Celtic V Inverness CT Scottish Premiership Match 24 -August 2013

Celtic V Inverness CT Scottish Premiership Match 24 -August 2013. Celtic face an injury crisis ahead of the visit by Scottish Premiership leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle.Georgios Samaras, James Forrest, Derk Boerrigter, Anthony Stokes and Kris Commons are all very doubtful.Watch Celtic V Inverness CT Live, Watch Celtic V Inverness CT Live Stream, Watch Celtic V Inverness CT Free Live Stream, Watch Celtic V Inverness CT Online, Watch Celtic V Inverness CT Online Free, Celtic V Inverness CT Live, Celtic V Inverness CT live stream Online.

Inverness have a full squad from which to pick as they look to protect a record of not conceding a goal in three victories this season.

Gary Warren has a hand injury, but it will not prevent the defender taking to the field in Glasgow.

Celtic midfielder Charlie Mulgrew: "Everybody has thought a lot about the Shakhter game but it's all about being positive now.

"It's good that we have a game quickly to bounce back and hopefully we can do that.

"We're just concentrating on Inverness, the next game is always the most important."

Inverness manager Terry Butcher : "There's a supreme confidence flooding throughout the team, but there's a realisation that, in all three matches we have won, there's been a lot of hard work and effort that have gone into these games.

"Whether it be running off the ball, covering, defending, tackling, our boys have worked their socks off and that's what they have to do on Saturday.

"But the lads know that. There's a good understanding and confidence and relaxation about going down there because the boys know what they can do and what they have to do.

"There's a great belief in the team, but there's a steady belief. We know if we keep on doing what we are doing, trying to penetrate, pass the ball, that we will create chances.

"We have players in the team that can change games and win games on their own and players who can see the game out if we are ahead."

Yeovil V Derby Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013

Yeovil V Derby Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013. Yeovil will hand goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey his first competitive appearance since April 2012.

The Wales international has joined on loan from Wolves and will be the fourth goalkeeper to play for The Glovers in just four league games.Watch Yeovil V Derby Live, Watch Yeovil V Derby Live Stream, Watch Yeovil V Derby Free Live Stream, Watch Yeovil V Derby Online, Watch Yeovil V Derby Online Free, Yeovil V Derby Live, Yeovil V Derby live stream Online.

Derby will travel with an unchanged squad but manager Nigel Clough could tinker with his starting line-up.

Right-back Adam Smith, on loan from Tottenham, is awaiting his first league start and could come into contention.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is the first meeting of these clubs.

Yeovil

• The Glovers picked up their first points at this level with a 1-0 opening day win at Millwall, but have failed to score and lost both of their subsequent league games, home to Birmingham and away at Burnley.

• Yeovil failed to score in the final three league games of March 2012, the last time they went three league matches without hitting the back of the net.

• Midfielder Ed Upson could make his 100th league start in a Yeovil shirt.

Derby County

• The Rams are one of five Championship clubs with one win, one draw and one defeat so far this season.

• The club have played 13 away league games without a keeping clean sheet and have only kept one in the last 20.

• Derby have scored 98 league goals on the road under manager Nigel Clough.

Sheff Wed V Millwall Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013

Sheff Wed V Millwall Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013. Sheffield Wednesday defender Reda Johnson is expected to make his first start of the season against Millwall, having recovered from tendonitis.

Chris Maguire and Atdhe Nuhiu hope to start again up front, but midfielder Kieran Lee and defender Joe Mattock remain sidelined.Watch Sheff Wed V Millwall Live, Watch Sheff Wed V Millwall Live Stream, Watch Sheff Wed V Millwall Free Live Stream, Watch Sheff Wed V Millwall Online, Watch Sheff Wed V Millwall Online Free, Sheff Wed V Millwall Live, Sheff Wed V Millwall live stream Online.

Millwall will look to end their goal drought - they have yet to find the net this season.

Ex-Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonald could be handed his full debut.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall have each won 13 of their 34 league meetings over 74 years.

• The Owls are hoping for a fourth consecutive victory against their London-based opponents, after doing the double over them last season with 90th minute winners in both games.

• Three points for Millwall would give them a third win in four visits to Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday

• The Owls are one of three Championship clubs yet to win in any competition this season, alongside Blackburn and Barnsley.

• One point from the first three matches is their poorest start in six seasons.

• The 2-0 home victory over Middlesbrough on 4 May is Wednesday's only win in eight league games since mid-April.

Millwall

• The Lions are the only club without a point in the Championship and one of two without a goal in the Football League, alongside Hartlepool.

• They have lost the last four and have not scored in six games or 616 minutes (10 hours 16 minutes) of league football since Karleigh Osborne's strike in the 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn on 23 April.

