Football: Weekend guide to the Premiership

TOMORROW'S TELEVISED MATCH. KICK OFF 4PM

Aston Villa v Middlesbrough

Last season: No fixture

JOHN GREGORY is a man who knows how to get the best from his players, as he showed last season when he steered them from contenders for relegation to a place in the Uefa Cup. Whether his style of man management will continue to flourish this season is yet to be seen but the events of the past week suggest he may be running into problems.

"Dwight Yorke came to see me two weeks ago to tell me he wanted to play for Manchester United and not Aston Villa," Gregory said on Thursday evening after the striker had completed his pounds 12.6m move to Old Trafford. "If I'd had a gun at the time I would have shot him," he added, demonstrating the level-headedness of his diplomacy.

His tactful approach may also have contributed to this week's departure of David Unsworth to Everton, only weeks after the defender had moved to Villa Park from West Ham. Certainly Unsworth wanted a move that would allow his family to be closer to their North-east roots, but Gregory's comforting blend of jibes - including saying Unsworth went home early from training because his wife said his dinner was on the table - can surely not have helped matters.

The third setback Gregory may suffer this weekend is the potential loss of Stan Collymore for tomorrow's game. Although Gregory was yesterday planning to include the the player in his starting line-up, Collymore was seen hobbling around the training ground on crutches. Should be somehow be fit, he will play with the kind of support and belief in his talents that only Gregory can instill. "I just do not know how he will react when he falls at the first fence," the manager said yesterday. "I do not know how he will handle the situation when, for instance, I take him off with 10 minutes to go."

On the plus side, the central defender Ugo Ehiogu is available again after completing a one-game ban, and the stalwarts Julian Joachim - who may play as a lone striker - and Mark Draper (left) will bring determination in the face of adversity. Gregory can also draw solace from the statistics that show Middlesbrough have won only once in their last seven visits to Villa, a 1-0 victory in September 1987.

Bryan Robson's visiting side may be bouyed tomorrow by the inclusion of the former Nottingham Forest defender Colin Cooper. Although he has an ankle injury, Cooper and fellow defender Gianluca Festa - who has a knee strain - may both still start. Robson said yesterday: "Both have a 50-50 chance of playing. I will decide after late fitness tests."

Otherwise, Robson can rely on a probably unchanged team, with the dependable Paul Merson (right) alongside the not very dependable Mikkel Beck in attack.

ASTON VILLA (from): Bosnich; Barry, Southgate, Scimeca, Charles, Hendrie, Taylor, Thompson, Wright, Joachim, Collymore, Ehiogu, Draper, Grayson, Vassell, Petty, Oakes.

MIDDLESBROUGH (from): Bosnich, Barry, Southgate, Scimeca, Charles, Hendrie, Taylor, Thompson, Wright, Joachim, Collymore, Ehiogu, Draper, Grayson, Vassell, Petty, Oakes.

INJURED: Aston Villa: None confirmed. Middlesbrough: Pallister.

SUSPENDED: Aston Villa: None. Middlesbrough: Vickers (second of two).

Charlton v

Southampton

Last season: No fixture

ALAN CURBISHLEY yesterday appealed to Charlton supporters to remain patient with his side as they prepared for their first-ever Premiership home game and their first top-flight game at The Valley for over 40 years. Judging by the performances of Bolton, Barnsley and Crystal Palace last season, he should also have warned those of a nervous disposition to look away and for the rest to stock up on stoicism and/or tranquillisers.

Although Charlton impressed many with last week's 0-0 draw at Newcastle - achieved despite playing most of the match with 10 men - they will need to find consistent form to survive at this level, and especially consistent form at home. "After last year's home record the fans will expect the same, and we do as well," Curbishley said. At least today they are not confronted by a Manchester United or an Arsenal, and their weaknesses in defence should be equally matched - if not exceeded - by those of their visitors, Southampton. Saints could give a debut to David Howells in place of the injured John Beresford.

CHARLTON (from): Ilic, Mills, Rufus, Youds, Powell, Newton, Kinsella, Redfearn, Robinson, Mendonca, Hunt, Mortimer, Brown, S Jones, K Jones, Petterson.

SOUTHAMPTON (from): Jones, Dodd, Hiley, Dryden, Lundekvam, Palmer, Oakley, Ripley, Howells, Ostenstad, Hughes, Le Tissier, Bridge, Beattie, Gibbens, Marshall, Williams, Moss.

