Previews

Title contenders back in action

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 19/08/2009
Football betting

Manchester United and Liverpool are back in action in their second Premier League games of the season on Wednesday night.

But while United travel to newly-promoted Burnley looking for a second successive victory, Liverpool face a difficult home test against a muscular Stoke City side determined to inflict a second defeat in four days on the Reds.

Elsewhere, Tottenham travel to Hull City and Birmingham City play host to Portsmouth.

Burnley v Manchester United

Despite a first day loss at Stoke City, Owen Coyle's Burnley will be under no pressure in a game they will be expected to lose handsomely against the sportsbook favourites.

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With Steven Caldwell (groin) and Mike Duff (ankle) expected to miss out, the Clarets will need to call on the services of their defence to keep United's star-studded forward line at bay.

This has been bolstered by the £3million arrival of Cameroon international Andre Bikey from Reading in recent days.

Manchester United got their season off to a winning start although it was somewhat unconvincing.

Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game and he will be likely to be United's main goal threat on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson has a lengthy injury list with Rio Ferdinand (thigh), Edwin van Der Sar (thumb), Rafael (shoulder), Owen Hargreaves (knee), Nemanja Vidic (calf) and Gary Neville (groin) all likely to be missing.

Jonny Evans also limped off with a recurrence of an ankle injury on Sunday which only adds to Fergie's headache.

Liverpool v Stoke City

Liverpool will be hoping to put their opening day misery to the back of their minds when they face Stoke City at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez's men were largely disappointing in Sunday's 2-1 loss at Spurs and will be aiming to bounce back against Tony Pulis' men at the first opportunity.

New signing Alberto Aquilani (ankle) is still missing as is Albert Riera (ankle), Daniel Agger (back) and Fabio Aurelio (knee).

After a sickening clash of heads during Sunday's defeat, Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel could face late fitness checks before being considered.

Amdy Faye (back) and Mamady Sidibe (knee) are expected to miss out through injury for the visitors.

Hull City v Tottenham

Hull City will face a second London-based side in less than a week when they entertain Tottenham.

After cruelly losing to a last-gasp Didier Drogba goal on Saturday against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, manager Phil Brown will be aiming to pick his men up after their setback.

New signing Stephen Hunt was brought in to give the Tigers more of a goal threat and he scored on his debut and he'll be looking for more of the same against Harry Redknapp's men.

Kamel Ghilas, another newcomer, will be pushing for a starting berth after coming off the bench to make his Premier League debut.

Tottenham started with an excellent victory against the much fancied Liverpool with defenders Benoit Assou-Ekotto and debutant Sebastien Bassong securing the points at White Hart Lane in a 2-1 success.

Redknapp will expect his side to continue their promising start and with Robbie Keane missing a couple of glorious chances, he could bring in Roman Pavlyuchenko or Peter Crouch to the starting line-up.

Spurs are missing Jermaine Jenas (calf), Michael Dawson (Achilles), Gareth Bale (knee cartilage) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) ahead of the KC Stadium clash.

Birmingham v Portsmouth

Birmingham City face Portsmouth on Wednesday and will have been buoyed with their impressive yet losing start against Manchester United as they opened their Premier League campaign on Sunday.

The St Andrew's-based outfit pushed the reigning champions close at Old Trafford and will be looking to get their first points on the board when they face Paul Hart's beleaguered side.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has to select from a squad that is missing several key players through injury.

New signing Giovanny Espinoza and Scott Dann (both thigh) are rated highly doubtful for Wednesday's test.

Marcus Bent (hamstring), Martin Taylor (ankle) and Liam Ridgewell (broken leg) are all still missing.

Portsmouth, who opened up with a 1-0 home defeat against Fulham, need to arrest the slump that is not only occurring on the pitch but off it as well.

The club's takeover is no closer to being resolved and players are concerned.

To make things worse, defensive trio Linvoy Primus (ankle), Hermann Hreidarsson and Steve Finnan (both hamstring) are all likely to find the game coming too soon to feature.

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