Sunderland v Newcastle 1:30pm

If you are a Sunderland fan you must look ahead to these Tyne-Wear derbies with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. The Black Cats have won just one of the last 15 meetings between the two rivals and supporters will probably still be having nightmares about the 5-1 mauling they suffered at St James’ Park in 2010.

Both teams come into this game off the back of 3-0 pastings at the hands of clubs from Manchester. Neither side covered themselves in glory as they were beaten by Manchester United and Manchester City respectively, leaving both sets of players with a lot to think about during the international break.

The defeat at the Etihad Stadium was Sunderland’s first of the season and, despite only winning once, a solid backline and an in-form Steven Fletcher has stirred talk of a top-ten finish for the Wearsiders. Newcastle have also made a steady start as they look to build on last term’s fifth-place finish. However, Alan Pardew’s men aren’t earning the plaudits they did this time last year and are starting to look a bit like one-season wonders.

The Toon have been boosted by the news Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini and Tim Krul could all be fit to return having missed the last few weeks. Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote have returned from the international break without any problems and as such Pardew could have his strongest XI available.

While Steven Taylor might not rate Sunderland’s team they look to have enough about them to stop the out-of-sync Magpies. The Black Cats are 8/5 to pick up three points at home, while Newcastle are 15/8, with the draw a tempting 23/10. Fletcher to score anytime is 11/8 and, given the form he has been in, it might be worth getting on the former Wolves hitman.

QPR v Everton 4pm

Each game seems to be a must-win one for QPR at the minute, with Mark Hughes edging closer to the exit door after an awful start to the season. The R’s are currently rock bottom having picked up just two points from their first seven matches, losing last time out to West Brom. Hughes needed to get a win under his belt as soon as possible but that might be a tall order against Everton.

The Toffees are currently fourth after an excellent start but will be without talisman Marouane Fellaini, while Darron Gibson is unlikely to play despite recently returning to training. Without the central midfield duo, Everton might lack a bit of bite in the middle of the park but should still have enough quality to trouble Rangers.

David Moyes’ men have played a more expansive brand of football this term but that has seen them keep just one clean sheet all season thus far. With that in mind over 2.5 goals at 5/6 could be a worthwhile bet, while a draw looks the most likely outcome given QPR could be boosted by the return of a few players from injury.

The draw is one offer at 12/5, with QPR the same price to pick up three points for the first time, while Everton are 6/5 favourites in the match betting.

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Manchester United

Ferguson saw his side beat Tottenham 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to sit five points behind leaders Chelsea. And he insisted he is happy with the squad he has, and is not considering adding to it this season.

“We won’t be buying in January, definitely not,” said Ferguson in the Independent. “If you want someone to play in Europe, you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.”

The United boss added: “You have five months left of the season, I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back.

“If Michael Owen gets back, it is another new player coming back. So with the squad I’ve got, I don’t see any reason for us to buy anyone.”

Ferguson is not panicking over the size of his squad, or the fact that Wayne Rooney may not be back in action until mid-December (United 1/14 Top Four Finish).

Rooney was on hand at Old Trafford yesterday after returning from a mid-season break to Dubai with his wife Coleen.

“I think Wayne Rooney will be out for another five weeks,” Ferguson said in the Sunday Express. “He’ll have to pick up his fitness again. I would think five weeks should be about right.”

Rooney could miss a total of 15 games for club and country, after initially having targeted the Manchester derby against City next week.

United’s match at Blackpool on December 4 is now his comeback target, though the Champions’ League visit of Valencia three days later could also be in his sights (United 9/1 to win 2010-11 Champions League).

Ferguson went on to add: “With any player who has been out a few weeks, you want them 100 per cent and not breaking down. That is what happened to Ryan Giggs – he came back and trained a full week and maybe did too much.

“He lasted only 25 minutes against West Brom and it was a loss, because we didn’t have real cover for the wide positions.”

