London - Chelsea and Liverpool will each be looking to maintain momentum this weekend as they continue their tit-for-tat battle at the top of the English Premier League.

Eight points clear of Manchester United in third and ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, Chelsea host struggling Newcastle United while Liverpool entertain Fulham at Anfield.

Chelsea have won seven out of seven away from home, but they have struggled slightly at Stamford Bridge, finding it harder to break teams down who come simply to defend.

They will be without the suspended Didier Drogba against Newcastle on Saturday, but that should not hamper them too much as Nicolas Anelka, who has scored eight goals in his past five games, will again lead the line.

Joe Cole and Ashley Cole remain on the sidelines, while Frank Lampard is also doubtful after missing England's win in Germany in midweek. Michael Ballack, though, could return to the midfield as he continues to recover full fitness following a foot operation.

Though Newcastle sit just above the relegation zone, their fortunes have been lifted by caretaker manager Joe Kinnear, who could recall Michael Owen to his starting line-up this weekend.

"Michael definitely has a chance of starting the game," Kinnear said.

"He is pushing hard for that with his work in training. We will have to see how he is at the end of the week. I'd like to have him in the starting line up, but I won't take any risks with his fitness."

Liverpool, who have dropped just two points at home this season, host a resurgent Fulham at Anfield.

With games coming up against West Ham United, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City, Liverpool fans may be forgiven for thinking that it will be another 12 points in the bag.

But Dirk Kuyt, one of the star performers of the season for Liverpool to date, warned against any complacency.

"They will all be difficult games and it is up to us to be ready for that," he said. "Fulham have had a couple of good results of late and they will be coming to Anfield to try and make life hard for us, just as so many teams do.

"We are still in touch with the top of the table, but we cannot start looking too far ahead."

Champions United, leading the chasing pack, face a real test as they travel to fifth-placed Aston Villa.

United could be without Dimitar Berbatov, who picked up a hamstring injury playing for Bulgaria in midweek, while Rio Ferdinand is also battling to be fit.

Villa, meanwhile, are just one point behind United and have dreams of breaking into the big four themselves.

"The top four is a tough nut to crack," Villa winger James Milner said.

"They have been the top four for a long time. We want to close the gap and break into that top bracket. That's the ultimate aim."

Arsenal, who sit fourth, ahead of Villa on goal difference, will travel to Manchester City without Theo Walcott, who is likely to be out for three months with a shoulder injury.

Bacary Sagna is also out for Saturday's game with ankle trouble and Arsene Wenger's side have to pick themselves up after last weekend's defeat at home by Aston Villa.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur look to move out of the relegation zone by beating Blackburn Rovers, while bottom side West Bromwich Albion travel to Stoke City, themselves just three points off the bottom.

Middlesbrough face Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth host Hull City, Sunderland play West Ham United and Wigan Athletic take on Everton. (dpa)