MAN UTD v CRYSTAL PALACE 12:45
Away matches against Liverpool can be lost once in a while (just as long as it doesn’t become habit), home games against Crystal Palace though, they’re bread and butter. United should get the 3 points of course, but until David Moyes picks up his first win at Old Trafford, the terraces will be a little restless. Ian Holloway will have to watch from the stands after picking up a touchline ban, as if the odds weren’t stacked against Palace enough already…
Marouane Fellaini should make his United debut but Wayne Rooney’s head injury keeps him out. Chris Smalling may fill in for Phil Jones at right-back. Palace could hand debuts to Cameron Jerome and Barry Bannan. Fellow new signing Jack Hunt is out long-term though after breaking his ankle in training.
ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE 15:00
After a tough opening run of fixtures, Villa will be hoping to pick up a win against a Newcastle side who despite being on more points than the home side, don’t appear to be in as good shape.
The Magpies should be boosted by the return of Yohan Cabaye, Cheick Tiote and Steven Taylor though, and Loic Remy could make his first start too. For Villa, Nathan Baker and Antonio Luna look to have shaken off knocks and deadline day signing Libor Kozak could feature.
FULHAM v WEST BROM 15:00
It’s been a nightmare start for West Brom and they’re yet to score a goal this season. Steve Clarke will be hoping new signings Victor Anichebe and Stephane Sessegnon can put that right, and another new man, French midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, could be involved as well.
For Fulham, this is the sort of game they need to be winning if they want to stay clear of the drop-zone. The return of keeper Maarten Stekelenburg from a shoulder injury should boost them, but Aaron Hughes and Kieran Richardson remain doubtful.
HULL v CARDIFF 15:00
No matter how early it comes in the season, a game between two promoted is always a six-pointer, and this is no different. Hull will be hoping for a repeat of their last home game, which saw them overcome Norwich. They’ll have to do it without the impressive looking Allan McGregor in goal though, his groin injury means Steve Harper will deputise. Yannick Sagbo is suspended and new signing Gedo is still awaiting his visa.
Cardiff could hand a debut to Peter Odemwingie as they look to continue their decent start. Goalkeeping problems for them too though, so Joe Lewis will step in for David Marshall who injured his hip whilst playing for Scotland midweek.
STOKE v MAN CITY 15:00
A tricky away trip for City as they face the scorned ex-lover. Mark Hughes will be desperate for a result against his old squeeze and Pellegrini should be wary of what happened in Cardiff too. Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy and Martin Demichelis are all still missing for the visitors and Stoke are just the team to exploit any defensive frailties. David Silva is missing as well but Stevan Jovetic could make his Man City debut.
Charlie Adam and Glenn Whelan are doubts for Stoke but they have an otherwise fully-fit aquad.
SUNDERLAND v ARSENAL 15:00
Or Mesut Ozil day. The Gunners’ record signing should make his debut despite missing training on Friday with illness. Sunderland will be desperate to pick up their first league win but it’s looking a tall order. Having said that, they could be boosted by the return of Steven Fletcher and Fabio Borini may make his first appearance too. John O’Shea is suspended though.
Ozil aside, Arsenal also have concerns over Per Mertesacker, Tomas Rosicky and Yaya Sanogo, they’ll also be without long-term absentee Lukas Podolski.
TOTTENHAM v NORWICH 15:00
No goals from open play yet this season, so AVB will be hoping that new signings Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen can make the difference in this winnable home game. Emmanuel Adebayor, Etienne Capoue and Aaron Lennon remain sidelined though, and Vlad Chiriches is still without a work permit.
For Norwich, Gary Hooper could feature after recovering from a shin injury and Ryan Bennett is fit again too.
EVERTON v
CHELSEA 17:45
Saturday’s late kick-off sees Chelsea travel to face an Everton side boosted by their late deadline day business. Of those signings, james McCarthy and Gareth Barry could make their debuts. Romelu Lukaku will have to wait though as he’s ineligible to play against his parent-club, but the Toffees have no other absentees.
Samuel Eto’o, Lukaku’s replacement, will make his debut for the Blues.
Sunday and Monday's games to follow...
Predictions?
FIVE DEBUTS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS WEEKEND
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