Premier League preview

The Red Devils saw their advantage at the summit trimmed to a solitary point by Arsenal in midweek, but can surge four clear again with victory over struggling Wigan at the DW Stadium.

Rock-bottom Wolves play host to a Blackpool side buoyed by their midweek victory over Spurs, while West Ham welcome improving Liverpool to Upton Park.

Mark Hughes returns to Eastlands as Fulham face Manchester City, Aston Villa play host to Blackburn, Bolton make the trip to Newcastle and Everton tackle Sunderland.

Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United remain favourites for the title as they lead the pack heading into the home straight and Saturday's trip to Wigan. An uninspiring FA Cup victory over Crawley and Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Marseille in the UEFA Champions League has seen criticism of the Old Trafford outfit increase from those who claim the leaders are far from their vintage best this term. The Latics have lost 11 straight Premier League meetings against their North West rivals, including last term's 5-0 home drubbing, but need the points as they battle against the drop.
Sights

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has claimed he no longer sees his team as title challengers, but a top-four finish remains very much in their sights ahead of Sunday's clash with Fulham. With Tottenham and Chelsea not in action, the Eastlands outfit have an opportunity to open up a gap on the London duo with victory over the Cottagers. Hughes can expect a decent reception from the City faithful on his return to the club he left in farcical circumstances at the end of 2009, and will be keen to erase memories of the 4-1 drubbing suffered at the hands of City at home in November.

Wolves can boast they are the only side to have beaten Manchester United this term, but that victory will count for nothing if Mick McCarthy's men cannot escape the bottom three. All from within the Molineux camp have highlighted the need to overcome their fellow strugglers if they are to avoid the drop, with Saturday's visitors Blackpool certainly falling into that category. Ian Holloway's likeable Seasiders gave their season a much-needed shot in the arm with victory over Spurs in midweek and success in the Midlands would open up a 10-point gap on their opponents.

West Ham are another side for who the fixtures are beginning to run out as they scrap to remain among the elite of English football. Avram Grant's men have 11 matches remaining and are just three points from safety. Such is the congested nature of the bottom half of the Premier League table that just seven points separate Blackburn in 11th and Wolves and the Hammers at the foot. Liverpool make a welcome return to Premier League action after a two-week break from domestic duties and will be keen to regain the momentum which was halted by their 1-1 home draw with Wigan.

Challengers

Everton's expectations of being among the challengers for European football this term were tempered some time ago and they remain entrenched in the scrap against the drop ahead of their home meeting with Sunderland. The joy of the Toffees' FA Cup success against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge must be set aside in the battle for important Premier League points. Steve Bruce's ambitions of seeing the Black Cats secure continental football next term have been hit by three successive defeats, although they remain seventh in the standings.

Bolton face Newcastle on the back of a dismal run of form on their travels in the Premier League. Owen Coyle's side have suffered six successive top-flight defeats on the road and have won just one of their last 12 on their travels. The Trotters can, however, take heart from their recent FA Cup form following 1-0 victories away to Wigan and Fulham to secure their place in the quarter-finals. The Magpies finally return to the scene of their astonishing comeback against Arsenal, with their two games on the road in the intervening period seeing them claim four points.

Aston Villa remain too close to the relegation zone for comfort as Blackburn make the trip to the Midlands, with Gerard Houllier's men aware that victory would take them above their opponents, who currently sit 11th in the standings. Villa, who have next week's FA Cup clash with Manchester City to look forward to, have had a two-week break from action, with their opponents also having had the benefit of a similar period of inactivity. Stats fans will doubtless already be aware that should the hosts find the target at the weekend they will clock up their 500th home Premier League goal