Anfield set for midfield masterclass

Two of England's finest midfielders, Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard of Chelsea FC, will square off at Anfield on New Year's Day as the Premiership continues with a full programme of ten matches.

Christmas cheer
Both sides won their two fixtures over Christmas, meaning something has to give in the 13.45CET kick-off. Chelsea have lost just once in the Premiership all season and enter the 21st round of matches five points clear of Arsenal FC and nine ahead of Manchester United FC and Everton FC. Liverpool are sixth on 34 points, a place and a point below a Middlesbrough FC side who travel to Old Trafford later on Saturday.

'Fantastic achievement'
The festive campaign concludes with another round of matches early next week, and the Chelsea FC coach José Mourinho said it will be "a fantastic achievement" if his side still lead the way after Tuesday's visit of Middlesbrough. "We started this period with a five-point lead and it would be great for us if we get through five, three or two points in front," said the Portuguese. "After that some of the players will get a holiday - three days off."

Testing trip
Mourinho feels Lampard will have a slight edge in the duel with Gerrard, but believes Chelsea captain John Terry is peerless. "For me he is the best central defender in the world," said the coach of the England defender. Chelsea have conceded just eight goals in the Premiership, while Arsenal have let in 22 and face a testing trip to seventh-placed Charlton Athletic FC on the first day of 2005.

Runs ended
Charlton ended Everton's best undefeated run (five wins, two draws) in six years on Tuesday and David Moyes's side will hope to bounce back against Tottenham Hotspur FC. Spurs also saw a run ended in midweek, a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace FC preventing them from recording a club record sixth straight Premiership win. Palace face another London derby tomorrow as they travel to Fulham FC.

West Brom bottom
Anchored at the foot of the Premiership, West Bromwich Albion FC meet the only club they have beaten this season, Bolton Wanderers FC, while the other two sides in the relegation places, Southampton FC and Norwich City FC, are at Manchester City FC and Portsmouth FC respectively. The remaining ties pit Aston Villa FC against Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United FC against Birmingham City FC.