Premier League preview

By Mark Buckingham   Last updated: 24th August 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Premier League preview

Jol: Hopes for boost

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Tottenham Hotspur's turbulent week finishes at Manchester United on Sunday, while the only 100 per cent record is on the line at Emirates Stadium.

Following a bustling start to the new Premier League season, the action continues unabated this weekend with all 20 teams in search of points.

Sunderland start the weekend's festivities by welcoming Liverpool to The Stadium of Light, live on Sky Sports 1.

At 3pm, Manchester City, with three wins from three games, go to Arsenal looking for a first away win over The Gunners in over 30 years.

Bolton Wanderers are yet to pick up a point under Sammy Lee this season, but will hope for a change of fortune against Reading.

Chelsea and Portsmouth are unbeaten in their opening three games and their Stamford Bridge tussle should be an intriguing tie.

Promoted duo Derby County and Birmingham City meet at Pride Park, with both clubs seeking a first win of the season.

Wigan Athletic are riding high after two wins from three games and travel to the capital to tackle West Ham United.

Aston Villa and Fulham have made indifferent starts to the season and meet in the Midlands.

Everton have enjoyed a bright advent to the campaign and a fixture with Blackburn Rovers is likely to be a well-contested affair.

On Sunday, there is a North East derby at The Riverside as Newcastle United new boy Mark Viduka returns to Middlesbrough.

And the weekend concludes at Old Trafford, live on Sky Sports 1, as champions Man Utd chase a first win of the campaign against a Spurs side aiming to give Martin Jol another boost.

Sunderland v Liverpool

Sunderland have only managed to score in one of the past six fixtures between the two sides. After just two games, Liverpool have already conceded twice as many penalties this season as they did last season.

Arsenal v Manchester City

Arsenal have won 16 of the 20 Premier League fixtures against City, who have not managed to score more than once in any game against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Aston Villa v Fulham

Villa have never lost at home to Fulham in the Premier League. In all three of Fulham's fixtures this season the team that scored the first goal went on to lose 2-1.

Bolton Wanderers v Reading

Seven of the eight goals Bolton have conceded this season have been in the first half. Kevin Doyle has scored three of Reading's four Premier League goals against Bolton.

Chelsea v Portsmouth

Chelsea have never failed to score in the Premier League against Portsmouth. Pompey have not managed to beat Chelsea in a league fixture for 50 years.

Derby County v Birmingham City

Derby have not kept a clean sheet in their last 14 Premier League games, going back to February 2002. Birmingham have scored in each of the last 18 meetings with Derby.

West Ham United v Wigan Athletic

West Ham have drawn only two games in 2007. Wigan have won only two of their last 11 away games in the league.

Everton v Blackburn Rovers

The last four fixtures between the two sides at Goodison Park have finished 1-0. Alan Stubbs is set to play his 200th Premier League game in this fixture.

Middlesbrough v Newcastle United

Boro have won just three of the 22 Premier League fixtures with Newcastle. Mark Viduka scored four goals in his final three league appearances against Boro prior to joining the club.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

United have conceded only once in the last seven games at home to Tottenham. Robbie Keane has hit 12 shots this season, more than any other player in the Premier League.