London – David Moyes faces his former club on Wednesday as Manchester United, after two away draws in a row, host Everton.
United have fallen nine points behind leaders Arsenal after being held at Cardiff City and Tottenham Hotspur, but Moyes, who replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as manager at Old Trafford in the summer after 11 years at Everton, is confident his side can catch up.
“I'm concerned we're not as close as we'd like to be (to Arsenal) but it's a long season and hopefully we'll be there or thereabouts,” he said. “There are a lot of games to go. I think the Premier League is tight and we'll try to stay on the shirt-tails and put ourselves in a good position at the start of next year.”
United will be without defender Nemanja Vidic, who is suspended.
Arsenal host Hull City having continued their superb start to the season with a 3-0 win at Cardiff City on Saturday. “We are showing consistency and that is always a good sign,” said manager Arsene Wenger.
Chelsea, who stayed four points behind Arsenal with victory over Southampton on Sunday, travel to Sunderland, who are showing signs of life under Gus Poyet. Saturday's draw at Aston Villa lifted Sunderland off the bottom and they have won their last three at home in all competitions.
Struggling Fulham play their first game under new manager Rene Meulensteen on Wednesday, taking on a Tottenham Hotspur side whose manager Andre Villas-Boas is himself under pressure. After speaking about agendas against him and attacking both journalists and the former Spurs chairman Alan Sugar following Sunday's draw with Manchester United, Villas-Boas acknowledged Wednesday's game could be awkward with “both sides looking for a result to get started again”.
Liverpool look to bounce back from Sunday's defeat at Hull City as they host faltering Norwich City while Manchester City, after a comfortable win over Swansea City, face the difficult trip to West Bromwich Albion.
“I would like to arrive at the new year in first place but if that is not possible, then no more than three points from the number one position,” said Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Newcastle United, now up to sixth, go to Swansea City, while Southampton host Aston Villa and Cardiff City face a bottom-of-the-barrel clash at Stoke City.
Bottom club Crystal Palace play West Ham United on Tuesday. – Sapa-dpa