Premier League Weekend Preview

Source: www.espnstar.com

Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge on Sunday hoping to put a difficult week behind them.

Carlo Ancelotti's men suffered a shock Premier League defeat to Wigan last weekend and then were unconvincing in beating Apoel Nicosia 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Blues midfielder Frank Lampard knows their performance level will need to be way above the standard on show at the DW Stadium if they are to have any chance against the Reds, who will be looking to bounce back from a Champions League defeat at Fiorentina on Tuesday.

The England international said: "If you look over the season, we have clicked together as a team. We try to win every game and when we don't we just try harder in the next match.

"But we have to be better against Liverpool. They will be up for it and they are a big club so we will have to respond again when we play them."

Champions Manchester United welcome a former player, Steve Bruce, and his Sunderland side to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping Ryan Giggs - a former team-mate of Bruce - can continue his impressive recent form for the Red Devils after scoring his 150th career goal for them against Wolfsburg in the Champions League.

Ferguson said: "What more can you say about Ryan? He is continuing like a young man. He is enjoying his football, which is wonderful to see."

United will need to keep a close eye on Sunderland strike pair Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones, who have scored 10 league goals between them already this season.

West Ham will be looking to get out of the relegation zone sooner than later in a tough London derby against Fulham on Sunday, while in the north of the capital Arsenal will face Blackburn in the Gunners' first match since Arsene Wenger officially became their longest-serving manager.

Arsenal's local rivals Tottenham will travel to Bolton and will hope to secure a victory to stay in the top four.

Hull take on Wigan on the back of four straight league defeats, with the Latics full of confidence after their victory over Chelsea while Wolves will be looking to inflict more misery on Portsmouth, who have lost all seven of their league games this season.

Burnley host fellow promoted side Birmingham at Turf Moor with both looking to get back to winning ways after defeats last weekend at Tottenham and at home to Bolton respectively.

Everton will be hoping Louis Saha continues his goalscoring run when they welcome Stoke to Goodison Park. The 31-year-old Frenchman has hit the target five times in the league this season, including the winner in their last league outing at Portsmouth.

Gareth Barry returns to Villa Park with his new Manchester City team-mates on Monday with both his old and new clubs looking to underline their top four credentials.