London - The eventual destination of the English Premier League title could become a little clearer after this weekend when champions Manchester United and Chelsea clash in a showdown at Old Trafford. Liverpool could be six points clear of Chelsea at the top on Saturday night if they win at Stoke City, but what happens at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon could go a long way toward defining the title race.
Victory for third-placed United would lift them to within one point of Chelsea, with two games still in hand and keep them on the heels of Liverpool.
A win for Chelsea, on the other hand, would convince their fans that they have what it takes to wrest the title from Sir Alex Ferguson's side this season.
"A game against Manchester United will always be a table-topping clash and it is in our minds that we dropped some relatively easy points over the last few weeks," Chelsea's Frank Lampard said.
"We are in a position now where we really want to get a result. We go to win the game or not to get beaten. There is still a long way to go regardless but it is a very important game."
Ferguson, who earlier this week began some mind games with Liverpool by suggesting they will not be able to handle the pressure at the top as the season wears on, said it was unusual to have such an important match in January.
"(In the past) it's been later," he said. "In the last two or three games - for the last two seasons. It doesn't matter when you play Chelsea, though, it's always going to be a massive game."
"It's a little different with the timing, but we are still aiming to win it. They have done very well away from home but not so well at home so it's been interesting from them this season."
Liverpool, chasing their first league title since 1990, could start with Fernando Torres for their trip to Stoke City.
The Spaniard scored on his return from hamstring trouble in the FA Cup win over Preston North End last weekend and is set to play a role against Stoke, though midfielder Xabi Alonso is set to miss out because of a foot problem.
Three points clear at the top after their best first half to a Premier League season, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, believes his side are well placed to continue their form.
"I believe we can still improve," he said. "Martin Skrtel has not been playing, (Javier) Mascherano has been playing much better in the last few games, (Steven) Gerrard is improving now and we have Torres coming back now too.
"I think we will have more options in the second half of the season and more competition for each position. That can be important."
Elsewhere this weekend, fourth-placed Aston Villa play bottom side West Bromwich Albion, while Arsenal, chasing them in fifth, are at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Jermain Defoe is set to begin his second spell at Tottenham Hotspur when they travel to Wigan Athletic on Sunday, while Blackburn Rovers, who sit one place off the bottom of the table, are away to Fulham.
