Blackburn v Fulham
Today 3pm
Four matches into the Premier League season and the pressure is beginning to
mount on Paul Ince, the manager who joined from Milton Keynes Dons in the
summer, as Blackburn Rovers look to avoid a third successive defeat. André
Ooijer returns to the Blackburn defence after a hamstring injury but David
Dunn, the midfield player, is to have surgery on an Achilles injury and will
be out until the new year. Leon Andreasen, the Fulham midfield player, has
recovered from a groin strain and is in the squad. Roy Hodgson, the Fulham
manager, faces the club he led for 17 months from June 1997.
Blackburn Rovers (probable; 4-4-2): P Robinson – A Ooijer, R Nelsen, C
Samba, S Warnock – B Emerton, S Reid, K Andrews, M G Pedersen – R Santa
Cruz, J Roberts. Injuries and suspensions: D Dunn (Achilles), V
Grella (calf).
Fulham (probable; 4-4-2): M Schwarzer – J Pantsil, B Hangeland, A
Hughes, P Konchesky – S Davies, D Murphy, J Bullard, Z Gera – R Zamora, A
Johnson. Injuries and suspensions: D Kamara (knee).
Bill Edgar says Ince’s first five games at Blackburn have had 21 goals.
His first six matches with MK Dons produced 28 goals.
Referee L Probert Odds: Sky Bet Home evens Away 11-4 Draw 12-5 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 57% Away win 22% Draw 21%
Bolton v Arsenal
Today 5.30pm, Setanta Sports 1
Bolton have not won since the opening day of the season, when they defeated
Stoke City 3-1. Included in their four-match barren streak is a loss to
Northampton Town in the Carling Cup. Arsenal got out of a jail with a late
equaliser from William Gallas in their 1-1 draw away to Dynamo Kiev in the
Champions League on Wednesday night. They have lost only once in seven games
this season, however, and scored seven goals without reply in their past two
league matches, shrugging off any suggestions of a club in crisis after an
unexpected defeat away to Fulham last month.
Bolton Wanderers (probable; 4-1-4-1): J Jaaskelainen – G Steinsson, D
Shittu, A O’Brien, J Samuel – F Muamba – J O’Brien, K Nolan, G McCann, R
Gardner – K Davies. Injuries and suspensions: M Taylor (toe), G
Cahill (second match of two).
Arsenal (probable; 4-5-1): M Almunia – B Sagna, W Gallas, K Touré, G
Clichy – T Walcott, F Fàbregas, A Song, Denilson, R van Persie – E Adebayor. Injuries
and suspensions: S Nasri (knee), M Silvestre (thigh), T Rosicky
(hamstring), A Diaby (thigh), A Bischoff (groin), Eduardo da Silva (leg).
Bill Edgar says Arsenal’s defence seem to play a high line. They have
caught league opponents offside 22 times, compared with four each by Chelsea
and Manchester United.
Referee S Bennett Odds: Sky Bet Home 5-1 Away 8-13 Draw 13-5 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 17% Away win 62% Draw 22%
Liverpool v Stoke
Today 3pm
Liverpool may recall Sami Hyypia and switch Jamie Carragher to right back to
counteract Stoke City’s aerial threat and Robbie Keane, who came on as a
late substitute in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Marseilles on
Tuesday, should be given the opportunity to break his goalscoring duck for
the club he joined from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. Michael Tonge
stands by for his full debut as Stoke may compensate for the absence of the
suspended Amdy Faye by moving Abdoulaye Faye into the centre of defence.
Liverpool (possible; 4-4-2): J M Reina – J Carragher, M Skrtel, S
Hyypia, A Dossena – D Kuyt, J Mascherano, X Alonso, A Riera – R Keane, F
Torres. Injuries and suspensions: P Degen (groin).
Stoke City (possible; 4-4-2): T Sorensen – A Griffin, I Sonko,
Abdoulaye Faye, D Higginbotham – L Lawrence, S Olofinjana, R Delap, M Tonge
– D Kitson, R Fuller. Injuries and suspensions: A Davies
(knee), Amdy Faye (second match of three).
Bill Edgar says Stoke have managed only nine goal attempts on target in
the league this season but have scored from seven of them.
Referee A Marriner Odds: Sky Bet Home 2-9 Away 16-1 Draw 9-2 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 83% Away win 5% Draw 12%
Sunderland v Middlesbrough
Today 12.45pm
With Sunderland yet to claim a point at home this season and Middlesbrough
with nothing to show from their travels, something has to give in the
Wear-Tees derby. Michael Chopra, the Sunderland striker, is in contention
for a place in the squad after suspension and Carlos Edwards could return
after international duty. For Middlesbrough, Mohamed Shawky and Marvin Emnes
have recovered from hamstring injuries and Julio Arca, the former Sunderland
midfield player, had 45 minutes of action for the reserve team on Tuesday
after an ankle problem.
