PREVIEW: Man City try to stay cool as tensions rise at Old Trafford

By Ben James Feb 9, 2012, 5:01 GMT

London - All eyes will be on Old Trafford this weekend when Manchester United meet Liverpool and Patrice Evra meets Luis Suarez as the champions try to maintain their quest for a 20th Premier League title.

Victory for United would keep the pressure on leaders Manchester City, who defend their two-point advantage at Aston Villa.

The Old Trafford clash will be the first meeting between Suarez and Evra since the Liverpool striker was banned for eight matches for racially abusing the United defender during their league match earlier this season.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said it is time 'to draw a line under the Luis Suarez affair.' He said Suarez would shake hands with all the United players and called for a responsible approach from both sides.

'Everyone involved, including the media, the supporters and both teams have a responsibility to ensure this weekend is remembered as a cracking game of football between two very good sides, rather than for anything else,' he told Liverpool's website.

While both sides have promised to show the match the respect it deserves, the result could yet be crucial to the outcome of the Premier League title come May.

Seventh-placed Liverpool, still chasing fourth spot and with it a Champions League spot place next season, would like nothing more than to dent their great rivals' hopes of another title.

And United would love revenge for their defeat by Liverpool in the FA Cup this season and three more points in their chase for the trophy.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could have midfielder Tom Cleverley back from injury, while Wayne Rooney is also likely to return.

But though Rooney described the Liverpool match as still his side's biggest clash of the season, what happens at Birmingham will be of almost as much interest to United.

After a mini-blip, Manchester City appear to be back on track and go to Aston Villa knowing that victory will keep them top and could even extend their lead.

'We will have a difficult game in Birmingham but if we have the same attitude that we had on Saturday against Fulham we will do well,' City manager Roberto Mancini said.

'It is important that we stay top and don't think about the other teams. Manchester United can win all their games - they are strong like us. For this reason I don't think we can think about the other teams.'

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, the odds-on favourite to replace Fabio Capello as the new England manager, will try to focus his attention on the Premier League as his side continue to chase the top two.

Five points behind United in third place, Spurs are enjoying their best ever season and victory over Newcastle at White Hart Lane would keep their outside title hopes alive.

Behind them, the battle for fourth place continues to rage with Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool all in the hunt.

Chelsea travel to Everton and with Newcastle and Liverpool also facing top-quality opposition, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger knows that his side's trip to Sunderland could be the start of a run that can assure a top-four spot for themselves.

'We still have real hope that we can finish the season the strongest,' Wenger said. 'We have a good spirit and desire within the group and we have quality.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Wigan, two points adrift, travel to third-bottom Bolton Wanderers, while second-bottom Blackburn Rovers host Queens Park Rangers.

Fulham face Stoke City, Norwich City travel to Swansea City and Wolverhampton Wanderers take on West Bromwich Albion in the weekend's other matches.