INJURED: Charlton: Bowen, Salmon, Poole, Holmes. So'ton: Beresford, D Hughes.

SUSPENDED: Charlton: None. So'ton: Benali (second game of four).

Chelsea v

Newcastle

Last season: 1-0

AN INTRIGUING match at Stamford Bridge pits two of the season's early underachievers together, Chelsea having crashed dismally away to Coventry on the opening day, and Newcastle lucky to avoid the same fate at the hands of Charlton. Chelsea are still expected to be without Brian Laudrup, who is still short of match fitness, having missed pre-season with a back injury. Dennis Wise is suspended, while goalkeeper Dmitri Kharine is out with a calf strain.

Meanwhile, Newcastle's beleaguered manager, Kenny Dalglish, will again have to do without the services of Keith Gillespie, who has apparently recovered from his ankle injury but is suffering from flu, as well as the suspended David Batty. United's supporters may, however, be cheered by the news that their French striker Stephane Guivarc'h is rated as "very unlikely to travel", given his performances during the World Cup. Nikos Dabizas could move into midfield to cover for Batty, while the Peruvian midfielder Nolberto Solano could be in line for his first start.

CHELSEA (from): De Goey, Hitchcock, Leboeuf, Desailly, Le Saux, Ferrer, Petrescu, Clarke, Duberry, Lambourde, Di Matteo, Babayaro, Poyet, Newton, Nicholls, Morris, Vialli, Zola, Flo, Casiraghi, Laudrup.

NEWCASTLE (from): Given, Barton, Pearce, Pistone, Howey, Lee, Shearer, Speed, Hamann, Ketsbaia, Georgiadis, Charvet, Glass, Watson, Serrant, Hamilton, Perez, Solano, Albert, Hughes, Brady, Dabizas, Andersson..

INJURED: Chelsea: Kharine. Newcastle: Gillespie.

SUSPENDED: Chelsea: Wise. Newcastle: Batty (second game of five).

Derby County v

Wimbledon

Last season: 1-1

SPENCER PRIOR is not from overseas, but the Derby manager, Jim Smith, has overlooked the fact anyway to make him the newest member of his foreign legion. Prior, a centre-back, signed on Thursday night from Leicester and is likely to be given an immediate debut alongside the Dane, Jacob Laursen. The Croatian captain, Igor Stimac, should return from injury, along with the Italian midfielder Stefano Eranio. The Costa Rican, Paulo Wanchope, has also recovered from injury to take his place in attack.

Derby have only ever beaten Wimbledon once, 4-1 in October 1988, and there has only been one 0-0 draw between the sides, at Selhurst Park in January. If the Dons are hoping to repeat last week's 3-1 win over Tottenham, they will need their injured strikers - Carl Leaburn and Jason Euell - to have made the recoveries that were being predicted last night. The most likely attack option will be Marcus Gayle partnering Efan Ekoku - that is if neither are suffering from chronic nosebleeds due to starting the day at the top of Premiership.

DERBY (from): Hoult, Delap, Schnoor, Prior, Stimac, Laursen, Carsley, Bohinen, Powell, Eranio, Baiano, Sturridge, Wanchope, Burton, Poom, Elliott, Kozluk, Bridge-Wilkinson.

WIMBLEDON (from): Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Blackwell, Perry, Roberts, Earle, Ardley, Fear, M Hughes, Kennedy, Castledine, Gayle, Euell, Ekoku, Cort, Leaburn, Heald.

INJURED: Derby: None. Wimbledon: None.

SUSPENDED: Derby: None. Wimbledon: Thatcher (second of four).

Leicester City v

Everton

Last season: 0-1

HAVING SPOILED the nation's afternoon by throwing away a two-goal lead at Old Trafford in the last 15 minutes last Saturday, Leicester City have a chance to build on what was nevertheless an impressive start with today's visit of Everton. City expect to announce an unchanged line-up, with Kasey Keller and Matt Elliott shaking off minor injuries during the week. Meanwhile their new boy, Frank Sinclair, who is doubtless still chortling after his Chelsea replacement Marcel Desailly's less than inspiring debut last week, should make his make his home bow.

