The Gunners trail Barclays Premier League leaders United by four points with a game in hand going into the weekend, and Bruce believes the field for the title race has been reduced to just two.

There are more high-profile games on the horizon but if the Black Cats could avoid defeat at the Emirates that would strengthen Ferguson's hand significantly.

Bruce said: "For me, it is between Arsenal and Manchester United. They are both there, they have got each other to play - obviously and Manchester United have got Chelsea as well.

"They have got themselves in a hell of a position with 10 games to go. It's now the tickly bit and it will be an interesting last few weeks."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis comes face to face with the man he declined to sign in January when his side visit West Ham tomorrow.

Pulis claims it would have been an "unbelievable risk" for his club to have signed Demba Ba after signs of a knee injury were present, and must now find a way of keeping the in-form striker quiet.

Pulis said: "The medical team did all the tests and it is in black and white what they saw. They weren't guessing. They weren't taking chances.

"For the money we were going to pay and the contract involved it was an unbelievable risk. It was not a good deal for this club."

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hoping the comforts of home will help ease his side to Premier League safety.

The Magpies took their points tally to 36 as a result of last weekend's 1-1 draw with Bolton at St James' Park and are hoping to boost the total significantly by seeing off Everton.

Pardew said: "Every point is gold-dust in this division, and you have to really, really work hard to get them.

"Between now and the end of the season, we just want to try to get the maximum figure we can.

"But this is an opportunity for us because with the games we have, this is probably what will determine where we finish, these home games.

"We have got to try to maximise that, so it is a game we are really stressing that want to win."

Rock-bottom Wigan go to Eastlands for their meeting with Manchester City, with manager Roberto Martinez looking to upset the odds and boost their relegation fight.

He refuses to put an exact figure on how many more points his team will need but knows there will be plenty of twists and turns.

"I think it is going to be close to 40 points to stay in the Premier League but only a fool would try to predict that," Martinez said.

"There are so many games involving teams in that part of the table that it is impossible to get right, but it is going to be a fascinating end of the season at both ends and I still think there are going to be many surprises to come."

Carling Cup winners Birmingham are back on league duty at home against West Brom, Bolton host Aston Villa and Blackburn visit Fulham.