Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Cristiano Ronaldo to score 30 league goals this season. The Portugal winger has 17 to his name so far. “It’s a big ask, but if he does manage it, I’ll pay him more money,” Ferguson said.

Played 23 Won 17 Drawn 3 Lost 3 For 46 Against 11 Points 54
Next match January 30 Portsmouth (h)

Arsenal

Mathieu Flamini insists that he wants to stay at the club despite failing to agree a new contract. “I really hope that I will be staying and I’m very optimistic about it,” the France midfield player said. “I am very happy and have some close friends here.”

Played 23 Won 16 Drawn 6 Lost 1 For 46 Against 17 Points 54
Next match January 29 Newcastle United (h)

Chelsea

Petr Cech had a sleepless night before the Carling Cup semi-final, second-leg win over Everton because of the impending birth of his daughter, Adela, in the Czech Republic. “I got a call from my wife at 1am to tell me the baby was coming,” he said.

Played 23 Won 15 Drawn 5 Lost 3 For 36 Against 16 Points 50
Next match January 30 Reading (h)

Everton

Phil Jagielka claims that the Carling Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea will only strengthen the team’s desire to finish in the top four. “We have got to look to improve on finishing sixth last year,” he said. “With hard work, we’ll be OK.”

Played 23 Won 13 Drawn 3 Lost 7 For 40 Against 23 Points 42
Next match January 30 Tottenham Hotspur (h)

Liverpool

José Manuel Reina and Sami Hyypia will be rested for the FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Havant & Waterlooville tomorrow. Charles Itandje will replace Reina in goal, while Martin Skrtel, the Slovakia defender, will make his first full appearance.

Played 22 Won 10 Drawn 10 Lost 2 For 37 Against 16 Points 40
Next match January 30 West Ham United (a)

Aston Villa

Martin O’Neill will assess Olof Mellberg’s state of mind before deciding whether to continue selecting him after Juventus claimed that they were on the verge of completing a pre-contract agreement with the defender.

Played 23 Won 11 Drawn 7 Lost 5 For 42 Against 30 Points 40
Next match Tomorrow Blackburn Rovers (h)

Manchester City

Valeri Bojinov has completed his first training session since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in August, but Hans Backe, the assistant manager, says that the Bulgaria forward will not be rushed back into competitive action.

Played 23 Won 11 Drawn 7 Lost 5 For 30 Against 24 Points 40
Next match January 30 Derby County (a)

Portsmouth

Harry Redknapp will again play a 4-4-2 formation at home to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, with Pedro Mendes continuing in central midfield. “He’s just needed a run in the side and now he is playing well for us again,” the manager said.

Played 23 Won 10 Drawn 7 Lost 6 For 34 Against 23 Points 37
Next match January 30 Manchester United (a)

Blackburn Rovers

The club’s hopes of signing Amdy Faye, the Charlton player who is on loan at Rangers, have been boosted after Fifa confirmed it would consider an appeal against the rule that states that no player can represent three clubs in a season.

Played 23 Won 10 Drawn 7 Lost 6 For 31 Against 30 Points 37
Next match Tomorrow Aston Villa (a)

West Ham United

James Collins, the defender, is awaiting results of a scan on his knee, which he injured during a reserve match against Portsmouth on Wednesday. Danny Gabbidon and Craig Bellamy played after groin and abdominal problems respectively.

Played 22 Won 9 Drawn 6 Lost 7 For 28 Against 21 Points 33
Next match January 30 Liverpool (h)

Tottenham Hotspur

The club have been given 31,204 tickets in the west side of Wembley Stadium for the Carling Cup final against Chelsea on February 24. Season ticket-holders will have priority.

Played 23 Won 7 Drawn 6 Lost 10 For 44 Against 40 Points 27
Next match January 30 Everton (a)

Newcastle United

David Rozehnal is bullishly confident before two testing fixtures at the Emirates Stadium. “The only thing we are thinking about is going through to round five of the FA Cup and then taking three points on Tuesday,” the defender said.

Played 23 Won 7 Drawn 6 Lost 10 For 27 Against 39 Points 27
Next match January 29 Arsenal (a)

Middlesbrough

David Wheater has surprised himself with his progress this season.“I can’t really believe how well it’s going for me,” the centre half, who is a regular starter in the first team, said. “I didn’t expect to even be here – I thought I’d be on loan.”

Played 23 Won 5 Drawn 7 Lost 11 For 20 Against 37 Points 22
Next match January 29 Wigan Athletic (h)

Reading

Marcus Hahnemann is hoping that Steve Coppell sticks to a 4-4-2 formation. “It’s how we normally play, everyone knows their job,” the goalkeeper said. “When you change, it can be more difficult. Guys don’t know their roles as well.”

Played 23 Won 6 Drawn 4 Lost 13 For 30 Against 49 Points 22
Next match January 30 Chelsea (a)

Bolton Wanderers

The club will not reopen talks with Jussi Jaaskelainen about a new contract until they know which division they will be in next season, according to the goalkeeper’s agent, Peter Harrison. Barcelona are interested in the Finn.

Played 23 Won 5 Drawn 6 Lost 12 For 24 Against 34 Points 21
Next match January 29 Fulham (h)

Birmingham City

Mauro Zárate, signed on loan from Al-Sadd, the Qatari club, is confident he can adapt quickly to the Premier League. “English football is quick, physical, but that is not a problem for me,” the Argentine striker said. “I know what to expect.”

Played 23 Won 5 Drawn 5 Lost 13 For 23 Against 34 Points 20
Next match January 29 Sunderland (a)

Wigan Athletic

Steve Bruce has confirmed the club’s interest in Ross McCormack, 21, the highly-rated Motherwell striker who is out of contract at the end of the season. “He’s one for the future, really,” the manager said.

Played 23 Won 5 Drawn 5 Lost 13 For 23 Against 39 Points 20
Next match January 29 Middlesbrough (a)

Sunderland

Rade Prica, who has joined the club for £2 million, has described his transfer from Aalborg as “the chance of a lifetime”. The Sweden striker, 27, has agreed a 3 K -year contract on Wearside. “This is a chance I cannot miss,” he said.

Played 23 Won 5 Drawn 5 Lost 13 For 22 Against 42 Points 20
Next match January 29 Birmingham City (h)

Fulham

Daniel Cousin’s £3 million transfer to Craven Cottage is in danger of collapse as Fifa rules prevent players from appearing for more than two clubs in a season. The forward has already played for Rangers and Lens – for 21 minutes – this season.

Played 23 Won 2 Drawn 9 Lost 12 For 23 Against 42 Points 15
Next match January 29 Bolton Wanderers (a)

Derby County

Giles Barnes has been sent for blood tests after being taken off during Tuesday’s FA Cup replay win away to Sheffield Wednesday. “He said he felt flat during the game,” Paul Jewell, the manager, said, “so we’ll have to wait for the results.”

Played 23 Won 1 Drawn 4 Lost 18 For 11 Against 50 Points 7
Next match January 30 Manchester City (h)