the two-point gap to their city rivals and left Sir Alex Ferguson’s team 11 points clear of Tottenham in third, surely ruling them out of the title battle once and for all.
Both teams face Europa League matches on Thursday night before turning their attention back to the league, with City travelling to Swansea while United host in-form West Brom, who have scored 10 goals in winning their last three games.
City boss Roberto Mancini confirmed striker Mario Balotelli was fined one week’s wages for breaking a curfew ahead of their victory over Bolton last week, while he also revealed his interest in another striker, Arsenal’s Robin van Persie, should he become available in the summer.
Mancini told several national newspapers: “I think all the good teams are interested in Van Persie.
“I think Van Persie at this moment is one of the best strikers in Europe with (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and with Sergio (Aguero) and Mario (Balotelli).
“I think he is a fantastic striker, but I think he will remain with Arsenal.”
Tottenham’s focus is now on trying to stay ahead of a resurgent Arsenal, who host Newcastle on Monday, but their FA Cup victory over Stevenage on Wednesday night came at a cost with captain Michael Dawson ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.
That leaves boss Harry Redknapp short on central defensive cover ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Everton, with Ledley King and William Gallas also doubtful.
Roberto Di Matteo’s first league match as interim manager of Chelsea sees the Blues host Stoke, who were also the opponents for Andre Villas-Boas’ opening match at the start of the season.
The Portuguese left Stamford Bridge last Sunday following a poor run of results, but Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes the experience will benefit him.
“He had a very difficult job,” said Pulis.
“To go into Chelsea and turn it around in eight months was very difficult. I found him to be a nice chap. I’m sure he will get back into the game and that it will have been a great experience for him.”
At the bottom of the table, Bolton and QPR face a crunch clash on Saturday at lunchtime. The Trotters currently sit second bottom of the table, two points below Rangers, and boss Owen Coyle knows time is running out.
He said: “It is a six-pointer, we have to face that. We have six home games to go and we have to maximise the opportunity in front of us.”
There is another huge match between Wolves and Blackburn, who are separated only by goal difference either side of the relegation line, while bottom side Wigan visit Norwich.
Sunderland will hope to have recovered from a stormy Tyne-Wear derby last weekend when they host Liverpool while Fulham will look to make it four wins in a row at Aston Villa.
Villa manager Alex McLeish has endured a difficult first season and they could yet get dragged into the relegation scrap, but striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged the fans to get behind the Scot.
He said: “The fans are entitled to their opinions but the chairman (Randy Lerner) has made a choice in bringing the manager here and everyone has got to get behind him. I think it affects the players otherwise.
“He has come in at the start of the season and fans need to give him time to work his ideas through the club.”