• Another goalless 90 minutes will set an unwanted club record.

Ipswich V Leeds Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013

Ipswich V Leeds Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013.Ipswich will monitor Cole Skuse ahead of the visit of Leeds, after the midfielder was forced off at half-time in last weekend's defeat at QPR.Watch Ipswich V Leeds Live, Watch Ipswich V Leeds Live Stream, Watch Ipswich V Leeds Free Live Stream, Watch Ipswich V Leeds Online, Watch Ipswich V Leeds Online Free, Ipswich V Leeds Live, Ipswich V Leeds live stream Online.

Defender Tyrone Mings faces more weeks on the sidelines with his knee injury.

Leeds' new signing, 21-year-old centre-half Scott Wootton, is expected to be included in the squad.

United manager Brian McDermott could be tempted to recall Noel Hunt up front in place of either Luke Varney or Dominic Poleon.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Ipswich are hunting a fifth successive home Championship victory over Leeds.

• The west Yorkshire club have only picked up one point from six visits to Portman Road and scored four goals, since a 2-1 triumph in the Premier League in September 2001.

• The Whites need to score once to take their goals total in competitive matches against Ipswich to 100.

Ipswich Town

• The Tractor Boys are chasing an 800th home league win and fourth in succession, having scored three goals in each of the last three, bridging last season.

• The Suffolk club have only won two of the first four league games of a new campaign once in the last five years.

• Former Bristol City defender Cole Skuse is set to make his 250th club career start.

Leeds United

• The Whites finished one point and one place better off than Ipswich last season in 13th spot.

• At ninth in the current campaign, Brian McDermott's men are the lowest placed of the eight undefeated clubs in the Championship, and victory would give them eight points after the first four games of the season for only the second time in 12 years.

• While Leeds have won one Championship game from a losing position this season, Ipswich have lost one from a winning position.

Blackpool V Reading Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013

Blackpool V Reading Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013. Thomas Ince is back from suspension for Blackpool after completing a two-game ban.

The winger adds to the hosts' attacking options as Michael Chopra, Nathan Delfouneso, Ricardo Fuller and Bobby Grant are all lacking match fitness.Watch Blackpool V Reading Live, Watch Blackpool V Reading Live Stream, Watch Blackpool V Reading Free Live Stream, Watch Blackpool V Reading Online, Watch Blackpool V Reading Online Free, Blackpool V Reading Live, Blackpool V Reading live stream Online.

Experienced Reading centre-back Kaspars Gorkss should return to the squad.

But winger Jimmy Kebe remains doubtful for the Royals with a groin problem, while midfielder Mikele Leigertwood is still recovering from ankle surgery.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• All 36 previous meetings have been league matches, with Reading winning 15 and Blackpool 11.

• The away side in this fixture has not won since Reading's 2-0 triumph in August 2001 in the second division.

• Blackpool achieved their joint club record league victory when they thrashed the Royals 7-0 at Bloomfield Road in 1928.

Blackpool

• Victory would give Blackpool 10 points from their opening four league games for the first time in their history.

• The Seasiders have avoided defeat and have found the net in 10 of their last 11 Championship matches.

• Should they concede three goals, it would take the number conceded at home in second tier league football to 1,000.

Reading

• Reading, like Blackpool, are unbeaten in the Championship this season, and also recently spent one season in the Premier League.

• Victory would give the Royals their best league start in eight years, but they have only returned with three points from one of their previous eight on the road.

• The Berkshire club have not kept a clean sheet in 25 league and cup matches away from the Madejski - that came in a 1-0 league win at Brighton in April 2012.

Blackburn V Barnsley Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013

Blackburn V Barnsley Sky Bet Championship Match 24 -August 2013. Blackburn could give a home debut to on-loan midfielder Tom Cairney who has been suspended.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson (back) and midfielder Dickson Etuhu (knee) are still sidelined, but Adam Henley and DJ Campbell are close to a return.Watch Blackburn V Barnsley Live, Watch Blackburn V Barnsley Live Stream, Watch Blackburn V Barnsley Free Live Stream, Watch Blackburn V Barnsley Online, Watch Blackburn V Barnsley Online Free, Blackburn V Barnsley Live, Blackburn V Barnsley live stream Online.

New Barnsley signing Marcus Pedersen could be given his debut after joining the club on loan from Vitesse Arnhem.

Centre-back Lewin Nyatanga should return to the squad after being out with a hamstring injury.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Blackburn are looking for a third straight win over Barnsley, having completed the league double over them last season.

• Rovers had to come from behind to win last season's corresponding fixture 2-1 - their first meeting with the Tykes in a decade.

