EVERTON v LIVERPOOL 12:45, Goodison Park (Saturday)

The Merseyside derby is one of the highlights of the footballing calendar, and this, the 216th, will be impossible to call. Very little separates the sides in the table, with Liverpool three points clear of their rivals, but having played one game more.

Liverpool’s talismanic midfielder Steven Gerrard looks set to be named as a substitute, meaning Charlie Adam will likely start in central midfield. Right-back Glen Johnson is also sidelined with a hamstring injury. With each team as consistently inconsistent as the other, this could go either way.

What to watch out for:

Royston Drenthe. Everton’s loan star will bring in more derby experience than his age would suggest. The Dutchman has already played for Feyenoord against Ajax and for parent club Real Madrid against Barcelona.

Although he only played five minutes as a substitute in El Clasico, Drenthe won Real a penalty late on which proved decisive as Gonzalo Higuain converted the spot-kick. Though he is likely to be named on the bench, David Moyes will be hoping he can make the same impression here.

Possible line-ups:

Everton – Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Osman; Cahill

Liverpool – Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique; Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Downing; Carroll, Suarez

Recent form: Everton – LWDWL; Liverpool – DWWLLW

Prediction: 2-2

 

ASTON VILLA v WIGAN ATHLETIC 15:00, Villa Park

Neither has managed more than one Premier League win in their last six outings. Controversial refereeing decisions in both penalty areas helped Villa to a draw against QPR last weekend, while a spirited second half couldn’t stop Wigan losing 2-1 to Spurs.

Both teams will be hoping for better starts than in their last games. Villa manager Alex McLeish described their first half against QPR as ‘woeful and insipid’, while Wigan were 2-0 down after only 23 minutes against Spurs.

What to watch out for:

Gabriel Agbonlahor. The Villa striker gave a candid interview this week in which he said Gerard Houllier’s time as Villa manager ‘killed’ him. Since McLeish took the reins, however, Agbonlahor looks a new man, and has three goals and two assists to his name already.

Possible line-ups:

Villa – Given; Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock; Jenas, Petrov, Ireland, N’Zogbia; Agbonlahor, Bent.

Wigan – Al Habsi; Gohouri, Caldwell, Figueroa, Van Aanholt; Moses , McCarthy, Watson, Diame, Gomez; Di Santo

Recent form: Villa – DWDDDD; Wigan – DDWLLL

Prediction: 2-0

 

BLACKBURN ROVERS v MANCHESTER CITY 15:00, Ewood Park

With six wins and a draw to their name so far this season, City go into this game as favourites, despite being humbled by Bayern Munich in midweek. All is not well in the City camp, however, with Carlos Tevez’s well-publicised refusal to come on as a substitute against the German giants attracting negative headlines across the globe.

Blackburn, meanwhile, have problems enough of their own. Sitting just above the relegation zone, manager Steve Kean’s job hangs in the balance, especially after his assistant John Jensen left the club yesterday after only nine months at Ewood Park. Added to which, Scott Dann, Michel Salgado, Martin Olsson and Gael Givet are all unavailable.

What to watch out for:

Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian forward has been in red hot form this season, rightly keeping Tevez out of the side. However, with all the negative publicity surrounding Tevez, the spotlight will be on Dzeko to prove he is worthy of his place. With six goals and one assist in five games, it’s fair to assume that Dzeko will give Rover’s defence a tough time, and a good performance from him will be a soothing tonic for City’s nerves after a turbulent week.

Possible line-ups:

Blackburn – Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Hanley, Rochina; Hoilett, N’Zonzi, Lowe, Petrovic; Formica; Roberts; Yakubu.

Man City – Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Nasri, Barry, Toure Yaya, Silva, Dzeko, Agüero

Recent form: Blackburn – LLLDWL; Man City – WWWWDW

Prediction: 0-4

 

MANCHESTER UNITED v NORWICH CITY 15:00, Old Trafford

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was fuming on Tuesday night after a sloppy performance in which his team would have been beaten by Basle but for a late Ashley Young equaliser. United’s defence is the chink in their armour at the moment, as was evidenced against Stoke, when they were left thankful for Peter Crouch’s profligacy in front of goal.