Perennial underachievers Everton also got off to an unusually solid start to the season, holding Aston Villa to a goalless draw. Their new signing, David Unsworth - who for some reason was unavailable to turn out for Villa last week - could start, despite being short of match fitness after his turbulent pre-season. The Croatian international central defender, Slaven Bilic, will also be out for another three weeks, as he is still suffering from a thigh injury picked up during pre-season training, but Walter Smith can also choose from Craig Short and Carl Tiler as possible deputies.

LEICESTER (from): Keller, Arphexad, Guppy, Walsh, Elliott, Kaamark, Sinclair, Parker, Ullathorne, Taggart, Izzet, Lennon, Zagorakis, Savage, Campbell, Heskey, Cottee, Wilson, Marshal.

EVERTON (from): Myhre, Cleland, Short, Unsworth, Tiler, Materazzi, Ball, Dacourt, Hutchison, Collins, Barmby, Ferguson, Spencer, Cadamarteri, Gerrard, Branch, Farrelly, Oster.

INJURED: Leicester: none. Everton: Bilic.

SUSPENDED: Leicester: none. Everton: none.

Liverpool v

Arsenal

Last season: 4-0

PAUL INCE is expected to lead Liverpool against Arsenal at Anfield today having recovered from a foot injury. Jamie Redknapp's return after knee surgery is likely to be put on hold. Redknapp travelled to Southampton with the squad last weekend, but it was decided not to rush him back into action after an operation. Now, following the 2-1 win at The Dell, co- managers Gerard Houllier and Roy Evans are likely to name an unchanged team to face Arsene Wenger's double winners.

Arsenal are still short of striking options for their visit to Liverpool after failing to sign a new forward before Thursday night's European Champions' League transfer deadline. Wenger, who is believed to have made an abortive attempt to buy Borussia Dortmund's Swiss striker Stephane Chapuisat, is still without the Liberian international Chris Wreh for the trip to Anfield where Arsenal have not won in seven years. Wreh, and Nicolas Anelka, arrived back late in London after delayed flights out of Africa following his goal in Liberia's 2-0 win over Nigeria.

LIVERPOOL (from): Friedel, Heggem, Carragher, Babb, Staunton, McAteer, Ince, Berger, McManaman, Riedle, Owen, James, Harkness, Kvarme, Leonhardsen, Thompson, Dundee, Murphy.

ARSENAL (from): Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Parlour, Petit, Vieira, Overmars, Bergkamp, Anelka, Hughes, Bould, Boa Morte, Vivas, Grimandi, Manninger.

INJURED: Liverpool: Redknapp. Arsenal: Wreh (jet lag).

SUSPENDED: Liverpool: None. Arsenal: None.

Nottm Forest v

Coventry City

Last season: No fixture

DESPITE THE departures of Pierre Van Hooijdonk, Kevin Campbell and Colin Cooper, Forest suggested that their Premiership credentials may have been dismissed prematurely following an impressive, if ultimately unlucky, display at Arsenal on Monday. However, Bassett looks to have made a shrewd move in signing QPR's highly rated forward Nigel Quashie for pounds 2.5m, and the 20-year-old could make his debut in today's home game with Coventry, along with Dougie Freedman, the former Wolves and Palace forward. Definitely unavailable though, is Jon Olav Hjelde, who suffered a hamstring injury at Highbury.

Doubtless on a high after last week's surprise win over Chelsea, Coventry welcome back Gary Breen after injury. The Republic of Ireland international centre-back missed the opening match against Chelsea with a stomach upset, when Paul Williams deputised for him. Noel Whelan faces a late fitness test after reporting back twinges, while Jean-Guy Wallemme is also in contention after a good display in the reserves during the week.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (from): Beasant, Bonalair, Rogers, Chettle, Armstrong, Stone, Quashie, Gemmill, Johnson, Thomas, Hodges, Darcheville, Freedman, Harewood, Lyttle, Dawson, Edwards, Crossley.

COVENTRY CITY (from): Hedman, Nilsson, Williams, Shaw, Burrows, Telfer, Boateng, Soltvedt, Whelan, Dublin, Huckerby, Breen, Wallemme, Boland, P. Hall, M. Hall, Haworth, Brightwell, Ogrizovic (gk)

INJURED: Forest: Bart-Williams, Woan, Hjelde. Coventry: None.

SUSPENDED: Forest: none. Coventry: None.

