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Tottenham vs Liverpool preview
TEAM NEWS
Rafael van der Vaart is rated only "50-50" by Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp to return from an ankle knock. Jermaine Jenas was set to undergo a scan on the calf injury that forced him off against Werder Bremen, which could determine his availability, Michael Dawson (ligament damage) is back in training, but Giovani dos Santos (groin) looks to be out, while captain Ledley King (groin), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are long-term absentees.
Midfielder Joe Cole is set to return to the squad. The England international has missed 5 games with a hamstring injury and although he is lacking match-sharpness he is likely to get a place on the bench. Jamie Carragher, on his 450th Premier League appearance, will continue to captain the side in the absence of Steven Gerrard (hamstring).
MATCH FACTS
Jamie Carragher has scored as many goals for Tottenham (3 own goals) as he has for Liverpool in the Premier League. 
Fernando Torres has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances against Spurs.
2 of Liverpool's 3 goals against Spurs last season came from the penalty spot.
Spurs have only won 2 of the last 12 Premier League meetings with Liverpool, but those were both 2-1 home wins under Harry Redknapp.
Since Harry Redknapp arrived at White Hart Lane, Spurs have won 3 games (two league and one cup) against Liverpool at home, scoring twice as many goals as their opponents on each occasion.
Liverpool have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign since 1992/1993.
Should he keep a clean sheet in this match, it would be Pepe Reina's 100th in Premier League.
Carragher is one of only two outfield players to have played every minute this season and not had a shot.
Liverpool have scored just one goal in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season, fewer than any other team.
Only Manchester United (14) have picked up more points from their last 6 Premier League matches than Liverpool (13).
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Carragher out for 3 months
Liverpool's hopes of resurgence have taken a jolt after news of a 3-month lay-off for defender Jamie Carragher.
The 32-year-old centre-back dislocated his shoulder in the Reds' 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane on Sunday and will undergo surgery on Friday.
Carragher said it was frustrating to pick up such a serious injury during a period where Liverpool had begun to re-build after a slow start to the season.
"I'll be having surgery at the end of the week", Carragher told the club's website.
"The average is about 12 weeks. I'd like to come back before that but I've got to make sure it's right."
"It will probably be late February or early March when I'm looking to come back."
"It's difficult for me when I'm injured. It hasn't happened very often and I'm very lucky with that I suppose, but maybe it's caught up with me a little bit now."
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New deal for Tamaş
West Bromwich have given defender Gabriel Tamaş an improved 3-and-a-half-year contract, with Roberto Di Matteo saying "it's richly deserved".
The new deal for Tamaş, 27-year-old, includes an option to extend the contract by a year in the club's favour.
He first joined the club on loan from Auxerre in January and the deal was made permanent this summer.
Baggies coach Roberto Di Matteo told the club's official website: "I'm delighted Gabi has been offered this new contract. It is richly deserved".
"He was already effectively committed to the club until 2014 but the improved terms are just reward for the progress and contribution he has made here in the past 11 months."
"Gabi is an important figure both on and off the field and has a big role to play in helping the club achieve our goals this season."
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Double injury blow for Arsenal
Arsenal have received a double blow with centre-backs Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny ruled out until January.
Vermaelen has been out of action since September due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained on EURO 2012 qualifying duty for Belgium.
Some reports had suggested that the 25-year-old was nearing a return to first-team football, but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he expects to be without the defender until the start of 2011.
"Vermaelen is in a protective boot", Wenger said.
"We want him back and I hope he will be back soon, but not before January."
Vermaelen's delayed return has been compounded by a concussion sustained by Koscielny in Arsenal's win over Fulham on Saturday.
The Frenchman was stretched off after a clash of heads and is also set for a spell on the sidelines as a result.
"The medical team inform me he has picked up concussion and could be out for 3 weeks", Wenger added.
Arsenal face Partizan Belgrade at Emirates Stadium in Champions League on Wednesday.
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Manchester United vs Arsenal preview
With top spot in Premier League up for grabs, expect fireworks when old foes Manchester United and Arsenal clash at Old Trafford on Monday.
Arsenal are a point clear of United on the table after their 2-1 win at home over Fulham on Saturday and they continued their good form on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade to secure a berth in the last 16 of the Champions League.
