LONDON, (AP):

When Arsenal cannot beat the English Premier League's leading teams, the prospects of an imminent title triumph seem slim.

Travelling to defending champions Manchester City on Sunday, the focus is just on returning to the top four for the side, which was last champion in 2004.

It's three years since Arsenal's last league victory over City. There was humiliation on the last visit to Etihad Stadium last season, with City inflicting a 6-3 rout. Although Arsenal beat City in August, that came in the largely inconsequential curtainraiser to the English season before they drew their league encounter at Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea could be five points ahead by the time City's game kicks off, if José Mourinho's side wins at Swansea tomorrow.

Just when United's season seemed back on track, the team lost to Southampton last weekend.

It also raised questions about the future of Radamel Falcao. The Colombian was out of the squad completely on Sunday, and missing tomorrow's trip to Queens Park Rangers would make it less likely that the striker will extend his stay at United beyond June, when his loan from Monaco expires.

Unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, Liverpool travels on Saturday to an Aston Villa side, three points above the drop zone. Liverpool is eighth in the standings.

Of the three teams in the relegation zone, QPR's match is the toughest - at home to United. Leicester hosts Stoke, and Hull travels to West Ham. Also tomorrow, Burnley, which is only a point above the relegation zone, takes on Crystal Palace.

Sunderland, which is ahead of Burnley on goal difference, expects to have Jermain Defoe in the team to face Tottenham.