Premiership fixtures

14 April 2012

Chelsea v Manchester United

4.05pm Sunday, Stamford Bridge - live on Sky Sports 1

Tickets: Members only: £38-£40 (£16 concs). Tel: 0870 300 2322
Last season: 1 (Lampard) 0. Referee: Graham Poll (Tring) Facts: Manchester United haven't lost their opening fixture of the Premiership season since a 3-1 defeat away to Aston Villa in August 1995 Standout bet: Chelsea win - 11-10 (Paddy Power, Stanley)

Jose Mourinho will undoubtedly ruffle a few feathers this season and could even start at Stamford Bridge on Sunday when Sir Alex hits town. The prickly Portuguese doesn't seem the sort to worry too much about sensibilities, however, and with the squad he has assembled thanks to Roman's cheque book - Drogba, Robben, Cech et al - why on earth should he? Under the entertaining stewardship of 'The Tinkerman' last season, the Blues went close. This season, most people expect them to win the top prize.

Verdict: BLUES UP AND RUNNING

Aston Villa v Southampton

3pm tomorrow, Villa Park

Last season: 1 (Dublin) 0. Referee: Uriah Rennie (Sheffield) Facts: Southampton failed to keep a clean sheet in eight Premiership games at the end of last season. Aston Villa haven't won their opening Premiership home game since a 3-0 victory over Everton in August 1999 Standout bet: Villa win - 10-11 (Victor Chandler)

Southampton manager Paul Sturrock is feeling the pressure before a ball has been kicked this season and whispers persist that Glenn Hoddle is being lined up to take his job, a sure sign of desperation. The former Plymouth boss has reportedly lost the dressing room and will soon lose James Beattie, the subject of a £6million bid from Aston Villa. The striker is not available tomorrow because of a thigh injury and Villa should take advantage.

Verdict: VILLAINS HAVE THE EDGE OVER SAINTS

Blackburn v West Brom

3pm tomorrow, Ewood Park

Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens) Facts: Jon Stead scored six goals in 13 games for Blackburn after signing from Huddersfield last season. West Brom won just five Premiership games in their relegation season of 2002-2003 Standout bet: match to finish in a draw - 5-2 (Victor Chandler)

In the most unlikely rapprochement since Colonel Gaddafi and Tony Blair became bosom buddies, Graeme Souness and Dwight Yorke have kissed and made up. Despite kicking his smiling striker in the head in a training ground bust-up, Souness has refused to sell Yorke to Portsmouth and sees him as a key member of his squad. Yorke is likely to be on the bench tomorrow but Rovers should have too much for West Brom.

Verdict: SOUNESS STILL SMILING

Bolton v Charlton

3pm tomorrow, Reebok Stadium

Away ticket info: £29 (£14-£20 concs). Tel: 020 8333 4010
Last season: 0-0. Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)
Facts: Charlton have not lost at Bolton since 1997. Goals from Chris Bart-Williams and Jason Euell gave Alan Curbishley's side a 2-1 win at the Reebok in their first away game of the 2002-2003 season
Standout bet: Dennis Rommadahl to score first goal - 14-1 (Bet365)

These two progressive clubs finished side by side on 53 points last season but Charlton could forge ahead of Bolton in the months ahead. The London club's fans will be expecting further progress from their heroes despite their impressive seventh place last season and Alan Curbishley's new signings could provide the impetus. Danny Murphy is a canny performer while flying winger Dennis Rommedahl has pace to burn.

Verdict: TIP-TOP START FOR CHARLTON

Everton v Arsenal

2pm Sunday, Goodison Park - live on Sky Sports 1

Away ticket info: Sold out Last season: 1 (Radzinski) 1 (Kanu). Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
Facts: Arsenal have lost twice in six years at Goodison Park. Everton didn't win any of their six league games at the end of last season
Standout bet: Jose Reyes to score first goal - 11-2 (Coral, Stanley, Paddy)

Arsene Wenger usually has things well in control but the Patrick Vieira saga has threatened to disrupt the tranquillity at Highbury this summer. Opinion continues to be divided about Vieira. There are those who, while recognising his enormous talent, feel the time is probably right for a parting of the ways and others who believe his departure could cost the Gunners the chance of retaining the title. Everyone is agreed, though, that Monsieur Wenger doesn't get it wrong too often.

