League positions in brackets

Today

Aston Villa (13) v Derby (11)

Aston Villa midfielder Sasa Curcic is set to start his first match of the season after the £4 million Yugoslav international impressed as a second-half substitute against Bordeaux in Tuesday's UEFA Cup tie. Villa boss Brian Little has a fully-fit squad to choose from as Simon Grayson, who was forced off against Bordeaux after being taken ill, has recovered.

Danish international defender Jacob Laursen will play for Derby despite having a broken nose. There will be late tests on Igor Stimac (knee), Italian wing-back Stefano Eranio (sciatica) and Lee Carsley (dead leg), but Darryl Powell (knee) is definitely out.

Last season: Aston Villa 2-0 Derby, Derby 2-1 Aston Villa.

Last five league matches: Aston Villa LLLWW, Derby LLLWW.

Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (Aston Villa) 2; Chris Powell, Stefano Eranio, Jonathan Hunt, Dean Sturridge, Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 1.

Match odds: H 8/13 D 12/5 A 4/1.

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

Bolton (17) v Manchester Utd (1)

South African defender Mark Fish and Mike Whitlow, bought from Leicester, could both make their Bolton debuts. Peter Beardsley (cheek) and Alan Thompson (ankle) are both doubtful.

Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to rejoin the Manchester United squad. The club's leading scorer last season has not played since taking a kick on his ankle during a pre-season friendly with Inter Milan. Fellow forward Teddy Sheringham could be on the bench after recovering from injured ribs and Ryan Giggs may return following a hamstring problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five League matches: Bolton WDLDL, Man Utd WDWWW.

Top scorers: Nathan Blake (Bolton) 3; Andy Cole, Roy Keane, David Beckham (Man Utd) 2.

Match odds: H 10/3 D 9/4 A 8/11.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland).

Everton (18) v Barnsley (15)

Nick Barmby will start for Everton, who will give fitness tests to Gareth Farrelly (knee) and Danny Williamson (groin). Midfielder Joe Parkinson could be out until the New Year after being told he must have a further operation on his injured knee.

Barnsley are without Andy Liddell, Nicky Eaden and Jovo Bosancic with thigh strains, John Hendrie is sidelined with a hamstring problem and Arjan de Zeeuw is doubtful after needing eight stitches in his knee. But goalkeeper David Watson returns after concussion and bruised kidneys, and could press Lars Leese for a starting place.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five League matches: Everton LWLDL, Barnsley WLWLL.

Top scorers: Graham Stuart (Everton) 2; Neil Redfearn (Barnsley) 3.

Match odds: H 8/13 D 12/5 A 4/1.

Referee: G Ashby (Worcester).

Leeds (9) v Leicester (5)

Leeds manager George Graham is set to name an unchanged side following Tuesday's 3-1 League Cup win over Bristol City, with Dutch defender Robert Molenaar having shrugged off a groin strain.

Leicester skipper Steve Walsh has a hamstring strain and is rated only 50-50. But striker Ian Marshall is expected to play despite having seven stitches in a gashed leg following the midweek UEFA Cup tie against Atletico Madrid in Spain.

Last season: Leeds 3-0 Leicester, Leicester 1-0 Leeds.

Last five League matches: Leeds WLLLW, Leicester WDDLW.

Top scorers: Rod Wallace (Leeds) 4; Steve Walsh, Ian Marshall, Matt Elliott, Emile Heskey (Leicester) 2.

Match odds: H Evens D 9/4 A 9/4.

Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy).

Sheff Wed (19) v Coventry (8)

Sheffield Wednesday could have David Hirst back from a calf injury and Ritchie Humphreys (ankle) will also have a fitness test. Benito Carbone is still out - he completes a threematch suspension.

Coventry's manager Gordon Strachan delays his team selection to give more time for Dion Dublin (knee) and Darren Huckerby (ankle) to recover. Kyle Lightbourne and Martin Johansen will deputise.

Last season: Sheff Wed 0-0 Coventry, Coventry 0-0 Sheff Wed.

Last five League matches: Sheff Wed LDLWL, Coventry LDDLW.

Top scorers: Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed) 4; Dion Dublin (Coventry) 3.

