Premier League preview

The Wear-Tyne derby between Sunderland and Newcastle United takes centre stage this weekend, while Chelsea host Man City.

Black Cats host Magpies; Blues tackle City; Eagles face Gunners

The Wear-Tyne derby between Sunderland and Newcastle United takes centre stage this weekend, as Crystal Palace begin life without Ian Holloway. Elsewhere, title hopefuls Chelsea and Manchester City lock horns and Steve Clarke, Mark Hughes and Malky Mackay take their current sides out on the road against former employers. The Premier League action kicks off at Selhurst Park, with managerless Crystal Palace charged with the task of kick-starting their season and derailing Arsenal's pursuit of the top-flight crown. Holloway packed his coaching bags on Wednesday, with a larger-then-life character revealing that he was too 'tired' to embark on another basement battle. Filling the void in the dugout is a top priority for Palace, but so is generating results on the field - with three points taken from a possible 24 on offer. In contrast, Arsenal already have 19 in the bag and have opened up a two-point lead at the summit. Their 12-match unbeaten run was ended in UEFA Champions League combat by Borussia Dortmund in midweek, but the Gunners have gone seven games - stretching back to the opening day - since suffering a domestic setback. Manchester United were victorious at Old Trafford in Europe on Wednesday, but need to start getting things right on home soil in the league if they are to avoid surrendering their title with a whimper. David Moyes' men have taken one point from their last two games in front of their own supporters, with seven having now slipped through their grasp this term. A former fans' favourite will be hoping to pile on the misery this weekend, with ex-United striker Mark Hughes back in familiar territory with Stoke City. The Potters will have taken inspiration from the exploits of West Bromwich Albion and Southampton, but have offered little of late to suggest they are capable of replicating those heroics. Three defeats in four, and no win in five, has Hughes' men perched just a point above the drop zone. Liverpool will need no reminding how dangerous a West Bromwich Albion side under the tutelage of former coach Steve Clarke can be on their travels, with the Baggies having collected more points on the road than they have at The Hawthorns. A visit to Anfield will provide another stern test of their credentials, though, with Brendan Rodgers' hosts riding high in the standings. Liverpool have suffered just one defeat so far, conceded only seven goals, and believe they are capable of pushing for a top-four return after a longer than anticipated absence from European football's grandest club competition. West Brom, meanwhile, will be looking to climb into the top half of the division, with a five-match unbeaten run moving them in the right direction. Another coach set to find himself back on a former stamping ground this weekend is Cardiff City boss Mackay, who takes his troops to Norwich City. The Scot spent six years at Carrow Road during his playing days, but will be expecting few favours when he heads back to Norfolk on Saturday afternoon. Norwich are very much in need of points, with their last five outings having delivered just three. Four defeats during that run mean, unsurprisingly, that the Canaries have slipped into the relegation zone. There is still plenty of time to get things right, but they need to start doing that as