18.09. (Sun) 17:00 Manchester United - Chelsea

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Young Rooney, Hernandez.

CHELSEA  Cech Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole Mikel, Lampard, Meireles Mata, Torres, Malouda.

PROBABLE LINE UPS

Manchester United(4-4-2): David De Gea; Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Patrice Evra; Nani, Anderson, Darren Fletcher, Ashley Young; Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Petr Cech; Jose Bosingwa, Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Ashley Cole; John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Raul Meireles; Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, Florent Malouda. 

The hosts took the opportunity to make several changes for their first Champions League tie of the season against Benfica but should field a strong line up on Sunday.

Rio Ferdinand returns from a rest and Darren Fletcher, who played 60 minutes in Portugal as part of his return, may go into the starting XI due to the absence of Tom Cleverley through injury.

Phil Jones continues in the absence of Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling may be asked to fill in at right back again for the injured Rafael.

Chelsea maintained a strong line-up for their hard-fought 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and will be buoyed by the improving form of Fernando Torres due to the continued absence of Didier Drogba.

The Spaniard grabbed two assists at Stamford Bridge midweek and will hope to continue his growing partnership with the impressive Juan Mata.

Both John Terry and Frank Lampard return after being withheld from starting the Blues’ European tie, with coach Andre Villas-Boas keeping one eye on this encounter.

DID YOU KNOW?

The two previous meetings between these sides at Old Trafford have essentially been Premier League title deciders, with Chelsea winning one and United the other.

These two sides have met 19 times in the Premier League at Old Trafford, drawing 7 times.

Manchester United have won 7 of those encounters and Chelsea a respectable 5.

Andre Villas-Boas has 95 games as a manager under his belt, a whopping 22 times less than the 2,053 of his opposition Sir Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United have scored 18 goals in 4 games in the league so far this season an average of 4.5 goals per game.

Chelsea’s ‘goals for’ statistic looks meagre in comparison, yet they have matched the league-leaders defensively conceding just 3 goals.

Andre Villas-Boas’ grandmother settled in Portugal after moving from the Manchester borough of Cheadle Hulme.

Sir Alex Ferguson received the Premier League manager of the month award for his side’s start to this season, the 26th time he has collected the honour.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fernando Torres

Chelsea will hope the Spaniard’s two assists midweek have filled him with the confidence to go out and break his terrible scoring record for Chelsea since his £50 million move.

While he was still wasteful in front of goal against Leverkusen, Torres has a history of scoring against the Old Trafford outfit and will hope to rekindle that here.

Wayne Rooney

The man from Croxteth cut a frustrated figure during the game against Benfica but given the potential return to the line up of creative outlets Nani and Ashley Young against Chelsea he should be back to his best form.

He currently sits atop the Premier League top scorers list having notched 8 times in just 4 league games and will certainly give the Chelsea back four a lot to think about.

PREDICTION

Manchester United have started the season in fine form as they lead the league with a goal difference of +15 but they face a sterner test against Chelsea.

Andre Villas-Boas is also facing his toughest examination so far as Chelsea manager and will come up against few operators as wily as the experienced Ferguson during his managerial career.

Given United’s current form most would say that any side visiting Old Trafford should get blown away but Chelsea have shown they are not scared to battle the champions on their own turf before.

The Villas-Boas factor adds an air of unpredictability to the encounter and might just mean Chelsea can pinch what would be a great point.

1-1

The hosts took the opportunity to make several changes for their first Champions League tie of the season against Benfica but should field a strong line up on Sunday.

Rio Ferdinand returns from a rest and Darren Fletcher, who played 60 minutes in Portugal as part of his return, may go into the starting XI due to the absence of Tom Cleverley through injury.

Phil Jones continues in the absence of Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling may be asked to fill in at right back again for the injured Rafael.

Chelsea maintained a strong line-up for their hard-fought 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and will be buoyed by the improving form of Fernando Torres in the continued absence of Didier Drogba.

The Spaniard grabbed two assists at Stamford Bridge in midweek and will hope to continue his growing partnership with the impressive Juan Mata.

Both John Terry and Frank Lampard return after being withheld from starting the Blues’ European tie, with coach Andre Villas-Boas keeping one eye on this encounter.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The two previous meetings between these sides at Old Trafford have essentially been Premier League title deciders, with Chelsea winning one and United the other.

• These two sides have met 19 times in the Premier League at Old Trafford, drawing seven times. Manchester United have won seven of those encounters and Chelsea a respectable five.

• Andre Villas-Boas (pictured right) has 95 games as a manager under his belt, a whopping 22 times fewer than the 2,053 of his counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.

• Manchester United have scored 18 goals in four games in the league so far this season, an average of 4.5 goals per game.

• Chelsea’s ‘goals for’ statistic looks meagre in comparison, yet they have matched the league-leaders defensively, conceding just three goals.

• Andre Villas-Boas’ grandmother settled in Portugal after moving from the Manchester borough of Cheadle Hulme.

• Sir Alex Ferguson received the Premier League manager of the month award for his side’s start to this season, the 26th time he has collected the honour.

