London: Unbeaten Manchester United can reclaim top spot in the Premier League when it hosts provisional leader Arsenal on Monday in the division's showcase match.
United is a point behind the Gunners but with a game in hand after its match at Blackpool was called off last weekend because of a frozen pitch.
Arsenal took advantage by beating Fulham 2-1 for a third straight win in the league and will be buoyed after sealing a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League on Wednesday.
United winger Nani, who tormented Arsenal's defense when the teams met at Emirates Stadium last season, is expecting a match to savor at Old Trafford.
"It's always a fantastic game. Everyone wants to play the big games and I think it will be a fantastic atmosphere," the Portugal winger said. "Arsenal are doing well but we are doing well too. We just have to concentrate on our own performance."
United is the only team yet to lose in the league this campaign and has only been defeated once all season — by West Ham in the quarterfinals of the League Cup. In their last league game, the 18-time champions thrashed Blackburn 7-1, with Dimitar Berbatov scoring five goals.
Arsenal is looking to claim its first title since 2004 and, led by free-scoring France midfielder Samir Nasri, is playing the best football in the division.
The Gunners are still involved in all four competitions — Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade put them through to the last 16 of the Champions League for the 11th straight year — and confidence is coarsing through the squad.
Nani views Arsenal as more of a danger to United than defending champion Chelsea, which has slipped to third place after a poor run of results over the past two months.
"Arsenal are a bigger threat than Chelsea now," he said. "Chelsea have lost a few games and drawn some and their confidence looks a bit low. Arsenal have been winning and being top of the league gives you great confidence."
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has an outside chance of recovering from a hamstring strain in time to play, but left back Kieran Gibbs was ruled out for three weeks on Thursday after hurting his ankle against Partizan.
The Premier League's other standout match sees Tottenham and Chelsea, two other teams who have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, meet at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Chelsea has picked up just two victories in its last eight games in all competitions and the pressure is on manager Carlo Ancelotti to turn around the fortunes of a team which was dismissing rivals with ease in the opening three months of the campaign.
"I'm not low. I'm strong," the Italian coach said. "I want to resolve this problem quickly. I'm focused on my job. This is normal. I think my players have that same focus. I'm sure of this.
"But we have to keep going and look forward. We have a great opportunity against Tottenham, a difficult game away against a top team."
Spurs, which finished above defending champion Inter Milan in its Champions League group, is fifth in the table, six points off the pace. Its title challenge took a blow when it drew 1-1 at Birmingham.
Fourth-place Manchester City is at bottom club West Ham and Alan Pardew takes charge of his first game as Newcastle manager when the northeast side hosts Liverpool on Saturday.
Pardew was hired by Newcastle on a 5½-year deal on Thursday as a replacement for Chris Hughton, who was fired on Monday.
"I have always managed teams that have played attacking, positive football, something I know the supporters here appreciate," Pardew said. "I can't wait to get started, and what better way to kick off than welcoming Liverpool to St. James' Park on Saturday?"
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson said captain Steven Gerrard, who is currently out with a hamstring injury, would not be fit for the match but could return for the home game against Fulham on Dec. 18.
Elsewhere Saturday, Aston Villa hosts West Brom in a Midlands derby, third-from-bottom Wigan travels to Everton, seventh-place Sunderland goes to Fulham and Stoke is at home to Blackpool.
On Sunday, sixth-place Bolton hosts Blackburn and Birmingham is away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, which is second from bottom.
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