Adriano for Chelsea?

The rumours has spread, Didier Drgoba might leave Chelsea for Inter for the near future but there might be a new Brazilian star coming to the premier league, Adriano.
The current Inter striker has been rumoured to join Chelsea with a swap of Drogba over to Inter.

Adriano, who has been dropped from then the 1st choice striker for Inter, might be partnering Ankelka in the strike force. Will he, just like Robinho be able to adapt so well in the premier league??? We will see about it IF the rumours are true about him.

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Man City v Arsenal

Arsenal have the chance to leapfrog third-placed Manchester United who do not play until the evening when Sir Alex Ferguson's men face Aston Villa who won 0-2 at the Emriates last time out

City have never scored more than one goal in any of their 22 Premier League matches against Arsenal and will be chasing only their second Premier League victory over Arsenal.

The Gunners have won eight and lost one of their last nine top-flight matches at City who have lost more matches (18) and dropped more points (60) to Arsenal than to any other club in the Premier League.

City team news

Captain Richard Dunne, midfielder Gelson Fernandes and striker Danny Sturridge could all return to Manchester City's squad.

Dunne and Fernandes have both completed one-match bans for their red cards against Tottenham a fortnight ago, while Sturridge has returned to training following three weeks out with an ankle injury.

However, Fernandes faces a late fitness check after coming off during Switzerland's midweek friendly win over Finland, while manager Mark Hughes could also add another goalkeeper to his squad as cover for the injured Joe Hart if he can make a suitable loan signing.

Arsenal team news

Arsenal forward Robin van Persie returns from suspension for the trip to Manchester City but midfielder Cesc Fabregas serves a one-match ban.

Kolo Toure (calf) is doubtful, while Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) are on the sidelines along with long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky (knee) and Eduardo (ankle).

Emmanuel Adebayor only returned from his ankle complaint last week so will require assessment before a decision is made.

William Gallas has been dropped and stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, the outspoken defender has paid the price for his verbal attack on his Arsenal team-mates and will not appear in Saturday's trip to Manchester City.

Squads

Manchester City: Schmeichel, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Kompany, Ireland, Mwaruwari, Robinho, Vassell, Fernandes, Ben-Haim, Jo, Onuoha, Ball, Hamann, Elano, Sturridge, Evans.

Arsenal: Almunia, Diaby, Sagna, Nasri, Denilson, Silvestre, Clichy, Bendtner, Vela, Ramsey, Song, Djourou, Fabianski, Adebayor, van Persie, Wilshere, Simpson.

Possible Full Time Score: Manchester City 2 Arsenal 2

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Liverpool v Fulham

Both Liverpool and Fulham are going for a third successive Barclays Premier League victory but the Cottagers have never won in 27 visits to Anfield in any competition, a record stretching back to 1934.

The Merseysiders are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches while Roy Hodgson's men have taken just one point on their travels.

Liverpool, who will go top if they get a better result than Chelsea, are at their most dangerous in the last 15 minutes of top-flight matches this term, when nine of their 21 goals have been scored; Fulham are also at their most susceptible then, as five of 11 goals have been shipped in the closing quarter-hour.

The Reds have scored 14 goals as they won their last four home Premier League meetings with Fulham who suffered their club record defeat at anfield when they lost 10-0 in a League Cup tie 22 years ago.

Last season Fernando Torres scored a fine individual goal as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners. Steven Gerrard also scored a penalty in the match.

Fulham were still under the stewardship of Lawrie Sanchez when the sides met at Anfield in November of last year. Now Roy Hodgson has made the job his own, with solid home form taking Fulham to 10th place in the Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool team news

Steven Gerrard is out of the match after the muscle tear which ruled him out of England's win in Germany on Wednesday.

Gerrard has been in light training but Liverpool assess his chances of being fit for next week's Champions League game with Marseille as only 50-50.

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa returns after a one-match ban and Robbie Keane has recovered from the shoulder injury which kept him out for the Republic of Ireland.

