The managers of Manchester United and Arsenal normally manage to hold off until around mid-March before firing their first shots in the psychological warfare that has become such a traditional part of an English Premiership title run-in.

This year however the mind games have kicked off with less than half the season gone, both Ferguson and Wenger seeking to extract maximum benefit from the mid-season stutter that has cast doubt on Chelsea's ability to push their more experienced rivals all the way to the wire.

"The decisive period is in March or April and we have experience of the pressure of that time," Wenger remarked ahead of Friday's visit of Wolves to Highbury.

"United as well, but Chelsea, they don't. They have that expereince as a group of players but not as a team."

Ferguson, who will also enjoy home advantage for the visit of Everton, meanwhile has been busy ramming home the importance of his side sitting at the top of the table at Christmas given their past record of changing gears in the closing stages of the season.

"Historically we have always shown great determination in the second half of the season," Ferguson said. "I hope we can keep that up."

The underlying message was not lost on Wenger, who believes his side's unbeaten start to the season has been testimony to the lessons painfully absorbed last year when the Gunners effectively blew the title by allowing United to overcome a nine-point deficit.

"Alex Ferguson says his team get stronger in the second half of the season but you could say the same of Arsenal," was Wenger's response to Ferguson's jibe.

"In 1998 we were 11 points behind United in January and we went on to win the double."

Chelsea bounced back from two successive defeats with their win over Fulham at the weekend.

But the three points came at the price of losing Ireland winger Damien Duff for up to six weeks with a dislocated shoulder and the Blues face another exacting examination of their title credentials when they make the short trip to Charlton.

Arsenal in contrast should be able to run off any Christmas Day excesses with ease when they entertain bottom side Wolves at Highbury while Manchester United rarely give anything away against Everton.

The corresponding fixture last season was one in which Wayne Rooney gave one of the first glimpses of the prodigious talent that was to make him England's youngest international and scorer within a year.

But despite his undeniable progress, the 18-year-old is likely to once more start the game from the bench as Everton boss David Moyes continues to use his most prized asset sparingly.

It is a strategy that seems to be working. Rooney has come off the bench to score in his last two matches and Everton appear to be on the road to recovery after a disappointing start to their campaign.

For under-fire Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, the visit of Bolton to Anfield represents a no-win situation.

Victory will do little to ease the pressure on the Frenchman. Anything less is bound to trigger a fresh round of questioning of Liverpool's ability to secure the return to the Champions League on which Houllier's future now depends.

Liverpool are hopeful Harry Kewell will be fit to return to the forward line alongside Emile Heskey.

The highlight of the day's other games is provided by the return of former Leeds boss David O'Leary to Elland Road for the first time since he took over at Aston Villa in the summer.

O'Leary is sure of a warm welcome at a ground where he is remembered more for taking Leeds to the Champions League semi-finals three years ago than for contributing to the spending splurge that ultimately forced the club to dismantle that team and left it on the brink of bankruptcy.