Prediction

Manchester United have started the season in fine form as they lead the league with a goal difference of 15 but they face a sterner test against Chelsea.

Andre Villas-Boas is also facing his toughest examination so far as Chelsea manager and will come up against few operators as wily as the experienced Sir Alex during his managerial career.

Given United’s current form most would say that any side visiting Old Trafford should get blown away but Chelsea have shown they are not scared to battle the champions on their own turf before.

The Villas-Boas factor adds an air of unpredictability to the encounter and might just mean Chelsea can pinch what would be a great point.

Editor's Prediction

Man Utd. 1-1 Chelsea

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18.09. (Sun) 16:00 Fulham - Manchester City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FULHAM Schwarzer Kelly, Hangeland, Senderos, J A Riise Duff, Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey Dembele, Zamora

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov Y Toure, Barry Silva, Aguero, Nasri Dzeko

Simon Davies is sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to be out for another two months, while Zoltan Gera served a three-match suspension but has not played any part in the campaign due to a minor injury.

Aaron Hughes is a doubt after he had to be taken off during the first-half of the game against Blackburn Rovers, while Bjorn Helge Riise remains a doubt due to the hamstring problem sustained after the game against RNK Split.

Dickson Etuhu missed the recent Europa League clash against Twente due to a thigh problem and is also a doubt for this fixture.

Aleksandar Kolarov could sneak in ahead of Gael Clichy due to his heroics in helping City to a draw against Napoli in the Champions League.

James Milner is on his way back to full fitness following a concussion sustained against Wigan Athletic, and is a doubt for this clash. Nigel de Jong is out due to a foot injury that he picked up against Swansea City, while Owen Hargreaves is still some way from regaining match fitness.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Fulham are yet to win their first game in the Premier League this season.

• The Cottagers have scored only two goals in the league so far, and only Queens Park Rangers (one) and Swansea City (none) have scored fewer.

• Neither side has been able to keep a clean sheet in any of the last 14 league matches when they have faced each other.

• The home side have a dodgy home record against the visitors, having won nine and lost nine out of the 26 league games that have taken place in London between the two teams.

• Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko (pictured right) have both scored six goals in only four matches, and only Wayne Rooney (eight) has scored more than the duo in the Premier League so far.

• Roberto Mancini's men have also won every league game so far, and are second in the standings - behind arch-rivals Manchester United - only on goal difference.

• Incidentally, the last time that City drew a game in the Premier League was back in February, against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium - prior to Martin Jol's arrival.

• The Eastlands club have been good on the road in the recent past, winning four of their last five trips away from home including a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Prediction

Fulham have lost only once in their last 11 home games in the league, but Manchester City are currently in superb form, unbeaten so far. They may be a little fatigued after their midweek exertions against Napoli, but the playing ground should be level after the Cottagers' game against Twente. All said and done, the quality and depth in the City squad should ensure that they come away victorious on the day.

Editor's Prediction

Fulham 1-2 Man City

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18.09. (Sun) 15:00 Siena - Juventus

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Siena (4-4-2): Brkic; Angelo, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso; Mannini, Bolzoni, D'Agostino, Brienza; Calaio, Gonzalez

Siena coach Giuseppe Sannino will be without the services of defender Gabriele Angella and striker Reginaldo due to injury.

Juventus (4-2-4): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, Grosso; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pepe, Vucinic; Matri, Del Piero

Paolo De Ceglie will miss Sunday's encounter against his former side after receiving his marching orders late in the 4-1 win over Parma last weekend while Vincenzo Iaquinta is still nursing an injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Siena scored a league high 45 goals at the Artemio Franchi last season in Serie B.
  

• The Tuscan outfit held Juventus to a 3-3 draw in their last Serie A meeting in the 2009-10 campaign.

• Siena picked up a point against Catania in their first match since returning to Serie A.

• The top flight new boys have scored just two goals in their last six home fixtures against Juve.

• Juventus were victorious in the first Serie A match held in their new stadium last weekend.
  

• The Turin outfit have won 10 out of their last 12 games against Siena.

• Juve gave up only 16 goals on their road travels last season.

• Stephan Lichtsteiner and Arturo Vidal scored on their debuts for the Old Lady in the 4-1 win over Parma last Sunday.

Prediction

Juve have a good track record against Siena and should be able to take care of business in Tuscany to continue their winning start to the season.

Editor's Prediction

Siena 1-2 Juventus

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18.09. (Sun) 14:30 Tottenham Hotspur - Liverpool

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOTTENHAM Friedel Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto Kranjcar, Parker, Modric, Bale Defoe, Adebayor

LIVERPOOL  Reina Flanagan, Carragher, Agger, Jose Enrique Henderson, Lucas, Adam, Downing Kuyt, Suarez

Rafael van der Vaart could be available for selection for Tottenham, despite suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester City that was initially expected to keep the midfielder out for six weeks.

Ledley King could play a second consecutive Premier League game but will be assessed after a training session on Saturday.

