Premier League team news

Saturday

Arsenal (9) v Liverpool (5)
Samir Nasri has been included in the squad despite reportedly being on the verge of a move to Manchester City. The France international's move to City is apparently moving ever closer but he is in contention after recovering from illness.

The Gunners will be without suspended duo Gervinho and Alex Song while defenders Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs (both hamstring) and Armand Traore (groin) are not available either. Midfielder Tomas Rosicky (thigh) will be rested, while Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby (both ankle) are still out.

Defender Glen Johnson is the only injury doubt for Liverpool. The England defender missed last week’s opening match against Sunderland with a hamstring injury. Manager Kenny Dalglish may opt to make changes with Martin Kelly and Dirk Kuyt pushing for starting places.

Last season:Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1
Top scorers (all competitions):Theo Walcott (Arsenal) 1; Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 1
Match odds:H 8-5 A 7-4 D 11-5
Referee:Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

Aston Villa (10) v Blackburn (17)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has shaken off a groin injury sustained in the season-opener at Fulham last weekend and will be fit to make his home debut, with Alex McLeish poised to stick with the line-up which earned a point at Craven Cottage.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean is optimistic key centre back pairing Ryan Nelsen (knee) and Christopher Samba (groin) will be back after both missed out against Wolves last weekend. Kean was forced to play teenager Grant Hanley and midfielder Steven Nzonzi together against Wolves. Gael Givet (illness) and Brett Emerton (hamstring) are likely to miss out but new midfield signing Radosav Petrovic is in line to make his debut.

Last season:Aston Villa 4 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 2 Aston Villa 0
Top scorers (all competitions):No scorers (Aston Villa); Mauro Formica (Blackburn) 1
Match odds:H 3-4 A 4-1 D 5-2
Referee:Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Chelsea (11) v West Brom (18)

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas this week lost undisputed number one Petr Cech (knee) for up to four weeks, meaning a change in goal with either Hilario or Ross Turnbull coming in. Romelu Lukaku could make his debut after completing his move from Anderlecht but the game comes too soon for fellow new boy Oriol Romeu. David Luiz (thigh) remains out, Daniel Sturridge is suspended and Michael Essien has a long-term injury.

West Brom have a major doubt over striker Peter Odemwingie (ankle) while winger Jerome Thomas has hip and thigh problems. Odemwingie is closer to fitness than Thomas but still faces a race against time and he will be assessed if he comes through training on Friday unscathed. Steven Reid, who was forced off with a leg injury against Manchester United last weekend, is fit while central defender Gareth McAuley, who has been struggling with illness, could be on the bench against the Blues after coming through a midweek reserve game.

Last season:West Brom 1 Chelsea 3, Chelsea 6 West Brom 0
Top scorers (all competitions):No scorers (Chelsea); Shane Long (West Brom) 1
Match odds:H 3-10 A 9-1 D 4-1
Referee:Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Everton (15) v QPR (19)
Defender Seamus Coleman is Everton's only absentee. The right back is sidelined with torn ankle ligaments and is likely to be out for several weeks. With no summer signings to freshen up the squad manager David Moyes is fortunate to have no other players sidelined.

QPR manager Neil Warnock will be without summer signing Kieron Dyer. The 31-year-old was carried off in last week’s season opener against Bolton and, while his foot injury is not as serious as first thought, he will miss the Goodison Park clash. Clint Hill is suspended after his red card against Bolton, while Warnock is still awaiting international clearance for recent signing Bruno Perone. Both striker Rob Hulse (knee) and Jamie Mackie (broken leg) remain out.

Last season:No corresponding fixture
Top scorers (all competitions):No scorers yet for either side
Match odds:H 11-20 A 5-1 D 3-1
Referee:Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Sunderland (7) v Newcastle (13)
Sunderland defender John O'Shea is rated at 50-50 to make his competitive debut for the club. The Republic of Ireland international has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in pre-season, but is short of match fitness and manager Steve Bruce will make a late decision on him. Striker Asamoah Gyan has shaken off the ankle knock which saw him limp off at Liverpool last Saturday.

Goalkeeper Tim Krul and striker Shola Ameobi are expected to keep their places in the Newcastle starting line-up and Ryan Taylor is again likely to start at left back. Summer signing Sylvain Marveaux and Shane Ferguson (ankle) could be involved after building up match fitness in a practice game in midweek, but Hatem Ben Arfa (ankle) remains on the sidelines.

Last season:Sunderland 1 Newcastle 1, Newcastle 5 Sunderland 1
Top scorers (all competitions):Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland) 1; No scorers (Newcastle)
Match odds:H 23-20 A 5-2 D 11-5
Referee:Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

Swansea (20) v Wigan (8)
Swansea captain Garry Monk is again a doubt after the defender missed Monday's defeat at Manchester City due to a foot problem. He played 90 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday and manager Brendan Rodgers is set to see whether Monk had any adverse reaction to that run-out before making a final decision. Left back Neil Taylor is available again after completing the three-match suspension he received for his red card in the play-off semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest.

