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.