English Premier League Sunday Matches Previews: Week Two

Joe LazarAug 21, 2010

Newcastle vs Aston Villa

Newcastle should see the return of Guthrie and Lovenkrands after the pair missed the opening match with injuries. Whether or not Sol Campbell will start the match is dubious as he is still working his way towards fitness.

Carew is expected to make an appearance despite a lingering knee problem. The clubs senior players who were absent for Villas Europa league match should all return to the squad. Stephan Ireland could make his first appearance for the club.

Villa’s new manager seems to be getting a lot of the media attention surrounding this match after he guided Villa to the biggest opening day win in 17 years and the fact that he has displayed the willingness to rotate the squad which O’Neill was well known to lack, and as he showed against Rapid Vienna in the Europa this seems to have worked out fairly well for the Birmingham based side.

Newcastle will be hoping to pick up some points here after taking a bit of a pounding from Manchester Untied on opening weekend, the Magpies aren’t the side they used to be and this by all rights should be Aston Villa’s match.

Fulham vs Manchester United

Fulham are crossing their fingers that Swartzer will be fit to play against Manchester United on Sunday, the keeper has been struggling with back strain for some time now and his fitness check is expected to go to the wire. New signing Dembele is likely make an appearance as a substitute and Konchesky may return from injury although it looks doubtful.

Evra should be fine for united after he hurt himself colliding with some advertising; however Ferdinand looks likely to be kept sidelined till the end of September at the least.

Until last year this would’ve been United’s game and no pundit in their right mind would’ve said otherwise, however for the 1st time in 45 years Fulham beat United at Craven Cottage and then 9 months later they beat them again. United are not typically a side that has problems winning away from home, however if Fulham can put similar performances in to last years the Devils are going to have their work cut out for them to acquire those all important 3 points from the Cottagers this Sunday.