Ferguson said that Rooney would have to battle to regain his place in the team because of the form of Javier Hernandez, who has scored seven goals in 13 games for United.

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Vincent Kompany

The Belgium international defender chose to play down the prospect of Rooney making the short move across Manchester from United to City, although he did admit that he would relish the prospect of playing alongside such a quality player.

Instead Kompany chose to look at more imminent tasks as opposed to the possibility of City swooping to take Rooney, who cited a lack of ambition and assurances about United’s plans for the future as his reasons for snubbing a new deal offer and wanting to quit Old Trafford.

The City ace was more interested in looking ahead to the side’s mission to secure some silverware this season.

He said: “It is not for me to say. Obviously the focus is on what we are doing right now.

“I am sure in January there will a lot of discussion about players but now it does not seem to be a priority.

“He (Rooney) is a great player but am I saying anything surprising? I love playing against him as I love playing against great players.

“He gives you a difficult game but he makes you play better as well when you defend against him.”

Kompany feels Lech Poznan could pose a real threat to City and he urged his team-mates not to be complacent given that not won anything yet for the club.

He added: “This one is very important. The FA Cup (City 13/2 Outright) will be very important to us just as much as the league.

“Any trophy would be very welcome. The level in the Europa League (City 5/1 Outright) is very high. Any games in Europe gives you experience.”

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Craig Levein

The Scotland boss was asked about the newspaper reports in the build-up to the big game in Prague on Friday but refused to give any hint over his team selection, stressing he has yet to decide fully on his starting line-up.

Miller has begun the season in brilliant form in the SPL, scoring 10 goals already, while he was also on target for Scotland against Liechtenstein last time out.

It would be a major surprise if the forward was not in the starting line-up against the Czechs but Levein, in refusing to confirm he would be playing, appears to be hinting that will be the case.

“I am not going to make any comment at this minute in time. The team hasn’t been named, I can assure you of that,” he said.

When asked specifically if Miller (15/2 to be first or last goalscorer) was in his thoughts for the game, he added: “Of course. We will wait and see what happens.

“You can couch it in as many different ways as you want, I am not in any way going to give you any indication at this moment in time.

“The team will be named as usual on Thursday evening as usual, 24 hours before the match.

“I am not concerned at all about anything other than to tell you that I will name the team on Thursday evening.”

Queens Park Rangers striker Jamie Mackie, Wolves’ Steven Fletcher, Burnley’s Chris Iwelumo, Celtic’s Shaun Maloney and Miller’s Rangers team-mate, Steven Naismith, are the other striking options Levein has for the game, should he decide to leave Miller out.

Scotland have got off to a decent start in their qualifying campaign – winning one and drawing the other from their opening two games – and, if they can avoid defeat against the much-fancied Czechs, will head into the Hampden showdown with world and European champions, Spain, next week in good heart.

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The Frenchman is reportedly in line to take over at Villa Park and is thought to be on owner Randy Lerner’s shortlist to replace Martin O’Neill, who unexpectedly quit just before the start of the Premier League season.

There are suggestions the former Lyon boss could come in as director of football in a move that would see current caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald remain in charge of first-team affairs.

Houllier, who left Anfield in 2004 following six seasons in charge of the Reds, was back at Liverpool on Saturday for Jamie Carragher’s testimonial but he refused to be drawn on the speculation linking him with Villa.

When asked about his future, the current technical director for the French Football Federation said: “Never and always are two words you can’t use in football.”

Alan Curbishley is also said to be in the frame for the job while the likes of former England and Man City chief Sven Goran Eriksson, Everton boss David Moyes and even Birmingham manager Alex McLeish have all been linked with the post.

Villa (50/1 to be relegated this season) are next in action when they take on Stoke a week on Monday.

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Manchester United

The Serbian star, rated as one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League, has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs over the summer but has now extended his stay with United by signing a new four-year deal.

