Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho (Right) and Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger (left) being kept apart by the fourth official referee during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London, England in this October 5, 2014 file Photo.
London: The next chapter in one of the Premier League's most volatile managerial rivalries will be written this weekend when Arsene Wenger's Arsenal visit Jose Mourinho's Manchester United today.
Sparks often fly when the pair are obliged to share a touchline, typified by a notorious shoving match during a Chelsea-Arsenal fixture at Stamford Bridge two years ago.
Wenger has never beaten Mourinho in the league and has been branded a "specialist in failure" by his Portuguese nemesis, but with Arsenal six points above United, he currently has the upper hand.
Wenger intends to make a late check on the fitness of Alexis Sanchez, who is not due to report back from international duty with Chile until yesterday.
Sanchez scored twice for Chile in a 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay on Tuesday, despite Wenger warning beforehand it would be "suicidal" for him to play due to a hamstring problem.
Arsenal will be definitely be without right-back Hector Bellerin and central midfielder Santi Cazorla, who have ankle and Achilles problems respectively.
But Wenger's selection problems pale by comparison beside Mourinho's, amid reports the United manager could be without up to seven first-team players.
Centre-backs Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling will miss the game through injury, along with suspended top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
There also fitness doubts over captain Wayne Rooney, midfielder Marouane Fellaini and full-backs Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw.
With today's game taking place at lunchtime, victory for Arsenal would lift Wenger's side to the top of the standings and leave United a yawning nine points off the pace.
Liverpool, the current leaders, will look to pick up where they left off prior to the international break when they visit Southampton later today.
Jurgen Klopp's crowd-pleasing side have won seven and drawn two of their last nine league games, culminating in a 6-1 demolition of Watford last time out.
Adam Lallana is likely to miss out for Liverpool after sustaining a groin injury during England's 2-2 friendly draw with Spain on Tuesday, in which he scored. But Klopp is hopeful Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino will both be able to feature after jetting back from international duty with Brazil.
Antonio Conte's Chelsea, a point behind Liverpool in second place, visit Middlesbrough tomorrow, while Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, a point further back in third, travel to Crystal Palace.
City have won only one of their last five league games and conceded top spot prior to the international break after a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough.
Right-back Bacary Sagna, fit again after a hamstring tear, concedes it has been a frustrating time.
Six points from safety, Sunderland and Swansea City are already in danger of being cut off at the foot of the table.
Bottom club Sunderland host third-bottom Hull City on Saturday in an early relegation six-pointer, while Swansea's new head coach Bob Bradley goes in search of his first win at Everton.