• Barnsley have won just once at Ewood Park in 23 years, a 2-1 victory in August 1999.

Blackburn Rovers

• Blackburn are one of six clubs still looking for a first Championship win at the fourth attempt.

• Defeat would make it their worst start to a second level league season in 62 years.

• Rovers have only scored one league goal this term and that was on the road; they have not netted more than two goals in a home game in any competition since New Years' Day.

Barnsley

• The Tykes are second-bottom in the table, are also chasing their first win of the campaign - and have only registered one win in their last 11 league and cup games.

• David Flitcroft's men are looking for a first league victory in nine on their travels, since beating Middlesbrough 3-2 on 9 February.

• Three of the seven league goals Barnsley have conceded have come in the last 10 minutes. They lost two points when they let a two-goal lead slip against Charlton last time out.

Bolton V QPR Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Bolton V QPR Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013. Bolton have injury doubts over winger Chris Eagles, while striker David Ngog has been suffering from illness.
Midfielder Darren Pratley is suspended with Stuart Holden and Mark Davies long-term absentees.Watch Bolton V QPR Live, Watch Bolton V QPR Live Stream, Watch Bolton V QPR Free Live Stream, Watch Bolton V QPR Online, Watch Bolton V QPR Online Free, Bolton V QPR Live, Bolton V QPR live stream Online.
QPR striker Andrew Johnson could return to the side after missing the win over Ipswich through injury.

Winger Junior Hoilett (hamstring) is doubtful but full-back Armand Traore and midfielder Alejandro Faurlin could both start.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Bolton and QPR have only played each other in league matches and the hosts are looking to stretch their unbeaten run against Rangers to eight games. They have won the last two.

• QPR have only won twice at Bolton: 2-1 in December 1980 (old Division Two) and 1-0 in September 1995 (Premier League).

• In November 1969 this second tier fixture produced 10 goals as Bolton ran out 6-4 winners.

Bolton Wanderers

• The Trotters are the highest placed of six teams without a win in the Championship, and it is 32 years since they failed to win any of the first four matches of a league campaign at this level.

• Dougie Freedman, the second-youngest manager in the Championship, has masterminded a 12-match unbeaten home league run and seen his side score in every league game at the Reebok Stadium in 2013.

• If he plays, 29-year-old forward Jermaine Beckford will make his 250th career league appearance.

Queens Park Rangers

• Queens Park Rangers took 17 games to register a win in the Premier League last season but go into this game looking for a third victory from the first four Championship outings.

• Harry Redknapp, the oldest manager in English league football, has seen his side pick up just two points from the last possible 18 on their travels and is hoping to see the Hoops gain their first away second tier win since April 2011.

• Midfielder Gary O'Neil is on the verge of his 350th league appearance.

Aston Villa V Liverpool Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Aston Villa V Liverpool Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013. Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark is available to face Liverpool, having overcome the head injury that forced his substitution at Chelsea in midweek.Chris Herd is fit after a calf problem but Nathan Baker remains a doubt with a twisted ankle.Watch Aston Villa V Liverpool Live, Watch Aston Villa V Liverpool Live Stream, Watch Aston Villa V Liverpool Free Live Stream, Watch Aston Villa V Liverpool Online, Watch Aston Villa V Liverpool Online Free, Aston Villa V Liverpool Live, Aston Villa V Liverpool live stream Online.

Liverpool could give a debut to left-back Aly Cissokho, who has signed on a season-long loan from Valencia.

Sebastian Coates faces a long lay-off with a knee injury, and Luis Suarez continues to serve his 10-match ban.
MATCH PREVIEW

We're barely a week into the new season and already Paul Lambert's persuasive powers in getting Christian Benteke to stay at Aston Villa have reaped major dividends, with the player scoring three goals in two tough away games at Arsenal and Chelsea.

How important is the Belgian international? Well, he's found the net 17 times in the league in 2013, three more times than any other Premier League player. Even more impressively, in Europe's top five league's, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more than Benteke since the turn of the year.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst

"There is a bit of a feel-good factor around Liverpool at the moment - firstly because it looks like Luis Suarez is staying. Even the way they beat Stoke last week, thanks to Simon Mignolet's last-gasp penalty save, helped on that score."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score

That's why Villa's most important signing of the summer was a player already at the club, even though they look an all-round improved unit.

Liverpool could have done with someone like Benteke on the end of some of their play against Stoke last weekend, by all accounts. I didn't see the game live as I was at Carrow Road, but even before watching the highlights it sounded like 'deja vu all over again', as Yogi Berra famously once said.