United are in second place, but have a game in hand over the Gunners after their fixture against Blackpool on Saturday was called off due to a frozen pitch.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men have been up and down of late, with their 7-1 home rout of Blackburn followed by an indifferent performance in their 4-0 Carling Cup quarter-final loss to West Ham at Upton Park, although that result was with an under-strength side.
On Tuesday, United were held to a 1-1 draw in Champions League by Valencia and in the process conceded their first goal at home in European competition this season.
Both managers have fitness concerns ahead of Monday's game, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expecting to be without midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby.
Fabregas has been out of action with a hamstring strain he picked up while on Champions League duty against Sporting Braga last month, while Diaby has been sidelined with an ankle injury since his side's 5-1 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in October.
Emmanuel Eboue and Thomas Vermaelen are also out for Arsenal.
The news is better at Old Trafford, with Alex Ferguson expecting central defender Rio Ferdinand to be fit after he was forced off just after half-time with a tight hamstring in the game against Valencia.
Tottenham vs Chelsea preview
Chelsea will be looking to put a dismal run of form behind them on Sunday when they travel to White Hart Lane to take on red-hot Spurs.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have endured a nightmare month of football, with just one win from their past 6 English Premier League games seeing them slip from the top of the table to third position, just one point clear of Tottenham who are in 4th.
In their last league game, Chelsea gave up an 86th-minute equaliser to Everton's Jermaine Beckford at Stamford Bridge and they were beaten 1-0 by Olympique Marseille on Wednesday in Champions League, although their place in the knockout stages was already secure.
Spurs, on the other hand, are enjoying a breakthrough season under Harry Redknapp and have just secured qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League by finishing top of a group that contained reigning Italian and European champions Inter Milano and Dutch champions FC Twente.
In their last Premier League game, Redknapp's men were held to a 1-1 draw at Birmingham, while they drew 3-3 with FC Twente on Tuesday in Champions League.
Spurs' football this term has been nothing short of exhilarating, with Welsh winger Gareth Bale and Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart establishing themselves among the elite of the Premier League.
Van der Vaart in particular has been outstanding since his off-season signing from Real Madrid with 6 goals in Premier League, although Redknapp will be without his top scorer on Saturday as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
With Van der Vaart out, Spurs will miss his creative spark, but they are also stretched at the back with Jonathan Woodgate missing and Younes Kaboul doubtful with a hip complaint.
In good news for Spurs, however, England international Michael Dawson has been on the bench for the past 2 games after recovering from a severe knee injury he suffered playing for the national squad in September.
Ancelotti also has his fitness concerns with Alex and Yossi Benayoun still out injured and Yuri Zhirkov doubtful with a calf complaint that stopped him from playing in Wednesday's clash with Olympique Marseille.
In better news, Ancelotti is hopeful influential midfielder Frank Lampard will be ready to make his return from a hernia operation that has kept him out of action since August.
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Gibbs out for 3 weeks
Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs is expected to be sidelined for around 3 weeks with an ankle injury, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.
The 21-year-old left-back sustained only minor damage when he slipped during the first half of Wednesday night's Champions League win over Partizan Belgrade at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger hopes England international Gibbs - who suffered a metatarsal injury during November 2009 which sidelined him for the rest of the season and out of contention for a World Cup place - will soon be back in action.
"We have lost Kieran Gibbs from Wednesday night, but he should be the only one. We think that he will be out for 3 weeks", Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"I am very disappointed. I hope it will not put in his mind that he is an injured player. It was just an accident and you cannot do anything about it. Time will help him get over that and it is not major damage in his ankle."
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Carlo to have January funds
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he will have money available to spend on new players when the transfer window opens.
Ancelotti insisted on Friday that he had the backing of club owner Roman Abramovich despite Chelsea's recent run of poor form.
And the Italian manager maintains that Abramovich is prepared to finance a January recruitment drive if they feel there is a need to strengthen.
Ancelotti's options have been depleted throughout this season due to injury and the likes of Frank Lampard, Alex, Jose Bosingwa and Yossi Benayoun remain sidelined for Sunday's London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Blues will be determined to get their campaign back on track at White Hart Lane after picking up just 2 points from their last 4 Premier League games but Ancelotti at least knows he will soon be able to bring in fresh faces.