Sunderland (possible; 4-4-1-1): C Gordon – P Chimbonda, N Nosworthy, A
Ferdinand, G McCartney – S Malbranque, T Tainio, K Richardson, A Reid – E-H
Diouf – D Cissé. Injuries and suspensions: K Jones (knee). Middlesbrough
(possible; 4-4-2): R Turnbull – J Hoyte, R Huth, D Wheater, E Pogatetz – J
Aliadière, G O’Neil, M Shawky, S Downing – Afonso Alves, Mido. Injuries
and suspensions: R Williams (knee), Tuncay Sanli (knee). Bill Edgar
says Sunderland have not finished in the top six in the league since
1955, Middlesbrough have not done so since 1951.
Referee H Webb Odds: Sky Bet Home 7-5 Away 2-1 Draw 9-4 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 32% Away win 41% Draw 27%
West Ham v Newcastle
Today 3pm
This is Gianfranco Zola’s first chance to get to know the Upton Park faithful.
If he serves them panache they will happily forget his Chelsea connection,
but when it comes to fan power even West Ham cannot match the fervour of
those of Newcastle, who have convinced Mike Ashley to sell the club.
Newcastle are hampered by suspensions and injuries, as well as depression
and resentment – Zola ought to be able to seize the moment. Dean Ashton is
out of West Ham’s plans but should return within a week.
West Ham United (possible; 4-4-2): R Green – L Neill, C Davenport, M
Upson, H Ilunga – L Boa Morte, M Noble, S Parker, M Etherington – F Sears, C
Cole. Injuries and suspensions: K Dyer (leg), J Spector (hip), D
Gabbidon (groin), D Ashton (ankle).
Newcastle United (possible; 4-4-2): S Given – H Beye, S Taylor, F
Coloccini, S Bassong – Xisco, Gérémi, N Butt, C N’Zogbia – M Owen, F Ameobi. Injuries
and suspensions: M Viduka (Achilles), J Gutiérrez (shoulder), D Duff
(knee), J Enrique (hamstring), K LuaLua (ankle), A Carroll (foot), W Ngo
Baheng (knee), J Barton (second match of six), D Guthrie (first match of
three).
Bill Edgar says Nine players have scored for West Ham in their past
three matches, including an opposition player.
Referee P Dowd Odds: Sky Bet Home 11-10 Away 5-2 Draw 12-5 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 49% Away win 27% Draw 24%
Chelsea v Manchester United
Tomorrow 2pm, Sky Sports 1
Chelsea can open up a nine-point lead over the champions with victory
tomorrow, which they will be confident of doing because they have taken more
points from Manchester United than any other Premier League club. Both
managers are facing selection dilemmas, with Luiz Felipe Scolari weighing up
whether to risk Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack from the start after
injury, while Sir Alex Ferguson must make a similar calculation about
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is back from an ankle operation and came off the
bench in the Champions League draw at home to Villarreal on Wednesday, and
arrange cover for the suspended Nemanja Vidic.
Chelsea (possible; 4-1-4-1): P Cech – J Bosingwa, R Carvalho, J Terry,
A Cole – J O Mikel – J Cole, M Ballack, F Lampard, Deco – D
Drogba. Injuries and suspensions: M Essien (knee).
Manchester United (possible; 4-3-3): E van der Sar – G Neville, R
Ferdinand, W Brown, P Evra – P Scholes, O Hargreaves, Anderson – C Ronaldo,
D Berbatov, W Rooney. Injuries and suspensions: M Carrick (ankle), N
Vidic (one match).
Bill Edgar says United, who were beaten last weekend by Liverpool, have
not lost twice in a row in the league for 122 matches. Chelsea are unbeaten
in 84 home league games. Referee M Riley Odds: Sky Bet Home 5-4 Away 5-2
Draw 2-1 Fink Tank prediction: Home win 42% Away win 31% Draw 28%
Hull City v Everton
Tomorrow, 3pm
Hull City’s spirits are high after last weekend’s victory away to Newcastle
United, a result that has left Phil Brown’s team fifth in the table. George
Boateng and Nick Barmby are in contention for Hull after thigh and calf
injuries respectively. Richard Garcia hopes to shake off a virus and Daniel
Cousin could make his debut. For Everton, Victor Anichebe faces a fitness
test on a shin injury and Marouane Fellaini returns to David Moyes’s side
after being ineligible for the 2-2 draw against Standard Liège, the midfield
player’s former club, in the Uefa Cup on Thursday. Tim Howard is expected to
recover from a virus.
Hull City (probable; 4-4-1-1): B Myhill – P McShane, M Turner, A
Gardner, A Dawson – B Mendy, D Marney, I Ashbee, P Halmosi – Geovanni – M
King. Injuries and suspensions: C Fagan (leg).
