All the latest team news ahead of the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Saturday, August 13th
Blackburn v Wolves
Blackburn could be without their two most experienced central defenders, with Chris Samba (groin) doubtful and Ryan Nelsen not yet fit after a knee operation. New signings Radosav Petrovic and Bruno Ribeiro are unlikely to feature yet.
Wolves striker Kevin Doyle is winning his battle to be fit after being forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad in midweek. New skipper and summer signing Roger Johnson will make his competitive debut, but midfielders Dave Edwards (back) and Adlene Guedioura (ankle) miss out.
Last season:Wolves 2 Blackburn 3, Blackburn 3 Wolves 0
Match odds:H 11-10 A 5-2 D 12-5
Referee:Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Fulham v Aston Villa
Bobby Zamora will lead the Fulham attack in spite of a broken hand and will play with a protective cast. John Arne Riise should make his Premier League return at left-back but his brother Bjorn Helge (hamstring) and Simon Davies (knee) are out.
Villa boss Alex McLeish has virtually a full squad to pick from in his first match in charge. Striker Darren Bent and central defender James Collins have recovered from shoulder and back injuries and should be fit to feature. Charles N'Zogbia and Shay Given are poised for their league debuts following their summer arrivals with Rangers target Carlos Cuellar (knee) the only player unavailable for selection.
Last season:Aston Villa 2 Fulham 2, Fulham 1 Aston Villa 1
Match odds:H 6-5 A 23-10 D 9-4
Referee:Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Liverpool v Sunderland
Striker Luis Suarez could be involved for the Reds despite only returning to training on Monday following his starring role in Uruguay’s Copa America. Jordan Henderson could make his Liverpool bow against the team who sold him in the summer, while fellow new signings Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Alexander Doni are also ready. Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel are out, Glen Johnson is a doubt but Jose Enrique was registered just in time with the Premier League.
Sunderland defender John O'Shea is out with a hamstring strain but Steve Bruce has a host of new signings eyeing a debut. Keiren Westwood will start in goal and could be joined by the likes of Wes Brown, Craig Gardner, David Vaughan, Sebastian Larsson, Connor Wickham and Ji Dong-won. Craig Gordon, David Meyler and Fraizer Campbell (all knee) are out.
Last season:Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2, Liverpool 2 Sunderland 2
Match odds:H 11-20 A 5-1 D 3-1
Referee:Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Newcastle v Arsenal
United’s Hatem Ben Arfa is six weeks away from his long-awaited return due to an ankle. Jose Enrique’s move to Liverpool leaves a space to fill at left-back but Shane Ferguson (ankle) is not ready to do so from the start. Mike Williamson (broken arm) and Danny Guthrie (ankle) have been cleared, while transfer-listed Joey Barton must assure Alan Pardew of his commitment if he is to be selected.
Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas has been omitted from Arsenal's squad, while Manchester City target Samir Nasri has been suffering from illness and is a doubt. Robin van Persie (knee) and Kieran Gibbs (thigh) face fitness tests today but Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen return to the squad. Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are definitely out.
Last season:Newcastle 4 Arsenal 4, Arsenal 0 Newcastle 1
Match odds:H 11-4 A 1-1 D 12-5
Referee:Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
QPR v Bolton
Striker Rob Hulse will miss Rangers’ top-flight return with a knee injury. Hulse is three weeks away from recovery, but fellow forward Jamie Mackie may soon be back in contention as he continues his rehabilitation from a broken leg. Neil Warnock has an otherwise fully fit squad to select from, with Danny Gabidon, DJ Campbell, Jay Bothroyd, Bruno Perone and Kieron Dyer all poised for debuts.
Tuncay is unlikely to make his debut for Bolton — the Turkey international is yet to be granted a work permit. Nigel Reo-Coker and Chris Eagles could both make their debuts in midfield but Tyrone Mears and Lee Chung-yong are ruled out with broken legs.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Match odds:H 7-5 A 2-1 D 11-5
Referee:Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
Wigan v Norwich
Wigan look set to be without midfielder James McCarthy, who twisted his ankle in the pre-season friendly against Villarreal. Striker Hugo Rodallega is available after returning to pre-season training from the Copa America but defender Antolin Alcaraz, who reached the final with Paraguay, will be given more time to regain full fitness.
Norwich are hopeful Wales midfielder Andrew Crofts (ankle) and full-back Russell Martin (calf) will be fit for selection as they are already without James Vaughan and Elliott Ward, who both have knee injuries. Anthony Pilkington is close to fitness after a serious ankle problem.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Match odds:H 23-20 A 12-5 D 23-10
Referee:Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
Sunday, August 14th
Stoke v Chelsea
Tony Pulis has ruled out the possibility of Matthew Upson making his Stoke debut following his arrival from West Ham but fellow newcomer Jonathan Woodgate is likely to play. Rory Delap (hamstring) and Matthew Etherington (rib) are still hopeful of passing late tests but Ricardo Fuller, Mamady Sidibe and Danny Higginbotham are long-term absentees.
Chelsea are optimistic Fernando Torres will be okay to start after the Spaniard suffered memory loss following his concussion in midweek on Spain duty. Daniel Sturridge is suspended so Romelu Lukaku could play some part but David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic could both miss out and Michael Essien is a long-term absentee.
Last season:Stoke 1 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 2 Stoke 0
Match odds:H 9-2 A 4-6 D 13-5
Referee:Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
West Brom v Manchester United
New Albion signing Shane Long is poised to make his bow against the champions but his new forward partner Peter Odemwingie is struggling to overcome the ankle knock. Steven Reid (calf) and Youssouf Mulumbu (abdominal strain) are available after injury but summer signing defender Gareth McAuley is ruled out through illness.
Patrice Evra is a major doubt for United having been forced out of last week's Community Shield win with a knee injury and missing France's midweek friendly with Chile. Fabio or Jonny Evans are primed to step in. Darren Fletcher and Antonio Valencianot match fit and Javier Hernandez is out with concussion.
Last season:West Brom 1 Man Utd 2, Man Utd 2 West Brom 2
Match odds:H 5-1 A 8-15 D 16-5
Referee:Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Monday, August 15th
Manchester City v Swansea
Striker Carlos Tevez will play no part for City as his future at the club remains uncertain but Roberto Mancini has a readymade replacement in Sergio Aguero, who may see some action despite sitting out the Community Shield. Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli are more likely starters, while Gael Clichy is due to debut at left-back.
Captain Garry Monk is a major doubt for Swansea's Premier League bow. The defender has a foot injury and may be forced to sit out. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm comes straight into the squad after completing his move from FC Utrecht and will battle fellow new signing Jose Moreira for the gloves. Danny Graham, Leroy Lita, Wayne Routledge and Steven Caulker could debut.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Match odds:H 2-7 A 11-1 D 4-1
Referee:Mike Dean (Wirral)
