EPL Predictions

Arsenal ( away vs. Man City)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Lehmann - Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte - Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky - Adebayor, Henry. Lineup change Adebayor in for Van Persie

Subs: Almunia, Flamini, Cygan, Traore, Song, Diaby, Aliadiere, Walcott, van Persie.
Injured: Reyes, Senderos, Clichy, Lauren.
Suspended: None

Team News: Arsenal welcome back Lehmann and Henry today after being left out of the European mid-week tie. Midfielder Rosicky is expected to make his debut, with Ljungberg left out of the squad due to fatigue. Arsene Wenger has stated that he is unhappy with Adebayor's home form; "I feel Emmanuel Adebayor is a bit intimidated at home right now," admitted Wenger. "It looks like it has diminished his confidence." (Lineup cahnge 11:17am)
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Starting XI: (4-3-3) Sorensen - Hughes, Ridgewell, Mellberg, Bouma - S. Davis, McCann, Barry - Agbonlahor, Angel, Moore.
Subs: Taylor, Laursen, Delaney, Samuel, Gardner, Djemba-Djemba, Hendrie, Whittingham, .
Injured: Baros, Berger, Cahill
Suspended: None

Team News: Villa could start with Dutchman Bouma at left-back with Samuel struggling with a thigh-strain he picked up against Reading in mid-week. The rest of the team should remain unchanged.
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Blackburn ( home vs. Chelsea)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Friedel - Neill, T, Khizanishvili, Gray - Bentley, Savage, S. Reid, Gamst Pedersen - J. Roberts, McCarthy.
Subs: Enckelman, Emerton, Brown, Gallagher, Todd, Ooijer, Mokoena, Douglas, McEveley, Matteo, Jeffers, Peter, Kuqi,
Injured: Nelsen
Suspended: Tugay (1 match)

Team News: Australian Neill returns from suspension and will take up his regular position at right-back. Nelsen is still a concern with injury but new signing Ooijer should take a place on the bench.
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Bolton ( away vs. Charlton)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Q. Fortune - Speed, Campo, Nolan - Vaz Te, Davies, Diouf
Subs: Walker, Tal, O'Brien, Fojut, H. Pedersen, Abdoulaye Faye, Sissons, Smith, Wolfe, Stelios
Injured: Gardner.
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Anelka (International clearance.)

Team News: Big Sam's new signing Anelka will watch his first game as a Bolton man from the stands. Left-back Fortune is a very serious doubt after picking up an ankle injury in the mid-week game. O'Brien is back from injury and could replace him, but it would more likely be Fojut who has more match fitness and normally plays in this position. Pedersen and Faye also return to the squad after injury.
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Charlton ( home vs. Bolton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carson - Young, Hreidarsson, El Karkouri, D. Traore, - Ambrose, Amdy Faye, A.Reid, Holland - D. Bent, Hasselbaink
Subs: Myhre, Fortune, Sam, Kishishev, Rommedahl, Hughes, Walton, B. Hughes, Euell, M Bent
Injured: Gibbs, Thomas, Walker, Sorondo
Suspended: None

Team News: Pie-man Reid could make his debut for a struggling Charlton side today. A big cloud hangs over the possible line-up in defence for me today. Will Troare, who was quite poor in first game, jump straight back into the squad after returning from suspension? Possibly not. So Dowie may start with the same back-four that took on the Red Devils.. We will see.
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Chelsea ( away vs. Blackburn)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Cudicini - Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge - Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Wright-Phillips - Shevchenko, Drogba Lineup Change Robben injured!
Subs: Hilario, Diarra, Boulahrouz, Mancienne, Mikel, Makelele, Kalou, .
Injured: Cech, Huth, J. Cole, Geremi
Suspended: None

Team News: German captain Ballack is now rated as 50/50 for this game and Makelele could be drafted into the team! (Lineup change 11:05am)
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Everton ( away vs. Tottenham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Howard - Valente, Lescott, Yobo, P. Neville - Cahill, Carsley, Arteta, McFadden - Beattie, Johnson
Subs: Wright, Naysmith, Kilbane,Hibbert, Weir, van der Meyde, Osman, Anichebe
Injured: Pistone, Vaughan, Stubbs
Suspended: None