Liverpool attempted more shots on goal than any other Premier League team last weekend (20) - as they did last season - but for a late penalty save by new keeper Simon Mignolet would have been held to a draw at Anfield.

Still, three points is a good start and it's what they've often left Villa Park with in recent seasons. This is a fixture Liverpool fans have come to look forward to over the past 15 years in particular, with nine wins and only one defeat in that time. Last season's match came in March and resulted in a 2-1 win for Liverpool, who haven't lost a league game since.

It hasn't just been Liverpool who've caused problems at Villa Park. Villa have won only half a dozen of their last 32 home league matches and that will have to change if they're to build on the promise shown in their opening two fixtures this season.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Aston Villa have only won one of their last 15 home games against Liverpool in the Premier League (W1, D5, L9) since 1998. The home side have mustered only seven goals in that time and last scored more than once in a 4-2 defeat in November 1998.

Aston Villa

They have only won six of their last 32 league matches at Villa Park, earning just 28 points.
It's a club record 24 matches since Paul Lambert's side last kept a Premier League clean sheet (at home to Stoke City in December 2012).
Villa have conceded a goal in each of their last 11 league matches at Villa Park.
Christian Benteke has scored an unrivalled 17 Premier League goals in 2013.

Liverpool

Liverpool are vying to win their opening two Premier League games for the first time in five years.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last nine league games - a run that started with a 2-1 victory at Villa last March (W5, D4). They have kept six clean sheets during that spell.
They attempted more shots at goal than any other side on the opening weekend (20), to follow up their league-high tally of 528 shots in 2012-13.
Daniel Sturridge has scored seven goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
Steven Gerrard has scored more Premier League goals against Aston Villa than against any other side (11),

Stoke V Crystal Palace Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Stoke V Crystal Palace Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013. Stoke's Charlie Adam, who played under Palace boss Ian Holloway at Blackpool, could come into the Potters' midfield.The hosts remain without Wilson Palacios, who is ill, and injured pair Brek Shea and Jamie Ness.Watch Stoke V Crystal Palace Live, Watch Stoke V Crystal Palace Live Stream, Watch Stoke V Crystal Palace Free Live Stream, Watch Stoke V Crystal Palace Online, Watch Stoke V Crystal Palace Online Free, Stoke V Crystal Palace Live, Stoke V Crystal Palace live stream Online.

Crystal Palace may hand a debut to Jason Puncheon, but fellow wingers Jerome Thomas (ankle) and Yannick Bolasie (hamstring) remain out.

Midfielder Jonathan Williams could be rewarded with a starting berth after impressing from the bench last week.
MATCH PREVIEW

Stoke and Crystal Palace are still looking for their first points, and indeed goals, of the new season yet I thought both were a little unlucky last weekend.

But for Jonathan Walters's penalty miss, the Potters would have picked up a useful point at Liverpool. That was his third miss from his last five spot-kicks and it will be interesting to see if Mark Hughes sticks with him as the club's regular penalty taker.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst

"I think new Stoke boss Mark Hughes is trying to change the way they play and their mentality. They were patient and played a 4-5-1 against Liverpool at Anfield last week and passed the ball too.

"But, especially because they are playing Crystal Palace, they have to go for the jugular here."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was the man of the match at Anfield and I expect the Bosnian to garner considerable transfer interest before the window closes.

This fixture is, of course, Mark Hughes's first home game as Stoke manager and I am keen to see how the City fans react to him.

The Potters faithful largely held his predecessor Tony Pulis in high regard. Without spending a fortune he managed to establish the club in the Premier League.

Even after last season's minor wobble, when his style was often criticised by the club's fans, he still led them to a creditable 13th place. The biggest testament to him is that Hughes hasn't yet made too many changes.

Hughes knows he needs to add goals to his team - only QPR (30) scored fewer than the Potters (34) last season.

The same argument can be made for newly-promoted Palace, who have lost 31-goal top scorer Glenn Murray to injury for the opening few months of the season and of course the precocious talents of Wilfried Zaha.

Record signing Dwight Gayle has been bought in to help plug the gap and has had a rapid rise from the non-league scene, Marouane Chamakh is not yet match-fit, Aaron Wilbraham has never been a prolific scorer, while Kevin Phillips, now aged 40, is a likely super sub this season.

It's a lack of Premier League experience that worries me about the Eagles. Danny Gabbidon aside, their starting line-up last weekend had less than 50 appearances at this level between them.

