Arsenal v Manchester United
Today 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1

With both teams in superb form and their managers devoted to attack, expect fireworks in North London. Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have eight wins apiece in 22 matches against each other, so a high-scoring draw is on the cards. That this is a top-of-the-table clash is sure to add extra intensity.

Arsenal (possible; 4-4-1-1): M Almunia – B Sagna, K Touré, W Gallas, G Clichy – E Eboué, F Fàbregas, M Flamini, T Rosicky – A Hleb – E Adebayor. Injuries and suspensions: R van Persie (knee), P Senderos (back).

Manchester United (possible; 4-3-3): E van der Sar – W Brown, R Ferdinand, N Vidic, P Evra – M Carrick, O Hargreaves, Anderson – C Ronaldo, C Tévez, W Rooney. Injuries and suspensions: P Scholes, M Silvestre, Park Ji Sung, B Foster (all knee).

Bill Edgar says
These clubs have won 21 of the 30 league championships and FA Cups contested in the Premier League era, since 1992 – 13 by United, eight by Arsenal

Referee H Webb
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 11-8, Away 7-4, Draw 2-1
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 38% Away win 35% Draw 26%

Aston Villa v Derby
Today 3pm

Kenny Miller, the striker, has a fitness test on a hamstring injury as the lowest scorers in the four divisions seek to improve on their goal returns. Steve Howard stands by for a recall. Nigel Reo-Coker and Scott Carson are set to return from suspension for Aston Villa, who will test the fitness of John Carew.

Aston Villa (possible; 4-4-2): S Carson – C Gardner, O Mellberg, M Laursen, W Bouma – S Petrov, N Reo-Coker, G Barry, A Young – L Moore, G Agbonlahor. Injuries and suspensions: J Carew (knee).

Derby County (possible; 4-3-3): S Bywater – T Mears, D Moore, C Davis, J McEveley – M Oakley, D Leacock, S Pearson – C Fagan, K Miller, G Barnes. Injuries and suspensions: A Todd (back and hamstring).

Bill Edgar says
Derby have not scored in their opening six away league matches, the first team to fail to do so in the top flight since Sheffield Wednesday in 1989-90

Referee M Halsey
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 4-9, Away 11-2, Draw 13-5
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 66% Away win 14% Draw 21%

Blackburn v Liverpool
Today 5.15pm, Setanta Sports 1

Rafael BenÍtez can hardly be relishing this encounter with a Blackburn Rovers team who have won their past seven matches. Liverpool are unbeaten in the league, but they would fall four points behind Blackburn if they lost. Peter Crouch will be praying for a run-out up front for Liverpool, with Fernando Torres injured.

Blackburn Rovers (possible; 4-4-2): B Friedel – B Emerton, C Samba, A Ooijer, S Warnock – D Bentley, A Mokoena, Tugay Kerimoglu, M G Pedersen – B McCarthy, R Santa Cruz. Injuries and suspensions: B Berner (foot), R Savage (knee).

Liverpool (possible; 4-4-2) J M Reina – S Finnan, J Carragher, S Hyypia, J A Riise – Y Benayoun, S Gerrard, J Mascherano, R Babel – D Kuyt, P Crouch. Injuries and suspensions: D Agger (foot), X Alonso (foot), J Pennant (shin), F Torres (groin).

Bill Edgar says
Blackburn’s past six matches in all competitions have brought them five 2-1 wins and another by the same ratio – 4-2 against Reading. Liverpool beat Cardiff City 2-1 in midweek

Referee M Atkinson
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 7-4, Away 5-4, Draw 11-5
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 24% Away win 50% Draw 27%

Everton v Birmingham
Today 3pm

Tim Cahill is likely to play just behind Yakubu Ayegbeni in attack after scoring twice in three matches for Everton since returning from a foot injury. Birmingham City have just one win in their past 18 away matches and there is doubt over the availability of Wilson Palacios, whose brother has been kidnapped in Honduras.

Everton (possible; 4-4-1-1): T Howard – P Jagielka, J Yobo, J Lescott, N Valente – L Osman, L Carsley, P Neville, M Arteta – T Cahill – Yakubu Ayegbeni. Injuries and suspensions: A Stubbs (knee and ankle), S Pienaar (ankle), V Anichebe (hand), L Baines (ankle), A Johnson (ankle), I Turner (hip).

Birmingham City (possible; 4-4-2): M Taylor – S Kelly, R Schmitz, L Ridgewell, F Queudrue – D de Ridder, F Muamba, M Nafti, W Palacios – O Kapo, C Jerome. Injuries and suspensions: J Djourou (hamstring), D Johnson (hamstring), B Oubina (knee).

