Aston Villa v Wigan preview

Aston Villa will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season when they come up against a Wigan side on a three-match losing streak.

Villa have been in consistent form during the early part of the campaign to take up a place in the top half of the table but manager Alex McLeish will feel it could have been even better.

They came within seconds of securing victory against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road last weekend, only for Richard Dunne to score his ninth own goal in the Premier League in stoppage time.

It was Villa's fourth consecutive draw and McLeish will now be determined to return to winning ways at home to the Latics on Saturday.

McLeish has been boosted by the news that several key players are set to be fit, with on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas in contention to make his debut after recovering from a thigh problem.

Record signing Darren Bent has shaken off a groin injury, while fellow striker Emile Heskey is also in the frame after a recent hamstring setback.

Carlos Cuellar, Chris Herd and Eric Lichaj remain sidelined, but McLeish will give a late fitness test to defender James Collins who suffered an ankle knock against QPR.
Charles N'Zogbia is set to line up against his former club after sealing a switch from Wigan during the transfer window, despite making a slow start to his time at Villa and admitting he would rather play on the right wing than the left.
Wigan news

Roberto Martinez has backed the Frenchman to come good but will be hoping it does not happen this weekend, as the Latics look to maintain an impressive recent record at Villa Park.

Martinez was targeted for the managerial role at Villa over the summer but opted not to go anywhere as he felt he could take the Latics further.

Wigan's impressive start to the new season has unravelled somewhat following three straight defeats, although they have not lost four in a row since October 2008.

The 2-1 loss to Tottenham last time out left Martinez's men 15th in the table on five points, but they can draw level with Villa by winning in the Midlands.

Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce is close to a recall having recovered from the hamstring problem which has kept him out of the last two league matches.

His return would be welcome as Steve Gohouri is suspended having been sent off against Tottenham last week.

Fellow defender Antolin Alcaraz (thigh) and striker Hugo Rodallega (knee) are unavailable.

Possible starting XIs

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Petrov, Delph, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Bent.

Wigan: Al Habsi, Van Aanholt, Boyce, Caldwell, Figueroa, Watson, Gomez, McCarthy, Diame, Moses, Di Santo.

Source:www.skysports.com

Blackburn v Man City preview

Manchester City will be looking to prove a point at Blackburn on Saturday as they return to action following the latest Carlos Tevez saga.

The unsettled striker refused to come off the bench during Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League game at Bayern Munich, sparking outrage amongst City fans and consternation across the footballing world.

It would be optimistic for City to think they can put the episode behind them this weekend - this story will run and run.

But manager Roberto Mancini will be hoping for a performance that shows he can put out a team which is committed to the cause and capable of maintaining a title challenge amid the intense media scrutiny that has surrounded the club this week, and will inevitably continue to surround them all season.

City's 2-0 defeat in Munich was their first of the season and means they have ground to make up if they are to make the knockout stage, but the Blues are flying high in the Premier League.

City are level with neighbours United again at the top of the table after last week's hard-fought win over Everton, which saw the Blues get back to winning ways after dropping their first points at Fulham the week before.

Mario Balotelli came on for Edin Dzeko against Everton and turned the game in City's favour, scoring the opener and putting in perhaps his best performance in a sky blue shirt.

Dzeko actually sparked the midweek drama, reacting angrily after being brought off for fit-again midfielder Nigel de Jong. And although Mancini insists all is forgiven following Dzeko's apology, Balotelli could be handed his league start of the season after being suspended in midweek.

City's troubles will no doubt encourage Blackburn, who managed to upset another of the big boys in their last home game, taking advantage of Arsenal's turbulent start to claim a welcome 4-2 win.

That eased the pressure on manager Steve Kean although Rovers were unable to build on that at Newcastle last week, suffering a 3-1 defeat which saw them slip back into the bottom three.
Rovers have failed to beat City in their last seven meetings, with Dzeko scoring the only goal at Ewood Park last April, and they picked up several injuries in the Newcastle game.

But Kean has challenged his fringe players to make the most of their chance to impress and they know another upset on Saturday could send them as high as 11th.
Team news
Scott Dann, Michel Salgado and Gael Givet have joined Rovers' injury list, while Martin Olsson is suspended following his red card at Newcastle.

Ryan Nelson (knee) is also unavailable, although David Dunn, Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Goodwillie are expected to be back in contention.

Simon Vukcevic, Radosav Petrovic, Jason Roberts and Ruben Rochina are also pushing for a starting spot.

City have suspended Tevez for two weeks while Balotelli could replace Dzeko and partner top scorer Sergio Aguero up front.

De Jong is in contention after coming on for his first appearance in six weeks in Munich, although fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves is still not ready to start a Premier League game.

Mancini may recall Joleon Lescott in the centre of defence after giving Kolo Toure a surprise start in midweek.

Possible starting XIs:

Rovers: Robinson, Hanley, Samba, Nzonzi, Petrovic, Pedersen, Dunn, Hoilett, Formica, Roberts, Yakubu.

City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Barry, Y Toure, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli.

