Weekend team news

A preview of the English Premiership

Fulham v Norwich

Chris Hughton’s hopes of beating his friend Martin Jol could hinge on the potential success of a new forward partnership between Grant Holt and Robert Snodgrass. With the unsettled Clint Dempsey not in the squad, Fulham will be looking to new signing Mladen Petric for goals.

Odds: Fulham 5-6; Norwich 19-5; Draw 7-2

West Ham v Aston Villa

West Ham have a tough task against an Aston Villa side now under the charge of Paul Lambert, who, unlike his predecessor Alex McLeish, has the backing of the clubs supporters. James Collins, who moved from Villa to West Ham in the summer, will make his home debut. New signings Modibo Maïga and Alou Diarra are not fit enough to start.

Odds: West Ham 13-10; Aston Villa 11-5; Draw 9-4

Wigan v Chelsea

The focus may be drawn to Victor Moses, who is coveted at Stamford Bridge and could move to London before the end of the transfer window, but the visitors would do well to concentrate on stifling the home debutant, Arouna Koné. Chelseas own £20m new boy, Oscar, could feature in some capacity.

Odds: Wigan 13-2; Chelsea 5-8; Draw 3-1

WBA v Liverpool

A fresh start at The Hawthorns where Steve Clarke and Brendan Rodgers take charge of their new clubs for the first time. Rodgers is Liverpools fourth manager in four seasons and may need a positive start before facing Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in his first three home games.

Odds: West Brom 3-1; Liverpool 10-11; Draw 13-5

Fulham v Swansea

Mark Hughes will hope to progress in his first full season at the club, starting with a win against a team seeking to confound all expectations for a second season, but this time under the charge of Michael Laudrup. Scott Sinclair should start despite speculation linking him to Manchester City.

Odds: QPR 11-10; Swansea 13-5; Draw 12-5

Arsenal v Sunderland

Robin van Persies goals will be missed but in signing Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, Arsenal have done more than merely limit the damage. The theory that the club might be collectively stronger faces its first test against a Sunderland side that will not boast many new faces.

Odds: Arsenal 4-9; Sunderland 17-2; Draw 4-1

Newcastle v Tottenham

Tottenham only have Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane available as strikers but the away sides cause may be helped by home concerns surrounding the fitness of Papiss Cissé, Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa. Vurnon Anita, newly signed from Ajax, could make his Newcastle debut.

Odds: Newcastle 6-4; Tottenham 15-8; Draw 7-4

Manchester C v Southampton

Southampton can take immense pride in the consecutive promotions with which Nigel Adkins has restored the club to the top flight, but this game might be seen as a trial. Costel Pantilimon may make his Premier League debut for City if Joe Hart fails to recover from a back problem .

Odds: Man City 1-5; Southampton 16-1; Draw 13-2

Reading v Stoke

Newly promoted Reading will be looking to emulate Stokes top-flight staying power, but manager Brian McDermott may find himself with a tough task on his hands. New signing Pavel Pogrebnyak could be key – the Russian forward scored a goal every other game during his loan spell at Fulham last season.

Odds: Reading 7-5; Stoke 2-1; Draw 12-5

Everton v Manchester U

There can be no doubt that the purchase of Robin van Persie from Arsenal gives Alex Ferguson an array of forwards that others will envy and it looks likely that the Dutch international will start up front. But Everton could cause United disquiet on Monday night in a demanding fixture at Goodison.

Odds: Everton 7-2; Man Utd 11-12; Draw 5-2