Everton (probable; 4-4-1-1): T Howard – P Neville, P Jagielka, J Yobo,
J Lescott – S Castillo, M Fellaini, L Osman, M Arteta – T Cahill – Yakubu
Ayegbeni. Injuries and suspensions: S Pienaar (ankle), A van der
Meyde (hamstring), A Hibbert (knee), L Saha (calf).
Bill Edgar says After tomorrow, Everton will have played away to the
three newly promoted clubs in their first five league matches.
Referee L Mason Odds: Sky Bet Home 9-4 Away 5-4 Draw 9-4 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 26% Away win 44% Draw 30%
Manchester City v Portsmouth
Tomorrow 3pm
Manchester City have played nine matches in the Premier League and Uefa Cup
this season, winning six and losing three. They defeated Omonia Nicosia 2-1
in the latter competition on Thursday evening. Portsmouth secured their
third successive win when beating Guimarães 2-0 in the Uefa Cup first round,
first leg on the same night, with Jermain Defoe scoring his fifth goal in
three games.
Manchester City (probable; 4-1-4-1): J Hart – P Zabaleta, M Richards, R
Dunne, J Garrido – V Kompany – S Wright-Phillips, S Ireland, Elano, Robinho
– Jô. Injuries and suspensions: M Petrov (groin), V
Bojinov (hamstring), D Vassell (knee), Benjani Mwaruwari (thigh).
Portsmouth (probable; 4-4-2): D James – G Johnson, S Campbell, S
Distin, N Belhadj – J Utaka, S Davis, L Diarra, A Traoré – J Defoe, P
Crouch. Injuries and suspensions: R Duffy (groin), Lauren (knee), R
Hughes (calf), B Sahar (knee), J Thomas (back), N Kranjcar (ankle).
Bill Edgar saysLeaving aside Defoe, Portsmouth players have scored six
goals in the club’s past 17 matches in all competitions.
Referee A Wiley Odds: Sky Bet Home evens Away 11-4 Draw 12-5 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 38% Away win 36% Draw 25%
Tottenham v Wigan
Tomorrow 3pm
One point from four matches represents Tottenham Hotspur’s worst start to a
league season for 34 years. The Uefa Cup offered respite on Thursday, with a
2-1 victory over Wisla Krakow. Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko were
ineligible but return for this match tomorrow. Wigan are unbeaten in three
games in the Premier League and Carling Cup but will have to do without Lee
Cattermole, who is suspended. Michael Brown is likely to replace him in
midfield.
Tottenham Hotspur (probable; 4-4-2): H Gomes – C Gunter, J Woodgate, V
Corluka, G Bale – D Bentley, J Jenas, D Zokora, A Lennon – R Pavlyuchenko, D
Bent. Injuries and suspensions: L Modric (knee), H Ghaly (knee), A
Hutton (foot).
Wigan Athletic (probable; 4-4-2): C Kirkland – M Melchiot, E Boyce, T
Bramble, M Figueroa – L A Valencia, M Brown, W Palacios, K Kilbane – A Zaki,
E Heskey. Injuries and suspensions: R Taylor (shin), E Edman (knee),
L Cattermole (one match).
Bill Edgar says None of Tottenham’s past 58 home matches in all
competitions has ended goalless, a run that began in September 2006.
Referee S Tanner Odds: Sky Bet Home 4-6 Away 9-2 Draw 5-2 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 57% Away win 21% Draw 23%
West Brom v Aston Villa
Tomorrow noon, Sky Sports 1
Curtis Davies (knee), Ashley Young (knee) and John Carew (ankle) may return
after missing Aston Villa’s Uefa Cup first-round, first-leg victory away to
Litex Lovech, the Bulgarian club, on Thursday. Villa are unbeaten in their
past four matches after recovering from their shock defeat by Stoke City
last month. Tony Mowbray, the West Bromwich Albion manager, should similarly
be able to recall Gianni Zuiverloon (hamstring), Abdoulaye Méïté (calf) and
Ishmael Miller (knee), after they missed the 3-2 victory over West Ham
United last weekend, West Brom’s first in the Premier League this season.
West Bromwich Albion (possible; 4-4-1-1): S Carson – G Zuiverloon, L
Barnett, A Méïté, P Robinson – J Morrison, B Valero, R Koren, C Brunt – J
Greening – R Bednar. Injuries and suspensions: F Teixeira
(knee), N Clement (knee).
Aston Villa (possible; 4-4-2): B Friedel – L Young, C Davies, M
Laursen, N Shorey – N Reo-Coker, S Petrov, G Barry, A Young – G Agbonlahor,
J Carew. Injuries and suspensions: W Bouma (ankle), S Sidwell (knee).
Bill Edgar says Villa have scored 23 goals in their past eight away
matches in all competitions, dating back to last season.
Referee M Dean Odds: Sky Bet Home 2-1 Away 13-10 Draw 12-5 Fink
Tank prediction: Home win 32% Away win 45% Draw 23%