Norwich, meanwhile, have won two on the bounce and look good value for their place in mid-table. The last time these two sides met in 2005, the Canaries were 2-0 winners. While only a madman would ever bet against United, their current injury list and out-of-sorts defending mean Norwich have as good a chance as they’ll ever have of repeating history.

What to watch out for:

Paul Lambert’s team selection. Lambert has yet to decide on his best XI yet, and Norwich’s best performances have come when captain Grant Holt has been left out. Holt’s ability to hold the ball up may come in handy against the Champions though, and with United’s current defensive frailties, whether Lambert chooses to pick Holt may well make all the difference.

Possible line-ups:

Man United – De Gea; Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Valencia; Giggs, Fletcher Park, Nani; Berbatov, Welbeck.

Norwich City – Ruddy; Naughton, Barnett, Martin, Tierny; Fox, Johnson, Hoolahan; Bennett, Pilkington, Morrison.

Recent form: Man United – WWWWWD; Norwich City – DDLLWW

Prediction: 2-1

 

SUNDERLAND v WEST BROMWICH ALBION 15:00, Stadium Of Light

Sunderland are another team making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. This week defender Titus Bramble was suspended from duty after allegations of sexual assault and possession of a class A drug. After losing 2-1 to Norwich and gaining only five points from six games, the club can ill afford any more slip ups.

They will, therefore, be relishing the chance to play West Brom, who are second from bottom and have a goal difference of minus five. Roy Hodgson’s men, while struggling to find their feet this season, will be no pushovers, and have a lot of strength in attack – something Sunderland severely lack.

What to watch out for:

Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian international has plenty of flair about him, but only one goal to his name so far this season. Having scored at home and away against Sunderland last season, the striker will be confident of boosting his tally this weekend.

Possible line-ups:

Sunderland: Mignolet; O’Shea, Turner, Brown, Richardson; Elmohamady, Gardner, Vaughan, Larsson; Sessegnon, Bendtner.

West Brom: Foster; Reid, Dawson, Olsson, Shorey; Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Thomas; Odemwingie, Long

Recent form: Sunderland – DLDLWL; West Brom – LLLWLD

Prediction: 0-2

 

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v NEWCASTLE UNITED 15:00, Molineux

Having started strongly, Wolves’ fortunes seem to have faded, and they come into this game having gained just one point from a possible twelve. Newcastle, meanwhile, have yet to lose a Premier League game this season, much to the surprise of just about everybody.

Much of the Magpies’ strength comes from their defence, which has been miserly to say the least, having shipped only three goals so far. Having put pen to paper on a new four-year deal at Wolves, striker Kevin Doyle will be looking to repay Mick McCarthy’s confidence in him with a goal or two.

What to watch out for:

Yohan Cabaye. When Newcastle lost midfielders Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan over the summer, many of their fans feared the worst. Since signing Cabaye, however, Newcastle look a new team. Simultaneously putting out fires and supplying probing balls downfield, Cabaye has been a revelation this season.

Possible line-ups:

Wolves: Hennessey; Ward, Berra, Johnson, Zubar; Jarvis, O’Hara, Henry, Kightly; Fletcher, Doyle.

Newcastle: Krul; R Taylor, Colloccini, S Taylor, Simpson; Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tiote, Obertan; Ba, Best.

Recent form: Wolves – WWDLLL; Newcastle– DWWDDW

Prediction: 1-1

 

BOLTON WANDERERS v CHELSEA 13:30, The Reebok (Sunday)

Five straight defeats is hardly the form to take into any Premier League fixture. Having faced both Manchester sides, as well as Arsenal and Liverpool, it’s fair to say Bolton have had a tough start, and fans could be forgiven for looking beyond this game and forward to the impending international break.

Chelsea, meanwhile, cruised to a 4-1 win over Swansea last weekend, despite playing most of the game with ten men. They were far from brilliant against Valencia in midweek, and Owen Coyle will be hoping they’re still tired from that game.

What to watch out for:

Daniel Sturridge. Having spent a lot of last season on loan at Bolton, the Chelsea frontman will be looking to put his old club to the sword. With Fernando Torres suspended, it is likely that Sturridge will spearhead the Chelsea attack, and with the scent of an England call-up in his nostrils, he will be taking no prisoners.

