EPL Preview: Derby Day Across England

Tottenham vs Chelsea

Things have really changed for Chelsea at White Hart Lane and having not lost for more than 16 years, now they are finding it very difficult to even come away with a point. In the last four years, Chelsea have managed a grand total of just one point from this fixture, and hence this match could not have come at a worse moment in time.

Chelsea are finding it very difficult to at least draw a game, let alone win it. Carlo Ancelotti has recently come out and said that Roman Abramovich is backing him and that he will have some cash to spend in January. However, there is a real danger of Chelsea's season becoming over before then.

The mood is exactly the opposite at Tottenham, who are currently flying at the moment having beaten both Arsenal and Liverpool within a short space of time. Harry Redknapp seems to have worked this magic once again and they are now just three points away from the Champions league qualification places.

Frank Lampard is once again missing for Chelsea and Jose Bosingwa is the other player who will not be featuring tomorrow. Spurs have no new injury worries.

Bolton vs Blackburn

Bolton Wanderers is an extremely happy place at the moment and they are now flying at the top of the table in sixth position and are just six points away from a Champions league place. Bolton chairman Phil Gartside would have taken this position come the end of the season without any fuss.

They have lost only once in the Premier league and since this match is at home, there is no reason why they can’t beat Blackburn. Even though Owen Coyle did not make wonders from the start, his methods and techniques are slowly, but surely showing their rewards.

Sam Allardyce returns to the ground where he made his name and he certainly won't be tolerating anything other than a victory in front of the fans, who once adored him. Blackburn Rovers recently were taken over by Indian owners and they have publicly backed Sam Allardyce and have said that they would be more than happy with the mid-table finish, a place that Blackburn Rovers currently find themselves in.

On the team news front, Blackburn have good news, with Steven N'Zonzi sufficiently recovering from his injury and will probably play.

Wolverhampton vs Birmingham

This is the second Midland Derby of the weekend and one can say with some degree of confidence that this will be a low scoring match. Wolves have certainly found the going very tough at the moment and seem to be going through the phase that nearly all promoted teams go through their second season in the top flight.

Wolves lie perilously close to the bottom of the relegation zone and the only consoling factor is that they are just three points away from getting out of it. Mick McCarthy’s job is really on the line and there will be none better to restore the confidence than winning against your local rivals.

Birmingham on the other hand have found scoring goals to be a real problem, even though their defence is really strong. Alex McLeish’s men are currently mid-table and there is a feeling that McLeish will not be the one to take any risks in this game and will be looking to stifle his opposition.

Even though the two teams are separated by a healthy points difference, this really is a six pointer to look forward to tomorrow. Zigic and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake could feature for Birmingham and Wolves respectively.

Manchester United vs Arsenal (Monday, December 13, 2010)

As far as Barclays Premier league matches go, it does not get any bigger than this. Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to play against their old foes Manchester United, knowing that they would retain their current top spot in the Premier league if they don't lose on Monday.

Chelsea and United are the dominant forces in the Premier league right now, but before that, matches between these two sides used to bring the best out of both Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. That has changed over the years with Wenger more often than not, losing to Ferguson. Now though, there is the chance for that old rivalry to raise its head once again as Chelsea slip deeper and deeper into crisis.

Arsenal have emerged as a genuine force this season and while in previous years, their challenge for the title would have been over before Christmas, this time they are about to go into Christmas as leaders. Manchester United seem to have overturned their off-field problems and are looking like getting into the sort of rhythm that has made them deadly over the years. Regarding team news, Arsene Wenger has said that he will make a late decision over Cesc Fabregas, while United have no new injury worries.

Xavier @ mysportshub.co.uk