By James Dall Last updated: 17th September 2007
Miller: Derby debut
Derby County will be praying that they can stop the rot as they head into a tough test against a rejuvenated Newcastle United side.
It has been a torrid start to the season for Billy Davies' men, but Monday night's clash at Pride Park provides them with the opportunity to avoid a fifth successive Premier League defeat.
The Rams' defence has been frail and often exposed, and following the 6-0 drubbing against Liverpool their main concern early on will be to keep it tight at the back.
In defence the experienced Darren Moore (knee) is a doubt, but 23-year-old Dean Leacock is pushing for a place after returning from injury.
Promising midfielder Giles Barnes is back in full training, but is still a couple of weeks away from making his return to the first-team.
Craig Fagan is absent as he begins his four-game ban, so Derby's £3million striker Kenny Miller is in line to make his debut after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The Scotsman is likely to be partnered with front-man Robert Earnshaw, as Derby look to find the balance between pushing for goals and protecting their backline.
Sam Allardyce has led The Magpies to their best start in six seasons, and victory tonight would be their first set of back-to-back victories in 23 league matches.
United are still without long-term absentees Stephen Carr (hamstring), Damien Duff (ankle), Joey Barton (foot), Celestine Babayaro (groin) and Peter Ramage (knee).
Emre is a doubt after picking up a knock playing for Turkey, while Jose Enrique and Mark Viduka face late fitness tests on their respective hamstring injuries
The Newcastle boss has hinted that transfer deadline day signings Habib Beye and Adoulaye Faye could make their debuts for the club, while the in-form Michael Owen should lead the line.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Burnley | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Everton | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Fulham | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Hull City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Wigan Athletic | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
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