The likes of Italian giants AC Milan and La Liga outfit Real Madrid, now managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, had been mooted as possible suitors for the powerful stopper but Vidic will stick with United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was understandably delighted Vidic has agreed new terms.

Rio Ferdinand, who usually partners the powerful Serbian in the heart of the United defence, is still two or three weeks away from being able to play after suffering a knee injury in the build up to the World Cup and it was perhaps crucial that the United boss retained Vidic’s services.

“We are delighted Nemanja has committed his future to the club,” Ferguson said. “This kills all the silly speculation over the past few months.

“Nemanja has developed into one of the best centre-halves in Europe and we are pleased he will be here for many years to come.”

Both Real and AC Milan were rumoured to be lining up mega bids for the 28-year-old, with some sources speculating the duo would battle it out by launching bids of around £20million to capture the defender, but that speculation has now been ended.

The man himself revealed he was pleased to have extended his stay at Old Trafford and paid tribute to United for helping him improve as a player after joining in a £7.2million deal in 2005 from Russian side Spartak Moscow.

“I am very happy to sign this contract,” added Vidic. “I came to this club when I was young and have developed enormously with the help of the manager, coaching staff and my team-mates.

“During my time here we have had a lot of success and I look forward to continuing that success in the coming seasons.”

United take on Fulham at Craven Cottage as they look to continue their fine start to the season, having beaten Newcastle 3-0  and secured the Community Shield title with a 3-1 victory over Chelsea (Fulham 9/2, draw 14/5, Man Utd 8/13).

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Stoke

The Republic of Ireland international, 28, has been at the Britannia Stadium since 2006 after initially arriving on loan from Sunderland, but he was extremely tempted to move on this summer to try his luck in the SPL.

Lawrence’s admission came after Lennon, who was handed the manager’s job at the Bhoys permanently during the close season, declared his interest in taking the five-cap attacker north of the border.

However, Celtic’s spending plans appear to hinge on the sale of £10m-rated Aiden McGeady which left Lawrence in limbo as far as a switch to Parkhead is concerned.

But with just days to go before the start of the new Premier League – Stoke travel to Wolves on Saturday – Lawrence has decided to stick with the Potters and rule out a move away from the club for the time being (Wolves v Stoke 12/1 – Opening Day Fixtures – Game With Most Goals).

He told the Scottish Sun: “The idea of a move to Celtic was really appealing at the end of last season.

“It has gone on for so long now and they have bought a lot of players. Clearly, they’ve had plenty of opportunity to come and get me but for whatever reason it hasn’t happened.

“Stoke have been brilliant with me, stating they were prepared to give me the chance of a move if the conditions were right.

“I really wanted the opportunity to play for Celtic. If they had come in for me I would’ve been happy to go.”

Lawrence added: “With things dragging on it has given me time to reconsider everything.

“I have had a brilliant pre-season with Stoke, I’ve really enjoyed it, and now I feel I’ve got to be fair with them. I feel the best thing for me now is to stay and try to play in the Premier League.”

Stoke defied the odds to finish 11th last season and boss Tony Pulis is looking for them to kick on again this term.

The Welshman has already made room in his squad by parting company with the likes of Amdy Faye, Andy Griffin and Steve Simonsen, although so far he has only brought in Belgium youth international Florent Cuvelier from Portsmouth on a two-year contract.

Pulis’ number one aim is to land a big targetman and he has been linked with West Ham striker Carlton Cole and Sunderland hitman Kenwyne Jones.

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Arsene Wenger

The Gunners chief spoke out after watching his side comfortably defeat League Two Barnet 4-0 in their opening pre-season game on Saturday. And he called for questions regarding Barcelona’s summer-long pursuit of his captain to come to an immediate end by stressing for the umpteenth time that he is going nowhere.

“There was a lot of unneeded talk. It is not pleasant to read that every day. Now, the story has to stop,” Wenger said.

“Cesc is our captain, he is so important to us and we want to keep him, that is why we were not listening to any offers.

