Chelsea closed the gap on the top two to just three points after a slender victory at Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

A relegation six-pointer at St Andrews sees Birmingham City with 26 points take on Newcastle United who are slightly better off with 28.

Sunday sees the CIS Insurance Cup final between Scottish Premier clubs Dundee United and Rangers at Hampden Park.

Celtic missed their chance to close the gap on Rangers midweek and must win at Motherwell to go level on points, despite playing two fixtures more.

Saturday’s evening fixture sees Arsenal face a Middlesbrough team still smarting from last weekend’s FA Cup exit by Cardiff City.

Manchester United could overtake Arsenal at the top of the table, albeit briefly, if they win at rock-bottom Derby County on Saturday afternoon.

Reading, who climbed out of the bottom three last weekend, face in-form Liverpool who have won their last six in all competitions.

Chelsea will be confident of closing the gap on second placed Manchester United while adding to Sunderland’s relegation problems at the Stadium of Light.

Rangers managed to edge through to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup despite a 1-0 defeat at Werder Bremen.

A late goal for Sporting Lisbon knocked Premiership opponents Bolton Wanderers out of the UEFA Cup.