Leaders Chelsea are preparing to trample over Portsmouth, while Manchester United will have their eyes on second place in this weekend's English Premier League action.
Chelsea's imperious march towards their first league title in 50 years is rapidly gathering pace after a remarkable run of six consecutive wins and as many clean sheets.
Even manager Jose Mourinho admits it is now hard to see any of their rivals bridging the 10-point gap which currently separates the Blues from the also-rans led by champions Arsenal.
His strike force led by Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, Dutch forward Arjen Robben and Ireland winger Damien Duff, supported by goal-happy England midfielder Frank Lampard, has proved almost impossible to control.
At the back, Chelsea are on course to make English soccer history after conceding only eight goals in their 23 league games and putting Liverpool's season record for 1978-79 of 16 goals under real threat.
Portsmouth, missing suspended striker Lomana LuaLua, will be hard-pressed to trouble skipper John Terry's defence or keep the likes of Drogba and Eidur Gudjohnsen at bay at the other end.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is already reconciled to losing the title and having to face their old foes Manchester United in what is shaping up to be an acrimonious battle for the runners-up position.
United get first go at second slot, worth an automatic Champions League place at the end of the season, in their Saturday match at home to struggling Aston Villa.
HIGHBURY CHALLENGE
United, who trail Arsenal by a point, should be at full strength after resting several players for their midweek FA Cup win at minor league Exeter City, although Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is still unavailable through injury.
Ferguson's men are on a roll, with eight consecutive clean sheets and an unbeaten league run stretching back to October, and should have little difficulty against a struggling Villa side.
Arsenal will be hosting Newcastle United at Highbury on Sunday, one week after a 1-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers dealt a hammer blow to their title hopes.
The champions have missed the experience of injured Brazilian midfielders Gilberto and Edu, while the defence has looked vulnerable in the air -- where fit-again Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer will want to make his presence felt.
Fourth-placed Everton are at home to Charlton Athletic, while Liverpool face Southampton after an embarrassing FA Cup third round exit at the hands of second division Burnley in midweek.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, criticised by some fans for fielding a weakened team at Turf Moor, will be anxious not to follow up the Cup disappointment with a setback in the league.