Tottenham v

Sheffield Wed

Last season: 3-2

ONWARD CHRISTIAN Gross will soldier, despite the humiliation of losing 3-1 to Wimbledon last weekend. Herr Gross blamed the grass - for being too long - for his side's failure, but he will need to come up with better excuses (or preferably a few wins) if he is to hold on to his job. His first step to ensuring he does not meet his P45 too soon is to drop the Italian midfielder, Nicola Berti, from today's squad, and add the defender, Clive Wilson. Denmark's World Cup player, Allan Nielsen, is the more likely replacement for Berti in the starting line-up. Algeria's captain, Moussa Saib, and fellow midfielder, Stephen Clemence, keep their places in the squad but are only likely to be on the bench.

Wednesday's Goce Sedloski returns to the squad today following a three week rest with a broken nose. The central defender, who sustained the injury in a pre-season friendly (obviously not that friendly), could even go straight into the starting line-up, which will be missing five first choice players.

TOTTENHAM (from): Walker; Carr, Calderwood, Campbell, Vega, Tramezzani, Wilson, Fox, Nielsen, Saib, Clemence, Armstrong, Ferdinand, Ginola, Anderton, Dominguez, Allen, Baardsen.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (from): Pressman, Atherton, Jonk, Walker, Whittingham, Carbone, Booth, Di Canio, Hyde, Sanetti, Humphreys, Briscoe, Oakes, Hinchcliffe, Sedloski, Thome, Rudi, Barrett, Cobian, Agogo, Quinn, Clarke.

INJURED: Tottenham: Iversen, Scales. Sheff Wed: Alexandersson, Newsome, Nolan, Magilton.

SUSPENDED: Tottenham: None. Sheff Wed: None.

West Ham v

Manchester Utd

Last season: 1-1

WEST HAM have never beaten Manchester United in the Premiership but that is unlikely to be foremost in their minds before what promises to be a humdinger of a match today. Not only is Dwight Yorke likely to make his debut for the visitors - with all the attendant pressure of playing for them on his pounds 12.6m shoulders - but a certain young man by the name of Beckham will be thrown into the fray and expected to prosper in the face of - possibly - good-natured East End spite and bile.

The fun will not stop there, as Ian Wright will be making his home debut for the Hammers and will be certainly be in no mood to be overshadowed by the striker from Tobago. He will also be hoping to give West Ham their first win Premiership win over the visitors - in 10 previous meetings the Hammers have lost six times and drawn four, each of which was at Upton Park.

John Hartson misses the game ( ankle), leaving Wright and Trevor Sinclair up front. Jaap Stam will be missing for Alex Ferguson's side after pulling a thigh muscle last weekend. Henning Berg or David May will take over, while in attack Teddy Sheringham is moving from bench to the transfer list, surely?

WEST HAM (from): Hislop, Ruddock, Ferdinand, Pearce, Impey, Lazaridis, Lomas, Lampard, Berkovic, Sinclair, Wright, Keller, Moncur, Forrest, Margas, Hodges, Abou, Breacker, Potts.

MANCHESTER UNITED (from): Schmeichel, G Neville, Berg, Johnsen, Irwin, P Neville, Beckham, Butt, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Yorke, Cole, Sheringham, Solskjaer, May, Cruyff and Culkin.

INJURED: West Ham: Hartson, Miklosko. Man Utd: Stam.

SUSPENDED: West Ham: None. Man Utd: None.

Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers

Last season: 4-0

BLACKBURN ROVERS' 0-0 draw with Derby last week, combined with Leeds' 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough, hardly sets the pulse racing when considering how this fixture may end. At least there should be some good defending on show. Christian Dailly, who cost Blackburn pounds 5.3m, should make his debut on Monday, unless kept out by Darren Peacock, who cost nothing. Such is the logic of the English transfer market at moment. Can we get any more excited about this game? How about the fact that Leeds' last home defeat to Blackburn was in October 1959. They lost 1-0.

HOW THEY STAND

Home Away

Pl Pts GD W D L F A W D L F A Form Upcoming matches

Wimbledon 1 3 +2 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 W

Arsenal 1 3 +1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 W

Coventry 1 3 +1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 W

Utd 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 D Everton 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D Leeds 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 D Middlesbrough 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D Forest 1 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 L