Sunday, August 31
Aston Villa (7) v Liverpool (2)
Villa could have new signing James Milner in their line-up. Gareth Barry is poised to play against a Liverpool side he had looked like joining earlier in the summer.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill could recall Ashley Young, John Carew, Martin Laursen, Stiliyan Petrov, Luke Young and Nicky Shorey. Recent signing Carlos Cuellar has started training after a calf injury and may play some part.
Midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas are back in to Liverpool's squad following their return from the Olympics.
Liverpool will be without skipper Steven Gerrard who is recovering from a groin operation. Defender Sami Hyypia is doubtful following a hamstring problem.
Last season: Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2
Last five league matches: Aston Villa D L D W L; Liverpool D W W W W
Top scorers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 4; Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard & Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) 1
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Chelsea (1) v Tottenham (17)
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is monitoring the fitness of midfield duo Michael Ballack and Michael Essien. The pair have been playing with knocks and the Brazilian hinted that Ballack was most likely to miss the derby clash.
Striker Didier Drogba remains unavailable because of a knee injury but has been pencilled in for a return for the Manchester City game next month.
Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton is still out with a stress fracture of his right foot.
Head coach Juande Ramos will talk to Dimitar Berbatov, who has handed in a transfer request, before deciding whether the striker will play. Ramos has no other fresh injury worries as Spurs look for their first points of the season.
Last season: Tottenham 4 Chelsea 4, Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0
Last five league matches: Chelsea W W D W W; Tottenham D W L L L
Top scorers: Deco (Chelsea) 2; Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham) 1
Referee: Howard Webb.
Sunderland (13) v Man City (8)
Steed Malbranque is unlikely to play for Sunderland because of an ankle injury. Anton Ferdinand will not be included in the squad after signing from West Ham this week, as he is not match fit.
Michael Chopra is suspended and Teemu Tainio remains on the injured list. Kieran Richardson faces a late fitness check on a rib injury.
Mark Hughes reported no new injury concerns after Manchester City's UEFA Cup qualifier against FC Midtjylland.
Micah Richards came through the match without any problems having suffered concussion against West Ham last week, while Hughes will be able to recall Vincent Kompany, who was ineligible for the European qualifier. Benjani Mwaruwari and Kelvin Etuhu did not travel to Denmark while Valeri Bojinov and Darius Vassell are long-term casualties.
Last season: Sunderland 1 Man City 2, Man City 1 Sunderland 0
Last five league matches: Sunderland W L L L W; Man City L L L L W
Top scorers: Djibril Cisse, Phillip Bardsley, David Healy & Kieran Richardson (Sunderland) 1; Elano (Man City) 3
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