Team News: Portuguese left-back Nuno Valente has overcome the deadleg sustained on Wednesday and should start but defender Stubbs is out with a hamstring injury, so with Weir still lacking match-fitness young Lescott could start at the back. After an amazing substitution display in mid-week Scotsman McFadden could be could into the starting XI.
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Fulham ( away vs. Sheffield Utd)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Niemi - Queudrue, Christanval, Pearce, Rosenior - Bullard, Diop, M. Brown, Boa Morte - Helguson, John
Subs: Crossley, Bocanegra, Knight, N. Jensen, Zakuani, Timlin, Radzinski, McBride, Runstrom
Injured: C. Jensen, Elliott, Pembridge, Milsom, Malbranque.
Suspended: None

Team News: Coleman says that the back four wil stay the same and John could return to the starting XI after being omitted for "tatical reasons" in mid-week. Coleman says that 1-2 changes will be made for this game.
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Liverpool ( away vs. West Ham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Reina - Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio - Gerrard, Alonso, Gonzalez, Pennant - Crouch, Bellamy
Subs: Dudek, Kromkamp, Zenden, Sinama-Pongolle, Garcia, Fowler, Kuyt
Injured: Kewell, Sissoko, Carragher, Riise, Warnock, Paletta
Suspended: None

Team News: Liverpool have injury problems with Riise and Carragher missing so Aurelio and Agger will come in at the back. The big news is that Kuyt is set to make his debut but I personally think that it will be from the bench. Crouch is in excellent form and should get the nod ahead of his Dutch counterpart.
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Man City ( home vs. Arsenal)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Weaver - Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan - Sinclair, Barton, Reyna, Samaras -Dickov, Corradi
Subs: Weaver, Sun Jihai, Onuoha, Miller, Ireland, Dabo, Sibierski, Vassell, Sturridge
Injured: Hamann, Cole.
Unavailable: Trabelsi (work permit).
Suspended: None

Team News: Man City left-back Thatcher has been suspended by Stuart Pearce so Jordan should come in. Isaksson is ready to undergo an operation so is still missing from the starting xi. Corradi returns from suspension and could be used as the battering ram alongside Dickov. A very physical attack, which we know Arsenal doesn't like..
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Man Utd ( away vs. Watford)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Van der Sar - R. Ferdinand, W. Brown, Silvestre, Evra - Park, O'Shea, Carrick, Giggs - Saha, Ronaldo
Subs: Kuszczak, Evans, Richardson, Fletcher, Miller , Rossi
Injured: Vidic, Heinze, Smith
Suspended: Scholes (2 matches), Rooney (2 matches).

Team News: Coming soon...
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Middlesbrough ( away vs. Portsmouth )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Schwarzer – Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Parnaby – Boateng, Rochemback, Mendieta, Downing – Yakubu, Viduka
Subs: Turnbull, McMahon, Bates, Davies, Cattermole, Parlour, Morrison, Christie, Maccarone.
Injured: Ehiogu, Arca
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...
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Newcastle ( home vs. Aston Villa)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Given – Carr, Taylor, Bramble, Babayaro – Butt, Solano, Parker, Emre, Duff – Martins
Subs: Harper, Ramage, O’Brien, N’Zogbia, Luque, Milner, Ameobi
Injured: Owen, Dyer, Moore
Suspended: None

Team News:Coming soon...
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Portsmouth ( away vs. Middlesbrough)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) James – Pamarot, Campbell, Johnson, Stefanovic – O’Neill, Highes, Davis, M. Taylor – Benjani, Kanu.
Subs: Jordan, Primus, Thompson, Songo’o, O’Brien, Duffy, Todorov
Injured: Ashdown, Kiely, LuaLua, Mornar, Mendes
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...
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Reading ( away vs. Wigan)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Hahnemann – Murty, Gunnarsson, Ingmarrson, Shorey – Seol, Harper, Sidwell, Convey – Doyle, Lita
Subs: Stack, Hunt, Oster, Halls, Gunnarsson, Sodje, Long, Little, Osano, Cox.
Injured: Brown, Kitson
Suspended: Sonko

