With the European Championship qualification matches now out of the way the Premier League teams can now concentrate on the domestic campaign.
Lots of the clubs will have new players in their ranks this weekend after a busy transfer deadline day.
One of the busiest clubs on deadline day was Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. The club could give five new players their debut in their Saturday against Welsh side Swansea.
Defenders Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker are likely to start the game against the Swans, as is new midfielder Mikel Arteta.
The Premier League newcomers have failed to win so far this season. It hasn’t all been doom and gloom for Brendan Rodgers men though as they have two points from their first three games. Even with Arsenal under strength this clash will be a tough one for Swansea.
Elsewhere Stoke City host high flying Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke were another one of the big spenders on transfer deadline day, bringing in Wilson Palacios, Peter Crouch and Cameron Jerome. All three are expected to play a part in this clash.
Liverpool captured striker Craig Bellamy on a season-long loan deal on deadline day. The striker could be in line for his first start since returning to the club. England internationals Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson are both back in training but are unlikely to feature.
Liverpool’s city-rivals Everton host Aston Villa at Goodison Park. Everton secured the signings of Dutch winger Royston Drenthe and Argentinian striker Denis Stracqualursi on deadline day but lost key midfielder Mikel Arteta to Arsenal. Both new signings are set to start this encounter.
The visitors secured the signature of Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton and the Scotland international could make his debut at Goodison. However England international striker Darren Bent is struggling to be fit for the clash.
Wigan visit high flying Manchester City in a tough away day. The visitors have made a decent start to their campaign with five points from three games though. The Latic’s are unbeaten in the Premier League so far but face a big challenge getting anything out of their trip to the Etihad Stadium.
The home side have made a superb start to the season with three victories out of three games so far in the Premier League. The new signings seem to have settled in well at the club and suddenly striker Edin Dzeko is scoring goals. Wigan are in for a hard afternoon.
Sunderland are yet to win in the Premier League this season and face last seasons Premier League runners-up Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats managed to sign Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner on-loan on deadline day and the Dane looks set to make his debut in this clash.
The visitors have started their season in decent form, having won two out of their three Premier League games so far. The Blues performances haven’t been so impressive though. Chelsea could give a debut to midfielder Raul Meireles, who signed on deadline day from Liverpool.
Bottom of the table Tottenham head to in-form Wolves. The visitors are yet to pick up any points from their two league games so far. Tottenham signed midfielder Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor before the transfer window shut and both players could make their debuts at Molineux.
The home side have made a good start to the season having collected two wins and a draw from their first three Premier League games. Mick McCarthy’s side will be hopeful of continuing that good form against out-of-form Spurs.
In the evening kick-off Bolton host champions Manchester United. United have started their season in blistering form and put eight past Arsenal in their last outing. Striker Wayne Rooney is in hot form and will be looking to add to his goal tally at the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton start their season with a 4-0 victory over QPR on the opening day but have lost their last two Premier League games.
However the Trotters two defeats came against in-form teams Manchester City and Liverpool. Bolton are likely to give a debut to striker David N’Gog who arrived from Liverpool on deadline day. This could prove to be another hard day at the office for Owen Coyle’s side though.
Can the big guns maintain their good starts to the season this weekend?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
