Clubs ready for New Year's Day
Arsene Wenger, Alex Ferguson and Avram Grant hoping for victory in New Year's Day fixtures
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Monday, 31, Dec 2007 01:40
The Premier League's top three teams are all in action on New Year's Day as they look to consolidate their position at the table's summit.
League leaders Arsenal entertain West Ham, Manchester United host Birmingham and Chelsea make the short trip across west London to Fulham.
The Gunners will be looking to avenge last season's defeat to West Ham – their only league loss at the Emirates Stadium to date.
But the Hammers journey to north London fresh from their 2-1 home triumph over Manchester United at Upton Park on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for his side to put that defeat behind them when Alex McLeish, who played under Ferguson at Aberdeen, brings his Birmingham City side to Old Trafford.
United are two points behind Arsene Wenger's team in second place, with Chelsea a further four points off the pace.
The Blues will again be without a host of first-team regulars for the visit to Craven Cottage, which will be new manager Roy Hodgson's first game in charge.
The former Inter Milan manager, who has replaced the sacked Lawrie Sanchez, finds his side in 19th place and two points from safety.
In the other New Year's Day fixtures, Martin O'Neill's resurgent Aston Villa play host to Juande Ramos' free-scoring Tottenham Hotspur, Middlesbrough play Everton at the Riverside and Portsmouth look to continue their good run of away form at Reading.