Team News: Coming soon...
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Sheffield Utd ( away vs. Fulham )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kenny - Sommeil, Bromby, Morgan, Unsworth – Gillespie, Jagielka, Tonge, Armstrong – Hulse, Webber.
Subs: Bennett, Kozluk, Lucketti, Montgomery, Leigertwood, Wright, Geary, Nade, A. Quinn, S. Quinn, Li Tie, Shipperley, Akinbiyi.
Injured: Davis, Kabba, Ifill, Short
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming Soon...
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Tottenham ( home vs. Everton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Robinson – Davenport, Dawson, Lee, Assou-Ekotto – Davids, Zokora, Tainio, Lennon – Keane, Berbatov
Subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Huddlestone, Routledge, Barnard, Jenas, Ghaly, Murphy, Defoe.
Injured: King
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming Soon...
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Watford ( away vs. Man Utd)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Lee – Powell, Shittu, DeMerit, Doyley – Young, Francis, Mahon, Bouazza – Henderson, King
Subs: Lee, Mariappa, Stewart, Jarrett, Spring, Bangura, McNamee,Chambers, Priskin, Mackay.
Injured: Carlisle
Unavailable: Foster (loan deal)
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...
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West Ham ( away vs. Liverpool)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carroll – Paintsil, A. Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky – Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Bowyer – Harewood, Zamora.
Subs: Walker, Mears, Collins, Sheringham, Reid, Dailly
Injured: Green, Etherington, Spector, McCartney, Ashton.
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming Soon...
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Wigan ( home vs. Reading )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kirkland – Baines, De Zeeuw, Hall, Boyce – McCulloch, Landzaat, Scharner, Valencia – Heskey, Camara
Subs: Pollitt, Kavanagh, Connolly, Chimbonda, Jackson, Johansson, Skoko
Injured: Teale, Taylor
Suspended: None

Team News: Coming soon...

Benitez gets the tactics all wrong

Sheffield United 1 - 1 Liverpool

The Blades coped well with their first Premiership game, holding the lofty Liverpool to a 1-1 draw. Sheffield manager Neil Warnock started with just one of his new signings, Hulse, and relied upon his old guard to garner his side’s first points of the Premiership campaign. It was new boy Hulse that broke the dead lock, capitalising on slack Liverpool defending to head in a set-piece cross from Unsworth. Liverpool had to rely upon a penalty to draw back level, with Gerrard going down after a Jagielka lunge and Fowler slotting away to save Benitez’s blushes.

The Liverpool manager sent out an unorthodox team withdrawing Alonso and Finnan from the squad and leaving England hero Crouch on the bench. With most of his team involved in internationals during the week, having the early Saturday morning kick-off and facing a second-leg European game on Tuesday, the Spaniard must have felt that he tactically could leave out the likes of Alonso and Crouch to give them extra time to rest – wrong. The Liverpool boss has shown, yet again, that he has tactically underestimated the resolve of lower teams – something that Mourinho never does. Benitez’s team struggled for fluidity on Saturday and looked a pale imitation of the side that beat Chelsea in the Community shield.

Liverpool not only dropped two points in the opening game but also picked up key injuries to Riise and Carragher. Riise had to be stretchered off after just 25 minutes and Carragher hobbled off after 34 minutes. It seems that Carragher could be out for a week and his Norwegian counterpart could be out for even longer.

Sheffield United also suffered an injury to Leigh Bromby, who was subsequently replaced by Mikele Leigertwood.

Fantasy Insiders View: Statistically, Liverpool’s Aurelio was a live wire making seven tackles and managed one shot on target. With Riise out the Brazilian is the best candidate to start in the left-back spot. Daniel Agger, who replaced Carragher, should also now start the Champions League qualifier on Tuesday.

From a tactical point of view, Liverpool were definitely lacking the presence of Crouch today. The Red’s had nearly 60% of the possession but failed to capitalise, with Fowler guilty of fluffing up clear chances. Throughout the game Liverpool were awarded 12 corners and little came from these set-pieces, why? Simple, Crouch was missing. The England striker is almost impossible to defend during set-pieces and normally causes havoc in the penalty area. Liverpool lacked that today and it showed.

This was a smash and grab affair from Sheffield and Warnock, who’s team showed they can be difficult to breakdown if put to the test at home. Danny Webber was lively throughout the match but with one shot on target and 40% possession they will certainly need to improve rather than relying on the downfalls of their opposition.

EPL Predictions

Arsenal ( home vs. Aston Villa)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Lehmann - Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Hoyte - Hleb, Gilberto Silva, Fabregas, van Persie - Adebayor, Henry.

Subs: Almunia, Flamini, Cygan, Traore, Song, Ljungberg, Aliadiere.
Injured: Reyes, Senderos, Clichy, Lauren, Rosicky, Diaby
Suspended: None

Team News: Arsenal are without new signing Rosicky who is out with a groin problem, so van Persie should start on the wing. Misfit Ashley Cole has not been named in the squad and youngster Hoyte is set to start at left-back.

