Manchester United always has the big target on its back, but that target is even larger this season. As the defending European champions, Man U finds itself in a dogfight for the Premier League title, trailing Chelsea 45 points to 43. With Arsenal just four points out of first, the championship doesn’t look to be decided any time soon.

The fourth member of England‘s Big Four hasn’t been as successful so far. With only 33 points, Liverpool is fighting just to make the 2010-11 Champions League, trailing Tottenham by four points for the fourth spot. Tottenham isn’t the only club they have to worry about; they need to leap over Aston Villa and Manchester City (both of whom have 35 points) to grab the league’s final Champions League spot.

Chelsea’s defense can be largely credited for getting them atop the table; their league-low 16 goals allowed has also given them the league’s best goal differential. Arsenal leads with 51 goals scored, led by Francesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie’s combined 16 points. With 21 goals allowed, though, the Gunners will need defensive improvement if they want to be champions.

The Premier League’s scoring title has been even more competitive, as Man U’s Wayne Rooney, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe currently have 14 points each, with Sunderland’s Darren Bent just a point behind them.