In-form Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka will look to halt former club Liverpool's mini-revival when the defending champions visit Anfield tomorrow in the Premier League.

After a dreadful start to the season, Liverpool has scraped wins over northwest neighbors Bolton and Blackburn to move into midtable. But the Reds are still far from at their best and Anelka, who has already scored 10 goals this season, including three in the last four matches, is in the kind of form to end Liverpool's recent resurgence.

Anelka spent six months on loan at Liverpool in the second half of the 2001-02 season but wasn't kept on by then-manager Gerard Houllier despite a number of impressive performances.

After spells at Manchester City, Fenerbahce and Bolton, the former France striker moved to Chelsea, where he has come of age, forming a partnership with Didier Drogba up front that is spearheading the Blues' title challenge.

They are five points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the league and have lost just once in all competitions this season — to Manchester City in September.

Ancelotti has injury problems in midfield, with Florent Malouda out this weekend with a twisted ankle and Michael Essien and Frank Lampard missing against Spartak because of injury.

Liverpool has climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to gritty back-to-back wins and manager Roy Hodgson has challenged his side to maintain its form as new American owners New England Sports Ventures attempt to revive the club's fortunes.

"The owners are very interesting people and every discussion you have with them is a pleasurable one because they have good questions and clear ideas," Hodgson said. "I have been more than impressed. Sometimes people buy clubs and you don't see or hear them but it has been quite the opposite.

England midfielder Joe Cole, who joined Liverpool after being released by Chelsea last summer, will miss the match against his former employers after straining his hamstring against Bolton.

In the battle to keep up with Chelsea, second-place Arsenal hosts Newcastle on Sunday and United, which is on 20 points like the Gunners, is at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

United's Portugal winger Nani is set to miss the game with a groin injury while manager Alex Ferguson is still without striker Wayne Rooney, who will be sidelined for the next month with an ankle problem.

West Bromwich Albion, which is sixth and is the league's surprise package so far, will aim to pile on the misery for fourth-place Manchester City at the Hawthorns tomorrow.

City has lost its last two matches, to Arsenal and Wolves, and there are widespread reports of dressing room unrest.

The rest of the games are today, with all eyes set to be on Tottenham's in-demand winger Gareth Bale when his team visits Bolton.

The Wales international is the talk of the football world after his inspired performances for Spurs against Inter Milan in the Champions League over the past fortnight but he has been well shackled by Premier League defenses in recent weeks.