“It was not a problem of money, just the desire to keep him at the club.”

Barcelona (4/5 La Liga Primera Outright) president Sandro Rosell virtually conceded defeat in his efforts to sign Fabregas at the end of last week by claiming they would not offer silly money to try and land their former youth player after having an initial £30million bid snubbed.

Wenger must wait to see if Fabregas, who is enjoying a break following his World Cup winning exploits, pleads to be allowed to leave on his return to the Arsenal squad for the Emirates Cup on July 31/August 1. However, the Frenchman does not believe the player will cause any problems for him.

Wenger added: “We have shown our love and care for Cesc since the start.

“I believe Cesc loves the club, has shown his attachment to the club many times and I am very confident the story will end there.

“We want Cesc to be part of our club next year, and that is it.”

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Uruguay

The former Manchester United frontman insists that he is happy at Atletico Madrid and he does not want to return to the Premier League.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to sign a forward with Champions League experience as the London side compete in the prestigious tournament this season.

Forlan has been one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring three goals in Uruguay’s progression to the semi-finals of the competition. They now face the Netherlands in Cape Town in Tuesday’s first semi-final.

La Celeste’s last semi-final was 40 years ago and the side are hoping to emulate the World Cup winning sides of 1930 and 1950 (Uruguay 5/1, draw 13/5, Netherlands 8/13 – Match Prices).

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, the 31-year-old forward stated; “I am very happy in Madrid and I have three years left on my contract with Atletico.

“I will not go. Now I want to have another season as good or better than the one just completed.”

Meanwhile, Redknapp has once again expressed his desire to bring former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole to White Hart Lane.

Cole was released by the Blues after his contract at Stamford Bridge expired and the Spurs boss has been a long-time admirer of the England international.

The duo worked together at West Ham but Redknapp has admitted that the club is not close to doing a deal with him. He has hailed his professionalism, however, describing him as an “outstanding player”.

Cole?s England colleague, Jermain Defoe, has also expressed a desire to work with him, hailing his passion, desire and commitment to the cause.

Defoe told Sky Sports News: “When we were in South Africa (you could see) every day his passion and his drive to want to improve.

“In training he was sharp and he was strong, he just loves football – that’s Joe. So if we could get someone like that at the club it would be good for everyone.”

Spurs have been linked with several players during the close season and Redknapp has admitted he is hoping to sign one or two to bolster his squad for the challenges which lie ahead. However, he admits that his squad is already very talented and it’s tough to find players who are better than the ones they already have.

Spurs are 33/1 to win next season’s Premier League and face Manchester City in the first game of the 2010/2011 season (Spurs 5/4, draw 23/10, City 7/4 – Match Betting).

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Holloway has been linked to the Hammers job following an excellent season at Bloomfield Road in which he has guided the club to within 90 minutes of the Premier League (Blackpool 6/5 Promotion) following a top-six Championship finish and play-off semi-final win against Nottingham Forest.

However, ahead of Saturday’s Wembley showdown against Cardiff City, (Blackpool 21/10,Cardiff 13/10, draw 9/4 90 Minutes) Holloway has pledged his long-term future to the Seasiders.

He said: “It’s an honour to be linked with something like that but it’s not genuine is it? If it was genuine then my chairman (Karl Oyston) would be talking to me about it. I think a lot of journalists are quite lazy. They look at things and think ‘oh, we can throw that name in’.

“At the end of the day it’s the people at the top of the clubs who make these decisions. You read the stories but these newspapers will be wrapping someone’s chips tomorrow. Never believe what you read in the papers. I don’t.

“I’m doing a job as well as I possibly can and I’m more than happy to keep doing it.”

Holloway’s outburst comes on the back of Blackburn’s denial that West Ham have made an approach to take Sam Allardyce (16/1) to Upton Park, while Portsmouth have paved the way clear for Avram Grant (1/10) to leave Fratton Park and take the job by saying they will not demand any compensation.

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