Premiership

After the distraction of European football in the week, it is back to Premiership action this weekend and the big clash between north-west rivals sees Manchester United travel to Anfield to face second placed Liverpool in a classic match-up.

Early league leaders Liverpool have stuttered in recent weeks, dipping out of the Champions League and losing top spot in the Premiership to Arsenal.

Last weekend saw more disappointment with a 3-2 reverse at out-of-form Fulham, which allowed this weekend's opponents United to close the gap on them to five points.

Although not back to full strength - the absence of Beckham, Butt and Keane would leave a huge hole in any midfield - United continue to keep the league leaders in their sights, as well as progressing well in Europe.

The result may come down to chances being taken on Sunday. United are unlikely to be able to field their strongest defensive line-up, which will give Reds fans hope with Michael Owen around. Liverpool have the joint best defensive record in the top flight this season, but with five goals in only two games, who would bank on Ruud van Nistelrooy not finding the net?

Arsenal will be looking to get the defence of their title chase back on track. Their outstanding performance in Rome once again proved that they are among the finest sides in Europe today. How will Aston Villa, themselves buoyed by their 4-1 success over West Ham last weekend, fare against Wenger's wonders?

Meanwhile Chelsea will fancy their chances of another clean sheet against the division's lowest scorers Sunderland.

The country's in-form side Everton travel to the north east and 'fortress' St James Park on Sunday. Newcastle have won six of the seven league matches there this season and will be desperate to give the geordies something to shout about after Wednesday's debacle against Inter Milan.

The Toon Army will be wary of the super-sub Rooney, but must also extinguish the threat of Radzinski and Campbell who have helped fire the Toffees to third place. David Moyes side have already beaten Newcastle once at St James' in the Worthington Cup.

At the other end of the table, there will be a red-hot atmosphere at Elland Road on Sunday, but much feeling may be directed at Leeds' under-fire manager Terry Venables, who will be hoping not to give Charlton 'a hand' out of the relegation battle. The Addicks travel up the M1 full of confidence on the back of successive victories.

There is another 'six-pointer' at Maine Road, as Manchester City face Bolton, while West Brom and Birmingham face high-fliers Middlesboro and Tottenham respectively.

Finally, Facundo Sava will be looking to find the net at the right end again after his spectacular own-goal in Berlin in midweek, as Fulham travel to mid-table Blackburn. If he does we may well see a return of the mask...

First Division

The top two sides both face struggling sides this weekend. Runaway leaders Portsmouth will see a home fixture against Walsall as a chance to continue their charge to the Premiership, despite the Saddlers' victory over Gillingham last weekend.

 

And Micky Adams' Leicester side will travel to Grimsby attempting to keep pace, having lost ground with a defeat at Preston on Tuesday.

Reading are also in a rich vein of form and travel to the south-coast to face strugglers Brighton. Having been promoted behind the Seagulls last season, they have adapted much better to the challenge of the First Division and could go third with a victory after the 'Royals' romped at the Palace' on Tuesday night. A slowly improving Brighton side will have their work cut out to peg back Readings promotion challenge.

Norwich and Nottingham Forest have home ties against relegated Premiership teams who are struggling in the bottom half of the table (Derby and Ipswich) so will look to keep the pressure on the top two, while Sheffield United's Steve Kabba will be looking to get one over his old side Crystal Palace having left recently for £250,000.

At the foot of the table, Stoke travel to Gillingham, but don't expect many goals as the two sides have each managed only a goal a game so far this season. Sheffield Wednesday go to Selhurst Park to face Wimbledon, looking for their first away win of the season and certainly won't be intimidated by the atmosphere!

In other ties, Coventry host Preston, while Bradford travel south to Millwall and Burnley will be hot on their heels on their trip to Watford.


Second Division

 

The tie of the week in the Second will be fourth placed Bristol City against fifth placed Crewe. Mind games will be fierce as both Danny Wilson and Dario Gradi were present at The FA's recent Psychology for Football Conference, so the psychological advantage could be crucial.

On Friday night, leaders Cardiff go to QPR where confidence will be rock-bottom having lost on penalties to Vauxhall Motors in a midweek FA Cup replay. Goals are hard to come by for Rangers at present and the Bluebirds mean defence is unlikely to yield too much.

Oldham travel across the Moors to play improving Barnsley having overcome a tricky FA Cup replay against Burton in the week, while Wigan are visited by mid-table Northampton.

Just outside the play-off places, Brentford travel to Cheltenham and Luton to Tranmere.

There is no let up for the bottom three as they all have away trips this weekend. Bottom club Mansfield are at Port Vale, Peterborough are at Swindon and Huddersfield are at Chesterfield. The Terriers boss Mick Wadsworth may well be glad of an away fixture though, as home games have seen vociferous protests at his teams performances recently.

Blackpool against Notts County, Colchester versus Plymouth and Stockport versus Wycombe completes the fixtures in the Second Division.


Third Division


We start at the base of the division where newcomers Boston United have a crucial game against fellow strugglers Leyton Orient. The O's boss Paul Brush is under pressure following the club's FA Cup exit at the hands of Margate and this tie represents another massive test for his side's character.

Boston will know that they are only kept from the foot of the table on goal difference over Swansea and the south Wales outfit are at home this weekend. The Swans have gained 80% of their total points at the Vetch Field, so will see this week's visit of Shrewsbury as a golden opportunity to lift themselves off of the bottom.

 

The top six teams all find themselves at home with new Hartlepool manager Mike Newell looking to keep his new charges on top spot, with a win over Kidderminster.

Rushden, visited by struggling Bristol Rovers, will hope to stay in contention with the Monkey Hangers while The Cherries will try to avoid being squashed by The Irons at Dean Court, as Scunthorpe provide a stern test for Bournemouth.

Torquay will be boosted by the news that striker Anthony Bedeau has had his red card against Boreham Wood rescinded, so will be available for their tie against Rochdale and Wrexham will be looking to the division's leading scorer Andy Morrell to help them close the gap at the top, after a brace last weekend against Bristol Rovers.

Bury v Exeter, Cambridge v Macclesfield, Darlington v Southend, Oxford v Lincoln and York v Carlisle make up the rest of the weekend's action.

Stay logged on to TheFA.com for a round-up of the this weekend's matches on Monday...