Hughes will be hoping his Stoke side, one bursting with Premier League know-how, will give him that dream home start of all three points.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

The two sides have met 12 times in English football's top division but never in the Premier League. Both clubs have five wins apiece.
Crystal Palace won the last league meeting 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium in April 2008. In total, the Eagles have won six of the last nine games between the clubs.
Stoke triumphed 4-1 in an FA Cup third-round replay between the sides last season; Jon Walters scored twice, while Kenwyne Jones and Cameron Jerome also found the net.

Stoke

Stoke won only one of their last six home matches last season, 1-0 against Norwich at the end of April.
Potters boss Mark Hughes has picked up only four points from his last 14 Premier League games. His last win, a 1-0 triumph in May 2012, came against Stoke while manager of QPR.
Jonathan Walters (92) has started more consecutive Premier League games than any other outfield player. He has, however, missed three of his last five penalties.

Crystal Palace

Excluding the Play-Offs, Palace won only six of 23 away Championship matches last season, losing 10 times.
The Eagles have won only one of their last 11 Premier League matches, a run of results that date back to their last top-flight campaign of 2004-05.
Crystal Palace have only ever won two of 19 Premier League matches in the month of August: away to Everton and Leeds in 1997. They have lost 10 times.
Ian Holloway's side have scored in just five goals in their last 13 matches.

Southampton V Sunderland Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Southampton V Sunderland Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013. Southampton's record signing Dani Osvaldo is in contention to make his debut at home to Sunderland.Teenage defender Calum Chambers could retain his place with Nathaniel Clyne short of fitness following a pre-season injury.Watch Southampton V Sunderland Live, Watch Southampton V Sunderland Live Stream, Watch Southampton V Sunderland Free Live Stream, Watch Southampton V Sunderland Online, Watch Southampton V Sunderland Online Free, Southampton V Sunderland Live, Southampton V Sunderland live stream Online.

Sunderland pair Craig Gardner and David Vaughan are available after suspension.

Wes Brown is still building up his fitness after a long-term knee problem, while striker Steven Fletcher is still sidelined.
MATCH PREVIEW

Both Mauricio Pochettino and Paolo Di Canio are starting their first full season in charge at their respective clubs and have been busy reshaping their squads.

Five of the 10 new arrivals at the Stadium of Light started for Sunderland last weekend as they went down 1-0 at home to Fulham, while Dejan Lovren and Victor Wanyama played for Southampton in their 1-0 victory at West Brom. Italy international Dani Osvaldo has now been added to the mix after Saints broke their club transfer record again.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst

"Sunderland began with a defeat and, as I said last week, I think they could end up being relegated.

"It is going to take Paolo Di Canio quite a long time to work out what his best team is, and I am still undecided about Di Canio himself as a manager - I cannot work out if he is a genius or a complete idiot."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score

Sunderland also have more options but, having watched the highlights on Match of the Day via the BBC iPlayer (what a welcome development), Di Canio could be tempted to stick with the team that started against the Cottagers.

The Sunderland boss may also identify strongly with Saints new boy Osvaldo, who is certainly an interesting character.

The striker played under Pochettino at Espanyol but was excluded from the Italy squad for the Confederations Cup in the summer for disciplinary reasons. He admits that he is "no angel" but is generally a "nice person." Remind you of anyone?

With the ever-reliable Rickie Lambert on a career high following his goalscoring debut for England and more young players emerging from their academy, Southampton appear to be a team heading in the right direction.

Sunderland's away form is patchy but they have won on their last two visits to St Mary's. To try and predict the outcome of this encounter is difficult but it should be very interesting indeed.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

The Wearsiders won this fixture 1-0 last season in the first meeting of the clubs in the Premier League in 10 years.
Saints are aiming to avoid a third straight defeat to Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium.
Sunderland have won four of their last six trips to Southampton.

Southampton

Southampton have scored just three goals in their last six Premier League matches.
By selecting Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and James Ward-Prowse against West Brom last weekend, Southampton became the first club since the Premier League started in 1992 to include three players aged 18 or under in their starting XI
Ricky Lambert's winning penalty at West Brom was his 32nd successful spot-kick in a row since he missed one in 2009 while playing for Bristol Rovers.
No English player has scored more Premier League goals than Lambert since the start of the 2012-13 season (16).

Sunderland

Manager Paolo Di Canio has lost half of his eight matches in charge and won just two.
The Black Cats are without a victory in five league games stretching back to mid-April.
The last time they won away from the Stadium of Light was against arch-rivals Newcastle United on 14 April. It is their only win in the last seven away fixtures.

