English Premiere League Week 24 Live Stream

Chelsea's clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge headlines the Premier League's Week 24 fixtures, but there's a number of other important matches happening at the top and bottom of the division.

Crystal Palace take on Sunderland in a key fixture in their respective relegation battles, while their rivals at the bottom all face sides in the top six.

Hull City host Liverpool and Leicester City do the same for Manchester United, while Middlesbrough and Swansea City travel to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, respectively.

Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland

Both Palace and Sunderland enjoyed positive results in their most recent outings, with the former beating Bournemouth 2-0 and the latter eking out a 0-0 draw with Tottenham.

The Eagles made strides to solidify their team in the transfer window and brought in centre-back Mamadou Sakho and holding midfielder Luka Milivojevic on deadline day.

Unfortunately for Palace, neither is expected to make their debuts against Sunderland, per BBC Sport, so they'll need to do without.

Sam Allardyce's charges have won only once in their last eight Premier League home games, and that was on December 3 when Alan Pardew was still in charge. Sunderland have an awful away record this season, though, having lost nine of their 11 matches on the road and won just once.

A win would be significant for both sides—Palace could potentially escape the relegation zone, while Sunderland would make up much-needed ground on their rivals.

If something is to give on Saturday, a Palace win seems the slightly more likely outcome given their superior quality—even without Sakho and Milivojevic.


Leicester City vs. Manchester United

Three defeats in a row for the Foxes have eaten into their buffer ahead of the relegation places, and the champions are now firmly in the fight for survival having been caught by Middlesbrough and Swansea, with Palace, Hull and Sunderland close behind.

Claudio Ranieri's side slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Burnley last time out courtesy of a controversial winner from Sam Vokes.

If Leicester are to turn their campaign around and climb out of the mire they find themselves in, they need points on the board fast—they could be in the bottom three by Sunday evening if they lose to United and Palace beat the Black Cats.

The Red Devils have problems of their own after drawing their third league game in succession last time out, leaving them four points adrift of the UEFA Champions League places.

A similarly uninspired outing would be a huge boost to Leicester's chances of getting something from the game, but they've not scored a Premier League goal in 2017, and the defensive solidity that characterised the latter half of their title-winning campaign remains nowhere to be seen.

With the creativity and firepower at United's disposal, Leicester will be relying on some truly wayward finishing if they're to avoid getting beaten handily here.

Jose Mourinho's side have demonstrated that on several occasions this season—including the stalemate with Hull—but in all likelihood, they'll have plenty of opportunities against the hapless Foxes and shouldn't have too much trouble keeping them out.

The matches can be streamed live via Sky Go, BT Sport Player and NBC Sports Live.

Premier League: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

Mauricio Pochettino wants to begin reshaping the history of the north London derby when he takes his Tottenham Hotspur side to Arsenal on Saturday.

The Argentinian is preparing for his first taste of this famous fixture since being appointed Spurs head coach in May and his side have the weight of history against them. The Lilywhites have occupied Arsenal's shadow for almost the entirety of the Barclays Premier League era, having finished above their bitter rivals just twice in that time, most recently in the 1994/95 campaign.

Pochettino is hoping to orchestrate a changing of the guard, though, starting with the short trip to Emirates Stadium this weekend.

"We are ambitious,” the 42-year-old said when asked at his pre-match news conference about finishing above Arsenal. "We [the coaching team] arrived three months ago and we need to make our way but we are focused on the game and know the history. But it is also important to write the history, starting now.

"This is a big game, a tough game, I know. It is always an important game. We need to prepare for the game, to have a good performance and be aggressive."

Spurs' form heading into the crunch clash has been mixed, although they did end a four-match winless run in all competitions by coming from behind to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the League Cup on Wednesday. But that came after a disappointing 1-0 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League.

Pochettino rested several star names for the match with Forest and is likely to revert to a more familiar XI against Arsenal, but full-back Kyle Walker (pelvis) remains sidelined.

Arsenal, too, have been somewhat inconsistent in the early stages of the campaign. Arsene Wenger's men, who are unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League this season, scored three goals in just over three first-half minutes in last Saturday's 3-0 victory at Aston Villa.

