There are seven English Premier League fixtures taking place this Saturday, with two Premiership matches taking place on Sunday and Portsmouth hosting Manchester United on Bank Holiday Monday.

Saturday 23rd of August 2008

Sunday 24th of August 2008

Monday 25th of August 2008

Saturday 23rd of August 2008

Blackburn Rovers v Hull City: Rovers will be boosted by the fact that Roque Santa Cruz has dismissed all speculation of a transfer move by signing a new four-year deal, and Paul Ince’s side should prove too strong for Premiership debutantes Hull City, despite the Tigers still being on a high after their 2-1 win over Fulham at The KC Stadium on the opening day of the season.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – Home Win For Rovers)

Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Despite both teams registering wins on the opening day of the 2008/09 season, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will hope to show a more invigorated team than the one that narrowly beat Sunderland 1-0 on the opening day, while Boro boss Gareth Southgate will be impressed with his start to the Premiership season, where Boro managed a 2-1 win over a much fancied Tottenham Hotspur side.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – Liverpool To Edge Tight Win Over Boro)

Stoke City v Aston Villa: Martin O’Neill’s Villa will feel full of confidence after their 4-2 win over Manchester City last Sunday, but now travel to face the newly-promoted Potters, who will be hoping to pick up some points in their first ever Premier League home match after losing 3-1 to Bolton Wanderers in their opening match last Saturday.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – Villa Too Strong For Potters)

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland AFC: Juande Ramos and Roy Keane will both be eager to register their first points after opening day losses. Expect Tottenham to play be on the offensive and try to break down Roy Keane’s well organised Sunderland. The Black Cats will be buoyed by the recent arrivals of Djibril Cisse and David Healy, with former Spurs players Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque out to prove a point at White Hart Lane, which they might just get in an entertaining match.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – Honours Even In Score-Draw)

West Bromwich Albion v Everton: David Moyes will be concerned about his ever expanding injury-list, with James Vaughan, Steven Pienaar (toe), Andy van der Meyde (hamstring) and Tim Cahill (foot), who are all sidelined through injury, while Victor Anichebe is still involved in the Olympics for Nigeria.

The Toffees began their Premiership campaign with a 2-3 loss at home to Blackburn Rovers last weekend, while the Baggies also lost their first match of the season 1-0 at Arsenal, despite a decent showing in the second-half.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – West Brom Could Nick A Win Against Injury Stricken Everton)

Newcastle United v Bolton Wanderers: The Magpies managed a stunning 1-1 draw against Premier League champions Manchester United last Sunday, and will be hoping to better that when they face Gary Megson’s Bolton Wanderers, who themselves had an excellent opening day, beating Stoke City 3-1 at The Reebok Stadium last week.

United will be without Mark Viduka (achilles), but should be able to welcome back central-defender Steven Taylor, while Michael Owen may have recovered from his calf injury and be able to feature.

Megson has no injury worries ahead of this encounter at St James’ Park, with Heider Helguson expected to recover from a groin strain in time to take his place in the Trotters squad.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – Keegan May Have To Be Happy With A Point)

Sunday 24th of August 2008

Wigan Athletic v Chelsea Wigan Athletic, having lost their opening match 2-1 away to West Ham Utd, face a tough challenge on Sunday as they host ‘Big’ Phil Scolari’s Chelsea, who dismantled Portsmouth 4-0 last weekend, and already look like proper title challengers this season.

Wigan will be without defender’s Ryan Taylor and Erik Edman, who have knee problems, but Steve Bruce will be able to call on the rest of his squad against the Blues.

Chelsea will be missing Ivory Coast International Didier Drogba, who is out with a knee injury and look likely to be without German International midfielder Michael Ballack, who is still recovering from a foot injury.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – Chelsea Remain Top Of The Table With Comfortable Win)

Manchester City v West Ham Utd City lost away to Aston Villa on the opening weekend, while the Hammers tasted a 2-1 victory against Wigan Athletic in their first home match.

City boss Mark Hughes has a striker crisis going into the second game of the season, as Brazil ace Jo is likely to miss the game as he is still at Olympics with his country to play third-fourth place playoff. Valeri Bojinov, Benjani Mwaruwari and Darius Vassell are all sidelined due to injury problems, while captain and central defender Richard Dunne is out through suspension.

The Hammers are boosted with the return of striker Dean Ashton, who is back in the frame after having suffered a cramp in the match against Wigan after scoring a brace for The Hammers.

Midfielder Scott Parker could also be fit for trip to Eastlands, but defender Anton Ferdinand and striker Craig Bellamy are both likely to miss the match.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – Expect Goals In A Hard Fought Draw)

Monday 25th of August 2008

Portsmouth v Manchester United Portsmouth will be hoping to banish their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea last weekend, but face a tough call as they face Premier League Champions Manchester United at Fratton Park on Monday.

After United’s lacklustre 1-1 draw against Newcastle Utd, Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson won’t be happy with anything less than all three points, while Harry Redknapp has a full squad to choose from, with only Noe Pamarot (thigh) a major doubt for the match.

Armand Traore arrived from Arsenal on loan this week, and may feature in the match.

Ferguson, on the other hand, is still missing Cristiano Ronaldo (os Trigonum syndrome), Louis Saha (knee) and Michael Carrick (ankle), with Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung and Owen Hargreaves, all doubts to face Portsmouth.

(Premiership Latest Verdict – United To Register First Win Of Season Against Battling Portsmouth)