Newcastle V West Ham Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Newcastle V West Ham Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013.Newcastle boss Alan Pardew must decide whether to recall Yohan Cabaye, who was left out of Monday's defeat at Manchester City following a transfer bid by Arsenal.Steven Taylor is suspended, Cheick Tiote faces a fitness test on a groin problem, and Jonas Gutierrez and Loic Remy are definitely out.Watch Newcastle V West Ham Live, Watch Newcastle V West Ham Live Stream, Watch Newcastle V West Ham Free Live Stream, Watch Newcastle V West Ham Online, Watch Newcastle V West Ham Online Free, Newcastle V West Ham Live, Newcastle V West Ham live stream Online.

West Ham remain without injured pair Andy Carroll and George McCartney.

There could be a debut for Razvan Rat and a first start for Stewart Downing.
MATCH PREVIEW

A former Newcastle United player once famously likened being at the club to living in a goldfish bowl, such was the intensity of the scrutiny that players and staff were constantly under.

As a one-club city and statistically the third best-supported side in the Premier League, every situation does appear to be viewed with enormous significance, so the developing feelings of angst which greeted the 4-0 mauling at the Etihad Stadium on Monday were to be expected.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst

"After what has happened at Newcastle this summer, including Joe Kinnear's appointment as director of football which I think has undermined manager Alan Pardew, I would expect a noisy reaction from the Magpies fans for their first home game of the season."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score

In reality, the result itself merely accentuated the overriding sense of negativity with which supporters have viewed the lack of transfer activity during the summer.

Their only addition, loanee Loic Remy, is injured so manager Alan Pardew currently has the same players with which he ended last season - less Yohan Cabaye, whose departure now seems imminent. Pardew has admitted that a new arrival would inject a much-needed morale boost.

That new face won't be in place in time for the visit of West Ham, a match for which he'll also be without the suspended Steven Taylor and injured Jonas Gutierez, two more consequences of the damaging defeat at Manchester City.

By contrast, the visitors will arrive in buoyant mood, not just because of their efficient opening-day win against Cardiff City but also with almost all their own squad assembly now complete.

Latest recruit Stewart Downing could well be in line for his first start in a side that will contain Newcastle's former skipper Kevin Nolan. His committed two and half years on Tyneside are still appreciated, despite his winning goal for the Hammers in the same fixture last year.

That another ex Magpie Sam Allardyce has won at St James' Park on his last three visits only adds to the intrigue.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

This is the 124th game between the two clubs in all competitions. Newcastle lead by 46 wins to West Ham's 38.
The last time Newcastle won this fixture was in January 2011 when Kevin Nolan scored in a 5-0 thrashing - their biggest ever win over West Ham
West Ham won at St James' Park for the first time in 10 attempts last season, with ex-Magpie Nolan the match-winner.
Sam Allardyce's team were the only side that managed to keep a clean sheet both home and away against Newcastle United in the Premier League last season.

Newcastle

Alan Pardew's side have only earned five points from their last seven matches and sit bottom of the Premier League on goal difference.
Monday's drubbing was Newcastle's heaviest opening-day defeat in the top flight since 1988 (0-4 v Everton).
Newcastle are trying to avoid losing a fourth Premier League game in a row for the first time.
Steven Taylor's red card on Monday was Newcastle's fifth since the start of last season; only Arsenal (6) have had more dismissals over the same period.

West Ham

West Ham were the only team not to win consecutive Premier League games last season.
The Hammers have won just one of their last 14 away games in the Premier League.
Sam Allardyce has presided over victories in his last three visits to Newcastle with West Ham, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers.
Allardyce was sacked by Newcastle after 24 games in 2008, describing it as one of the "lowest points in his career".
Kevin Nolan has scored in three of the last four Premier League encounters between these two sides, although two of those goals came for Newcastle United.

Hull V Norwich Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Hull V Norwich Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013. Hull could hand first starts to summer signings Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore.The Tigers remain without Irish midfielder Stephen Quinn because of a hamstring problem but he has an outside chance of being available next weekend.Watch Hull V Norwich Live, Watch Hull V Norwich Live Stream, Watch Hull V Norwich Free Live Stream, Watch Hull V Norwich Online, Watch Hull V Norwich Online Free, Hull V Norwich Live, Hull V Norwich live stream Online.

Norwich winger Elliott Bennett has been ruled out until next year after suffering knee ligament damage.

Gary Hooper is also sidelined, but Johan Elmander could make his debut after joining on loan from Galatasaray.
MATCH PREVIEW

It's a big day for the City of Hull and for Hull City (I don't think you'll find me adding the Tigers bit to their official name, whatever the owner wants).