Aston Villa ( away vs. Arsenal)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Sorensen - Hughes, Ridgewell, Mellberg, Samuel - S. Davis, Hendrie, McCann, Barry - Angel, Moore.
Subs: Taylor, Laursen, Delaney, Djemba-Djemba, Whittingham, Phillips, Agbonlahor. (Note Ulises de la Cruz has been released eventhough many news sources have him in the Villa squad.)
Injured: Baros, Berger, Bouma, Cahill
Suspended: None

Team News: Villa are missing Baros for the opening of the new season, as the Czech striker is set to be out until September with a foot problem. Bouma is also out so Samuel, who has played most of the pre-season games, should start at left-back.

Blackburn ( home vs. Portsmouth)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Friedel - Neill, Mokoena, Todd, Gray - Bentley, Savage, S. Reid, Gamst Pedersen - J. Roberts, McCarthy.
Subs: Brown, Gallagher, Douglas, McEveley, Matteo, Jeffers, Peter, Kuqi,
Injured: Nelsen, Khizanishvili, Enckelman, Emerton.
Suspended: Tugay (3 matches)

Team News: Blackburn are without their two first choice centre-backs, Nelsen and Khizanishvili, so Todd and Neill should cover for them, with South African Mokoena coming in to cover Neill’s berth on the right. Midfielder Steven Reid is struggling with an ankle injury and may not start so Gallagher could come in for him.

Bolton ( home vs. Tottenham)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Q. Fortune - Speed, Campo, Nolan - Stelios, Davies, Vaz Te
Subs: Walker, Tal, Fojut, Sissons, Smith, Wolfe, Diouf
Injured: O'Brien, Gardner, H. Pedersen, Abdoulaye Faye.
Suspended: None

Team News: Big Sam will be sweating over the fitness of Fortune and Davies before their big clash with Spurs, with the pair set to undergo late tests on Saturday. Fojut will replace Fortune at left-back, while Diouf could come in for Davies in attack.

Charlton ( away vs. West Ham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Mhyre - Young, Hreidarsson, Sorondo, D. Traore - Ambrose, Amdy Faye, B. Hughes, Rommedahl - D. Bent, Hasselbaink
Subs: Carson, El Karkouri, Sam, Fortune, Kishishev, Holland, Walton, A. Reid, Euell, M Bent
Injured: Gibbs, Thomas, Walker
Suspended: None

Team News: Ian Dowie has shaken up the Charlton dressing room since the departure of Curbishley. A major cloud hangs over the goalkeeping position with Carson & Myhre battling it out for the number one spot. With Myhre participating in most pre-season games and performing excellently for Norway against Brazil this week, there is a good chance that he could start but Carson has an outside chance. The starting spot next to Faye in midfield is also up for grabs, with Holland, Hughes and Kishishev all vying for the spot. Hughes is a more creative player than Kish or Holland so I expect him to partner Faye.

Chelsea ( home vs. Man City)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Cudicini - Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge - Essien, Lampard, Kalou, Robben - Shevchenko, Drogba
Subs: Hilario, Diarra, Gallas, Mancienne, Mikel, Wright-Phillips.
Injured: Cech, Huth, J. Cole, Makelele, Geremi, Ballack
Suspended: None

Team News: The word on everybody’s lips is “Ballack –will he be fit?” Well, according to Mourinho: "My opinion is that Michael will not be fit to play, his improvement since last Sunday has been very small and has not trained with the team.” This will leave the door open for Kalou to start in his place.

Everton ( home vs. Watford)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Howard - Naysmith, Lescott, Stubbs, P. Neville - Cahill, Carsley, Arteta, Osman - Beattie, Johnson
Subs: Wright, Yobo, Valente, Kilbane, van der Meyde, McFadden, Anichebe
Injured: Weir, Pistone, Vaughan, Hibbert
Suspended: None

Team News: Everton are yet another team that shrouded in a veil of mystery prior to the start of Premiership. Captain Weir and full-back Hibbert are both missing with injuries so it looks like Lescott will be given his debut alongside veteran Stubbs. Naysmith and Neville have occupied the full-back positions for most of the pre-season games and with Valente still not at full match fitness they should both start. Midfielder Osman is doubtful with a knee injury so Davies will be on standby to take his place.

