Capital clashes top weekend bill

The top two fixtures in the English Premiership this weekend will be played in London.

Arsenal host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium today and tomorrow Chelsea and Tottenham clash in the derby at Stamford Bridge.

Champions Manchester United played UEFA Cup holders Zenith SP last night in the Super Cup in Monaco. Last Monday, they gained three useful points after beating Portsmouth away with a depleted side.

Arsenal have lost half the points available from two matches following their unexpected 0-1 upset at Fulham. It seems, Arsene Wenger already has a successor in store when he decides to call it a day as former captain Tony Adams, who spent 18 years at the club, remarked that he would relish the chance to manage Arsenal. Adams is assistant to Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth and had a disappointing spell at Wycombe before.

In the Champions League, Arsenal trounced FC Twente 4-0 at home to go safely through to the group stage of the competition.

Kevin Keegan's Newcastle are undefeated following their draw at Manchester United and their home win over Bolton. In their last three visits to London they lost at Chelsea, drew with West Ham and beat Tottenham 4-1.

Michael Owen has opened his account for the Magpies with the winner against Bolton. Keegan is set for talks with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley about his future at his club. Keegan, acting in a fatherly manner with player Joey Barton, vowed to back him at his FA Cup hearing.

While Chelsea are on top of the tree after two wins without conceding a goal, Tottenham are in search of their first point of the season. Portuguese ace Deco has scored in both matches for Chelsea. The Blues parted with Andriy Shevchenko (joined Milan) after they failed to put this great talent to test.

Tottenham, with want-away Dimitar Berbatov still unsettled, hope to start afresh and concentrate more on the field of play. New signings are expected before the closing of the transfer window on Monday.

In the last 21 league and cup meetings at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea always avoided defeat against their rivals as Tottenham's last win at the Blues' den came in the 'old' Division One in 1989-90 (2-1).

Full fitness

Villa Park. After the Gareth Barry transfer saga, Aston Villa and Liverpool will be facing each other for precious points. In the Champions League at home to Standard Liege, Liverpool went through after two hours of hard-battling football.

The Reds, along with Chelsea, are the only sides left with maximum points in the Premier League after two outings.

Captain Steven Gerrard came to Liverpool's rescue against Middlesbrough and netted the winner in injury time. He will be out for a couple of weeks to cure a muscle injury.

Last week, in the final minute of the match, it was the other way round for Villa as they lost the three points to newcomers Stoke.

Upton Park. After the 3-0 lashing at Manchester City, Alan Curbishley's West Ham will pick themselves up and go for a win against Blackburn, who are managed by former Hammers stalwart Paul Ince.

Ince, always barracked when playing in front of former clubs, can expect the same treatment this weekend. Yet, he will concentrate on how to keep his side unbeaten after they gathered four points from six.

Although Dean Ashton was not among the scorers last week after a brace in the first fixture, some critics believe the striker can do a good job at the head of the England attack.

Goodison Park. Everton were glad to chalk up their first points following their win at West Brom.

After the home upset to Blackburn, the Toffees will be keen to return to winning form in front of their own fans against Portsmouth.

Pompey lost at home to Manchester United on Monday night and new striker Peter Crouch vowed to keep persisting as he looked to get back into the England squad.

Stadium of Light. Roy Keane and Mark Hughes were jumping for joy after their respective clubs, Sunderland and Manchester City, registered their first wins of the season last weekend. This afternoon, they meet in the north-east.

The Citizens, having run riot against West Ham 3-0 at home, were glad to hear that Micah Richards was released from hospital after the clash of heads with team-mate Tal Ben Haim.

KC Stadium. Hull are still unbeaten and the fans have great hopes that this season-opening sparkle will not fade as more matches come along.

This afternoon, the Tigers will cross swords with Wigan, searching for their first point.

Hull's two young centre-halves, Michael Turner and Anthony Gardner (ex-Tottenham), had another fine outing at Blackburn while Wigan can say that they gave Chelsea a good run for their money even if they emerged empty-handed.

Riverside Stadium. M'Boro were unlucky not to earn a share of the spoils at Liverpool. But, as boss Gareth Southgate said, the squad is healthier this season and the team can aspire for a top-eight placing.

Stoke gained their first points of the term after a dramatic win over Aston Villa. Manager Tony Pulis was delighted as he watched Mamady Sidibe score the killer goal. Jamaican Ricardo Fuller succeeded in finding the net in consecutive matches for Stoke.

The last occasion the two sides met in the top echelon was in 1981-82, when Stoke, at home, beat Middlesbrough 2-0.

Reebok Stadium. Bolton have high hopes of registering their second win as West Brom are still in search of their first point. Gary Megson is a doing a decent job and he is now in his second season at Bolton. He was unlucky to lose club record signing Johan Elmander, but reports showed that the injury he sustained was not serious.

Albion boss Tony Mowbray insisted that his side's confidence was not damaged by early results in the Premier League.