Football: Norwich full of eastern promise: Trevor Haylett looks forward to a long weekend of football and the chance of tables turning

THE two biggest names in British football sit out today's Premier League action; the two form teams do not play until Monday, 16 days after they last kicked a ball in the League. The requirements of satellite television have had a profound effect on the Saturday programme and will give a lopsided perspective to the table to be redrawn at teatime.

Manchester United v Liverpool is the game of the day tomorrow (dissenting voices will no doubt be raised in the North-east where they anticipate a rousing derby scrap between Sunderland and Newcastle while the aficionados will prefer Milan versus Lazio) and Aston Villa against Blackburn holds the prospect on Monday of a gripping meeting between two attack-minded teams.

They leave a hole in today's fixture list but their absence at least permits Norwich the opportunity to reclaim the top spot they vacated when felled by an Alan Shearer-inspired torrent of goals at Ewood Park two weeks ago and the visit of QPR gives the Canaries manager, Mike Walker, the chance to assess what lasting damage was done by Kenny Dalglish's rampaging side.

The Carrow Road faithful will not be the only home supporters who approach three o'clock with a feeling of slight unease. Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton and Nottingham Forest have all had reason to regret many of their performances at their own grounds this season and all are at home again.

Only Southampton, who host bottom-but-one Wimbledon, will step out with any confidence even though notorious video star Vinny Jones returns after suspension.

Forest have let themselves down badly so far and against an Arsenal side successful in their last three games Brian Clough will need to work extra-special dressing-room magic.

Forest have managed just three League goals at home; Everton can go one better, or rather worse. Bulging the Goodison net only twice is a poor return for a club harbouring genuine hopes at the start.

After three successive draws, opponents Coventry will be looking to strengthen their own challenge. Bobby Gould has withdrawn his offer of a free weekend home to Dublin for Tony Sheridan, 18 next Wednesday, and called him into his squad with the promise of a place in the final 14.

'When I was at West Brom last season I thought I had the best young midfield players in the Midlands until we met Coventry and Sheridan ran the game,' he said.

'When I came back to Highfield Road in the summer I made inquiries and was told he had gone AWOL. I persuaded him back and he has a big future in the game.'

Ipswich threaten Chelsea's fragility at Stamford Bridge while Manchester City, who have already won this season at Selhurst Park, will be attempting a quick double, with Crystal Palace next in their sights. Tottenham are another home side who, in their precarious position, dare not risk anything less than a win over Middlesbrough.

Carl Shutt may have scored the European Cup winner over Stuttgart a week ago but he looks likely to renew his seat with the Leeds substitutes at home to Sheffield United.

The club doctor requested an Ooh-Aah Cantona, and the Frenchman successfully proved his recovery from tonsilitis to reclaim his starting place.