Possible line-ups:

Bolton: Jääskeläinen; Steinsson, Robinson, Knight, Wheater; Petrov, Eagles, Muamba, Pratley, Reo-Coker; Davies.

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Cole; Meireles, Ramires, Mikel; Sturridge, Anelka, Mata.

Recent form: Bolton – WLLLLL; Chelsea – DWWWLW

Prediction: 0-3

 

FULHAM v QUEENS PARK RANGERS 15:00, Craven Cottage

Having bought eight new players in the summer, Fulham fans would have been expecting a better start than the one they’ve had. They currently lie second from bottom and all the pundits’ assurances that they’ve been playing nice football will be scant consolation.

QPR – who have also brought in a raft of new faces – have fared rather better. Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alejandro Faurlin have been sensational and they look every inch the tenth-placed side in the Premier League

What to watch out for:

Joey Barton. Well who else could it be? The only man whose outbursts generate more column inches than his excellent football, he is the heartbeat of this QPR side. Instrumental in dismantling Wolves a fortnight ago, the midfielder wasted no time in re-igniting a feud with Karl Henry after the game, and even found time to quote The Smiths from the team coach. Martin Jol will be hoping bigmouth doesn’t strike again (sorry!).

Possible line-ups:

Fulham: Schwarzer; Hughes, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise; Dempsey. Murphy, Sidwell, Duff; Ruiz, Zamora

QPR: Kenny; Young, Ferdinand, Hall, Traore; Wright-Phillips, Barton, Derry, Faurlin, Taarabt; Campbell

Recent form: Fulham – DLLDDD; QPR – LWLDWD

Prediction: 2-2

 

SWANSEA CITY v STOKE CITY 15:00, The Liberty Stadium

Considering nobody gave Swansea a chance before the season started, they’ve certainly not embarrassed themselves thus far. Five points from six games is no disgrace, and their 4-1 loss to Chelsea last weekend was a harsher scoreline than they deserved.

Admirably, Swansea haven’t altered their attacking style of play for the Premier League, meaning they’re among the most entertaining teams to watch. Stoke, meanwhile, come fresh from a 2-1 win over Besiktas on Thursday night, having held Champions Man United to a draw last weekend.

What to watch out for:

Hungover Potters. Stoke made it two victories from two Europa League games on Thursday night, and turned in a very convincing display. Tony Pulis will be hoping that their European hangover isn’t as bad as their last, however. After their victory over Dynamo Kiev, they were roundly trounced 4-0 by Sunderland.

Possible line-ups:

Swansea: Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Monk, Taylor; Dyer, Gower, Routledge, Allen, Sinclair; Lita.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Woodgate, Shotton, Pennant, Delap, Palacios, Whelan, Walters, Crouch.

Recent form: Swansea – LDDLWL; Stoke – DDWWLD

Prediction: 0-0

 

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v ARSENAL 16.00, White Hart Lane

This North London derby looks as though it’s going to be the closest-run affair for a couple of decades. With the addition of Emmanuel Adebayor, Spurs look a dangerous attacking prospect, and confidence will be high after a convincing 2-1 away win at Wigan last weekend.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have won their last three games in all competitions, yet still look a million miles from their fluent selves. Arsene Wenger will hope that the winning habit is back, but Spurs will be the acid test.

What to watch out for:

Emmanuel Adebayor. Nobody remembers Adebayor’s goal for Man City against the Arsenal side that had just sold him, but everybody remembers the celebration where he ran the length of the pitch to taunt the Arsenal faithful. Certain to be in for a rough afternoon at the hands of the Arsenal fans, the Togolese striker will be looking to have the last laugh.

Possible line-ups:

Spurs: Friedel; Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Kaboul, Walker; Bale, van der Vaart, Modric, Huddlestone, Lennon; Adebayor.

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Song, Santos; Frimpong, Arteta, Rosicky; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin; Chamakh.

Recent form: Spurs – LLWWW; Arsenal – DLLWLW

Prediction: 3-3

 

Tags: arsenal, Carlos Tevez, David Moyes, Edin Dzeko, Emmanuel Adebayor, Everton, Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson, Steven Gerrard, Tottenham Hotspur