Central defence has reportedly been identified as the main area that is lacking depth at present and David Luiz of Benfica and Bolton's Gary Cahill have been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
"I spoke to the owner after the game on Wednesday and we spoke about what we can do in January", said Ancelotti.
"If we need to improve our squad in January we'll be able to do this."
"But now's not the time to think about this. We have to play with these players against Tottenham."
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Chelsea vs Manchester United preview
Chelsea will look to talismanic midfielder Frank Lampard to lift them out of the doldrums when they host Manchester United on Sunday.
Lampard came on as a substitute in his side's 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Sunday and the 32-year-old should be ready to make his first start since a 2-0 win over Stoke City on 28 August.
Back then, Chelsea were riding high on top of the English Premier League, having scored 14 goals without conceding any in their first 3 games. Supporters will be hoping Lampard's reappearance can transport them back to that early-season form.
Chelsea have won just once in their past 7 league games, dismissed respected assistant coach Ray Wilkins and have tumbled to 4th in the league table, 3 points behind leaders Man United - who have a game in hand.
For Alex Ferguson's squad, Sunday's game is a chance to establish clear favouritism for the title, with a win to put them 6 points clear of the reigning champions.
After Chelsea's blistering start and Ferguson's side stuttering to draw their first 4 away games, many were quick to write off United as genuine title hopefuls.
But they have responded in the best possible way, with 6 wins from their past 8 games - including home wins against fellow title contenders Spurs and Arsenal - and they head towards Christmas as the only unbeaten team in the Premier League.
Even the news from the physio is good for Ferguson, with injured star duo Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes returning to training after respective hamstring and groin complaints.
Ancelotti has his fitness worries ahead of the clash, with Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa struggling with a hamstring injury and Yuri Zhirkov doubtful with a calf strain.
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Lampard to start crucial United clash
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Frank Lampard will make his first start since August in Sunday's crucial clash against Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Lampard has been sidelined by hernia surgery and a groin injury for over 3 months and Chelsea have struggled without their goal-scoring midfielder.
With 4th placed Chelsea trailing United by 3 points following a woeful run of 5 league games without a win, Ancelotti is delighted that Lampard is finally ready to return to his starting line-up for the first time since a win over Stoke City on 28 August.
The 32-year-old England star made a 15 minute substitute appearance in last weekend's draw at White Hart Lane after persuading Ancelotti to bring him back ahead of schedule.
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Heavy snow hits UK football fixtures
Freezing conditions in Britain have wreaked havoc on the weekend's football fixtures, with 6 English Premier League matches postponed.
The highest-profile casualty has been Manchester United's visit to Chelsea on Sunday, while Saturday's clashes between Aston Villa vs Wigan, Liverpool vs Fulham, Birmingham City vs Newcastle and Arsenal vs Stoke City were also called off.
Blackpool's clash against Tottenham on Sunday was the latest to be cancelled on Saturday afternoon.
A statement on Chelsea's website read: "Sunday's game at Stamford Bridge has been postponed following consultation with the Police and the local authority. There has been heavy snow in London on Saturday".
Despite DW Stadium being equipped with undersoil heating, the Wigan vs Villa encounter was postponed on the advice of the Greater Manchester Police after 10 inches of snow fell overnight.
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Elmander and Coyle net awards
Coyle receives the Barclays Manager of the Month award for the first time after guiding his side to 3 wins and 2 draws over the month of November that saw The Trotters rise to 6th place in Barclays Premier League.
Striker Elmander has found his feet in English football under the management of Coyle and his Barclays Player of the Month award is also a career first.
The imposing Swede scored 3 goals and created another 3 in November, including a skillful solo effort in the 3-2 win at Molineux.
Bolton set the tone for the month with a fantastic 4-2 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur and followed this up with a 1-1 draw against Everton and a close-fought 3-2 away win over Wolverhampton which included Elmander's memorable strike.
Coyle's men then beat Newcastle 5-1 in a phenomenal display at Reebok Stadium with 2 more goals for Elmander and finished November by recovering from 2-0 down to draw with Blackpool.
The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.
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Manchester City vs Everton preview
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is expected to return in the Premier League match against Everton on Monday. Tevez was rested on Thursday night when the team drew with Juventus in Europa League after missing the West Ham victory through suspension.
