PREVIEW: Faltering Manchester City try to keep noses ahead at top

By Ben James Feb 2, 2012, 9:07 GMT

London - As champions Manchester United sniff blood, a faltering Manchester City side will be out to stem the flow and keep their noses in front at the top of the Premier League this weekend.

After a January which saw them suffer two of their three league defeats all season, City are top from United only on goal difference.

And with all the money they have spent in building a title-challenging side, manager Roberto Mancini knows they need to bounce back immediately from their midweek defeat at Everton.

The Italian took the blame for the loss at Goodison but he said confidence has not been hit by the closing of the gap at the top.

'This is not important,' he said. 'We are on the top again. We have 15 games. It is important next Saturday we win the game at home. We have time.'

That game is at home to Fulham, whose poor away record should help City get three points at the Etihad Stadium.

Mancini is still unable to call on midfielder Yaya Toure because of the Africa Cup of Nations, but does have new signing David Pizarro available after his loan move to City was sealed on deadline day.

'I like to play good football and pass the ball around, so I think that combined with players like David Silva and Sergio Aguero will be a positive mix,' Pizarro said.

'It's great when a manager has confidence in you to bring you to a club, and wants you in the title run-in. I will try to help make history with this club and win the league title.'

United, meanwhile, face a huge game as they travel to fourth-placed Chelsea, themselves still focused on at least securing Champions League football again next season.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson could have Wayne Rooney, Nani and Ashley Young back from injuries for Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge.

Closing the gap at the top was a good thing, Ferguson said, but he remains focused on the end goal.

'It's still early doors,' he said. 'I always say that March is a very important month, as well as the beginning of April. We play Manchester City in April, for instance.'

Tottenham Hotspur, five points behind the top two in third, are away to Liverpool on Monday night, with their hosts' hopeful of getting into the top four before the season is out.

Liverpool, who have Luis Suarez available after his eight-match ban for racist abuse, are sixth, four points behind Chelsea.

Fifth-placed Newcastle United face Aston Villa while at the other end of the table bottom side Wigan host Everton.

Second-bottom Wolves are away to QPR, who sit three points above the relegation zone, while third-bottom Blackburn are away to Arsenal, down to seventh in midweek.

In the weekend's other games, Norwich entertain Bolton, Stoke welcome in-form Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion clash with Swansea.