Premier League preview: Chelsea v Man United

Chelsea will look to talismanic midfielder Frank Lampard to lift them out of the doldrums when they play host to Manchester United on Sunday.

Lampard came on as a substitute in his side’s 1-1 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and the 32-year-old should be ready to make his first start since a 2-0 win over Stoke on August 28.

Back then, Chelsea were riding high on top of the English Premier League, having scored 14 goals without conceding any in their first three games. Supporters will be hoping Lampard’s reappearance can transport them back to that early-season form.

Chelsea have won just once in their past seven league games, dismissed respected assistant coach Ray Wilkins and have tumbled to fourth in the league table, three points behind leaders United – who have a game in hand.

For Alex Ferguson’s squad, Sunday’s game is a chance to establish clear favouritism for the title, with a win to put them six points clear of the reigning champions.

After Chelsea’s blistering start and Ferguson’s side stuttering to draw their first four away games, many were quick to write off United as genuine title hopefuls.

But they have responded in the best possible way, with six wins from their past eight games – including home wins against fellow title contenders Spurs and Arsenal – and they head towards Christmas as the only unbeaten team in the Premier League.

Even the news from the physio is good for Ferguson, with injured star duo Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes returning to training after respective hamstring and groin complaints, leaving only Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and long-term casualty Antonio Valencia out.

Ancelotti has his fitness worries ahead of the clash, with Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa struggling with a hamstring injury and Yuri Zhirkov doubtful with a calf strain.

Central defender Alex and Israeli winger Yossi Benayoun will both be out until well into the new year with knee and Achilles tendon problems respectively.