Wigan are likely to be without defender Steve Gohouri (calf) and boss Roberto Martinez may be tempted to start with striker Hugo Rodallega despite admitting he is not yet 100 per cent fit after Copa America duty with Colombia, while Antolin Alcaraz, who reached the final with Paraguay, could come into contention for a place in the squad. James McCarthy had an injection in his ankle to enable him to play in last week’s draw with Norwich and should be available again but new signing Nouha Dicko is not yet being considered for the first team.

Last season:No corresponding fixture
Top scorers (all competitions):No scorers (Swansea); Ben Watson (Wigan) 1
Match odds:H 23-20 A 5-2 D 9-4
Referee:Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

Sunday
Bolton (1) v Man City (2)
Bolton expect to have new signing Tuncay Sanli available. The Turkey international, who has joined on a season-long loan from Wolfsburg, has been in Germany sorting out the paperwork on his work permit but it is expected to be processed in time. Midfielder Ricardo Gardner will have a fitness test tomorrow on a groin injury.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez could be set to make his first appearance of the season at the Reebok Stadium. The 27-year-old handed in a transfer request this summer but a move is yet to materialise and after returning to training with the Blues last week, he will be considered for the game. City boss

Roberto Mancini must also decide whether or not to hand a first start to Sergio Aguero following his sensational two-goal debut as a substitute against Swansea on Monday, while midfielder Nigel de Jong will be assessed after suffering a foot injury.

Last season:Bolton 0 Man City 2, Man City 1 Bolton 0
Top scorers (all competitions):Ivan Klasnic, Gary Cahill & Fabrice Muamba (Bolton) 1; Sergio Aguero (Man City) 2
Match odds:H 17-5 A 4-5 D 13-5
Referee:Mike Jones (Cheshire)

Norwich (6) v Stoke (14)
Norwich centre back Zak Whitbread (knee) is a doubt but defender DanielAyala could feature following his move from Liverpool after playing for the reserves in midweek. Striker James Vaughan and centre back Elliott Ward are sidelined after picking up minor knee injuries during pre-season.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis will make changes from the side that beat FC Thun in the Europa League. Pulis rested Asmir Begovic, Jonathan Woodgate, Glenn Whelan and Jermaine Pennant in Switzerland and they could all return to the starting line-up. The Potters boss must also decide whether to include Matthew Upson in the squad after the England defender made an impressive debut for the club against Thun while Rory Delap (hamstring) is a major doubt.

Last season:No corresponding fixture
Top scorers (all competitions):Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich) 1; Jonathan Walters & Danny Pugh (Stoke) 1
Match odds:H 6-4 A 15-8 D 11-5
Referee:Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Wolves (4) v Fulham (12)
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is poised to name an unchanged team against the Cottagers after their opening-day win at Blackburn. Defender Richard Stearman is fit despite suffering a back problem against Rovers while winger Michael Kightly is challenging for a place on the substitutes' bench as he continues his comeback from knee problems. Midfielder Dave Edwards (back) and striker Sam Vokes (ankle) remain some way from being in contention despite returning to training this week. Midfielder Adlene Guedioura has travelled to Qatar for specialist treatment as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.

Danny Murphy is expected to recover from a slight groin complaint which forced him to be substituted in Thursday night’s Europa League win against Dnipro. Simon Davies (knee) remains a week away from action despite returning to training, while Bjorn Helge Riise (hamstring) is also out.

Last season:Wolves 1 Fulham 1, Fulham 2 Wolves 1
Top scorers (all competitions):Stephen Ward & Steven Fletcher (Wolves) 1; Danny Murphy & Andrew Johnson (Fulham) 3
Match odds:H 5-4 A 23-10 D 11-5
Referee:Mike Dean (Wirral)

Monday
Man Utd (3) v Tottenham (16)
Patrice Evra returns to the Manchester United line-up after missing the season-opening win at West Brom with an ankle injury. Rio Ferdinand is unlikely to return until next weekend due to a hamstring injury, and with captain Nemanja

Vidic out for up to five weeks with a calf problem, youngsters Phil Jones and Jonny Evans will form the centre back pairing. Darren Fletcher (virus), Antonio Valencia (ankle) and Javier Hernandez (concussion) are all closing in on a return, but are not yet ready. Michael Owen is out with a back problem, whilst Rafael faces up to 10 weeks on the sidelines after shoulder surgery.

Luka Modric is likely to return to Tottenham’s starting line-up after missing the 5-0 Europa League play-off win over Hearts with a minor groin injury. Tom Huddlestone (ankle) could also return after starting on the bench at Tynecastle, but fellow midfielders Sandro, Wilson Palacios (both knee) Steven Pienaar (groin), and Jermaine Jenas (Achilles) are all out. Peter Crouch will be tested over the weekend after missing out against Hearts with an ankle injury but Ledley King and Alan Hutton are sidelined with knee injuries and William Gallas is also out with a calf problem.

Last season:Tottenham 0 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 2 Tottenham 0
Top scorers (all competitions):Nani (Man Utd) 2; Rafael van der Vaart, Jermain Defoe, Jake Livermore, Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) 1
Match odds:H 4-6 A 15-4 D 3-1
Referee:Lee Probert (Wiltshire)