Verdict: WINNING START FOR ARSENE

Manchester City v Fulham

3pm tomorrow, City of Manchester Stadium

Away ticket info: £21 (£11 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234 Last season: 0-0. Referee: Matt Messias (York)
Facts: Manchester City haven't lost their first home game of the season since they were defeated 1-0 by Wolves in August 1999
Standout bet: Shaun Wright-Phillips to score first 14-1 (Bet365)

Fulham's ninth place last season should not be underestimated. Think back to this time last year when untried manager Chris Coleman was being written off. The reality, however, was very different and the young Welshman proved himself to be a quick learner. The loss of Sean Davis and Louis Saha are big blows but Fulham are back at their spiritual home and everyone is happy about that.

Verdict: FIRST POINT FOR FULHAM

Middlesbrough v Newcastle

5.15pm tomorrow, Riverside Stadium - live on Prem Plus

Last season: 0-1 (Ameobi). Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington)
Facts: Newcastle failed to win in four Premiership games at the end of last season. Gaizka Mendieta has gone nine league games without a goal for Middlesbrough
Standout bet: Boro win - 11-8 (Paddy Power, Stanley, Sky)

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson continues to put his money where his mouth is and big things are expected of Steve McClaren's team this season. The front-line partnership of Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looks potent and Ray Parlour will want to prove that Arsenal made a mistake in letting him go. Newcastle, in contrast, continue to give the impression of a club in turmoil.

Verdict: BIG SPENDING BORO OFF TO A FLIER

Norwich v Crystal Palace

3pm tomorrow, Carrow Road

Away ticket info: £20-£25. Tel. 08712 000 071
Last season: 2 (Huckerby, Mackay) 1 (Derry). Referee: Peter Walton (Winwick)
Facts: Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green kept 17 clean sheets during last season's Division One season. Andy Johnson scored 32 goals for Palace last term
Standout bet: Palace win - 11-4 (Coral)

Iain Dowie pulled off a near miracle by guiding Crystal Palace to promotion last season but that's nothing compared with the challenge this impressive young manager faces to keep them up. He will know his side will have to win games such as this against likely fellow strugglers.

Verdict: PALACE DRAW A BLANK

Portsmouth v Birmingham

3pm tomorrow, Fratton Park

Last season: 3 (Stefanovic, LuaLua, Yakubu) 1 (John). Referee: Howard Webb (Rotherham)
Facts: Yakubu scored 16 Premiership goals in 37 appearances for Portsmouth last term. Birmingham failed to win in eight league games at the end of the 2003-2004 season
Standout bet: Yakubu to score first goal - 5-1 (generally available)

Harry Redknapp has obviously lost his chequebook as just three new boys have wandered through the doors of Fratton Park this summer. Portsmouth's excellent home form was the main reason for their survival last season but a new-look Birmingham will give them a stern test on the opening day.

Verdict: HARRY'S FAR FROM HAPPY

Tottenham v Liverpool

12.45pm tomorrow, White Hart Lane - live on Prem Plus

Tickets: Sold out Last season: 2 (Keane, Postiga) 1 (Kewell).
Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Banbury)
Facts: Spurs last won their opening match of the season in August 2000 when they beat Ipswich 3-1 with goals from Darren Anderton, Stephen Carr and Les Ferdinand
Standout bet: Milan Baros to score first goal - 7-1 (Skybet)

Spurs fans won't take much more of the perennial underachievement, which is why the pressure is all on Jacques Santini. The club made a real Horlicks of last season but hope springs eternal. Sean Davis is a more than useful signing from Fulham while, up front, Jermain Defoe should develop into a blue-chip striker.

Verdict: GREAT START FOR SPURS

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