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Manchester United's clash with bitter rivals Liverpool, live on Sky Sports HD1 and in 3D, is the pick of a full programme of Premier League fixtures this weekend. Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson will demand that his players end a disappointing week on a high note against a Liverpool side that have yet to really find their league stride under new manager Roy Hodgson.
Elsewhere, high-flying Blackpool face a daunting task as they travel to table-toppers Chelsea, Arsenal make the trip to the North East to Sunderland, struggling West Ham will be without head coach Avram Grant at Stoke City while Wigan Athletic welcome Manchester City to the DW Stadium.
Ferguson saw his side throw away a two-goal lead at Everton last weekend before the Scot made 10 changes to his team, including the reintroduction of Wayne Rooney, for the midweek UEFA Champions League tie against Rangers. But Manchester United struggled to break down their SPL opponents, while the poor performance and result was further soured by a serious injury to Antonio Valencia. Ferguson will eye a response on Sunday against Liverpool, whom they beat 2-1 at Old Trafford last campaign. Rooney was on target that day and the focus will again be on the striker, who looked short of form on Tuesday. Liverpool, meanwhile, were comfortable victors in the Europa League on Thursday, despite resting Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard with the trip to United in mind.
Chelsea have made an imperious start to the season and on Wednesday in Europe they scored a further four goals versus MSK Zilina. Blackpool are their opponents - live on Sky Sports HD1 - and, despite a fine start by the Seasiders, an upset is surely asking too much. Blackpool crumbled to a 6-0 loss in their last visit to the capital, so, while their fearlessness is admirable, not being so gung-ho at Stamford Bridge is probably advised. Carlo Ancelotti's men are seeking their fifth consecutive league win of the season while it will be key they keep that run going before next weekend's trip to Manchester City. Blackpool's last visit to Chelsea, back in 1996, saw them claim a 3-1 triumph. You can get odds of 200/1 on a repeat of that scoreline.
Completing Sunday's matches is Wigan Athletic's encounter against Manchester City. After conceding 10 goals in their first two matches, Wigan have since let in just the one in their following outings. City, meanwhile, have not been leaking goals, but they have hardly been prolific, despite the wealth of riches at manager Roberto Mancini's disposal. City's one win out of four games this season is not inspiring stuff, considering the summer financial outlay, so a repeat of last term's 3-0 cruise over Wigan will be most welcome. How fresh City are after Thursday's success in Salzburg should also make for interesting viewing.
Saturday's first match kicks off at lunchtime, live on Sky Sports HD2 & 2, as Stoke City go head-to-head with pointless West Ham United. The bottom-of-the-table Hammers will be without manager Grant because of the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. West Ham have lost all four of their opening matches, and the game at the Britannia Stadium looked set to be a battle of two winless sides, only for Stoke to come from a goal down and beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Monday night. The Potters will be hopeful that said triumph will spark their season into life. For West Ham, a defence that has been a major headache, with 12 goals shipped to date, coupled with just two goals scored, is a combination for failure. Things needs to improve, and fast.
Sunderland face Arsenal in a Saturday teatime match-up. The Gunners were rampant in the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring six goals with captain Cesc Fabregas in superb form. Focus now returns to the league as they go in search of a fourth win on the bounce to, perhaps only temporarily, go top of the standings. Despite Sunderland's unconvincing start to the campaign, Arsene Wenger will be wary of the Black Cats after the Gunners lost on Wearside last term. Sunderland demonstrated impressive character in their previous outing after they had Lee Cattermole sent off - the midfielder will be absent this weekend - and came away from Wigan with a point. Record signing Asamoah Gyan will be itching for his first start for the club he joined for £13million after scoring on his debut.
Kevin MacDonald will serve as Aston Villa's caretaker manager for the final time when the club host Bolton Wanderers. MacDonald, who has overseen the side since Martin O'Neill's departure, will be replaced by Gerard Houllier after the clash. MacDonald would love to go out on a high, especially after his charges fell to a late defeat on Monday, while Houllier would welcome taking the reins with the team boasting nine points instead of six. Bolton head into the game following a 4-1 stumble at Arsenal, but with optimism in tow. Said result was their first loss of the campaign while Owen Coyle's mixture of his own style and their long-standing directness looks an effective combination.
Tottenham Hotspur must show they can cope with their new Champions League commitments when they tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers. Spurs played on Tuesday, drawing 2-2 against Werder Bremen, letting a two-goal lead slide. Harry Redknapp's charges have recorded a single three-point haul in the league this term, and they will be on their guard against Wolves. Indeed, the Midlands club claimed a shock 1-0 scalp at White Hart Lane last season. Wolves have managed a respectable return of five points thus far this campaign, while attention has begun to focus on whether Mick McCarthy's side are a dirty one. McCarthy has defended his men, despite the club sitting bottom of the fair play table.
West Bromwich Albion lock horns with Midlands rivals Birmingham City at The Hawthorns. The signs have been encouraging for Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo since the club's opening day spanking at Chelsea. And the Italian will be desperate to reward the home faithful, who have seen their side win just one of their 16 Midlands derbies in the Premier League. Birmingham were solid performers in their last match, finishing aside, as they played out a goalless draw against Liverpool. That stalemate made it three draws from four fixtures, but the club remain unbeaten nonetheless, and currently sit fifth in the embryonic table.
Everton's tails should be up as they welcome Newcastle United to Goodison Park. After a poor start to the campaign, the Toffees dug deep to claim a hugely dramatic point against Manchester United last Saturday. Manager David Moyes will now hope that such a rally will serve to kick-start their term. The Magpies have so far struggled for consistency since their return to the top flight, and the club may find it tough going on Merseyside. Indeed, they have failed to win in their last seven visits to Goodison Park in the Premier League. Newcastle were beaten in their previous outing against Blackpool, and boss Chris Hughton has confirmed he has challenged his players to respond on Saturday.
Lastly, Mark Hughes returns to his old stomping ground as the now-Fulham manager takes his troops to Ewood Park to tackle Blackburn Rovers. Hughes should be pleased with his beginning in charge of the Cottagers, with the side unbeaten in their opening four games and having earned their first win under the Welshman in their last clash. Attention now turns to addressing Fulham's dreadful away record, which has seen them fail to claim victory in their last 20 Premier League matches on the road. Blackburn were finally rewarded for some battling displays after they came away from Eastlands with a point to show for their efforts. Said draw halted a run of two defeats.
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