London: No prizes for guessing the standout clash in the first EPL programme of 2009 this weekend. Managers love to talk about taking every game as it comes but Manchester United's showdown with Chelsea is worth more to both sides than possibly any other fixture of the season.
Every season since 2002-03, the Red Devils have faced Chelsea in the closing weeks of the season, with their summit meetings frequently termed title deciders. However, after September's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, this weekend's encounter at Old Trafford will bring an unusually early end to their EPL hostilities.
Although the games remaining this season would give either team plenty of time to recover from defeat, Ferguson insists the importance should not be downplayed. "This will be a big game. It's unusual to have it in January, it's usually towards the end of the season," he said.
"It's been later - in the last two or three games - for the last few seasons. It doesn't matter when you play Chelsea, though, it's always going to be a massive game. They've done very well away from home but not so well at home."
Which makes tomorrow's game all the more intrig uing. On their travels, Chelsea have really looked the part and will be hoping to exploit any opportunities they get at Old Trafford where United, conversely, are so hard to beat.
Should United win in front of their own fans it will take them to within a point of Luiz Felipe Scolari's side with two games in hand. That's how important the game is.
The significance of tomorrow's tussle is further highlighted by leaders Liverpool posing an ever-present danger. Barring an upset, Rafa Benitez's team should take all three points at struggling Stoke, which will only increase the pressure on United and Chelsea.
As the stakes rise week by week, Benitez believes he can win the title without moving into the January transfer window, the mood being not to rock the boat at any level with Liverpool aiming for their first championship in 19 years.
Liverpool have Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa all back from injury to boost the side in the final 18 league games of the season, starting this weekend.
Arsenal and Aston Villa meanwhile continue their own private battle for fourth spot, both of them expected to win comfortably at home, Arsenal against Bolton and Villa over West Brom.
Behind them come Everton who will hope to inflict further damage on Hull, who are beginning to slide after their riproaring start to the season.
Middlesbrough and Sunderland, both battling for points in an increasingly congested bottom pack, square off in a north-east derby that is of particular importance to Boro, who are suddenly looking like relegation candidates. New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce takes his team to in-form Fulham while West Ham visit Newcastle.
If ever two teams need ed a boost they are Portsmouth and Manchester City, who meet at Fratton Park.
City's ignominious exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Championship Nottingham Forest has increased speculation about the future of Mark Hughes while Pompey, who this week sold Jermain Defoe back to Spurs, badly need to get back to winning ways as well.
Defoe could make his second Tottenham debut at Wigan tomorrow. It's a match in which the home side will be looking for revenge after their FA cup exit at Tottenham a week ago but which, for the neutrals, serves as a mere taster for the big Old Trafford occasion later in the afternoon.
The author is an expert football columnist based in England.