Source:www.skysports.com

Everton vs Liverpool preview

Old foes Everton and Liverpool will lock horns once more at Goodison Park on Saturday in the 216th Merseyside derby.

For David Moyes it is the chance to build on some steadily improving home form that has seen the Blues recover from that shock opening game defeat to QPR to go unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions in front of their own supporters.

They also have fond memoires of last season's home encounter with Liverpool, when they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 win thanks to goals from Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill.

It is a very different Liverpool team though that will take to the field on Saturday, complete with a new - or should that be familiar - man in the dugout.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is preparing to return to Goodison Park as Liverpool manager for the first time since 1991.

Back then Dalglish famously quit the Anfield club just days after a tumultuous 4-4 FA Cup tie with the Toffees, citing the pressure of the job and the strain it had taken on him over the years.

His return last January was equally dramatic and the intervening nine months has seen him stamp his authority on the squad with a number of big money incomings and notable departures
The situation could not be more different across Stanley Park, with Toffees boss Moyes forced to work on a shoestring budget, raising nearly £15million in player sales over the summer but only bringing in three loan signings.

Despite the financial disparity the Blues could go above their old rivals with a win on Saturday, with a game in hand.

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and Everton's Tim Cahill appear to relish this fixture more than most and the pair have five derby goals to their name. The Australian has scored more derby goals than any other Everton player since the war.

The game could hinge on referee Martin Atkinson, who faces the unenviable task of trying to manage the Premier League's most volatile encounter. This match-up has seen 19 red cards since the start of the Premier League, more than any other fixture.

Atkinson showed six yellows and two reds the last time he was on duty in a Merseyside derby, at Anfield in February 2010.

Therefore the derby spoils could hinge on who keeps their head in the white hot atmosphere of a packed Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Team news

Cahill is a doubt for Everton after he sustained a shin injury in a challenge with Manchester City's Vincent Kompany last weekend. The Australian hasn't trained all week but Moyes will leave it as late as possible before deciding on the 32-year-old's fitness.

Striker Louis Saha is pushing for a recall after appearing as a substitute against City last weekend but fellow forward Victor Anichebe remains side-lined until December.

For Liverpool, skipper Steven Gerrard looks likely to start from the bench as he edges his way back to full fitness. The England man has played just 25 minutes of competitive football since recovering from a groin operation.

Glen Johnson is out with hamstring strain while Daniel Agger will also miss out as he recovers from a rib injury.

Possible starting XIs

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman, Coleman, Cahill, Saha.

Liverpool: Reina, Enrique, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel, Kuyt, Downing, Lucas, Adam, Suarez, Carroll.

Source: www.skysports.com

Harry hails Wenger

Spurs boss salutes under-fire Arsenal rival ahead of derby date

Redknapp and Wenger: North London rivals will go head-to-head
again on Sunday.
Harry Redknapp has hailed Arsene Wenger as a 'great manager' as he prepares to put his wits against the Frenchman in Sunday's North London derby.

Friday marks the 15th anniversary of Wenger's appointment as Arsenal manager, but if his team's recent form is anything to go by, there is not much reason for the Frenchman to celebrate.

The departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, coupled with the 8-2 humbling at Old Trafford and the shock 4-3 reverse to Blackburn saw some supporters calling for his head.

But Tottenham boss Redknapp insists sacking the man who has brought three Premier League titles to the club since he moved from Japan would be foolish.

"You know what it's like in football. You lose a few games and suddenly Arsene Wenger's a poor manager," Redknapp said.

Great manager:
"The man's been a great manager at Arsenal and I am sure he will be for many years to come. God knows what people are saying about him on the radio.

"They have had injuries. That has been the problem. I think the centre-half (Thomas) Vermaelen is top drawer. They have missed him. I think he is a fantastic player."

Redknapp has only lost one of six North London derby meetings in the league since taking over and he is confident about taking all three points this weekend.

"They'll be difficult to beat but we are a very good team as well so I fancy our chances against anybody," the 64-year-old said.

"I am confident in my own team. I just feel we have good players here. Scott Parker and (Emmanuel) Adebayor coming in have made a massive difference to us.

"Sandro coming back from his long-term injury gives us strength. He's a fantastic player so we look strong."
Respect

And Redknapp is sure that there will be no repeat of Adebayor's infamous goal celebration if the on-loan Manchester City striker scores against former club again on Sunday.

Redknapp feels he has no need to talk to Adebayor about his behaviour this weekend and is confident that the giant striker will not go over the top.

The Spurs boss said: "I'm sure he won't over-react again. I think he apologised last time. He's got a lot of respect for Arsenal still but he loves it here now, he's a Tottenham player.

"I've never spoken to him about it. I hope he does score a couple of times. I hope he slides on his knees and celebrates.

"I am sure he's going to get plenty of abuse come the weekend but he has just got to get on with his game.

"You can't react to that. He's got to get on with it. Fans are entitled to give players all the stick in the world so long as it's in the bounds of decency."

Source: www.skysports.com