After the international break, the Premier League resumes with big spending Manchester City facing a test of their top for credentials as Arsenal visit Eastlands.
Gunners Have Held Indian Sign Over City
City have not had a good record against the Gunners over the years and have only recorded two wins since beating Arsenal 1-0 at Maine Road in 1991. Last season, the blues recorded a convincing 3-0 win at Eastlands but lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a brace by striker Emmanuel Adebayor who, along with Kolo Toure, moved to Manchester in the summer and both line up against their former employer. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stated that he has no regrets over selling Adebayor, who has scored three goals in his first three games as a City player, while Toure has bolstered the defence which is yet to concede a goal this season.
City have striker Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz missing and Brazilian star Robinho will face a late fitness test. Arsenal are without Russian striker Andrei Arshavin and England forward Theo Walcott as they return to Manchester after losing to United in their last game.
Tottenham Hoping To Continue Good Start
Tottenham entertain champions Manchester United at White Hart Lane hoping to continue their 100% start to the season. The home side beat last season’s runners up Liverpool on the opening day of the season before travelling north to thrash Hull City 5-1. However they needed a last minute Aaron Lennon goal against new boys Birmingham City to keep their perfect start in tact in the last game.
United recovered from the shock of losing their second game of the season to new boys and relegation favourites Burnley to record a 5-0 win at Wigan, while in their last game they come form a goal down to beat Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Jermaine Jena returns to the Spurs squad, but they are without Croatian star Luca Modric, who suffered a broken leg during the match with Birmingham. Edwin Van Der Sar and Owen Hargreaves are joined on the united injury list by John O’Shea, meaning a return to first team action for Gary Neville.
Early Relegation Battle For Portsmouth And Bolton
Portsmouth and Bolton lock horns at Fratton Park with both teams eager to get their first points of the season. The two bottom clubs have lost all their games this season, meaning at least one of them get off the mark. Bolton twice took the lead in their last match against Liverpool but allowed the visitors to equalise on each occasion before Steven Gerrard grabbed the winner for Liverpool with seven minutes remaining.
Portsmouth’s dismal start continued with a home defeat to high flying Manchester City as Emmanuel Adebayor scored to condemn Pompey to defeat. The home side will be boosted by their transfer activity on deadline day, bolstering their defence with the signing of Israeli defender Tal Ben-Haim from Manchester City.
Stoke To Face The Wrath Of Chelsea
Stoke City take on Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in another tops six clash. The home side find themselves in fifth place but facing a Chelsea side still reeling from the transfer ban imposed by FIFA after being found guilty of poaching a Lens player. The game will provide Stoke with a serious test of their desire to remain in the Premiership after surviving comfortably last season.
Liverpool take on Burnley at Anfield in a surprising mid table clash. The home side will be wary of the newly promoted club after seeing the Clarets beat Manchester United in their second game.
Blackburn Rovers go in search of their first win of the season at home to Wolves while Wigan look for their first home win against West Ham. Sunderland take on last season’s surprise package Hull City at the Stadium of Light while the Sunday games sees the first Midland’s derby as Birmingham take on Aston Villa. In the weekend’s final game Everton search for their first away win at Fulham, who are looking for their first home win of the season.