Having both players fit would be a welcome boost for Harry Redknapp, who is still without Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Sandro, Danny Rose and Steven Pienaar.

Liverpool are without Glen Johnson, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring problem in the defeat to Stoke City. Martin Kelly has resumed training, while youngster Jon Flanagan is back in contention.

Steven Gerrard is close to full fitness, but may be eased back into action in the League Cup in midweek.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Full-back Kyle Walker (pictured below) was the only player to start both the victory over Wolves and the 0-0 Europa League draw with PAOK on Thursday.

• Redknapp is likely to make as many as ten changes to the side that drew in Greece as he reverts back to a starting XI similar to the one that secured the win - and Spurs' first points of the season - at Molineux.

• Tottenham have been 2-1 victors in each of the last two meetings at White Hart Lane between the two sides.

• Spurs won the corresponding fixture in November last season, before going on to secure a double over Liverpool with a 2-0 win at Anfield in May, all-but  securing Europa League football in the process.

• There have been at least two goals in each of the last nine fixtures between the two clubs in all competitions.

• Liverpool have won 70 of the 153 clashes between the sides, compared to Tottenham's 45. There have been 38 draws.

• The Reds' defeat at Stoke on Saturday was the first game this season in which they haven't scored.

• Kenny Dalglish's side have conceded just three goals in four Premier League games so far this season, while Spurs have shipped eight in three.

Prediction

Tottenham have enjoyed good fortune against Liverpool at home in recent seasons, but under Kenny Dalglish the Reds are a different proposition. Despite losing to Stoke, the visitors were rampant at the Britannia Stadium and a repeat performance could secure a win, but the hosts possess enough quality after the transfer window to pick up a point at home.

Editor's Prediction

Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool

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18.09. (Sun) 13:30 Rangers - Celtic

Getty

PROBABLE LINEUPS

RANGERS McGregor Whittaker, Goian, Bocanegra, Papac McCulloch Naismith, Davis, Edu, Lafferty Jelavic

CELTIC   Forster Matthews, K Wilson, Mulgrew, El Kaddouri Brown, Kayal, Ki, Ledley, Forrest Hooper

Rangers boss Ally McCoist will be able to welcome back defender Sasa Papac, while Lee McCulloch should be fit enough to start the first Old Firm game of the season. Crucially for the Ibrox side is the availability of striker Nikica Jelavic, who missed last week’s victory over Dundee United.

The Scottish champions will also have American international Alejandro Bedoya in the squad after he also missed last week’s win with a calf strain, while fellow summer new boy Matt McKay will be hoping to add to the seven minutes he got in Saturday’s game at Tannadice.

Celtic will hope to welcome back captain Scott Brown after the midfielder was forced to miss the Parkhead club’s Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid with an ankle knock, while striker Anthony Stokes also missed out with a thigh strain. Daniel Majstorovic returns for the Hoops after sitting out the European tie through suspension.

Neil Lennon should hand first Old Firm starts to full backs Adam Matthews and deadline day signing Badr El Kaddouri after the Moroccan had signed on-loan from Dynamo Kiev to replace long-term injury victim Emilio Izaguirre.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This will be Rangers manager Ally McCoist’s first Old Firm meeting in charge of the Ibrox side, while his opposite number has been in charge eight times since March last year.

• Last season’s top scorer in the Scottish Premier League was Rangers' Kenny Miller with 21 goals, even though he left the club during the January transfer window.

• An extra-time strike by Nikica Jelavic helped McCoist secure his first title, the League Cup, during an Old Firm final at Hampden in March.

• The Ibrox side had keeper Allan McGregor to thank during the goalless draw between the sides in April when the Scotland international saved a Georgios Samaras penalty to claim a precious point.

• Celtic claimed victory twice in the four league games between the sides, with Samaras (pictured right) being the hero after bagging a double during the New Year Old Firm game at Ibrox.

• Both sides met an incredible seven times last season, in the SPL, League Cup and Scottish Cup, with Celtic winning three times, Rangers twice and two games being drawn.

• The Hoops last victory over their fiercest rivals came during the infamous Scottish Cup fifth round replay when both Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra were sent off, while Lennon and McCoist were involved in a full-time brawl.

• That victory played a crucial part in the Parkhead side securing their first title under Lennon as they went on to defeat fellow Scottish Premier League side Motherwell in the final.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Rangers: Nikica Jelavic

The Croatian striker has been the focal point for the Ibrox side going forward after the departure of Kenny Miller to Bursaspor during the January transfer window. He has already claimed 18 goals in only 28 games after injury had hampered the former Rapid Vienna frontman last season.

Celtic: Beram Kayal

The 23-year-old midfielder has been a sensation since arriving at Parkhead from Israeli side Maccabi Haifa at the start of last season, becoming an influential performer for Neil Lennon’s side.

PREDICTION

Rangers will hope to put the off-field issues of this week behind them and with key players coming back to fitness and Celtic having to travel back from their Europa League game in Madrid that should give the home side the advantage, but Old Firm games are never that simple.

Rangers 1-1 Celtic

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