Aleksandar Kolarov is also available after a ban but Nigel de Jong sits it out after picking up 5 yellow cards.
Steven Pienaar is doubtful for Everton. The South Africa midfielder will be given a fitness test as he continues to battle the groin injury that forced him off after 66 minutes against Wigan last week.
Mikel Arteta serves the final game of a 3-match suspension and John Heitinga (knee) is again likely to be out. Defender Tony Hibbert is back in contention after having stitches in an ankle wound.
MATCH FACTS
Everton have won 5 of the last 6 Premier League games against Man City and the Citizens have failed to score in those 5 defeats.
The Toffees have won their last 3 visits to the City of Manchester Stadium.
4 of the last 5 games between City and Everton have ended as away wins.
Man City have failed to score in 3 of their last 4 Premier League home matches and kept 3 clean sheets in those games too.
David Moyes’s side are unbeaten in their last 6 Premier League away games, but have drawn 5 of those and the last 4 in a row.
Man City are the only team in the Premier League yet to score a headed goal this season.
Carlos Tevez has scored 31 goals in his last 38 Premier League appearances.
This is only the 4th time Man City have gone 7 games unbeaten in the Premier League, the last time coming under Mark Hughes, a run which ended in December 2009.
"Arsenal scared of big games"
Cesc Fabregas has admitted Arsenal are afraid to take the game to big opponents after their meek 1-0 defeat away to Manchester United.
Arsenal went down without putting up a fight at Old Trafford last week, the latest in a series of reverses against top teams when the pressure is on.
The captain has now revealed that the team has a mental barrier on the biggest stage - a worrying revelation ahead of Arsenal's Champions League rematch with FC Barcelona in February.
"The difference on the night was that we were scared of losing but they were not scared of winning", Fabregas said.
"That was the big difference that played in our heads. Sometimes we seem scared of losing these big games. We don't really go for it and we're tempted to drop back and see what the opposition will do."
"We look to see if we are capable of beating them by what they are doing and how good they are on the day, instead of us going forward, causing them problems and dominating the game ourselves."
"What we can say is that they were more aggressive than us. They have a belief that comes from not losing at all this season. That gives you a lot of help mentally."
Despite acknowledging his team's mental limitations, Fabregas believes there are certain aspects of the game where Arsenal need to back their own methods, rather than listen to the chorus of external criticism directed at the north London club.
"I am realising more and more that football is about confidence and mentality", he said.
"Sometimes you do the right thing, but if people tell you it is not right, you start believing it, even though you were right at first."
"We have already played all the games against the rest of the top 4 sides away from home. They have all got to come to Emirates and we know that we can beat anyone at home. That gives us morale and confidence."
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2010 Team of the Year
With another memorable year drawing to a close, TEAMtalk selects the 11 men who deserve particular recognition over the past 12 months.
That means players such as Samir Nasri and Rafael van der Vaart - who have both caught the eye in recent months - have not be taken into account.
Joe Hart
Hart ended the previous season as the imposing last line of defence for Birmingham City during his loan spell at St. Andrew's and is now the undisputed first choice for Manchester City and England. An outstanding shot-stopper, Hart can sometimes be less than perfect on crosses, but at just 23 his best years are still ahead of him.
Alan Hutton
Far from the most competitive category in this select XI, but Hutton gets the nod after impressing while out on loan with Sunderland in the second half of last season before returning to White Hart Lane to become Harry Redknapp's first-choice right-back in Spurs' impressive debut campaign in the Champions League.
John Terry
Terry is the rock that holds Chelsea's defence together and was an integral figure as they clinched a first-ever double last season with glory in Premier League and FA Cup. Recent absence through injury was keenly felt by Carlo Ancelotti's side and the England international will be integral to arresting their recent slide.
Nemanja Vidic
The uncompromising Serbia international is the quiet man of United's centre-back pairing alongside Rio Ferdinand but is arguably the more accomplished player. Few strikers come out of a game against Vidic without knowing that they have been in a contest, with his tough-tackling and aerial prowess second to none.
Ashley Cole
Cole remains one of the most remarkably consistent performers for club and country with his attacking forays down the flank for Chelsea and England matched by his defensive resilience. His previous off-field antics may make him the "bete noire" of many supporters, but on the pitch he has few peers in the global game.
