London - The ding-dong battle at the top of the English Premier League is set for more twists and turns this weekend as Liverpool look to put pressure on leaders Manchester United and Chelsea try to sneak up on the rails. Champions United are favourites, sitting one point clear of Liverpool and four ahead of Chelsea, with a game in hand on both their title rivals.
Their come-from-behind victory over Aston Villa last weekend lifted their spirits after back-to-back defeats in the league, but a midweek 2-2 Champions League draw with Porto will have done little to settle their confidence.
Liverpool have the chance to get in first when they entertain Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Saturday, but they will have to bounce back from their shock 3-1 home loss to Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
After five consecutive wins, and 15 goals in the process, their confidence will undoubtedly have been rocked by Wednesday's defeat, but manager Rafael Benitez said he was sure they would rebound.
"I hope it doesn't affect the players," Benitez said.
"We need to forget as soon as possible. We need to think about Blackburn and just play our game."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had suggested that the winner of the Liverpool-Chelsea tie would be the biggest challengers to his team's hopes of a third title, but thagt was dismissed by Benitez.
United, though, have enough problems of their own, having faltered in recent games and needing an injury-time winner from 17-year-old Federico Macheda to beat Villa 3-2 last weekend.
With Sunderland still battling against relegation, United may not have everything their own way on Saturday, at least not if under-fire Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia gets his wish.
"Against Manchester United, anything can happen. We have to hope that they maybe have an off-day and we have to be more adventurous," the former United reserves coach said.
"Manchester United have got Champions League games either side of this weekend and hopefully that might make a little bit of a difference."
Chelsea, meanwhile, welcome Bolton Wanderers to Stamford Bridge on a high after arguably their best performance of the season in the win at Anfield.
Guus Hiddink appears to have galvanized Chelsea with stunning effect and the Dutchman will expect three points from the visit of Bolton.
At the other end of the table, bottom side West Bromwich Albion simply have to win on their trip to Portsmouth if they are to harbour any hopes of staying up this season.
Alan Shearer is another manager desperate for points as his Newcastle side travel to Stoke City, who themselves are not yet safe.
, Shearer knows his team cannot afford to lose. Newcastle are three points away from security with only seven games to go and a tough fixture list on the home stretch.
"It's a must-not-lose game for us," Shearer said. "But we have seven games like that between now and the end of the season."
"We know what type of game to expect down there on Saturday, but knowing what you are going to face and handling it are two entirely different things. Stoke have a fantastic home record this season and they will be confident after winning at the weekend."
Middlesbrough, sandwiched between West Brom and Newcastle, will be targeting victory from their home match with Hull City.
In the weekend's other matches, in-form Arsenal travel to Wigan Athletic, while Tottenham Hotspur host West Ham United. Aston Villa and Everton lock horns and Manchester City welcome Fulham to Eastlands.