Bill Edgar says
The Premier League’s longest-serving managers face off. Arsène Wenger (second longest) v Sir Alex Ferguson (longest); David Moyes (fourth) v Steve Bruce (third)

Referee M Riley
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 8-13, Away 4-1, Draw 9-4
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 53% Away win 21% Draw 26%

Fulham v Reading
Today 3pm

It is one year since Reading managed a league win in London, and it came against Fulham. Steve Coppell’s team are not yet sure if they are relegation candidates or not, alternating weak efforts with stoical ones. Fulham, though, seem set on draws and with two key defenders suspended they could offer rich pickings.

Fulham (possible; 4-4-2): A Niemi – E Omozusi, A Hughes, D Stefanovic, A Leijer – C Dempsey, S Davis, D Murphy, S Davies – D Kamara, D Healy. Injuries and suspensions: B McBride (knee), J Bullard (knee), H Bouazza (shoulder), K Keller (bicep), M Volz (groin), L Cook (knee), C Baird (calf), C Bocanegra (one match), P Konchesky (second match of three).

Reading (probable; 4-4-2): M Hahnemann – G Murty, I Sonko, M Duberry, N Shorey – K Doyle, B Gunnarsson, J Harper, S Hunt – L Lita, D Kitson. Injuries and suspensions: G Little (Achilles), J Oster (ankle), K Cissé (knee).

Bill Edgar says
Graeme Murty, the regular right back for Reading this season, also appeared for them in this fixture in February 1999, when it was played in the third tier

Referee M Clattenburg
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 5-4, Away 7-4, Draw 11-5
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 46% Away win 31% Draw 23%

Middlesbrough v Tottenham
Today 3pm

For his first league match in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Juande Ramos has a chance to steer his team out of the bottom three at Middlesbrough’s expense. Victory at the Riverside Stadium, where results have been poor for Gareth Southgate’s team, would be Tottenham’s first in the league away from home.

Middlesbrough (possible; 4-4-2): M Schwarzer – L Young, J Woodgate, C Riggott, A Taylor – G O’Neil, L Cattermole, F Rochemback, S Downing – J Aliadière, Tuncay Sanli. Injuries and suspensions: Mido (groin), E Pogatetz (knee), J Arca (knee), R Huth (ankle), B Jones (thigh), M Bates (knee).

Tottenham Hotspur (possible; 4-4-2): P Robinson – P Chimbonda, Y Kaboul, M Dawson, Lee Young Pyo – A Lennon, D Zokora, J Jenas, S Malbranque – R Keane, D Berbatov. Injuries and suspensions: B Assou-Ekotto (knee), A Gardner (ankle), G Bale (foot), R Rocha (foot), L King (knee).

Bill Edgar says
Tottenham have appointed a Spanish head coach but no Spaniard has played for the club. Middlesbrough have lost their past five games by at least two goals

Referee M Dean
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 7-5, Away 6-4, Draw 9-4
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 33% Away win 42% Draw 25%

Newcastle v Portsmouth
Today 3pm

Newcastle put this season’s unbeaten home record on the line against a Portsmouth team seeking a fourth successive away in the league. Obafemi Martins leads a star-studded Newcastle forward line, in which Michael Owen is the man under pressure after failing to convince in a black and white shirt this season.

Newcastle United (possible; 4-4-2): S Given – H Beye, A Faye, C Caçapa, J Enrique – Gérémi, J Barton, Emre Belözoglu, J Milner – O Martins, M Owen. Injuries and suspensions: M Viduka (calf), S Carr (hamstring), P Ramage (knee), D Duff (ankle).

Portsmouth (possible; 4-5-1): D James – G Johnson, S Campbell, S Distin, N Pamarot – J Utaka, P Bouba Diop, P Mendes, S Davis, N Kranjcar – B Mwaruwari. Injuries and suspensions: S Muntari (hamstring), H Hreidarsson (groin), R Hughes (final match of three).

Bill Edgar says
These clubs are the farthest apart in the Premier League (362 miles). Portsmouth do not like the journey – they have won none of their past 23 away matches against Newcastle

Referee C Foy
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 11-10, Away 2-1, Draw 11-5
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 38% Away win 35% Draw 27%

Wigan v Chelsea
Today 3pm

Wigan Athletic are looking to take a point off one of the “big four” teams for the first time in 18 attempts and end a five-match losing streak in the league. Chelsea expect to welcome back Wayne Bridge, the left back, from injury.

Wigan Athletic (probable; 4-4-2): C Kirkland – M Melchiot, A Granqvist, T Bramble, K Kilbane – L A Valencia, P Scharner, D Landzaat, J Koumas – A Sibierski, M Bent. Injuries and suspensions: E Heskey (foot).