Nani
The Portugal international has stepped out of Cristiano Ronaldo's considerable shadow at Old Trafford and is now rightly regarded as one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most potent attacking weapons. Nani boasts lightning-fast feet, fearsome pace, a powerful shot and an ability to make the ball dip and swerve seemingly at will.
Tim Cahill
Everton's Mr. Reliable remains a scourge of Premier League defences and already has 8 goals to his name this term. The Toffees' slow start to last season was mirrored by a dip in Cahill's usual productivity, but as he improved hugely after the turn of the year so did David Moyes' men.
Charlie Adam
Captained Blackpool to promotion via the play-offs last season and scored a superb goal in their thrilling Wembley victory over Cardiff. An integral part of Ian Holloway's free-flowing Tangerines unit and found the net in their stunning success over Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season.
Gareth Bale
The young Wales international has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent months with his displays against European champions Inter Milano garnering the kind of hyperbole and column inches usually reserved for Royal Weddings. Skill, pace, a superb final ball and goalscoring ability make this 21-year-old one to watch for many years to come.
Andy Carroll
Carroll has silenced the doubters who questioned if he would be able to make the step up from the Championship to the Premier League with 10 top-flight goals already to his name. Terrorised defences in the second tier last term and was rewarded for remarkable rise with his first England cap in the recent friendly against France.
Carlos Tevez
The all-action Argentina international is the man who makes Manchester City tick - although he sometimes appears on the brink of exploding due to his occasionally fractious relationship with Roberto Mancini. A staggering return of 33 goals from 50 Premier League games for City aptly demonstrates his talents.
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Diaby out for some weeks
Arsenal could be without midfielder Abou Diaby for several weeks after the injury-plagued Frenchman limped out of the game against Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
"It is a calf strain", manager Arsene Wenger told the Arsenal website after Diaby's latest injury blow.
"He is out for a while now. Some weeks I think."
The French midfielder came on as a substitute in the 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Monday after missing 9 weeks with an ankle injury and started against Wigan before hobbling off.
Wenger made 8 changes to the side that beat Chelsea for the trip to DW Stadium which ended in a 2-2 draw, preventing the Gunners from moving level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester United and Manchester City.
They face another testing away trip to Birmingham on New Year's Day.
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Eboue pens new Gunners deal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboue has signed a new long-term contract.
The 27-year-old joined from Beveren in 2005 and has over 200 first-team appearances to his name.
Although Eboue has only made 5 Premier League starts for the Gunners this term, he remains a useful member of Wenger's squad.
The Frenchman has now confirmed Eboue has committed his future to the club and that he put pen-to-paper at least a month ago.
"He extended his contract one or 2 months ago. It is a long-term deal", he revealed on the club's official website.
The turn of the New Year means the transfer window is now open and Wenger is not ruling out bringing fresh faces to Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners swooped for Andrey Arshavin in the January window in 2009 and Arsenal's manager says he will strike a deal if the right opportunity presents itself.
"I haven't ruled out signings", he continued.
"If I have an outstanding opportunity, maybe I will take it."
"I do not want to sit here and say we won't, then people can come back and say 'but you said you wouldn't sign anyone'."
"There's still a big chance we won't sign anyone because it's difficult to find better players than what we have, but if there's an exceptional opportunity, you never know."
Anelka upbeat on Chelsea title chances
Nicolas Anelka is backing Chelsea to remain in the English Premier League title race despite their recent form slump.
Chelsea beat Bolton on Wednesday to record their first win in 7 matches - the team's worst run of form since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003.
Despite their poor results, Chelsea remain just 4 points off league leaders Manchester United, a measure of an unpredictable season that Anelka believes is far from decided.
"It's not a surprise for me the way this season has gone", the Frenchman said.
"We did very well at the beginning and we've had a little difficulty recently, but there are still a lot of games left and it's going to be a very tough season."
"That's the way the league is now - when you have more big teams, you have more big games, so it's going to be very tight all the way through."
"If you drop points one day, it doesn't mean you will still be behind 15 games later anymore because anything can happen each week."
"We've dropped points, but sometimes it's like that - football is not always beautiful. You have to be strong in your head to pass these hard times."
"It's better when things are easier, of course. But life is not always easy, so we have to stay strong and see what happens. It doesn't affect the way we approach matches because we always want to win."
