Premiership Preview (26-28/08/06)

Pompey travel to the Riverside Stadium on Monday for the LIVE SKY Sports clash with Middlesbrough, which I believe will see our very own Pete Alexander as the commentator in fan zone. What about the other clubs...

Saturday 26/08/06
Charlton v Bolton, 15:00
Darren Bent and Matt Holland have dead legs, but should be fit, as could Andy Reid (back). Djimi Traore is available following his suspension, although Gonzalo Sorondo will miss out.

Nicolas Anelka could take part for Bolton following his £8m move, although it is unlikely. Other than those already ruled out, only Quinton Fortune (ankle) is a doubt.

Fulham v Sheff Utd, 15:00
Brian McBride came in for Collins John in midweek for the only change from the 5-1 hammering from Manchester United, so with no new injury worries Chris Coleman should name an unchanged side.

Should Rob Hulse (thigh strain) recover he will replace Ade Akinbiyi up front for the blades. Groin injuries keep Derek Geary and Steve Kabba out. Claude Davis (knee) and the ill Paul Ifill will also miss out.

Liverpool v West Ham, 12:45
Following injuries in the season's opener Jamie Carragher and John Arne Riise will miss the game at Anfield. They will be joined by Gabriel Paletta, Mohamed Sissoko, Stephen Warncok and Harry Kewell. Dirk Kuyt is expected to make his debut following his £10m arrival, and although only fit to play from the bench in midweek skipper Steven Gerrard should start.

Only long term injuries Dean Ashton (broken ankle) and Matthew Etherington (knee) are definitely out for the hammers. A toe infection casts doubt over Yossi Benayoun`s participation, with Lee Bowyer (groin) also a doubt.

Man City v Arsenal, 17:15
Ben Thatcher has been suspended by Manchester City following his shocking "challenge" on Pedro Mendes in midweek. Andreas Isaksson's debut will be delayed further as he now needs minor ankle surgery. Bernardo Corradi (suspension) returns but foot and knee injuries keep out Dietmar Hamann and Andy Cole respectively. Hatem Trabelsi won't feature as he is still having trouble with his visa.

Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry return to the starting line-up and Tomas Rosicky could make a league debut. An ankle injury rules out Freddie Ljungberg, with a groin problem keeping out the unsettled Jose Antonio Reyes.

Tottenham v Everton, 15:00
Midweek goalscorers Jermaine Jenas (toe) and Dimitar Berbatov (ankle) are injury doubts for Spurs, with a knee problem still keeping captain Ledley King out.

Nuno Valente and David Weir return from injury but Alan Stubbs' hamstring injury, which forced him off in midweek, keeps him out of the White Hart Lane clash. Joleon Lescott should make his first Premiership start for Everton.

Watford v Man Utd, 15:00
As he is on loan form United Ben Foster is unable to play for Watford, veteran Alec Chamberlain could replace him in goal. Gavin Mahon's illness has cleared up so he is free to play.

Michael Carrick could make his first start for United, but Captain Gary Neville (calf) will not feature. Nemanja Vidic`s broken wrist means he again misses out.

Wigan v Reading, 15:00
French International Pascal Chimbonda should return to the Wigan squad, although the unsettled full back will have to be content with a place on the bench.

Following his midweek sending off Ibrahima Sonko is suspended, so Brynjar Gunnarsson or Sam Sodje will come into defence. Dave Kitson (knee) is still out although Glen Little`s hamstring injury has cleared fro him to take his place on the bench.

Sunday, 27 August 2006
Aston Villa v Newcastle, 14:00
Peter Whittingham stands by to replace Jlloyd Samuel should his thigh injury rule him out. Mark Delaney could return but Wilfred Bouma and Gary Cahill remain absent.

If his International clearance arrives in time another former Pompey target Obafemi Martins could make his toon debut. Shola Ameobi (hip and hamstring) and Craig Moore (knee) are injury doubts, although Shay Given (back) will return.

Blackburn v Chelsea, 16:00
Lucas Neill returns following his red card at Fratton last weekend, and new signing Andre Ooijer is poised to start.

Chelsea will be hopefully Michael Ballack (hip) has recovered in time to make his Premiership debut. Arjen Robben, who got injured in the midweek warm up could be fit. Joe Cole (knee) and Petr Cech (shoulder) remain on the sidelines.

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