Fulham team news

Fulham have included Dickson Etuhu in their squad.

It is the first time the midfielder has been available for first-team duty since his August transfer from Sunderland after recovering from a knee injury.

Manager Roy Hodgson has no other injury concerns other than long-term absentee Diomansy Kamara (knee).

Squads

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Babel, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Riera, Cavalieri, Hyypia, Plessis, Dossena.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard, Murphy, Gera, Zamora, Johnson, Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Gray, Dempsey, Andreasen, Etuhu, Kallio, Baird, Seol, Stoor.

Possible FullTime Score: Liverpool 2 Fulham 0

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Chelsea v Newcastle United

Chelsea take on Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge knowing they will guarantee top spot if they notch a fifth successive Barclays Premier League victory.

Only goal difference is keeping the Magpies out of the relegation zone. They have not won on the road this season and have not beaten Chelsea in London since Andy Thomas got a brace and Peter Beardsley the other in a 1-3 victory on 22nd November 1986.

Chelsea have won their last six consecutive home league matches against Newcastle, conceding just one goal. They have kept clean sheets in nine of the 15 Premier League meetings at the Bridge.

Last season a depleted Chelsea side won this fixture 2-1 thanks to goals from Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou. A Wayne Bridge own-goal had brought Newcastle back into the match before Kalou's late strike.

Team Updates:
Chelsea injuries(i) and suspensions (Y) or (R)
Alex(i), Essien(i), J. Cole(i), Carvalho(i), Belletti(i), Di Santo(i)

Newcastle injuries(i) and suspensions (Y) or (R)
Taylor(i), Viduka(i), Xisco(i), Gonzalez(i), Smith(i)

Possible Full Time Score: Chelsea 3 Newcastle 0

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Aston Villa might just be in the Big Four

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Martin O'Neill, saying the Aston Villa manager could lead his club into the top four.

At one point during his time at Celtic, O'Neill was thought of as Ferguson's possible successor at Manchester United.

As the Scot has ruled out stepping down in the immediate future, O'Neill's name has drifted out of the frame.

Instead, he has grasped the challenge provided by owner Randy Lerner at Villa Park with both hands, assembling an impressive squad packed with young English talent.

After a brief stutter, victory at Arsenal last week took the Midlands giants level on points with the Gunners. And Ferguson does not feel it is totally beyond the realms of possibility that Villa will have gatecrashed the top four by the season's end.

"They can finish in the top four," said Ferguson.
They are level with Arsenal and not far behind us, which is a good position to be in. It will be interesting because it is such a competitive league.

"Without question, Martin O'Neill is one of the best managers in the game.

"The only way you can judge managers is how they prove themselves over a period. And the job he has done at Leicester, Celtic and now Aston Villa makes him an obvious top manager."

The work O'Neill has done is also having an impact at international level.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Gareth Barry were in the side that defeated Germany in Berlin on Wednesday, with Ashley Young and Curtis Davies muscling their way on to the bench.

Ferguson can see the positive effects as O'Neill sticks with the same side on a regular basis.

"He has built up a squad over the last couple of years that allows him consistent team selection," said Ferguson. "He doesn't make many changes and sticks by his format all the time."

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Nasri silenced United

Arsene Wenger got the response he wanted as Arsenal bounced back from turmoil to defeat Manchester United 2-1 thanks to a brace from Samir Nasri.

Gunners manager Wenger admitted dressing room morale was low after their 4-4 draw with rivals Tottenham and the defeat at Stoke - but this win at the at the Emirates Stadium breathes life into their campaign and lifts them above United in the Barclays Premier League.

Wenger had Emmanuel Adebayor injured and Robin van Persie suspended but Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth goals of the season.

Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home a late strike to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope - but there was no repeat of the memorable Spurs comeback.

It was Arsenal's first test this season against their traditional top-four rivals - and Wenger's men passed the examination.