Match odds: H 10/11 D 9/4 A 5/2.

Referee: G Willard (Worthing).

Southampton (20) v Liverpool (7)

Southampton's England star, Matthew Le Tissier, may play for the first time since smashing his elbow in a pre-season tour match. Norwegian striker Egil Ostenstad (ankle) faces a late fitness test, but Stig Johansen is definitely out (Achilles) with Kevin Davies deputising.

Robbie Fowler will almost certainly be on the bench for Liverpool. Rob Jones is injured, so Jason McAteer is in line for a first start of the season.

Last season: Southampton 0-1 Liverpool, Liverpool 21 Southampton.

Last five League matches: Southampton LLWLL, Liverpool DLDWW.

Top scorers: Kevin Davies (Southampton) 3; Michael Owen (Liverpool) 3.

Match odds: H 10/3 D 9/4 A 8/11.

Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).

Tottenham (10) v Blackburn (2)

Spurs will line up with Portuguese winger Jose Dominguez and reserve Paul Mahorn as their strike-force because of their now familiar list of injuries. Les Ferdinand, Steffen Iversen, Rory Allen and Neale Fenn are all injured, while Chris Armstrong is suspended. David Howells should return after injury.

Blackburn's Kevin Gallacher misses out with flu, but fellow Scots Billy McKinlay (hamstring) and Colin Hendry (thigh) are both fit to return.

Last season: Tottenham 2-1 Blackburn, Blackburn 0-2 Tottenham.

Last five League matches: Tottenham LWWDL, Blackburn WDWWL.

Top scorers: Les Ferdinand (Tottenham) 3; Chris Sutton (Blackburn) 8.

Match odds: H 6/4 D 11/5 A 6/4.

Referee: G Barber (Pyrford).

West Ham (6) v Newcastle (12)

Ian Pearce will make his West Ham debut after his £2.3 million move from Blackburn and slots into the middle of the defence alongside Rio Ferdinand and David Unsworth. The Hammers will be missing Paul Kitson (groin injury) and John Moncur (calf strain), so Iain Dowie and Frankie Lampard come in. Aussie winger Stan Lazaridis is fit again.

Newcastle defender Alessandro Pistone is unlikely to fight off the effects of a virus, while Stuart Pearce will also not play. Apart from that, Kenny Dalglish has a full squad to choose from.

Last season: West Ham 0-0 Newcastle, Newcastle 1-1 West Ham.

Last five League matches: West Ham WLDWL, Newcastle DWWWL.

Top scorers: John Hartson (West Ham) 4; Faustino Asprilla (Newcastle) 6.

Match odds: H 6/4 D 11/5 A 6/4.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

Wimbledon (16) v Crystal Palace (14)

Wimbledon's "dream team" strikeforce of Jason Euell and Carl Cort could be split up due to Euell's knee injury. Efan Ekoku will take his place and Robbie Earle, back from World Cup duty with Jamaica, should also start.

Palace manager Steve Coppell is also concerned about the fitness of England Under-21 striker Bruce Dyer and Italian international Attilio Lombardo. He may also be without Marc Edworthy, Paul Warhurst and Simon Rodger.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five League matches: Wimbledon DDLLW, Crystal Palace LWLLL.

Top scorers: Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 3; Bruce Dyer, Attilio Lombardo (Crystal Palace) 2.

Match odds: H 11/10 D 12/5 A 15/8.

Referee: P Alcock (Redhill).

Tomorrow

Chelsea (3) v Arsenal (4)

Chelsea's European goal hero, Danny Granville, may be left out as Graeme Le Saux is available again after suspension. Arsenal have Dutch star Dennis Bergkamp and French defender Gilles Grimandi back in their squad, but there is a slight doubt over the fitness of midfielder Patrick Vieira, who has a groin injury. Dutch winger Marc Overmars has recovered from his own groin strain.

Last season: Chelsea 0-3 Arsenal, Arsenal 3-3 Chelsea.

Last five League matches: Chelsea LWWWW, Arsenal WWDDW.

Top scorers: Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 4; Ian Wright (Arsenal) 6.

Match odds: H 11/8 D 2/1 A 7/4.

Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury).