EPL - Weekend Preview Sept 1st

Sir Alex Ferguson's first managerial meeting with Roy Keane provides a fascinating talking point as Manchester United host Sunderland at Old Trafford. Keane thrived under Ferguson during his playing days and will have spent long enough with the Scot to have picked up some tricks of the trade. The reality of life in the Barclays Premier League is starting to set in for Keane, whose side have picked up just a point from three matches after their opening day win over Tottenham Hotspur. United will be looking to carry on from where they left off against Spurs last week. The 1-0 win at Old Trafford was their first three points of the season.

Liverpool will be confident of maximum points as they host Derby County at Anfield. The visitors are still in the hunt for their first win of the season, with manager Billy Davies under no illusions about the task in front of his side. Liverpool eased past Toulouse 4-0 in the week to qualify for the first phase of the Champions League. Rafael Benitez again rotated his squad for that match and believes such competition is healthy. He said this week: "It is important that there is strong competition for everyone, they all want to impress and they all keep going right to the end because of that."

The London derby of the weekend pits Fulham against Tottenham. Spurs manager Martin Jol will be looking to end a run of three defeats in four games at Craven Cottage. His Fulham counterpart Lawrie Sanchez has seen the team who scored first in each of his side's opening four encounters go on to lose the match. Sanchez hopes to have the injured Brian McBride back by Christmas, while Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson and Younes Kaboul are closing in on first-team returns for Spurs as Jol's injury problems ease.

Aston Villa entertain Chelsea on Sunday having secured their first win of the season against Fulham last weekend. Chelsea have started strongly and currently top the league. The match sees two real characters collide as Martin O'Neill welcomes Jose Mourinho to Villa Park. Last season this fixture ended 0-0 in January as the Blues saw their title hopes take a dent

Portsmouth travel to Arsenal on Sunday having narrowly lost 1-0 to Chelsea last weekend. Pompey impressed at Stamford Bridge and had the chances to come away with a draw. Arsenal again left it late as they ended Manchester City's unbeaten Barclays Premier League record. The 3-0 win over Sparta Prague in midweek booked their passage through to the Champions League group stages.

Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City have both started the season strongly and face each other at Ewood Park on Sunday. Mark Hughes and Sven-Goran Eriksson both have experience of managing international teams, and their head-to-head is an interesting side note. The pair have attracted much praise so far this season and this encounter is an intriguing one.

Bolton Wanderers will be hoping to build on their win over Reading last week with another positive result against Everton. Sammy Lee's side ended their run of three opening defeats against the Royals but Everton represents a tough assignment for the Trotters. Toffees manager David Moyes has signed Yakubu and former player Thomas Gravesen this week and both should be in the squad for this encounter.

There is something of an old boys reunion at St James' Park as Newcastle United host Wigan Athletic. Titus Bramble and Antoine Sibierski return to their former club and will be looking to impress against the Magpies. Sibierski has started the season strongly and his aerial encounter with David Rozehnal could be significant. Newcastle were twice pegged back against Middlesbrough last weekend and will be looking for their second win of the season here.

West Ham United have unpleasant memories of their trip to Reading last season. They were on the wrong end of a 6-0 scoreline, conceding four goals in the opening 36 minutes. The Hammers were rocked by the news that Kieron Dyer will be out for several months after breaking his leg against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday. With fellow winger Julien Faubert also out with a long-term injury, these are testing times for manager Alan Curbishley. Reading also have injury problems going into the game, with several players doubtful for this match.

Birmingham City travel to Middlesbrough buoyed by Cameron Jerome's two goal haul in the 2-1 win over Derby County last weekend. Manager Steve Bruce praised the striker and will be hoping for more of the same against Gareth Southgate's men. Bruce and Southgate were two household names as centre-backs and both are looking for their second win of the season. While Bruce was pleased with Jerome's performance, Southgate has been encouraged by Mido's performances for the club after joining from Tottenham. He netted his second goal in as many games against Newcastle last weekend.