First blood went to Arsenal, with Nasri's opener coming midway through the first half after Patrice Evra fouled Bacary Sagna on the right touchline.

Nasri's second came three minutes after the restart.

Fabregas wriggled around Neville and spotted Nasri unmarked on the penalty area, with the France youngster given enough space to bide his time and lash past Van der Sar.

Ronaldo was presented with a chance to pull a goal back but his finish, after meeting Park's cross with a first-time volley, went just the wrong side of Almunia's post.

Clichy then clattered into Ronaldo and earned a booking, with the action almost non-stop at this stage.

Rooney had a header saved by Almunia and he was inches from getting on the end of a Ronaldo cross, while Carrick picked up a yellow when he caught Almunia with a boot to the head.

Almunia's injury forced him off and Lukasz Fabianski was required off the bench for the last 12 minutes.Rafael, on as a substitute, pulled one back with less than a minute left - but Arsenal held on after six minutes of stoppage-time for the win they needed.

Man of the match : Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

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Liverpool v West Brom

Fernando Torres is back in Liverpool's squad for the Premier League fixture against West Bromwich Albion after missing six matches with a hamstring injury.

The Spanish striker is expected to start the evening kick-off against the Baggies at Anfield although Reds boss Rafael Benitez will not make a firm decision until nearer kick-off.

He would like to reunite Torres with strike colleague Robbie Keane, who was forming an impressive partnership with the Spaniard before injury ruled out the 24-year-old.

Team Update

West Brom are once again without central defenders Leon Barnett and Abdoulaye Meite.

Barnett is recovering from minor knee surgery while Meite will miss an eighth successive match as he continues his recovery from a calf strain.

Scottish international midfielder James Morrison is fit to play after recovering from the back problem that forced him off against Blackburn Rovers last Saturday.

Midfielder Filipe Teixeira, who has not played since March due to a knee ligament injury, is set to return to the squad.

Squads

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Pennant, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Riera, Cavalieri.

West Brom: Carson, Kiely, Zuiverloon, Hoefkens, Barnett, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Koren, Teixeira, Valero, Brunt, Miller, Bednar, Moore, Slusarski, MacDonald, Pele.

Possible Full Time score: Liverpool 3 West Brom 0

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Spurs continues their hot form

Roman Pavlyuchenko pounced on the stroke of full-time to lift Tottenham Hotspur off the foot of Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool took the lead with just two minutes on the clock through a magnificent finish by Dirk Kuyt that saw Heurelho Gomes exposed.

Jamie Carragher's own goal appeared to have salvaged a point for Spurs but Harry Redknapp's side had grander ideas.

With injury time approaching, Pavlyuchenko tucked home a Darren Bent pass to deny the Reds their return to the summit of the table and end the top flight's last unbeaten record.

Liverpool allowed a flurry of chances to slip by, with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso missing the pick of them, until Carragher rose high in the 69th minute to nod into his own net.

They should have been out of sight before Carragher struck while Spurs displayed more of the fighting spirit which served them so well against Arsenal in midweek.

The victory rung up Redknapp's seventh point in three matches since replacing Juande Ramos a week ago, a remarkable return given Spurs' dismal position until his arrival.

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Ronaldo is back to score again

They may not have won, or even claimed a point, but Hull City's triumphant march on the Barclays Premier League won fresh admirers after they finally gave way in a pulsating duel with Manchester United.

At 4-1 up just before the hour mark, the Premier League and European champions should have cruised home.

Instead, they reached the final whistle severely rattled as Bernard Mendy and Geovanni breathed new life into the contest and forced Sir Alex Ferguson's men to cling on for maximum points, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting a double.

As they had already won at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and, more pertinently, Arsenal this season, Hull had every reason for optimism as they travelled across the M62 to Old Trafford for a league match for the first time since 1975.

They refused to buckle even after Ronaldo had given United a third minute lead, although the slack marking that allowed Ronaldo to exchange passes with Dimitar Berbatov before seeing his shot cannon in off Boaz Myhill's left-hand post would eventually return to haunt them.

