Premiership Matchday One: Team News

Aston Villa V Man City
New signing Luke Young is expected to make his debut in Aston Villa's defence on Sunday, striker Marlon Harewood is expected to be replaced by the fit-again John Carew after missing Thursday's UEFA Cup qualifier. £7.8m signing Carlos Cuellar and Steve Sidwell are both struggling with calf problems and are expected to miss out. For Man City, Tal Ben Heim is expected to fill in for Dunne's absence due to suspension. Javier Garrido and Michael Ball will battle for the left-back slot available, while Vassell and Benjani miss out due to injury and Jo is still unavailable due to international duties at the Olympics.

Chelsea V Portsmouth
Chelsea are missing prolific scorer Didier Drogba for their season opener, while summer signing Jose Bosingwa has been ruled out with a thigh injury. Deco is expected to make his debut following his arrival from Barcelona. Portsmouth welcome back Kanu after the Nigerian returned to training this week, but he will have to settle for a place on the bench as Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe start upfront.

West Ham V Wigan
West Ham striker Craig Bellamy will miss the tie as he is expected to be on the sidelines for another month. Defenders George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand are both doubtful and Dyer is another absentee. England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has been passed fit for the visitors along with Emile Heskey but Paul Scharner is not expected to play.

Sunderland V Liverpool
Sunderland are expected to give debuts to new signings Diouf, Tainio, Chimbonda and Malbranque. Winger Keiron Richardson has returned to training but the match will come too soon for him, while veteran Dwight Yorke and frontman Kenwyne Jones miss out through injury and fellow striker Michael Chopra begins a three-match suspension. Liverpool may give Andrea Dossena his Premiership debut and captain Steven Gerrard is expected to start. A full strength attack means the much-fancied strike partnership of Keane and Torres will be on display, but injuries to Steve Finnan, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Philipp Degen means a lack of options at the back.

Arsenal V West Brom
Arsenal are set to keep the majority of the starting eleven who beat Steve McClaren's FC Twente in the Champions League qualifier midweek. Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby are both sidelined but the return of Samir Nasri and Kolo Toure will strengthen Wenger's team. Newly-promoted West Brom have injuries to striker Luke Moore and creative midfielder Robert Koren but can expect new signing Abdoulaye Meite to play.

Everton V Blackburn
Chile utility man Villanueva is not expected to play but they welcome Brett Emerton into the squad and the return of captain Ryan Nelson following New Zealand’s elimination at the Olympics is positive news. Everton have concerns in attack as Yakubu remains their only fit striker as Victor Anichebe is still on international duty and James Vaughan may not be fit following an injury to his foot.

Man Utd V Newcastle
Wayne Rooney has recovered from a virus to start Sunday’s match alongside Carlos Tevez, but Hargreaves and Ronaldo miss out. Nani is suspended for the first two matches of the season following a dismissal at the end of last season. Newcastle have been boosted by the news that Jonas Gutierrez has received intentional clearance in time to make his Premiership debut. Frontmen Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins are doubtful along with Viduka to leave the North-East outfit short of offensive options. Argentine defender Coloccini is in contention to make his debut along with Danny Guthrie.

Middlesbrough V Tottenham
Captain Julio Arca misses out for Middlesbrough while Mido should partner record signing Afonso Alves. Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton has been ruled out through injury and inspirational captain Ledley King will start in centre defence.

Hull V Fulham
Jamaican international Marlon King should start following his arrival from Wigan and he will be partnered by either veteran Dean Windass or Caleb Folan. Halmosi, Boateng, record signing Gardner, defender Mendy and Brazilian winger Geovanni could feature for the promoted side. For Fulham, Andy Johnson will not feature so their frontline is expected to consist of Bobby Zamora and David Healy. Goalkeeper Schwarzer should beat Pascal Zuberbuhler to the number one jersey for the opening match of the season.

Bolton V Stoke
Heidar Helguson is Gary Megson’s only absentee and new signings Johan Elmader, Danny Shittu and Fabrice Muamba should all start. Stoke may have to do without Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence as they both fill face late fitness tests as Stoke play their first match in England’s top flight for 23 years.