Fulham ( away vs. Man. Utd)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Niemi - Queudrue, Christanval, Pearce, Rosenior - Bullard, Diop, M. Brown, Boa Morte - McBride, John
Subs: Crossley, Bocanegra, Knight, N. Jensen, Zakuani, Timlin, Radzinski, Helguson, Runstrom
Injured: C. Jensen, Elliott, Pembridge, Milsom, Malbranque.
Suspended: None

Team News: Fulham are set to start with the combination of Christanval and Pearce at the back, with Coleman delighted with both players pre-season form, especially Pearce. New signing Queudrue comes up against Ronaldo, while Brown covers for Malbranque. Malbranque is injured but Coleman has stated that the Frenchman will never start for the Cottagers again.

Liverpool ( away vs. Sheffield Utd )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Reina - Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise - Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Pennant - Crouch, Bellamy
Subs: Dudek, Kromkamp, Agger, Aurelio, Gonzalez, Zenden, Garcia, Fowler
Injured: Kewell

Unavailable: Kuyt (international clearance).
Suspended: None

Team News: Liverpool have an almost full-strength squad ahead of their trip to Bramall Lane. The Reds should start in a 4-4-2 formation but Bellamy is most likely to drift to left flank with Crouch used as a target man in the centre.

( I read an article this morning predicting that Gerrard, Alonso and Bellamy wouldn’t start.. we will see..)

Man City ( away vs. Chelsea)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Isaksson - Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan - Sinclair, Barton, Dabo - Vassell, Samaras, Corradi
Subs: Weaver, Sun Jihai, Onuoha, Miller, Ireland, Reyna, Thatcher, Sibierski, Dickov, Sturridge
Injured: Hamann, Cole.

Unavailable: Trabelsi (work permit).
Suspended: None

Team News: Man City are going through a transitional phase with various new signing trying to gel into the line-up. Isaksson is set to make his debut in goal, while there is much uncertainty surrounding the centre-back partnership against Chelsea. The Distin – Boro’ saga is still going on, although Pearce reckons he would still be played and Dunne is struggling with a hamstring injury so there is a good chance that Onuoha could start and/or Richards to moved into the centre. Further up the field Dabo and Corradi should make their debuts.

Man Utd ( home vs. Fulham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Van der Sar - G. Neville, R. Ferdinand, W. Brown, Silvestre - Ronaldo, O'Shea, Scholes, Giggs - Saha, Rooney
Subs: Kuszczak, Evans, Evra, Richardson, Fletcher, Park, Rossi
Injured: Vidic, Heinze, Carrick Smith
Suspended: None

Team News: The big news is that Heinze will miss the opening game of the season with a knee injury so Silvestre should start at left-back. Rooney is also back for the opener against Fulham, with Park most likely making way for him. There is a chance that O’Shea could be dropped, but with the Irishman left as the only clear ball winner who can slot into midfield, I expect the Korean to be dropped instead and Giggs to move to the wing. Remember one thing – Rooney and Scholes are suspended for United’s next three games after the Fulham one.

Middlesbrough ( away vs. Reading )
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Schwarzer – Riggott, Pogatetz, Arca, Parnaby – Boateng, Rochemback, Mendieta, Downing – Yakubu, Viduka
Subs: Turnbull, McMahon, Bates, Davies, Taylor, Parlour, Morrison, Christie, Maccarone.
Injured: Ehiogu, Cattermole.
Suspended: None

Team News: Boro’ have problems at the back with Pogatetz suffering with a calf problem, so Bates could start alongside Riggott at the back. Winger Downing is slight doubt after suffering a dead leg during the England win over Greece but manager Southgate is confident that he will be available for selection.

Newcastle ( home vs. Wigan)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Given – Carr, Taylor, Bramble, Babayaro – N’Zogbia, Solano, Parker, Emre – Milner, Ameobi
Subs: Harper, Moore, Ramage, O’Brien, Boumsong, Duff, Luque
Injured: Owen, Dyer.
Suspended: None

Team News: Taylor and Bramble have made a good partnership in pre-season, as both players figured in the two-leg win over Lillestrom in the Intertoto but Australian Moore and Boumsong could figure if Roeder feels that they have reached match fitness levels. Duff is expected by many to make his Premiership debut, but his match fitness is in question, with N’Zogbia more likely to play, as he has two competitive matches under his belt already this season. Milner may start in attack with Ameobi having played there in pre-season and the Intertoto.

