Manchester United's suspect defence has been warned to beware an in-form Didier Drogba when they play Chelsea on Sunday.

The Red Devils were caught napping at the back in a 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow in midweek and are set to be without the injured Rio Ferdinand, who has struggled for form this season anyway, and the suspended Gary Neville for the trip to west London.

Those who do play will have their hands full with Drogba, who returned to Champions League action after a European suspension with a brace against Atletico Madrid which took his tally for the season to 12.

His team-mate Florent Malouda told www.chelseafc.com: "He has not changed, the fact he had a good pre-season without injuries can explain it, he is really happy and enjoying his form at the moment.

"He is training harder than ever and had some rest because of the ban, but is now back in the competition and scoring goals.

"He always believed in himself, even in the second division in France he was dreaming about it and preparing himself. Even at this level he is working harder and harder."

Patrice Evra knows there must be an improvement from United if they are to rein in the league leaders.

Speaking after the CSKA game, the Frenchman said: "If you concede three goals at home, you can hardly say it has been a good performance from the defenders.

"We did well to come back, as we did against Manchester City. But we need to make sure we don't concede three goals on Sunday because then it won't be easy to get back."

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League setback in Lyon when they host Birmingham at Anfield on Monday night.

The 1-1 draw in France has taken the Reds' hopes of progress to the last 16 out of their hands, heaping further pressure on manager Rafael Benitez.

But the Spaniard was philosophical after a late Lisandro Lopez goal denied what would have been a priceless victory, and said: "I still have faith in my capabilities. I look at my players on the field and I can see they do their utter best. But this is football. Sometimes you're lucky and sometimes you concede a goal at the last moment."

Third-placed Arsenal face Wolves in a Saturday evening match at Molineux looking to build on a Champions League win over AZ Alkmaar which took them within one point of the last 16 with two group games to go.

Wolves midfielder Michael Kightly has warned the Gunners they will be face a tough opponent this weekend and told www.wolves.co.uk: "I don't think we need to fear anyone in this league and we've shown that over the last three games.

"When we're the underdogs, we're a dangerous animal and we can cause teams problems so it suits us with the other team being the favourites."

In Saturday's other games, Aston Villa are at home to Bolton, Portsmouth travel to Blackburn, Burnley face a difficult game away to Manchester City and Tottenham host Sunderland.

Hull face a crucial home game with Stoke, with Tigers manager Phil Brown's future potentially at stake, while Wigan take on Fulham at the DW Stadium and West Ham are at home to Everton.