Liverpool could hand their fiercest rivals an opportunity to go six points clear at the top of the Premiership today with Manchester United expected to take full points at home to Coventry while Gerard Houllier's side host Leeds.
There has been no love lost between United and Liverpool over the years but on this occasion Alex Ferguson will be hoping the Merseyside club can put the brakes on David O'Leary's men and their challenge for the title.
United top the table on 50 points, three clear of second-placed Leeds, and nine clear of Liverpool, in fourth, who have played a game more.
Liverpool dropped valuable points at home to strugglers Middlesbrough in a 0-0 draw a fortnight ago, and Houllier knows that his side cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to challenge for a Champions League place at the end of the season.
But Houllier's growing injury list threatens to scupper their challenge after Michael Owen was ruled out for at least another month.
The striker faces an intensive training programme to bring him back to full fitness after he damaged his hamstring for the fifth time in nine months in the Middlesbrough game.
Houllier is not prepared to take a gamble on Owen's long-term fitness by rushing him back too soon after seeing his career blighted through injury.
With Robbie Fowler out for two more months, Houllier must decide who will partner Guinean Titi Camara up front.
Camara played for the reserves on Monday night to sharpen up for today's clash and scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Leeds, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their FA Cup fifth round defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. Teddy Sheringham hopes to start for the champions against Coventry at Old Trafford with Ferguson desperate for the former England international to sign a new contract after he scored against Sheffield Wednesday midweek.
United chairman Martin Edwards began contract talks with Sheringham's agent Barry Nevill last week and Ferguson is hoping for a positive outcome, despite West Ham's stated interest.
Third-placed Arsenal, on 44 points, will be expecting victory away to Bradford, who have won just three of their 11 games at Valley Parade all season.
Manager Arsene Wenger was given a boost earlier in the week when veteran full backs Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn signed new deals which will keep them at the club for at least one more year.
Dixon and Winterburn, both 36, signed one-year deals a year ago and would have been available on free transfers if Wenger had decided against extending their contracts.
Fifth-placed Sunderland, on 38 points, take on FA Cup quarterfinalists Newcastle at the Stadium of Light, eager to put their season back on track after taking just one point from the last 15, while Bobby Robson's side - sixth from bottom with 27 points - will be looking to move further away from the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, George Graham's Tottenham, in seventh place, face their bogey side Chelsea, a place above, in a London derby at White Hart Lane.
Spurs have not won in 22 games against their West London rivals stretching over a 10-year period.
