PREVIEW: Champions Manchester United look to go clear at the top

Jan 26, 2009, 8:49 GMT

London - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for his side to crank up the pressure on their title rivals by winning at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

Victory for the champions would put them three points clear of Liverpool, who are not in action until Wednesday, with a game still in hand over Rafael Benitez's side.

Ferguson has a host of injury problems to deal with going into their clash with West Brom, who remain bottom of the table despite two wins from their past three games.

Fabio and Danny Welbeck both picked up injuries in the FA Cup win over Tottenham at the weekend, joining Wayne Rooney, Nani, Anderson, Wes Brown and Jonny Evans on the sidelines.

'You could do without these things,' Ferguson said. 'I'm OK with the midfield and front players but it's the full-back positions that are causing us a bit of concern.'

Ferguson, who expects Cristiano Ronaldo to be fit despite a virus, said talk of an 18th league title - which would equal Liverpool's English record - was premature and that the next three and a half months would still have plenty of twists and turns.

'We will drop points in the run-in, there is no question about that. We just hope we don't drop as many as the rest,' he said.

Liverpool make the short journey to Wigan Athletic on Wednesday looking to arrest a run of three successive draws, and five draws from their past eight matches in all competitions.

Their 1-1 draw with Everton in the FA Cup on Sunday means they will have another fixture to add to their title challenge, an unwanted problem that manager Benitez is well aware of.

'When you have a busy time it is better not to play too many matches but you have to do it,' the Spaniard said.

'I think we have important games coming now. It will be difficult but if everyone is available we will manage the squad.'

Striker Robbie Keane, who was left out against Everton on Sunday, could be in contention for a starting berth, while Benitez has no injury concerns.

By the time Liverpool play Wigan, however, they may have been joined on points by Aston Villa, who are away to Portsmouth on Tuesday.

Martin O'Neill's side have won six of their past seven Premier League encounters to push themselves into contention for the title.

Ashley Young is suspended for the trip to Fratton Park, while Nigel Reo-Coker and Gabriel Agbonlahor are doubtful, but new signing Emile Heskey is set to make his debut for the club after his move from Wigan.

Chelsea, one point above Villa in third place in the table, welcome struggling Middlesbrough to Stamford Bridge, while fifth-placed Arsenal travel to sixth-placed Everton.

Elsewhere, Tottenham will be hoping to arrest a run of form that has seen them not win in the league since December 8.

Harry Redknapp's side, who sit perilously close to the relegation zone, just ahead of the bottom three on goal difference, welcome Stoke City, themselves one place off the bottom.

Sunderland play Fulham in Tuesday's other match, while Wednesday's remaining matches see Blackburn Rovers playing Bolton Wanderers in a Lancashire derby, Manchester City hosting Newcastle United and West Ham United facing Hull City.