Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have little time to celebrate reaching the final 16 of the Champions League. They're preparing for two derbies this weekend that could have a big impact on the English Premier League race.
Manchester United, which has a six-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the standings, plays Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday (Rogers Sportsnet, 7:30 a.m. ET). Chelsea hosts Arsenal on Sunday (Fox Sports World Canada, 11 a.m. ET).
United has 41 points, followed by Chelsea with 35 and Arsenal with 25. Both London clubs have played a game less than the Red Devils.
But goal difference is crucial, with only one point separating Arsenal and ninth-place Bolton.
Liverpool, which also topped its Champions League group despite Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Galatasaray, hosts Fulham on Saturday. The Reds are in fifth place with 25 points.
In other Saturday matches, it's Blackburn Rovers versus Newcastle; Middlesbrough versus Wigan; Portsmouth versus Everton (Fox Sports World Canada, 5 p.m. ET, tape delay); Tottenham versus Charlton (Rogers Sportsnet, 10 a.m. ET); Watford versus Reading; and Bolton versus West Ham (Rogers Sportsnet, 12:30 p.m. ET). On Monday, Sheffield United hosts Aston Villa (Fox Sports World Canada, 3 p.m. ET).
Arsenal drew 0-0 at FC Porto on Wednesday to go through to the knockout phase. Chelsea, which had already qualified, beat Levksi 2-0 at home on Tuesday.
``They know they have a big month ahead of them, and so they didn't play to their maximum,'' Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said of his players.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his side was physically flat, overcautious and lacking in spontaneity against Porto. But he was relieved he could turn his attentions to salvaging Arsenal's domestic campaign.
``We have a big game on Sunday,'' Wenger said. ``Now we can put the Champions League into the cupboard until February and focus on the Premiership.''
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is surprised to see the Gunners virtually out of the title race already but is wary of their form against big teams _ United's only loss in the league this season was a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sept. 17.
``We know that they are a good team with strong players, therefore you go into the game with special anticipation,'' Ballack said.
Chelsea has won its last three games against Arsenal. The last time the Gunners beat the Blues was in February 2004, a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
Since the clubs first met in 1907, Arsenal has won 67 matches overall and Chelsea 47, with 49 draws.
Arsenal defender Johan Djourou sustained a hamstring injury against Porto and is doubtful for the Chelsea game. So is William Gallas, a former Chelsea player, who is still troubled by a thigh problem.
Arsenal will again be without captain Thierry Henry, who is sidelined until January with a lower back problem. He missed the 3-0 league win over Tottenham last Saturday and the Porto game.
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole _ who moved from Arsenal in an acrimonious transfer in the off-season _ is expected to play against his former club.
Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has a muscle strain and is likely to miss the game. Hilario is expected to start, with Magnus Hedman as backup.
Manchester United beat Benfica 3-1 in its Champions League match despite going a goal down.
``There's not a lot of time to recover,'' manager Alex Ferguson said. ``But possibly the best that has happened was to win on Wednesday night because I expect the recovery now to not be a problem for us.''
Manchester City is in 12th place but often lifts its game against United.
Overall, United has won 57 times, City has won 39 times, with 49 draws. The first derby took place in 1894, with United winning 5-2. Last season, City won 3-1 at home and drew 1-1 at Old Trafford.
``It's a game that earlier this season or last year we may have lost, but we are a lot more solid at the back and through midfield,'' City defender Richard Dunne said. ``If we can just get the breaks up front, our season would be a lot better off but we can go into Saturday with no fear.''
The last time City took three points at Old Trafford was in March 2004, when it won 4-1 in the league.
City has long lived in the shadow of its more famous rival, but chairman John Wardle said Thursday that the club had opened talks that could lead to significant investment in the club.
In the Football League Championship, leader Birmingham hosts second-place Preston and third-place Cardiff hosts Ipswich. Birmingham has 40 points, followed by Preston and Cardiff with 38.