Whilst the football team play their first home game back in the Premier League since relegation in 2010, Hull FC rugby league club, joint tenants of the KC Stadium, play in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley. There'll have been many a supporter not sure which ticket to queue for.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst

"This will be more like a cup game for Norwich, because Hull will be full of endeavour and application in their first home game of the season, and I think it will be a close match."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score

Boss Steve Bruce is a battle-hardened Premier League campaigner, which is just what the club need. I felt that in their first top-flight spell there were a few too many people who were a bit too pleased with themselves for being at the top table, where eventually humble pie was on the menu.

Despite the defeat at Chelsea, Bruce will have taken some encouragement from their game at Stamford Bridge. I'm sure he'll feel his side are ready to take their first point of the season against Norwich, the club where he made his name as a trusty centre-back

A point would probably keep both managers happy enough; Chris Hughton's side looked good in their draw against Everton last week and the bad news of a long-term injury to winger Elliott Bennett has been offset by the arrival of Johan Elmander on loan from Galatasaray.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel didn't do much apart from score against Everton, but there'll be no complaints if it's a trick he repeats most weekends, and Nathan Redmond looked every inch a top-flight player on his debut at this level. With Elmander, van Wolfswinkel, Gary Hooper and Luciano Becchio, Norwich have far more attacking options than last season when only Stoke and QPR scored fewer goals.

I'm very hopeful for a bright, open encounter which will leave those who decided to skip the rugby at Wembley feeling that they made a good call.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Hull have only lost one of their last seven games against Norwich.
All but one of the last eight encounters have ended in 1-1 or 2-1 scorelines.
This will be the first time the clubs have met in the top flight.

Hull

The Tigers have won one of their last 14 Premier League games (D3, L10). Their last top-flight victory was a 2-0 success against Fulham in March 2010 when Iain Dowie was their interim manager.
Hull won only one of their final five home Championship games last term (D2, L2).
They scored 61 league goals last season, fewer than any other top-half Championship club, and five fewer than Peterborough, who finished 20 places below them and were relegated.

Norwich

The Canaries won at Manchester City on the final day of last season to claim their first away win in 10 league games (D2, L7).
However, their tally of two away victories last term was the joint lowest in the Premier League.
They have kept clean sheets in just two of their last 52 away games in the top flight.

Everton V West Brom Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Everton V West Brom Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013. Everton's Sylvain Distin is doubtful after suffering a knock at Norwich, while fellow defender Antolin Alcaraz remains out with a hamstring injury.Darron Gibson and Tony Hibbert will be assessed but they are unlikely to displace Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman, who both scored last weekend.Watch Everton V West Brom Live, Watch Everton V West Brom Live Stream, Watch Everton V West Brom Free Live Stream, Watch Everton V West Brom Online, Watch Everton V West Brom Online Free, Everton V West Brom Live, Everton V West Brom live stream Online.

West Brom could give a debut to Manchester City loanee Scott Sinclair.

However, Nicolas Anelka is absent on compassionate leave while Steven Reid is ruled out by injury.
MATCH PREVIEW

After a week of unwanted distractions for both clubs, they'll be happy to get down to on-field business at Goodison, where West Brom have won just once in 14 league visits since 1979.

First impressions last, making Roberto Martinez's home debut as Everton boss an occasion that demands his full attention. Little wonder, then, that the affable Spaniard has seemed irritated by Manchester United's "derisory and insulting" bid for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst

"The Baggies are a good side and my thinking is that they are going to be safe and they are going to be comfortable but if they do get beaten at Goodison Park, they will have played two, lost two."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score

However, the defiant way in which the club quickly rebuffed United will have pleased Everton supporters, and the fact that David Moyes has tried to raid his old club so early will only increase the support for Martinez.

He's keen for Evertonians to understand that implementing his style of play will take time, yet the early signs in the 2-2 draw at Norwich were that they already 'get it'.

A possession statistic of 67% (as calculated by Opta) was the highest in the opening round of Premier League matches, with a successful passing rate of 88% bettered only by Manchester City.

For Albion and Steve Clarke, an opening-day defeat to a late "soft decision" penalty was bad enough, but to then lose Nicolas Anelka so soon after signing him is a nightmare.

After scoring seven pre-season goals, the veteran Frenchman had looked the perfect short-term solution to replacing Romelu Lukaku. Now it might be that Clarke will have to do some more transfer business to replace Anelka. He might have been particularly useful for this game, having scored against Everton for all five of his previous Premier League clubs.

The blow has been softened by the loan signing of Scott Sinclair, who'll be itching to get going having not started a game for Manchester City since last December.

No Everton boss has lost his first home game in charge since Ian Buchan's Toffees were beaten by Blackpool in 1956. No pressure Roberto.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Everton are chasing a fourth consecutive home win against West Brom in league and cup.
The Baggies have won only one league match at Goodison Park in 34 years - a 4-1 victory in November 2010.