Chelsea (probable; 4-3-3): P Cech – Belletti, R Carvalho, Alex, W Bridge – M Essien, J O Mikel, F Lampard – J Cole, D Drogba, S Kalou. Injuries and suspensions: A Cole (ankle), M Ballack (ankle), J Terry (knee).

Bill Edgar says
Chelsea and Manchester United have won their past six games in all competitions and Blackburn Rovers their past seven. Arsenal had 12 wins in a row before last week’s draw

Referee S Bennett
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 11-2, Away 4-9, Draw 13-5
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 13% Away win 65% Draw 23%

West Ham v Bolton
Tomorrow 4pm, Sky Sports 1

West Ham could field an impressive lineup from the treatment room but must soldier on without their injured XI. Bolton have not won for almost a month, with Gary Megson, their new manager, yet to taste success in two outings.

West Ham United (possible; 4-4-2): R Green – L Neill, D Gabbidon, M Upson, J Spector – N Solano, L Bowyer, H Mullins, M Etherington – C Cole, H Camara. Injuries and suspensions: D Ashton (knee), C Bellamy (abdominal strain), K Dyer (leg), S Parker (knee), F Ljungberg (calf), R Zamora (knee), J Faubert (Achilles), C Davenport (groin), J Collins (calf), N Quashie (toe), A Ferdinand (hamstring).

Bolton Wanderers (possible; 4-5-1): J Jaaskelainen – L Michalik, G Cid, A Meïté, J Samuel – D Guthrie, K Nolan, G McCann, M Alonso, S Giannakopoulos – E-H Diouf. Injuries and suspensions: N Anelka (hamstring), R Vaz Té (knee), B Dzemaili (knee), J O’Brien (hamstring), A O’Brien (back), K Davies (hip).

Bill Edgar says
Since mid-March, West Ham have won 35 points and Bolton 15. Bolton are 18 places below Arsenal in the table but have won the same number of corners this season (71)

Referee P Walton
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 4-5, Away 3-1, Draw 11-5
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 40% Away win 33% Draw 27%

Manchester City v Sunderland
Monday 8pm, Setanta Sports 1

City have a 100 per cent record at home this season but will have to try to maintain their run without Micah Richards, who will be out for about a week with a knee injury. Kenwyne Jones has recovered from a calf injury and will start for Sunderland.

Manchester City (possible; 4-4-2): A Isaksson – V Corluka, R Dunne, N Onuoha, M Ball – S Ireland, D Hamann, M Johnson, J Garrido – Elano, G Samaras. Injuries and suspensions: D Sturridge (hip), V Bojinov (knee).

Sunderland (possible; 4-4-2): C Gordon – D Collins, N Nosworthy, D Higginbotham, I Harte – L Miller, G Leadbitter, D Etuhu, R Wallace – M Chopra, K Jones. Injuries and suspensions: A Cole (calf), D Whitehead (knee), C Edwards (hamstring), K Richardson (back), D Yorke (calf), S Varga (knee), R Anderson (ankle), A Stokes (hamstring), G Halford (first match of two), P McShane (last match of three).

Bill Edgar says
City’s best two finishes since 1978 (fifth in 1991 and 1992) and Sunderland’s best two finishes since 1955 (seventh in 2000 and 2001 ) came under Peter Reid’s management

Referee A Wiley
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 8-15, Away 9-2, Draw 5-2
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 45% Away win 28% Draw 27%

Top scorers

Benjani Mwaruwari Portsmouth 7
Emmanuel Adebayor Arsenal 6
Nicolas Anelka Bolton 6
Robbie Keane Tottenham 6
Cesc Fàbregas Arsenal 5
Benni McCarthy Blackburn 5
Robin van Persie Arsenal 5
Gabriel Agbonlahor Aston Villa 4
Didier Drogba Chelsea 4
Elano Manchester City 4
Kenwyne Jones Sunderland 4
Olivier Kapo Birmingham City 4
*5 other players have scored 4 goals

Bad boys

Fouls committed
Dimitar Berbatov Tottenham 29
Alan Smith Newcastle 27
George Boateng Middlesbrough 25
Steve Howard Derby 24
Didier Drogba Chelsea 23
Clint Dempsey Fulham 22
Dickson Etuhu Sunderland 21
Mikel Arteta Everton 20
Dean Ashton West Ham 20
Michael Brown Wigan 20
Nicky Butt Newcastle 20
*four other players on 20 fouls

Highlights: BBC One, 10.30pm, Sky Sports 1, 10.15pm