Arsenal, Chelsea need to bounce back quickly

Arsenal and Chelsea fill two of the English Premier League's top three spots but both hope to shrug off indifferent form when they clash on Monday.

The feelgood factor around Arsene Wenger's Arsenal was dented after their6-3 battering at the hands of Manchester City on Saturday, a result that trimmed their advantage at the top to two points. That loss came on the back of a 2-0 Champions League defeat by Napoli, a result that knocked them into second place in the group and a resulting last-16 match-up with European champions Bayern Munich.

Wenger pointed the finger at a congested schedule for recent results, rather than any longer-term malaise, but was hoping for a tighter defensive effort after coughing up eight goals in two matches.

Arsenal could be without Jack Wilshere, who faces a two-game suspension for making an offensive gesture towards City fans at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea will also be hoping to pick up momentum, having lost in extra time to struggling Sunderland in the League Cup on Tuesday, and having put in an unconvincing performance in battling past Crystal Palace 2-1 last weekend.

They managed 17 shots on target against Sunderland, and manager Jose Mourinho said they were paying the price for failing to be ruthless in front of goal.

Having won all eight home matches and scored 35 goals in the process, fourth-placed Manchester City will head to Fulham tomorrow hoping to translate that dominance to their travels.

Sergio Aguero, who has scored 13 league goals this season, could be out for up to two months with a calf injury, and fellow Argentina international Pablo Zabaleta is doubtful after hurting a hamstring in the 3-1 League Cup win over Championship side Leicester City.

Second-placed Liverpool, level with Chelsea on 33 points and fresh from their Luis Suarez-inspired 5-0 mauling of Tottenham Hotspur - a result that cost Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas his job - will look to put pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea with a victory over Cardiff City tomorrow.

Manchester United and Manchester City were kept apart in the League Cup semifinal draw made on Wednesday night.

Champions United will take on the Premier League's bottom club Sunderland in a two-legged last-four clash in January and City face West Ham United, who knocked out Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals. United, who won 2-0 at Stoke City to reach the semis, are bidding to win their first trophy under new manager David Moyes.

English Fixtures

Tomorrow

Liverpool vs Cardiff City (2.45pm)

Crystal Palace vs

Newcastle (5pm)

Fulham vs Man City (5pm)

Man United vs West Ham (5pm)

Stoke vs Aston Villa (5pm)

Sunderland vs Norwich (5pm)

West Brom vs Hull City (5pm)

Sunday

Southampton vs Tottenham (3.30pm)

Swansea vs Everton (6pm)

Monday

Arsenal vs Chelsea (10pm)