ARSENAL v BOLTON WANDERERS
Today, 12.45pm. Television: Live on pay-per-view; Sky Sports 1, highlights, 10.15pm (digital only). Referee: P Dowd
The final proof of a shift in the balance of Premiership power is that Arsenal have taken over Manchester United’s traditional Saturday lunchtime slot. Dennis Bergkamp is likely to be rested, while Sol Campbell has almost recovered from injury.
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Injuries and suspensions: S Campbell (Achilles), J Aliadière (knee).
Team (probable, 4-4-2): J Lehmann — Lauren, K Touré, P Cygan, A Cole — F Ljungberg, Edu, P Vieira, R Pires — J A Reyes, T Henry.
Sam Allardyce hates match days, but will love this one if his side end Arsenal’s unbeaten run of 45 Premiership games. Impossible? He says so, of course — “They are top, we are third, but we are a million miles apart” — but will quietly fancy their chances.
Injuries and suspensions: none.
Team (probable, 4-5-1): J Jaaskelainen — N Hunt, R Jaidi, B N’Gotty, R Gardner — S Giannakopoulous, A Okocha, I Campo, G Speed, K Nolan — K Davies.
BIRMINGHAM v CHARLTON ATH
Today, 3pm. Television: BBC One, highlights. 10.30pm; Sky Sports 1, highlights, 10.15pm (digital only). Referee: U Rennie
David Dunn came through a midweek friendly with West Bromwich Albion after a hamstring injury and could play some part as Steve Bruce, with Robbie Savage back from suspension, seeks both more goal power and increased defensive obduracy.
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Injuries and suspensions: J Clapham (knee), M Forssell (knee), S Lazaridis (thigh).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): Maik Taylor — M Melchiot, K Cunningham, M Upson, D Johnson — J Gronkjaer, R Savage, M Izzet, J Gray — C Morrison (or D Yorke), E Heskey.
Whether Alan Curbishley’s soft spot for one of his former clubs will cushion his team is doubtful and, after conceding four goals away to Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City, Charlton will try and shut up shop.
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Injuries and suspensions: S Bartlett (ankle), M Holland (ankle).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): D Kiely — L Young, C Perry, J Fortune (or M Fish), H Hreidarsson — B Hughes (or D Rommedahl), D Murphy, J Euell, R Kishishev — K Lisbie, D Rommedahl (or F Jeffers).
BLACKBURN R v PORTSMOUTH
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Today, 3pm. Television: BBC One, highlights, 10.30pm; Sky Sports 1, highlights, 10.15pm (digital only). Referee: M Clattenburg
Mark Hughes will seek the advice of Tony Parkes, the long-serving coach, but the final decisions will be his as he seeks to make an immediate mark at Ewood Park. Blackburn’s new manager has taken over a team that has yet to win this season, but his squad is by no means short of talent.
Injuries and suspensions: A Todd (knee), D Thompson (ankle), P Gallagher (thigh).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): B Friedel — L Neill, C Short, D Matteo, M Gray — B Emerton, G Flitcroft, B Ferguson, M G Pedersen — P Dickov, J Stead.
Impressive victories in their past two matches, both at Fratton Park, have propelled Portsmouth up to ninth place, but Harry Redknapp knows that picking up points away from home is vital if they are to avoid a relegation battle. Amdy Faye will make his first start of the season.
Injuries and suspensions: A De Zeeuw (knee), H Foxe (foot), S Todorov (knee).
Team (possible; 4-4-1-1): S Hislop — L Primus, D Stefanovic, D Unsworth, M Taylor — S Stone, A Faye, N Quashie, P Berger — E Berkovic — Yakubu Ayegbeni.
C PALACE v MANCHESTER CITY
Today, 3pm. Television: BBC One, highlights, 10.30pm; Sky Sports 1, highlights, 10.15pm (digital only). Referee: M Atkinson
Palace defences being what they are, Iain Dowie must believe his side’s chances to be better against Anelka and Fowler today than they would have been against Batman and Robin. With one point after five matches, Palace go in search of their first win and first clean sheet of the season.
Injuries and suspensions: D Butterfield (hamstring).
Team (probable; 4-4-2): J Speroni — E Boyce, T Popovic, F Hall, D Granville — W Routledge, A Riihilahti, M Hughes, J Kolkka — A Johnson, S Torghelle.
He made all the right noises yesterday (“I don’t read the papers . . . three years into a five-year plan . . . the board has been very supportive . . . I intend to stick it out . . .”) but defeat this afternoon and the knives really would be out for Kevin Keegan.
Injuries and suspensions: S McManaman (Achilles tendon), T Sinclair (knee), D Sommeil (match fitness), N Weaver (knee).
Team (probable; 4-4-2): D James — D Mills, R Dunne, S Distin, B Thatcher — S Wright-Phillips, C Reyna, J Barton, A Sibierski — N Anelka, R Fowler.
NORWICH CITY v ASTON VILLA
Today, 3pm. Television: BBC One, highlights, 10.30pm. Sky Sports 1, highlights, 10.15pm (digital only). Referee: B Knight
For a promoted side still looking for their first win, Norwich are surprisingly buoyant. The creditable goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday has given the club genuine hope that Premiership survival is a realistic prospect, which a win here would boost before the trip to Anfield.
Injuries and suspensions: none.
