Premiership preview

ON SATURDAY: LIVERPOOL 5 V FULHAM 15Striker Fernando Morientes will be confident after his first Liverpool goal in the 2-1 win at Charlt...

ON SATURDAY: LIVERPOOL 5 V FULHAM 15
Striker Fernando Morientes will be confident after his first Liverpool goal in the 2-1 win at Charlton on Tuesday, when Czech winger Vladimir Smicer came on after missing most of the season with a knee injury. Fulham are unbeaten in eight games and goalkeeperEdwin van der Sar is in good form after saving two penalties in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 V BIRMINGHAM CITY 14
United must take three points to continue their pursuit ofleaders Chelsea, who have one hand on the title with an 11-point cushion over Alex Ferguson8217;s side. United are without France defender Mikael Silvestre who starts a three-match ban after head-butting Arsenal8217;s Freddie Ljungberg. Walter Pandiani made an immediate impression with a goal on his debut after 12 minutes against Southampton on Wednesday. Fellow striker Robbie Blake also opened his Birmingham account.

ASTON VILLA 11 V ARSENAL 3
Villa8217;s hopes of pushing for a European place were hit by amidweek draw against Fulham when striker Juan Pablo Angel had two penalties saved. The Colombian has been relieved of the spot-kick duties. Wales defender Mark Delaney is out for another month with a knee ligament injury. Arsenal, looking to bounce back from their defeat by Manchester United, have to reshuffle in Defence with England defender Sol Campbell ruled out by an ankle injury. Kolo Toure serves the last of a three-game ban, so Justin Hoyte could partner Pascal Cygan

ON SUNDAY: CHELSEA 1 V MANCHESTER CITY 10
Flying Dutch winger Arjen Robben is a big doubt aftersuffering a badly bruised foot in the victory over Blackburn that put Chelsea 11 points clear at the top. Defender Robert Huth is out for up to eight weeks with knee ligament damage while fellow centre back Ricardo Carvalho is still recovering from a broken toe. City inflicted Chelsea8217;s only league defeat at the City of Manchester stadium in October. Anelka hit the lone goal but joined Fenerbahce last week.