Everton

The Toffees' pass completion rate against Norwich was 88% - they averaged 79% in the Premier League last season.
Everton lost only one home league game last season - their lowest tally since winning the title in 1986-87. They also suffered one home defeat in cup competitions - coincidentally against Roberto Martinez's Wigan in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in March.
They ended the campaign by winning six successive Premier League matches at Goodison Park.

West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies have won just one of their last 10 league games, drawing three and losing six.
They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous five games - conceding a total of 14 goals.
Last season Romelu Lukaku scored 17 league goals whilst on loan from Chelsea. Without those goals the Baggies would have ended the season 10 points worse off, in 17th place.

Fulham V Arsenal Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013

Fulham V Arsenal Barclays Premier League Match 24 -August 2013. Fulham manager Martin Jol must decide whether to give ex-Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker his debut against Arsenal.Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg injured his shoulder at Sunderland so David Stockdale is set to start.Watch Fulham V Arsenal Live, Watch Fulham V Arsenal Live Stream, Watch Fulham V Arsenal Free Live Stream, Watch Fulham V Arsenal Online, Watch Fulham V Arsenal Online Free, Fulham V Arsenal Live, Fulham V Arsenal live stream Online.
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny is banned after his sending off against Aston Villa last weekend.
Nacho Monreal is back in the Gunners' squad, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) has joined a lengthy injury list headed by Thomas Vermaelen (back).
MTCH PREVIEW
The alarm sirens for Arsene Wenger's reign will be screeching if Arsenal lose back-to-back opening league matches for the first time since the inaugural Premier League season 21 years ago. If they surrender as meekly as they did against Villa then Fulham can record successive opening Premier League victories for the first time.
But the Gunners reminded everyone that they're not far short of being a really good team when they won handsomely at Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger has been overly-cautious in the transfer marker so far, but some of the criticism of him has bordered on the hysterical.

Fans have rightly been frustrated that big-name signings have been mooted yet no deals have been forthcoming. But it's not Wenger's fault that Liverpool wouldn't sell Luis Suarez. The Anfield club told me last week the Uruguayan was never going to move to the Emirates.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst

"Who would have thought that Fulham would have bought more players by this stage of the season than Arsenal have? They have bought well, too.

"I did feel the Cottagers still needed a midfielder but they have got a quality one in Scott Parker, and Martin Jol's squad looks strong."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score

Yohan Cabaye's smooth passing and movement would add numbers and quality to midfield, a composed defender like Ashley Williams is a must, while a consistently reliable goalkeeper like Asmir Begovic would be an improvement.

A marquee signing up front would also appease the fans - although actually the side already has plenty of potency with four players reaching double figures last season. Olivier Giroud will always be unfairly compared to Robin van Persie but his 19 goals from 49 games ratio is a decent return. He scored twice in the home game last season against Fulham, who've never won at Arsenal.

Martin Jol has significantly added bite to his midfield with the signing of Scott Parker. The loaning of Darren Bent is also sharp business. Fulham certainly have enough quality to stay up, although they will have to end their miserable Spring slump at home where they've lost their last four games.

But Fulham's opening win at Sunderland was flattering. The home side dominated possession and had 14 shots. The Cottagers won it with their only effort.

There is also a lack of pace in key areas of Jol's side. Theo Walcott, supplied by Santi Cazorla, can exploit that. It'll be tight and tense but I can't see Arsenal being beaten again.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Three of the last five meetings between the two clubs have ended in a draw.
Fulham have won just three of 24 Premier League matches against the Gunners; all three of those wins have come at Craven Cottage.
Arsenal have won on eight of their 12 trips to Craven Cottage since Fulham were promoted to the Premier League.
There have been four red cards in the last three Premier League fixtures between the teams at Fulham.

Fulham

Fulham have lost their last four home matches dating back to last season, including April's 1-0 defeat to the Gunners. They were beaten nine times at Craven Cottage during the 2012-13 campaign - the equal-most home defeats in last season's Premier League.
The last time Fulham started a campaign with back-to-back victories was their 2000-01 promotion-winning season when they won their opening 11 fixtures.
Darren Bent has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League games against Arsenal.
Martin Jol's men have scored six of their last eight goals in the second half of matches.

Arsenal

Arsenal took 19 points in London derbies last season, more than any club from the capital. Victory would see them become the first club to register 100 London derby wins in the Premier League.
Only Manchester City (34) conceded fewer goals than the Gunners (37) last season.
All 12 of Olivier Giroud's 12 Premier League goals have been scored in London (11 at the Emirates Stadium).
The Gunners have been given more Premier League red cards since the start of last season than any other side (six).