Blackburn Rovers (20th) vs Arsenal (12th)
Blackburn playmaker Junior Hoilett is fit. The Canada-born forward was concussed after a heavy collision with Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer last week. Morten Gamst Pedersen (hamstring), David Dunn (calf) and Ryan Nelsen (knee) all face fitness tests.
Arsenal will welcome back Alex Song and Gervinho from three-match bans but midfielder Aaron Ramsey (ankle) faces a fitness test. Defender Carl Jenkinson is also available following a one-match suspension, but Tomas Rosicky (knee) and Ryo Miyaichi (calf) are doubts. Midfielders Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby (both ankle) are longer-term absentees.
This is the worst start to a Premier League season for both Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal. The home side are currently at the bottom of the standings, whereas their opponents are in 12th place after four games. Arsenal have lost only one out of the last 10 meetings between the two sides, winning seven matches in the process. My prediction will be Arsenal to win this game, 1-0 or 2-1.
Aston Villa (8th) vs Newcastle United (4th)
Aston Villa will be without Emile Heskey and Jermaine Jenas. Heskey looks set to be out for two to three weeks with a pulled hamstring, while on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jenas also misses out this weekend after suffering a thigh injury in training. Eric Lichaj is expected to be sidelined for three to four months after undergoing a hip operation. Fellow defender Carlos Cuellar is recovering well from a knee problem but lacks match fitness.
Full-back Davide Santon could be out of action for a month after suffering a cartilage injury which will require minor surgery. The 20-year-old former Inter Milan defender will miss out on a chance to make his senior debut for the club at Aston Villa on Saturday, and utility man Ryan Taylor is likely to continue in what has been a problem position for manager Alan Pardew since Jose Enrique's summer departure for Liverpool. Hatem Ben Arfa is back in training after his ankle injury but is unlikely to be risked at the weekend, although he could make the squad for Tuesday night's Carling Cup trip to Nottingham Forest, while Haris Vuckic (broken hand), Mehdi Abeid and Mike Williamson (broken arm) remain on the casualty list.
Both sides remained unbeaten in the league. With 7 of the last 10 ties between these two teams ended with the home team taking all three points, expect this game to continue with the trend. Prediction will be Aston Villa to win 2-0 or 3-1.
Everton (10th) vs Wigan (9th)
Loan signing Royston Drenthe could be pushing for his first Everton start against Wigan at Goodison Park on Saturday after featuring for the reserves in midweek. Fellow deadline-day arrival Denis Stracqualursi may also make his Toffees debut while Phil Neville is fighting to regain his place in the side after being left out last weekend. With striker Louis Saha still not fully match fit Tim Cahill is expected to start in attack again.
Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) is rated only 50-50. Defenders Steven Gohouri (calf) and Antolin Alcaraz (thigh) are getting closer to fitness but remain sidelined. Manager Roberto Martinez, who made seven changes in the Carling Cup in midweek, will revert to a more familiar line-up but Shaun Maloney, David Jones and Patrick van Aanholt could make league debuts.
Everton has been struggling at the moment and the departure of Mikel Arteta does not help their cause. Everton giving one goal is pretty generous to me. My pick will be Wigan +1 on the Asian Handicap.
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