A look at the weekend matches in the English Premiership

Blackburn v Tottenham

Míchel Salgado joins David Dunn, Vince Grella and Ryan Nelsen on the Blackburn injured list. Despite another crop of casualties, to which they seem particularly prone, the odds favour Tottenham, who are unbeaten in their last nine in all competitions. Ledley King is yet again among the absentees.

Odds: Blackburn 10-3 Tottenham 10-11 Draw 11-4

Aston Villa v WBA

The return of James Collins to the centre of the Villa defence should make a difference. West Brom boss Roy Hodgsons main selection dilemma is whether to start Peter Odemwingie, who came off the bench to score against Wolves last week. Zoltan Gera is expected to be among the substitutes.

Odds: A Villa 10-11 West Bromwich 10-3 Draw 12-5

Man Utd v Man City

City’s hope must be they are still progressing, despite the fact regeneration is taking place at United as well. If there is a key change at City it must lie in the enhanced attacking of a side that has narrowly outscored United. At Old Trafford, though, their capacity to contain will be critical.

Odds: Man Utd 11-10 Man City 14-5 Draw 5-2

Arsenal v Stoke

The partnership between Per Mertersacker and Laurent Koscielny, with Alex Song clearing up in front, worked well in the Champions League for Arsenal, but dealing with Rory Delaps throws and the dimensions of Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones is a whole new ball game.

Odds: Arsenal 7-12 Stoke 6-1 Draw 10-3

Bolton v Sunderland

Too early for this to be a relegation six-pointer? Both teams have accrued just six points to leave Bolton a place below Sunderland in third-bottom due to inferior goal difference – so Owen Coyle and Steve Bruce would admit privately that this a match each dare not lose.

Odds: Bolton 13-10 Sunderland 5-2 Draw 12-5

Wolves v Swansea

Five successive defeats, three of them at home, have drained confidence at Molineux, and the recent injury to top scorer Steven Fletcher has not brightened the mood. Swansea could be the perfect opposition – they have lost all four away league games so far this season, conceding 12 goals in the process.

Odds: Wolves 10-11 Swansea 16-5 Draw 13-5

Newcastle v Wigan

After an unbeaten beginning to the season, Alan Pardew has virtually a full complement to choose from. Roberto Martínez lacks similar options but the Wigan manager will be delighted to welcome key striker Hugo Rodallega back from injury as they aim to arrest a run of five straight league defeats.

Odds: Newcastle 8-13 Wigan 11-2 Draw 3-1

QPR v Chelsea

Chelsea appear to be adjusting to life under André Villas-Boas and have found their rhythm. The trio of John Terry, Juan Mata and Didier Drogba will surely return to the starting line-up as the visitors aim to take advantage of the only two sides above them in the table meeting at Old Trafford.

Odds: Queens Park Rangers 17-2 Chelsea 2-5 Draw 4-1

Liverpool v Norwich

Norwich manager Paul Lambert has promised his side will “give it a go” at Anfield. Make no mistake, though, this will be tough for the visitors, who are still without their preferred centre-back pairing of Elliott Ward and Zak Whitbread. They will also be facing a virtually full-strength Liverpool.

Odds: Liverpool 1-3 Norwich 11-1 Draw 9-2

Fulham v Everton

Fulham are fresh (or otherwise) from their 20th match, in the Europa League at Wisla Krakow on Thursday, and are groping for domestic results, while Everton need a tonic, after three successive league defeats. Fulham, though, are tough to beat at home.

Odds: Fulham 7-5 Everton 9-4 Draw 12-5