Arsenal and Liverpool will each attempt to arrest damaging sequences of results when they return to Premier League action this weekend following mid-week exertions in the Champions League.
The two teams have fallen out of title contention over recent weeks, with Arsenal now 15 points behind leaders Chelsea following consecutive losses and Liverpool three points further back after three straight defeats.
Arsenal's poor form has seen manager Arsene Wenger's 18-year stewardship called into question as rarely before, amid concerns that a climate of tolerated under-achievement has infiltrated the club.
However, Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League saw Arsenal reach the last 16 for the 15th consecutive season, boosting morale ahead of Saturday's trip to West Bromwich Albion.
Liverpool host Stoke City having slumped to 12th place in the table after successive defeats by Newcastle United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Welsh midfielder Joe Allen said: "It's up to us to turn it around and it is now back to Premier League action at the weekend. We are looking forward to giving everything to get three points."
Fabregas buoyant
Second-place Southampton's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa last Monday means that Chelsea's advantage at the summit has swelled to six points ahead of their visit to 14th-place Sunderland on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}Second-place Southampton's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa last Monday means that Chelsea's advantage at the summit has swelled to six points ahead of their visit to 14th-place Sunderland on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}In-form midfielder Cesc Fabregas says their football is as enjoyable to create as it is to watch. "The mood is great and hopefully it will grow as the season goes," he said.