However, in the matches either side of that win Arsenal were outplayed in a 2-0 UEFA Champions League defeat at Borussia Dortmund and knocked out of the League Cup by Southampton, albeit with a much-changed side in the latter fixture.

"It was a disappointment to go out against Southampton but there will be a completely different team tomorrow," said Wenger.

Indeed Saturday's derby at Emirates Stadium represents a chance to put that disappointment behind them and ushers in a sequence of three big matches for the club. After facing Spurs, Arsenal host Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday before a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on early pacesetters Chelsea next Sunday.

"Our start has been decent but we enter the second block of games now which will be crucial," said Wenger. "I only have my eye on the next game because it's a massive one but it's true we have an important week.

"North London derbies are always very intense and the players from both sides know each other so well.

Wenger believes Saturday's opponents will be more of a force this season after the managerial upheaval at White Hart Lane during the previous campaign.

"It's too early to judge a team but Tottenham will benefit from the stability they will have this season," he said. "I'm always a fan of stability because the manager carries the values of a club better than anyone else.

"I'm more proud to reach our targets and we've had to compete with Tottenham to get into the Champions League."

Wenger has cause for optimism, with his side having enjoyed plenty of success in matches against their local rivals. Spurs' last victory at Emirates Stadium came in November 2010 when a second-half revival earned a 3-2 triumph, but Arsenal have won the following three home league encounters, with two of those matches ending in 5-2 wins. The teams met on three occasions last term with the Gunners coming out on top each time and Spurs failing to score.

The Gunners welcome back Mathieu Flamini and Per Mertesacker, but Theo Walcott (knee), Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy (both ankle), Yaya Sanogo (hamstring) and Nacho Monreal (back) remain absent.

Arsenal (from): Martinez, Ospina, Szczesny, Chambers, Debuchy, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Diaby, Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Alexis, Campbell, Podolski, Welbeck.

Tottenham Hotspur (from): Friedel, Lloris, Vorm, Chiriches, Davies, Dier, Fazio, Kaboul, Naughton, Rose, Veljkovic, Vertonghen, Bentaleb, Capoue, Ceballos, Chadli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Lennon, Mason, Paulinho, Stambouli, Townsend, Adebayor, Kane, Soldado.

Premier League: Manchester United vs West Ham United

Louis van Gaal has called Paddy McNair and Tom Thorpe into his squad for Manchester United's Barclays Premier Leaue with West Ham United on Saturday.

The United manager Van Gaal has seen his defensive options severely limited by Tyler Blackett's suspension and injuries to Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans.

Reserve-team captain Thorpe, 21, or 19-year-old McNair could therefore partner Marcos Rojo, who is likely to move inside from left-back, against Sam Allardyce's men.

Van Gaal confirmed the inclusion of the inexperienced duo before going on to explain why the versatile Daley Blind, a left-footer like Rojo, will not be utilised in the heart of the defence.

"They [McNair and Thorpe] are in the squad," Van Gaal told MUTV. "That is always why we have a youth education. It was also our policy [to utilise the youth squads] and always the policy of the club too.

"I don't like having too many left-sided defenders or left-footed players in defence. I think always of balance so I have to pick up a right-sided central defender from the youth education. Normally, I am always doing things like that. I have already said that we have a lot of vacancies when you buy only six players and let 14 players go.

"The amount of injuries is worrying me and they are not coming back. Smalling is already, for the third time, injured. Evans also. Jones had one injury in the national team, which was unfortunate. I am a coach who has a lot of experience and I believe I was never in this situation before so it is surprising me. I am evaluating myself and my staff and also the players and what is wrong.

"But I cannot imagine what we are doing is at another level to [what I did at] my former clubs. So I have already adapted to a certain level that I think we can play during a game but I cannot train at a lower level."

The Hammers come into the game in fine spirits after a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Liverpool last Saturday.

Early goals from Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho laid the foundations for a victory which sees the London club occupy eighth place in the top flight.

As Allardyce seeks West Ham's first BPL win over United since 2007, the 59-year-old has a certain amount of sympathy for his opposite number.

"It takes time to get players gelling together. It's not an excuse, it's an actual fact," he said. "It takes time for everyone to get to know each other. United have already changed the system once to find a solution.

"They've got a few injuries, particularly defensive ones, so it's another opportunity for us to exploit.

