Four teams that have high aspirations of challenging for a Champions League spot go head-to-head this weekend as champions Manchester United host Tottenham while Arsenal face Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Tottenham will be making their first appearance in the league this season after their opening game against Everton was postponed due to the riots in London last week.
United began their title defence with a hard-fought 2-1 win at West Brom. At the Hawthorns, experienced defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both limped out injured and will miss the clash with Tottenham.
On Monday, United will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record against Tottenham who have struggled to take any points while playing at Old Trafford in recent years.
In the weekend’s other top fixture, Arsenal cross swords with Liverpool this afternoon.
Kenny Dalglish’s Reds failed to see off Sunderland at Anfield in their opening league game despite having five new players in their squad.
Arsenal also failed to sparkle in a goalless draw against Newcastle at St James’s Park. This week, Arsene Wenger finally sanctioned the departure of captain Cesc Fabregas who has returned to Barcelona. The Arsenal manager is expected to bring in reinforcements by the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea were pleased to see Spanish striker Fernando Torres rediscover his best form but that was of little consolation to the Blues who could not go beyond a goalless draw at Stoke.
Today, Andre Villas-Boas will make his competitive bow at Stamford Bridge when he leads the Blues against West Brom.
The Lancashire derby between Bolton and Manchester City, scheduled for tomorrow at the Reebok Stadium, promises to be a thrilling match for the fans.
Both clubs emerged victorious from their first fixture − the Wanderers beat Queens Park Rangers 4-0 while the Citizens tamed the other newcomers Swansea at home by the same scoreline.
Former City captain Kolo Toure has resumed training with City even if his drug ban ends on September 2. Toure was suspended for six months for taking an illegal substance.
The northeast derby at the Stadium of Light pairs Sunderland with Newcastle after both were happy to earn a point in their season opener. Last season, the Magpies finished on top with a 5-1 hammering at home and a 1-1 draw away.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will probably be without striker Asamoah Gyan after he suffered an ankle injury against Liverpool.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who earlier this month gave Joey Barton a free transfer and then recalled him, defended the controversial midfielder over his clash with Gervinho in the goalless draw with Arsenal.
Like Tottenham, Everton will be making their league debut when they host Queens Park Rangers.
The Londoners, managed by Neil Warnock, must bolster their squad before the window shuts if they want to put up a bold fight to avoid relegation.
Strapped for cash, Everton boss David Moyes has now lost the club’s best scout, Mick Docherty, to Chelsea’s riches.
Moyes is hopeful that this move will encourage Chelsea to loan out striker Daniel Sturridge to Everton for the rest of the season.
Wolves win
Wolves, with three points in the bag from day one, return to Molineux to play hosts to Fulham. Can Wolves claim a mid-table place and avoid another struggle for survival?
The capture of Birmingham defender Roger Johnson was another master stroke by manager Mick McCarthy.
Critics thought that the Europa League matches will stand Fulham in good stead but the Cottagers struggled to impress in the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa.
New Villa boss Alex McLeish hopes to enjoy a happy home debut when his team entertain Blackburn.
Blackburn’s Brett Emerton is facing a spell on the sidelines after hurting his hamstring.
Norwich, having gained a point at Wigan, will go for a win at home to Stoke. Paul Lambert was glad that the chirping Canaries came back from a goal down to share the spoils.
Lambert’s attacking philosophy appears to have gone down well with the followers of the game. After last weekend’s match, Lambert insisted that there was no danger of him being caught up in the hysteria that surrounds the Premier League.
Wigan have another test against a promoted side as they take on Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. The Swans, having lost 4-0 at Manchester City, will be in full flight to take their first points of the campaign.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez hailed the performance of Victor Moses, adding that the ex-Crystal Palace player could have a great season.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Arsenal-Liverpool (13:45) - X
Aston Villa-Blackburn - 1
Chelsea-West Brom (18:30) - 1
Everton-QPR - 1
Swansea-Wigan - X
Sunderland-Newcastle (13:00) - X
Tomorrow:
Bolton-Man. City (17:00) - 2
Norwich-Stoke (14:30) - X
Wolves-Fulham (15:00) - 1
Monday:
Man. United-Tottenham (21:00) - 1
The Championship
Brighton-Blackpool - 1
Bristol City-Portsmouth - 1
Burnley-Cardiff - X
Coventry-Watford - X
Derby-Doncaster - 1
Hull-Crystal Palace - 1
Nott’m Forest-Leicester - X
Peterborough-Ipswich (18:20) - X
Reading-Barnsley - 1
Southampton-Millwall - 1
Tomorrow:
M’brough-Birmingham (16:00) - X
West Ham-Leeds (13:15) - 1
League One
Brentford-Leyton Orient - 1
Carlisle-Bournemouth - X
Charlton-Scunthorpe - 1
Huddersfield-Colchester - 1
MK Dons-Chesterfield - 1
Oldham-Rochdale - X
Preston-Exeter - 1
Sheffield Wed.-Notts County - 1
Stevenage-Hartlepool - 1
Tranmere-Sheffield Utd - X
Walsall-Yeovil - 1
Wycombe-Bury - 1
League Two Afc
Wimbledon-Hereford - 1
Bradford-Dagenham - 1
Gillingham-Plymouth - 1
Macclesfield-Bristo - l
Rovers2 Morecambe-Aldershot - 1
Northampton-Cheltenham - 1
Port Vale-Accrington Stanley - 1
Rotherham-Barnet - 1
Shrewsbury-Crewe - 1
Southend-Burton Albion - 1
Torquay-Crawley Town - X
Swindon-Oxford (tomorrow,14:00) - 1
Hot Four:
Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Reading.