Chelsea host sole conquerors

Runaway leaders Chelsea are likely to be without in-form Dutch winger Arjen Robben on Sunday when they host the only team to have beaten them in the English Premier League this season, Manchester City.

Robben limped off with a badly bruised foot after scoring the only goal in Wednesday's 1-0 win at Blackburn, Chelsea's eighth consecutive league win and one that stretched their lead at the top to 11 points over Manchester United [Images].

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Chelsea's first title in 50 years is in sight with the sole blemish a 1-0 defeat at City in October when the now-departed Nicolas Anelka slotted City's winning penalty past Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Chelsea goalkeeper beat former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel's record of 694 minutes without conceding a league goal against Blackburn and will expect to extend his shutout to nine matches on Sunday.

Arsenal [Images] manager Arsene Wenger said the defence of their title was over after the thrilling 4-2 home defeat to Manchester United on Tuesday but a win at goal-shy Aston Villa on Saturday will help their restore confidence for the Champions League and FA Cup.

However, they must do without central defensive pairing Sol Campbell (injured) and Kolo Toure, who is still suspended.

United host Birmingham City buoyed by their Highbury heroics and only a win will do in their near impossible pursuit of Chelsea, although defender Mikael Silvestre starts his three-match ban for head-butting Freddie Ljungberg against Arsenal.

Fernando Morientes cracked a superb first goal for Liverpool in the 2-1 win at Charlton in midweek and another hard-earned victory over Fulham on Saturday will spark hopes they can snatch fourth and the final Champions League berth.

Everton occupy fourth and will hope to maintain a seven-point advantage over their city rivals by winning at relegation-threatened Southampton on Sunday in striker James Beattie's first return to St. Mary's since last month's move.

Second bottom Norwich City have lost six out of eight and host basement side West Bromwich Albion in the big relegation clash on Saturday.

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