"We are going into the game with confidence, and as underdogs. Hopefully we can go out and continue our good performances and get a result."

West Ham will be without Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate (groin), while Saturday's fixture will also come too soon for Kevin Nolan (shoulder) and Matt Jarvis (thigh).

Manchester United (from): Amos, De Gea, Johnstone, Lindegaard, Blind, Rafael, Rojo, Shaw, Vermijl, Anderson, Di Maria, Fletcher, Herrera, James, Januzaj, Mata, Valencia, Falcao, W Keane, Rooney, Van Persie, Wilson.

West Ham United (from): Adrian, Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Collins, Cresswell, Demel, Jenkinson, Potts, Reid, Tomkins, Amalfitano, Downing, Lletget, Noble, Poyet, Song, Cole, Sakho, Valencia, Vaz Te, Zarate.

Premier League: Chelsea vs Aston Villa

Ashley Westwood is confident a revitalised Aston Villa can cause Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea problems at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Paul Lambert's men suffered their first top-flight defeat of the campaign against Arsenal last weekend after a virus had swept through the club's training ground. Westwood, Nathan Baker and Darren Bent all missed on the 3-0 defeat at Villa Park, while Andreas Weimann could play despite feeling unwell. Three goals in quick succession after the half-hour stunned Villa and there was no way back as they were brought back down to earth.

Lambert's men face another stern test this weekend, but they beat Chelsea 1-0 the last time the two sides met courtesy of Fabian Delph's late goal in a dramatic match in which Brazil duo Willian and Ramires were sent off.

Westwood feels Villa can again cause more problems for the London club this weekend.

"Last year we went there in the middle of a tough run of games, we played them in midweek and we thought we should have got something out of the game," he told the Birmingham Mail, referring to a 2-1 defeat in west London. "We were unlucky then, but we'll go there this year with confidence again, just as we did [in the 1-0 win] against Liverpool at Anfield.

"If we play like we did last year at Stamford Bridge, going there and unsettling them and taking them away from their game, then we can hit them with Gabby [Agbonlahor] and the other quick players we have up front."

While Villa had a midweek to recover, Chelsea were given a thorough workout as they beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in the third round of the League Cup. Oscar's second-half goal wrapped up victory over the Championship side, which came after draws against Schalke in the UEFA Champions League and Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League.

Jose Mourinho's side and Arsenal are the only teams yet to suffer defeat in the Barclays Premier League this term, but Blues defender Gary Cahill warned his team-mates not to expect an easy ride against his former club.

"I had a great time at Villa," Cahill told Chelsea's website. "I owe a lot to them, they brought me through and I had a great time, so I'm looking forward to it.

"They've had a great start to the season, apart from their last result, so it's going to be another tough test for us. At the moment we're unbeaten, we're going well and we should have confidence, especially playing in front of our own fans at Stamford Bridge."

Villa look set to have a host of players back at full fitness after recovering from illness. Lambert confirmed on Thursday that Ron Vlaar is "really struggling" for Saturday's game due to a calf problem, while long-term absentees Christian Benteke (Achilles) and Libor Kozak (leg) remain out of action.

Mourinho will continue to protect Diego Costa as the striker attempts to overcome hamstring problems. Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, Costa has been held back by Mourinho, starting only in the Premier League, with one brief substitute's appearance in the UEFA Champions League against Schalke.

Mourinho stated that Chelsea would closely monitor the situation going forward.

"He plays tomorrow and he starts the game without problems," Mourinho said. "The question is always the same, can he finish the game and be in condition to play in Lisbon 48 hours later?

"It is a question that in this moment I don't know because I don't think about Sporting and the Champions League, I think about Aston Villa and the Premier League. Everybody is working hard and he is the first one to do that. He works with the technical staff and the medical department, he works with the physios. He's trying to be ready for every game because mentally he is ready for every game. Physically he's not so everybody is trying hard for him to be able to play every game."

The manager's main concern is Ramires, who will be out until the international break next month, Mourinho said.

"It is a muscular injury so he's not to play Tuesday or to play against Arsenal [next Sunday]," he said. "He needs the international two weeks break, he needs that time so maybe he can be back after that."