Team (possible; 4-1-2-1-2): R Green — C Fleming, M Edworthy, S Charlton, A Drury — Y Safri — G Holt, D Francis — D Bentley — G Doherty, D Huckerby.
Another team content with a scoreless draw last week after holding Chelsea, but they will not be happy with anything less than a win today. Carlton Cole may return in place of Juan Pablo Ángel for Villa’s first trip to Carrow Road since 1995.
Injuries and suspensions: M Laursen, L Ridgewell (both knee).
Team (probable, 4-4-2): T Sorensen — U De la Cruz, M Delaney, O Mellberg, J Samuel — N Solano, G McCann, T Hitzlsperger, G Barry — D Vassell, C Cole.
WEST BROMWICH A v FULHAM
Today, 3pm. Television: BBC One, highlights, 10.30pm; Sky Sports 1, highlights, 10.15pm (digital only). Referee: M Dean
With Gary Megson’s future in doubt and a scuffle on the team coach after Saturday’s 3-0 loss away to Liverpool, these are grey days at The Hawthorns. A first league win of the season, with Robert Earnshaw set for his first start, would do wonders for morale.
Injuries and suspensions: L Sigurdsson (knee), D Moore (knee).
Team (possible, 4-4-1-1): R Hoult — C Contra, D Purse, T Gaardsoe, P Robinson — B Haas, J Koumas, N Clement, J Greening — Kanu — R Earnshaw.
A three-match losing streak is the worst string of results since Chris Coleman took charge of the club. Steed Malbranque, the midfield player, should make the squad after missing out so far this season because of injury.
Injuries and suspensions: E Hammond (thigh), L Clark (Achilles), C Jensen (calf), J Bonnissel (groin), C Bocanegra (hamstring).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): E van der Sar — M Volz, Z Knight, A Goma, I Pearce — S Legwinski, P Bouba Diop, M Pembridge, L Boa Morte — A Cole, C John.
CHELSEA V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tomorrow, 4.05pm. Television: Live on Sky Sports 2; BBC Two, highlights, 10.30pm. Referee: M Riley
José Mourinho, the manager, must be happy with five victories in an unbeaten six-match run this season, including the 3-0 demolition of Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League opener. They may find it tougher at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
Injuries and suspensions: C Cudicini (elbow), A Robben (ankle).
Team (probable; 4-4-2): P Cech — P Ferreira, W Gallas, J Terry, W Bridge — Tiago, C Makelele, F Lampard, J Cole — E Gudjohnsen, D Drogba.
A laughing stock last season, Tottenham have been knocked into shape by Jacques Santini, the former France coach. Five matches without defeat illustrates how difficult they are to beat now but Chelsea will test even Jermain Defoe’s firepower.
Injuries and suspensions: S Davis (knee), M Carrick (ankle), M Taricco (hamstring).
Team (probable; 4-4-2): P Robinson — N Pamarot, L King, N Naybet, E Edman — M Brown, Pedro Mendes, J Redknapp, T Atouba — J Defoe, R Keane.
EVERTON V MIDDLESBROUGH
Tomorrow, 3pm. Television: BBC Two, highlights, 10.30pm. Referee: H Webb
Fifth place is not what most Everton supporters were expecting after a summer of boardroom turmoil and a shrinking squad, but David Moyes is adamant that their best start to a season for 26 years must continue.
Injuries and suspensions: Li Tie (shin), T Cahill (one game).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): N Martyn — T Hibbert, J Yobo, A Stubbs, A Pistone — S Watson, T Gravesen, L Carsley, K Kilbane — M Bent, D Ferguson.
After a pleasing debut in European competition this week, Middlesbrough are on a roll. Steve McClaren can luxuriate in the scoring form of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka.
Injuries and suspensions: U Ehiogu (calf), G Mendieta (calf), M Reiziger (shoulder).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): M Schwarzer — S Parnaby, G Southgate, C Riggott, F Queudrue — S Nemeth, G Boateng, R Parlour, B Zenden — J F Hasselbaink, M Viduka.
SOUTHAMPTON v NEWCASTLE
Tomorrow, 2pm. Television: Live on Sky Sports 1; BBC Two, highlights, 10.30pm. Referee: C Foy
Steve Wigley, still searching for his first win, may be feeling a little paranoid this week. Hot on the heels of fresh speculation about Glenn Hoddle, Wigley was told he must get the Uefa Pro Licence if he is to carry on as manager. Andreas Jakobsson, the Sweden centre back, makes his home debut.
Injuries and suspensions: M Svensson (knee), M Pahars (ankle), J Dodd (back).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): A Niemi — D Kenton, C Lundekvam, A Jakobsson, G Le Saux — F Fernandes, R Delap, D Prutton, A Svensson — J Beattie, K Phillips.
Having dropped Alan Shearer for his first game in charge and overseen a spot of fisticuffs, Graeme Souness has certainly made an instant impression. Shearer is likely to be back today with Patrick Kliuvert reverting to the bench. Ronny Johnsen has completed his move but is not match fit.
Injuries and suspensions: K Dyer (hamstring), T Bramble (hamstring).
Team (possible; 4-4-2): S Given — S Carr, A O’Brien, R Elliott, A Hughes — J Jenas, L Bowyer, N Butt, L Robert — A Shearer, C Bellamy.