RESULTS : Middlesbrough (0) vs Manchester United (2)

Ryan Giggs and Ji-sung Park made goal and give the Reds three priceless domestic points, as the annually tricky trip to Middlesbrough evolved into a Saturday afternoon stroll on Teesside. United's defensive resolve and attacking incision bore the hallmark of champions, and barely gave the relegation-haunted hosts a sniff of encouragement.

As expected, Sir Alex Ferguson shuffled his pack with next week's clash with Arsenal at the core of his thinking. Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and the injured Rio Ferdinand were omitted from the squad entirely, while Anderson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez were held in reserve on the substitutes' bench.

That meant only John O'Shea, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney started after lining up against the Gunners last Wednesday, and Middlesbrough - desperate for points to stave off the very real threat of relegation - were keen to check for any signs that the Reds' collective attentions were already drifting to European matters.

There were certainly none apparent in a keenly-contested opening in which both sides harrassed the other for possession. John O'Shea had to be alert to head Jeremie Aliadiere's cross away from Stewart Downing, while Rooney drilled narrowly over from distance as the first 20 minutes carried little threat of either side opening the scoring.

Viva United ...

Arsenal must win to get three points and catch Villa. Before they got draw score with Liverpool

Arsenal are without striker Robin Van Persie, who has a groin injury, while Middlesbrough get back midfielder Gary O’Neil from suspension.

O’Neil is set to start for Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough side, while fellow midfielder Didier Digard may be on the bench after two months out with ligament damage.

Definitely sidelined for Boro is captain Emanuel Pogatetz - his place in defence will be taken by Robert Huth, while fellow defender Chris Riggott will face a late fitness test on his ankle injury.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be buoyed by the news that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender Johan Djourou are all fit again and in contention to start.

Nicklas Bendtner may drop to the bench to make way for Adebayor, while Almunia is certain to replaced Lukas Fabianski in goal.

With temporary manager Guus Hiddink admitting that Chelsea's Premier League title bid is now over, the Blues will now look to the FA Cup and Champions League titles as top priorities.

As such, some key players may be given a rest in preparation for Chelsea's Champions League semi-final match against Barcelona in Spain on Tuesday.

West Ham are in a good position for a European spot next season and so will be looking to take as many points as possible from their remaining matches. Although their form has been inconsistent recently—with a large injury list as partly the reason—the Hammers are still capable of posting a threat, as their draw last week with Aston Villa will show.

Chelsea enter the match as favourites to win, but with the Champions League fixture looming, European glory is more likely to be on the minds of the Blues than this upcoming match. And so if an understrength Chelsea side is fielded at Upton Park, a low-scoring draw could very well be on the cards on the day.

The two sides drew 2-2 earlier this season at Anfield, at a time when the Tigers were riding high in the league.

However, with only one win in their last seventeen league matches, Hull are now only in the safety zone by three points and are in serious danger of being relegated at the end of the season.

After their dramatic draw with Arsenal on Tuesday, Liverpool's title hopes are now looking very bleak with Manchester United three points clear with a match still in hand. The Reds must win in order to keep up any remaining pressure on the Red Devils and will be keen to post a convincing victory at KC Stadium.

Holding the worst home record in the league and currently in poor form, Hull don't look as if they will pose too much of a threat, and Liverpool will go into this match as heavy favourites for the win.