Arsenal

Gaël Clichy said that Sunday’s defeat by Middlesbrough makes a good result imperative against Chelsea this weekend. “The pressure is on,” the left back said. “We like the pressure, but it would have been different with a win at Middlesbrough.”

Played 16 Won 11 Drawn 4 Lost 1 For 33 Against 14 Points 37
Next match Sunday Chelsea (h)

Manchester United

Park Ji Sung, the South Korea midfield player, is in full training after his knee injury and could return to the first team by the end of the year. “He gives us more options going forward,” Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, said.

Played 16 Won 11 Drawn 3 Lost 2 For 29 Against 8 Points 36
Next match Sunday Liverpool (a)

Chelsea

An Italian newspaper reported yesterday that Juventus are interested in taking Frank Lampard to Serie A. The Turin-based club are coached by Claudio Ranieri, who brought the England player to Stamford Bridge from West Ham United in 2001.

Played 16 Won 10 Drawn 4 Lost 2 For 24 Against 9 Points 34
Next match Sunday Arsenal (a)

Liverpool

Álvaro Arbeloa believes that Manchester United, who visit Anfield on Sunday, want Liverpool to be eliminated from the Champions League in Marseilles this evening. “They will not let us forget it if we don’t get through,” the Spanish defender said.

Played 15 Won 8 Drawn 6 Lost 1 For 27 Against 9 Points 30
Next match Sunday Manchester United (h)

Portsmouth

Sulley Muntari has called for the African Cup of Nations to be moved to the summer to avoid clubs losing many of their players for several weeks in mid-season. Muntari will represent Ghana in the tournament next month.

Played 16 Won 8 Drawn 6 Lost 2 For 28 Against 14 Points 30
Next match Saturday Tottenham Hotspur (h)

Manchester City

Stephen Ireland will not be fined by the club for the wild challenge on Lee Young Pyo that earned him a red card during the 2-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The Ireland midfield player faces a three-match suspension, however.

Played 16 Won 9 Drawn 3 Lost 4 For 20 Against 17 Points 30
Next match Saturday Bolton Wanderers (h)

Everton

Steven Pienaar, the South Africa midfield player, is hoping that his form will help him to land a permanent contract at the club. Pienaar has been impressive since joining on loan at the start of the season from Borussia Dortmund.

Played 16 Won 8 Drawn 3 Lost 5 For 29 Against 16 Points 27
Next match Saturday West Ham United (a)

Aston Villa

Martin O’Neill, the manager, intends to speak to Martin Laursen’s agent this week to discuss a new deal for the defender. Laursen, like Olof Mellberg and Thomas Sorensen, is out of contract in the summer.

Played 16 Won 8 Drawn 3 Lost 5 For 27 Against 19 Points 27
Next match Saturday Sunderland (a)

Blackburn Rovers

Mark Hughes, the manager, has said that he has no definite plans to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window. “I think the squad is strong enough, but if opportunities present themselves, then we’ll have a look at it,” he said.

Played 16 Won 7 Drawn 5 Lost 4 For 20 Against 19 Points 26
Next match Saturday Wigan Athletic (a)

West Ham United

Lucas Neill believes that the home fans can play a key role in the Carling Cup quarter-final against Everton at Upton Park tomorrow. “I’m hoping for an intimidating atmosphere to help get us into the semi-finals,” the captain said.

Played 15 Won 6 Drawn 4 Lost 5 For 20 Against 12 Points 22
Next match Saturday Everton (h)

Newcastle United

Sam Allardyce, the manager, is pressing for the introduction of a two-week winter break to minimise the disruption caused by the African Cup of Nations. “Losing players in January is going to be a big problem for everyone,” he said

Played 16 Won 6 Drawn 4 Lost 6 For 23 Against 26 Points 22
Next match Saturday Fulham (a)

Reading

Ibrahima Sonko, the central defender, is expected to be fit for this weekend’s match away to Birmingham City. Sonko jarred a knee and was replaced by André Bikey during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Liverpool, but the damage is not serious.

Played 16 Won 5 Drawn 2 Lost 9 For 21 Against 33 Points 17
Next match Saturday Birmingham City (a)

Tottenham Hotspur

Ricardo Rocha, the centre back, is close to recovering from an ankle problem. “I’ve played 45 minutes for the reserves and it was very encouraging,” he said. “My ankle felt perfect and I’m trying to get back into the first team.”

Played 16 Won 3 Drawn 6 Lost 7 For 28 Against 29 Points 15
Next match Saturday Portsmouth (a)

Bolton Wanderers

Gary Megson, the manager, is likely to compete with Wigan Athletic for the signature of Paul Robinson, the West Bromwich Albion full back. Megson signed Robinson when he was manager at The Hawthorns and he is keen to resign him.

Played 16 Won 3 Drawn 5 Lost 8 For 16 Against 23 Points 14
Next match Saturday Manchester City (a)

Birmingham City

Alex McLeish, the new manager, has been promised money to spend in January by the board. McLeish, the former Scotland manager, said he “would like to bring in players I have worked with”.

Played 16 Won 4 Drawn 2 Lost 10 For 17 Against 26 Points 14
Next match Saturday Reading (h)

Middlesbrough

Jonathan Woodgate, the England centre half, has suffered from cramp in the past two matches, a problem that the club’s medical staff will investigate. “It’s something we need to get to the bottom of,” Gareth Southgate, the manager, said.

Played 16 Won 3 Drawn 5 Lost 8 For 15 Against 28 Points 14
Next match Saturday Derby County (a)

Fulham

Lawrie Sanchez is interested in signing Wayne Hennessey, the Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wales goalkeeper. Hennessey, 20, who signed a three-year contract at Molineux in the summer, has also been linked with Aston Villa and Everton.

Played 16 Won 2 Drawn 7 Lost 7 For 18 Against 27 Points 13
Next match Saturday Newcastle United (h)

Sunderland

Having slipped into the relegation zone, the players must lift themselves for Saturday’s match at home to Aston Villa. “That’s the Premier League for you,” Dean Whitehead, the captain, said. “It is up to everyone to step up to the mark.”

Played 16 Won 3 Drawn 4 Lost 9 For 15 Against 31 Points 13
Next match Saturday Aston Villa (h)

Wigan Athletic

Steve Bruce believes that Emile Heskey, the striker, who suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s defeat by Bolton Wanderers, will recover in time to play against Blackburn Rovers. “He’s a bit sore, but he’s going to be OK,” the manager said.

Played 16 Won 2 Drawn 3 Lost 11 For 12 Against 30 Points 9
Next match Saturday Blackburn Rovers (h)

Derby County

Paul Jewell intends to sign several players in next month’s transfer window. “The squad needs strengthening in all areas of the pitch and I’ll be endeavouring to do that,” the manager said. “The team needs help, they’re low on confidence.”

Played 16 Won 1 Drawn 3 Lost 12 For 6 Against 38 Points 6
Next match Saturday Middlesbrough (h)