STEVE DOUGLAS

Associated Press Writer

After opening their Champions League campaigns with convincing wins in midweek, Chelsea and Arsenal return to English Premier League duty looking to build on impressive starts that have already seen them pull clear at the top.

Chelsea, fresh from a 4-1 victory at Zilina in Europe on Wednesday, bid to maintain their perfect domestic record when they host newly promoted Blackpool, who are a surprising fourth.

Arsenal, two points behind Chelsea in second, follow up their 6-0 thrashing of Braga in the Champions League with a tough away match at Sunderland.

Having already scored 17 goals in their opening four league matches, Chelsea have launched the defence of their title in ominous fashion and are heavy favourites tomorrow against a Blackpool side that conceded six at Arsenal.

"We have a lot of big players and everybody can score," said in-form striker Nicolas Anelka, who scored twice against Zilina to continue his good start to the season.

"It is good for the confidence of the team because teams know everybody can score. We have started well and I hope it will continue."

Joint top scorer Didier Drogba is back from European suspension and left back Ashley Cole is set to return after being rested in midweek by Ancelotti. England midfielder Frank Lampard remains out after failing to recover full fitness after hernia surgery.

Blackpool are buoyant after upsetting Newcastle 2-0 away last weekend for a second win of the season.

Arsenal were even more impressive in the Champions League, turning on the style to hammer Portuguese side Braga with a scintillating attacking display.

The Gunners will find it harder today, though, with Sunderland boasting a superb home record which includes a 1-0 win over big-spending Manchester City in their last home game.

With Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas back to full fitness after being slowly integrated into the first team after his World Cup exploits, Arsenal look a genuine title contender this season.

"We're up there, we're second, and now we need to guard against losing more points because we'll need everything we can get at the end of the season," said Fabregas, who also scored twice in midweek.

While the top two look unstoppable at present, Manchester United are going through a difficult spell ahead of a home match against fierce rivals Liverpool tomorrow.

United conceded two late goals to draw 3-3 at Everton last weekend, then could not break down a stubborn Rangers defence in a 0-0 home draw in the Champions League.

Already four points adrift of Chelsea, who are expected to ease past Blackpool, United will not want to fall too much further off the pace.

Liverpool began their Europa League campaign with a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Steaua Bucharest on Thursday but has been finding results hard to come by in the Premier League, sitting 13th after four games.

Manager Roy Hodgson rested key players Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher for the European game ahead of the short trip to Old Trafford.

In tomorrow's other match, eighth-place Manchester City travel to Wigan having won just once in the league this season, despite their massive outlay on players in the summer.