English Premier League: Saturday Matches Previews

Arsenal vs Bolton

Van Persie and Walcott are both sidelined until mid October with ankle injuries, news that Arsenal fans will not be happy to hear as this could significantly weaken their strength going forward.

Arsenal have not lost any of their last eight home matches and they have been playing to a standard where it seems doubtful that they would be terribly afraid of losing to Bolton. The real issue that they have is on the injury front. Their defence should be enough to prevent Bolton from scoring, however it is more a question of whether Arsenal will be able to gain the lead.

Bolton on the other hand have a rather odd issue a suspended goalkeeper. Jaaskelainen will be replaced by Bogdon who will make his first Premiership appearance.

How things will go for him depend on how Arsenal perform with their injuries. One things for certain if Arsenal get a full head of steam things could go horribly wrong for his debut.

On the bright side for the Wanderers, Klasnic is returning to the squad after recovering from a thigh injury.

Bolton have been on very good form so far this season, however they just don’t have the quality of players in the side to hold decent hopes of beating Arsenal.


Fulham vs Wolverhampton

Bobby Zamora signed a new four year contract although he is going to miss this match with Wolverhampton due to a thigh injury. Fulham have a long list of injuries which is seems to be ever mounting and it includes some of their higher profile players like Senderos and Andy Johnson.

Fulham have had the most dull opening to a season as possible as far as results go; three draws from three matches. That’s not to say that their hasn’t been drama in the matches. Still on paper they are the better side and they have the home advantage - this is their match to lose.

So far this season Wolves are unbeaten, now that’s something you don’t hear all too often. Surely this can’t go on for much longer as statistically this side is playing beyond their skill level. Their last match was packed with drama, but not because of any flamboyant displays of skill, it was quite the opposite. Wolves actually managed to finish the match with seven booked players which is impressive on any occasion.

Whether Wolves are able to continue their unbeaten run remains to be seen, they could possibly pick up a point here, but it will be amazing if it lasts past their next match with one of the big four.

Manchester City vs Blackburn


Tevez will be having a last minute fitness test before this match after he picked up a knock playing for Argentina mid week. He’s not the only forward who is having problems at City, Balotelli has been ruled out for up to six weeks.

Boateng is also not going to be making an appearance, but Richards is fit so this comes as some good news for the "Citizens".  This is a side that fully fit should hand out something of a pasting to Blackburn and it still seems quite likely to happen it has been 16 months since City have lost back to back matches and there will not be many pundits who are backing Blackburn.

If Blackburn win this it will be their 1000th top flight victory which is an impressionable milestone to reach for any club. On the other hand they haven’t exactly been on sparkling form. If they lose here then it will be the first time they have lost three successive matches under Allardyce.

Blackburn are actually the only team in the Premiership to have lost after taking the lead so far this season. This speaks volumes about the way Blackburn’s defence have been.

Newcastle vs Blackpool

Sol Campbell may start after two successful outings with the reserves which proved his fitness. There are some other new signings who might make starts: Arfa looks likely to make an appearance as does Tiote.

Newcastle have made a half decent start to the season and a much better one than anybody expected. In many ways due to Carroll who seems to be racking up the goals and in some good news for the Magpies is expected to be fit despite picking up a minor ankle injury.

Newcastle should have every opportunity to win this match with Blackpool allowing more shots on goal than anybody else this season and Newcastle hitting the target 65 percent of the time which is the highest so far this season.

Blackpool, well this side really is a dark horse. They haven’t had some weird and wonderful results. Still this does promise to be an exciting match one way or another. Blackpool’s first four games this season have produced 21 goals so far, maybe we’ll get to see another high scoring match.


West Brom vs Tottenham

Morrison is suspended after being red carded against Liverpool although he is the only new concern to Brom’s list of absentees.

This has not been West Broms favourite fixture since returning to the Premiership. Having Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham as an opening to a season is not exactly going to have left the Baggies with a great deal of confidence. Regardless of the history involved in this fixture.

This is not going to be an enjoyable match for them by any means, and most fans would be happy with a draw regardless of any rivalry between the two sides.

Tottenham have had some bad news after Defoe and Dawson picked up serious injuries playing for England which will keep them ruled out for two and three months.

Tottenham will be looking to pick up all three points and make up for their rather disappointing result against Wigan at home in their last league match. However, whilst Tottenham may have slipped up against Wigan, West Brom have won just three of their last 19 Premiership matches.

It stands to reason that Tottenham should wipe the floor with Albion, but only time will tell whether what sounds right on paper translates to the pitch.

West Ham vs Chelsea

Lampard will miss this return to his former club due to the same hernia injury which kept him out of the England game. Terry who was also unavailable for international duty should be fit for the match against West Ham. Ramires will be pushing for a start and it seems quite likely that he might play in place of Benayoun.

Chelsea have not lost at West Ham since 2003 and judging by the Hammers poor start to the season it seems rather unlikely that things are going to change this weekend. Chelsea’s start to the season has been extraordinary and it seems that they have another chance to rack up the goals here.

West Ham have not had a great start and they will be lucky to take a draw from this match. It seems that the Hammers will more that likely be playing a game of damage limitation after having seen the way in which Chelsea have decimated their opponents thus far in the season.

West Ham have lost their last three matches and it is looking probably that it is about to be four matches on the trot unless they can pull something out of the bag and manage to salvage a draw.


Wigan vs Sunderland

Wigan should see the return of N’Zogbia after his transfer fell through and Kirkland after he returned from injury. Wigan are coming off the back of a rather impressive win against Tottenham which will certainly have given the team a much needed confidence boost.

But, they aren’t the only ones to have achieved a surprise win in their last match.

Sunderland also enjoyed the same good fortune, and it would be pretty difficult to really separate these two sides in terms of skill and ability. There is one more thing which should be taken into consideration on Wigan’s part and that is the home disadvantage. Their home record this season has not been great, they’ve conceded 10 goals and scored zero.

Sunderland have had a pick and mix of results so far this season having won one, lost one and you’ve guessed it drawn one. With this sort of “form” it makes it hard to judge what you can expect from the Black Cats.

Whilst Wigan have been appalling at home, Sunderland are equally as bad away. They won just two matches away from home last season. Either way this match could be a good opportunity for both sides to improve their home and away forms respectively.

Joe - livescoredaily.com - live scores and live sports