LONDON, Feb 11: After throwing an unlikely spanner in Chelsea's Premier League title bid last week, Manchester City will attempt to do the same to bitter local rivals United on Sunday.

Kevin Keegan's team eked out a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge, cutting Chelsea's lead to nine points, and having claimed an identical result at United this season will be confident of upsetting their neighbours with home advantage.

United, who have won 12 out of their last 14 league matches to keep within sight of leaders Chelsea, will have a point to prove after a 4-1 hammering in the corresponding fixture last season, a result that ended their title hopes.

Shaun Wright-Phillips scored City's fourth goal in that victory last March and the young striker will itching to hit the target after wasting several chances in his first start for England against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

City goalkeeper David James was inspired against Chelsea, producing a brilliant one-handed save to deny Frank Lampard in the dying minutes, and he will need to be at his sharpest to keep out United.

England's Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in his last seven games for Alex Ferguson's side, while French striker Louis Saha is enjoying a run in the team after recovering from a persistent knee injury.

A United victory is essential if they are to keep up the pressure on Chelsea, who can move 12 points clear if they gain three points from a tough trip to fourth-placed Everton on Saturday.

The Londoners will be without winger Arjen Robben, who has a broken foot, and coach Jose Mourinho will hope his team can continue to find attacking inspiration in the Dutchman's absence to take full advantage of their remarkable defensive solidity.

The Manchester City game was their ninth successive Premier League clean sheet and Everton strikers James Beattie, Marcus Bent and Duncan Ferguson will be hard-pushed to find a way past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

David Moyes's side claimed a last-gasp Bent goal to secure a fortunate 2-2 draw at Southampton last time out and their resilience and discipline, not to mention Ferguson's aerial prowess, should provide a tough test for Chelsea.

Liverpool have won their last two matches to consolidate fifth place in the table, five points behind local rivals Everton, and they will look to win three in a row for the first time this season at Birmingham City.

Bolton Wanderers, seventh after five straight wins, host sixth-placed Middles brough, relegation battlers Norwich City travel to Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth entertain Aston Villa in a mid-table clash on Saturday.

Third-placed Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at High bury on Monday. Tottenham Hotspur host West Bromwich Albion in an FA Cup fourth round replay and Fulham are also in Cup action against second division Derby County leaving Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic and Southampton without a match this weekend. -Reuters