Saturday 30th August 2014
Barclays Premier League
Burnley v Manchester United (kick off 12:45)
Burnley are expected to recall a number of first-teamers who were rested for their league cup endeavours during the week. Sam Vokes is the only definite absentee due to a long-term knee problem but he is expected back in action in the coming weeks.
Manchester United will give Angel Di Maria his debut. However, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera are all absent through injury. They join Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo who are confined to the stands for various reasons. Rafael and Shinji Kagawa will face fitness tests on Saturday morning.
Manchester City v Stoke (kick off 15:00)
Manchester City should have both Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko passed fit for the visit of Stoke. Alvaro Negredo is a long-term casualty due to a metatarsal issue, while Frank Lampard and new recruit Eliaquim Mangala lack match fitness.
Despite playing a blinder for Stoke in the league cup midweek, on loan forward Victor Moses is expected to be on the bench for the trip to the champions due to fitness issues. Geoff Cameron is out with a thigh strain while Phil Bardsley and Bojan Krkic should be recalled after being rested during the week.
Newcastle v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann is struggling to make the team coach with a hip problem but Wilfried Zaha should go straight into the starting XI after rejoining the club on loan. Joe Ledley will miss out on a couple of weeks of action due to a groin strain.
QPR v Sunderland (kick off 15:00)
QPR will face Sunderland without Alejandro Faurlin after he seriously injured his anterior cruciate ligament. Eduardo Vargas is still unavailable due to work permit issues, while Charlie Austin is available again after shrugging off a hamstring injury.
Sunderland have no fresh injury concerns, but having made six changes for the league cup clash midweek, Gus Poyet will rotate. Costel Pantilimon, Billy Jones, Liam Bridcutt, Adam Johnson, Jordi Gomez and Jozy Altidore all started against Birmingham, but Vito Mannone, Patrick van Aanholt, Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell, Will Buckley and Steven Fletcher will hope for recalls at Loftus Road.
Swansea v WBA (kick off 15:00)
Swansea are still without the crocked Marvin Emnes and Leon Britton – both are out with knee problems. New signing Federico Fernandez made his bow midweek and could be the only change to Garry Monk’s winning side this season.
WBA must wait another week to be able to call upon Georgios Samaras – the Greece forward is lacking match fitness. Also lacking in the fitness department are Joleon Lescott and Silvestre Varela, while Sebastien Pocognoli is struggling with a hip and groin problem, and is unlikely to feature.
West Ham v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
West Ham are struggling for numbers. No less than six first-teamers are absent including Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Diafra Sakho, Matt Jarvis, Carl Jenkinson and James Collins.
Southampton will travel to Upton Park without midfielder Lloyd Isgrove but otherwise the Saints will be at pretty much full strength.
Sunday 31st August 2014
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa v Hull (kick off 13:30)
Aston Villa can welcome back Ron Vlaar and Aly Cissokho for the visit of Hull on Sunday. They were rested midweek but are ready for their first team returns. Jores Okore misses this match with a minor knee problem but long-term absentees Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak remain out.
Michael Dawson will be thrown into the Hull defence to make his debut for the club. He replaces James Chester, who is banned. After rotating his squad midweek, expect many of Steve Bruce’s first-teamers to return.
Tottenham v Liverpool (kick off 13:30)
It’s expected that new Spurs signing Federico Fazio will line up at the heart of the home sides defence. However, Roberto Soldado is struggling with a back strain and will probably miss out. Definitely missing will be Kyle Walker and Michel Vorm.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers could hand debuts to Mario Balotelli and Adam Lallana. Facing fitness tests will be Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson and Albert Moreno on Sunday morning, along with Jose Enrique. Definitely watching from afar will be Jon Flanagan, Daniel Agger and Oussama Asaidi.
Leicester v Arsenal (kick off 16:00)
Leicester are waiting on last minute clearance to be able to field new recruit Esteban Cambiasso, after the Argentinian signed on Thursday. However, definitely not getting a game this week will b e shin injury vitim Matty James and foot crocked Matthew Upson.
Arsenal will again be missing Mikel Arteta, but should e able to recall Aaron Ramsey into their midfield. Notable absentees from the team bus will be Olivier Giroud, Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott.