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Manchester United v Hull City

Wes Brown will miss Manchester United's match with Hull City on Saturday after picking up an ankle injury.

Brown should be fit to face Celtic on Wednesday but his absence means Gary Neville is set for the right-back slot.

Edwin van der Sar and Michael Carrick should also be handed starting berths as United look to keep the pressure on Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Team Updates

Hull will make their first change in six matches with captain Ian Ashbee suspended for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester United.

Ashbee must serve a one-match ban after being booked for the fifth time this season against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Bryan Hughes, a substitute four times this season, could come in but Bernard Mendy is also an option.

Record signing Anthony Gardner faces a further three weeks out after pulling a thigh muscle in a friendly against Leeds on Monday. Gardner lost his place last month after injuring his opposite thigh.

Squads

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney, Hughes, Boateng, Geovanni, King, Cousin, Barmby, Garcia, Windass, Mendy, Halmosi, Folan, Ricketts, Giannakopoulos, Duke.

Possible Full Time score: Man Utd 4 Hull City 0

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Stoke City v Arsenal

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is expected to name an unchanged side for Saturday's home match against Arsenal after being impressed by the performance in Wednesday's win over Sunderland.

With no new injury worries, the Stoke manager took his players through a light training session today to finalise preparations for the Barclays Premier League match.

Winger Liam Lawrence, who has missed the last four matches, is expected to be out for another month after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ankle ligament.

Team Updates

Arsenal are likely to be without defenders William Gallas and Emmanuel Eboue as manager Arsene Wenger considers whether or not to make significant changes to the side which allowed Tottenham Hotspur to make an unlikely comeback at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Captain Gallas is almost definitely out with a hamstring problem, opening the door for Kolo Toure's return, and Eboue faces further tests on a knee injury,

Midfielder Denilson (back), defenders Bacary Sagna and striker Emmanuel Adebayor all returned to the starting line-up against Spurs and should be fit once more.

Striker Eduardo is closing in on a return from his broken leg, but Czech winger Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) looks set to remain in recovery until the new year.

Squads

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Soares, Diao, Olofinjana, Delap, Sidibe, Fuller, Simonsen, Kitson, Pericard, Amdy Faye, Tonge, Wilkinson, Sonko, Whelan, Cresswell, Cort.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Silvestre, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Eboue, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Toure, Vela, Bendtner, Diaby.

Possible Scoreline: Stoke 1 Arsenal 4

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Chelsea v Sunderland

Chelsea are without defender Ricardo Carvalho for Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of Sunderland.

The Portuguese injured his thigh in the 3-0 win over Hull City in midweek and could be out for up to three weeks according to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's initial assessment.

Joe Cole is a doubt after a knock to his ankle in the same ma tch.

Meanwhile Didier Drogba (knee), Michael Ballack (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Team Update

Kenwyne Jones is likely to make his first start of the season for Sunderland after recovering from knee ligament damage.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon (ankle) is still struggling so Marton Fulop is expected to start his third match in a row.

Phil Bardsley suffered a dead-leg at Stoke on Wednesday but he should recover in time.

Roy Keane has said there will be changes after the 1-0 defeat at Stoke City, and Teemu Tainio, Nyron Nosworthy and Pascal Chimbonda are pushing for a return.

Squads

Chelsea: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Bridge, A Cole, Obi, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Lampard, Sinclair, Mancienne, Belletti, Anelka, Malouda, Stoch, Kalou, Deco, Bosingwa, J Cole.

Sunderland: Gordon, Fulop, Colgan, Bardsley, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Nosworthy, Collins, McCartney, Malbranque, Whitehead, Tainio, Leadbitter, Miller, Yorke, Richardson, Reid, Diouf, Jones, Cisse, Chopra, Murphy, Healy, Waghorn.

Possible Scoreline: Chelsea 2 Sunderland 0

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