A look ahead to the weekend's Premiership matches
Man Utd v Stoke
Stoke City last took a point at Old Trafford in December 1980, with a 2-2 draw. Stoke have just one win in this campaign, against Swansea, but Tony Puliss team went on to take a goalless draw at Anfield last time out. Ashley Young is fit for United after recovering from a knee injury.
Odds Man Utd 4-13 Stoke 10-1 Draw 4-1
WBA v Man City
This promises to be an awkward fixture for City. Albion are only a point behind the champions after winning their opening four homes games in the top flight for the first time since 1919. City will be without the injured quartet of David Silva, Jack Rodwell, Maicon and Javi García against a side that Roberto Mancini rates highly.
Odds West Brom 4-1 Man City 3-4 Draw 11-4
QPR v Everton
Three successive defeats have put Mark Hughes on the ropes, his team are without a win this season, and his cause won’t be helped by lingering injuries in defence. Everton will hope to give a debut to Thomas Hitzlsperger, who signed on a free transfer on Friday.
Odds QPR 11-5 Everton 5-4 Draw 12-5
West Hm v Southampton
If the Saints are to come away from Upton Park with a positive result then they will have to improve their abysmal defensive record which stands at 20 goals conceded in seven matches. Andy Carroll should start and will hope to capitalise on that frailty, while Southampton will be without their injured record signing Gastón Ramírez.
Odds West Ham 10-11 South’ton 11-3 Draw 17-6
Tottenham v Chelsea
Spurs’ Scott Parker may not be back until Christmas after Achilles trouble while Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul (both knee) are absent . John Terry’s four-match ban for racial abuse comes into force but Chelsea have Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand available.
Odds Tottenham 8-5 Chelsea 7-4 Draw 9-4
Norwich v Arsenal
Given his Tottenham connections, Chris Hughton would like nothing more than overseeing a defeat of Arsenal, but his side sit in the relegation zone having lost their last three games and having failed to win a game in the league. Norwich can take some hope from Arsenal’s lengthy injury list.
Odds Norwich 11-2 Arsenal 3-5 Draw 7-2
Sunderland v Newcastle
With Lee Cattermole suspended there will be no renewal of the Sunderland captains ferocious rivalry with Cheik Tioté but plenty of fascinating sub-plots remain. Can Davide Santon subdue Adam Johnson? Will Steven Fletcher extend his scoring streak ? Can Sunderland contain Hatem Ben Arfa?
Odds Sunderland 13-8 Newcastle 2-1 Draw 9-4
Fulham v Aston Villa
Despite Fulham finishing 14 points and seven places above Villa last season, the two clubs started the season with their usual differing expectations. Martin Jol welcomes back both Dimitar Berbatov and Mladen Petric who will aim to expose a Villa rearguard missing the presence of Richard Dunne.
Odds Fulham 9-10 Aston Villa 15-4 Draw 13-5
Swansea v Wigan
Michael Laudrups side welcome back Kemy Agustien after a calf injury, but Roberto Martínez returns to Swansea with doubts over the match fitness of both Maynor Figueroa and Jean Beausejour. Plus, Antolín Alcaraz and Albert Crusat are both definitely unavailable for the visitors.
Odds Swansea 10-9 Wigan 14-5 Draw 5-2
Liverpool v Reading
A first home league win as Liverpool manager is long overdue and injury to Fabio Borini is the latest problem to befall Brendan Rodgers and leaves Luis Suárez, as his only fit senior striker. Brian McDermott is seeking his first league win of the season at the expense of a close friend.
Odds Liverpool 4-11 Reading 8-1 Draw 4-1