Portsmouth ( home vs. Blackburn)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) James – Pamarot, Campbell, Johnson, Stefanovic – O’Neill, Mendes, Davis, M. Taylor – Todorov, Kanu.
Subs: Jordan, Primus, Hughes, Thompson Songo’o, O’Brien, Duffy.
Injured: Ashdown, Kiely, LuaLua, Mornar.
Suspended: None

Team News: Dean Kiely and Jamie Ashdown are out for while so David James will make his debut whilst youngster Nick Jordan will be on the bench. Because of their lack of left-sided players Dejan Stefanovic will play left back and Matthew Taylor will push forward into midfield. Either Pamarot, O'Brien or Primus will start alongside new signing Sol Campbell. Glen Johnson will also start at right back to make his Pompey debut. Kanu is set to make his debut also.

Reading ( home vs. Middlesbrough)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Hahnemann – Murty, Sonko, Ingmarrson, Shorey – Seol, Harper, Sidwell, Convey – Doyle, Kitson
Subs: Stack, Hunt, Oster, Halls, Gunnarsson, Sodje, Long, Osano, Cox, Lita.
Injured: Little, Brown
Suspended: None

Team News: Reading are set to start their opening game with the same team that impressively beat Feyenoord earlier in the week. Korean Seol will start on the wing with Doyle and Kitson used as the preferred attacking partnership.

Sheffield Utd ( home vs. Liverpool)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kenny - Sommeil, Bromby, Morgan, Unsworth – Ifill, Jagielka, Tonge, Armstrong – Hulse, Webber.
Subs: Bennett, Kozluk, Lucketti, Montgomery, Leigertwood, Short, Wright, Geary, Nade, A. Quinn, S. Quinn, Li Tie, Shipperley, Akinbiyi.

Injured: Davis, Kabba
Suspended:

Team News: With eight new signings it is difficult to predict what Warnock will do for the game against Liverpool, but it seems that he will be using Sommeil as right-back. Hulse and Webber are set to start the opening game but France U-21 Nade should play some part and don’t forget Shipperley, who has been in excellent pre-season form.

Tottenham ( away vs. Bolton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Robinson – Davenport, Dawson, Lee, Assou-Ekotto – Davids, Jenas, Zokora, Lennon – Defoe, Berbatov
Subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Huddlestone, Routledge, Barnard, Ghaly, Murphy, Keane.

Injured: Tainio, King
Suspended: None

Team News: Spurs are set to hand Assou-Ekotto his debut at left-back, with Zokora and Berbatov also set to start. Keane is struggling for fitness with a thigh problem.

Watford ( away vs. Everton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Foster – Powell, Shittu, DeMerit, Doyley – Young, Francis, Mahon, Chambers – Henderson, King
Subs: Lee, Mariappa, Stewart, Jarrett, Spring, Bangura, McNamee, Bouazza, Priskin, Mackay.
Injured: Carlisle
Suspended: None

Team News:

West Ham ( home vs. Charlton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carroll – Paintsil, A. Ferdinand, Collins, Konchesky – Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Zamora – Harewood, C. Cole.
Subs: Walker, Mears, Gabbidon, Sheringham, Reid, Dailly
Injured: Green, Etherington, Spector, McCartney, Ashton.
Suspended: None

Team News: West Ham are without several key players with Ashton and Etherington missing due to injury. In defence Collins has started most of the pre-season with Ferdinand and also played 90 minutes for Wales. Gabbidon also played for Wales but hasn’t managed a full 90 since returning from injury – Pardew may not risk him and use Collins instead. In West Ham’s last pre-season game they played with Bobby Zamora covering for Etherington on the left, where he played extremely well, with Pardew praising his performance so he could start but Bowyer is certainly in with a big shout if Pardew decides to play a more defensive midfield.

Wigan ( away vs. Newcastle)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kirkland – Baines, De Zeeuw, Hall, Boyce – McCulloch, Landzaat, Scharner, Chimbonda – Heskey, Camara
Subs: Pollitt, Kavanagh, Connolly, Valencia, Jackson, Johansson, Skoko
Injured: Teale, Taylor
Suspended: None

Team News: With Teale injured Chimbonda has played on the right flank during the pre-season games and should start there for the trip to Newcastle, with Boyce coming in at right-back. De Zeeuw and Hall have formed a good partnership in defence so Scharner will slide into midfield.