Chelsea (from): Cech, Courtois, Schwarzer, Ake, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Christensen, Filipe, Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Salah, Willian, Costa, Drogba, Remy, Schurrle.

Aston Villa (from): Given, Guzan, Bacuna, Baker, Clark, Herd, Hutton, Lowton, Okore, Senderos, Vlaar, Cleverley, Cole, Delph, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Richardson, Sanchez, Westwood, Agbonlahor, Bent, Burke, Weimann.

Premier League: Everton vs Liverpool (September 27, 2014)

Roberto Martinez believes Everton and Liverpool head into the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday in similar shape after both teams have suffered stuttering starts to the season.

The 2013/14 campaign was a stellar one for both clubs, as Liverpool almost clinched their first Barclays Premier League title in 24 years, while Everton mounted a serious challenge for UEFA Champions League qualification before finishing fifth and settling for a place in the Europa League.

The 2014/15 season has not gone to plan so far, with Everton winning just once in their opening five top-flight encounters, while their city rivals have lost three of their matches to fall seven points behind leaders Chelsea at this early stage.

Ahead of Saturday's encounter at Anfield, where Everton have not won since 1999 and were beaten 4-0 last season, Martinez believes both clubs are taking time to adjust with new-look squads and a more hectic schedule.

"Every team changes when you change personnel," he said. "You need to find different ways of playing and there is a bit of adaptation with European football because we're both going through the same period.

"It's early in the season and it's about adapting to those demands and having different players and new ways of playing because obviously Luis Suarez was very significant.

"The game is going to be exciting. This one is building up to being a very good game. It's only three points, but three points that are very, very important for both sides."

Martinez still has doubts over the fitness of Steven Pienaar (groin) and Seamus Coleman (head injury), but Bryan Oviedo made his first appearance since breaking a leg in January in Tuesday's 3-0 Capital One Cup loss at Swansea City.

Arouna Kone was an unused substitute at Swansea after overcoming a knee problem, and the Ivory Coast forward is in contention again for the trip to Anfield.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers sees Saturday's match as an opportunity for his side to put their inconsistent start to the campaign behind them.

"In the league, with us winning two games and losing three, it's not ideal but there are still positives to take out of it," he said.

"If I look at the corresponding games last season, there's only a one point difference and we ended up doing OK. We know we need to be better. We know we need to improve our performance levels.

"The derby gives us an opportunity to do that. It provides a platform to go on a good, consistent run. Last season, we had a great spell after our win [in January].

"Everton are a good side, with very good players. They're different to us, but they've got a lot of quality. They've probably not got the results they've wanted, but Roberto is an excellent manager.

"He's done a great job there and being a derby game, it will be tough for us."

Rodgers revealed on Thursday that Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) is nearing a return but remains a doubt, while Liverpool also have concerns over Joe Allen and Glen Johnson (both knee) as well as Jordan Henderson (hip) and Philippe Coutinho (groin).

Liverpool (from): Jones, Mignolet, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Lovren, Manquillo, Moreno, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Allen, Coutinho, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Lucas, Markovic, Suso, Balotelli, Borini, Lambert, Sterling, Sturridge.

Everton (from): Howard, Joel, Stanek, Alcaraz, Baines, Browning, Coleman, Distin, Garbutt, Hibbert, Jagielka, Stones, Atsu, Barry, Besic, Gibson, Junior, McCarthy, McGeady, Osman, Oviedo, Pienaar, Eto'o, Kone, Long, Lukaku, McAleny, Mirallas, Naismith.

Premier League: Manchester City vs Chelsea

Chelsea won this corresponding fixture 1-0 last season – the only team to come away from the Etihad in the league with a win – as Jose Mourinho’s side did the double over Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

However City have already slipped to a home defeat this term – a 1-0 reverse to Stoke – and followed that loss with a 2-2 home draw with Arsenal.

Those slip-ups see the champions already sitting five points behind early league leaders Chelsea, who have four wins out of four this term.

Star striker Diego Costa has come into the side to fire the Blues to the top, with seven goals already this campaign.

Pellegrini will have to come up with a plan to contain the striker in what should prove a mouth-watering tactical clash with ‘Special One’ Mourinho, who was widely praised for the tactics employed to win at the Etihad last term.

The game is also sure to prove emotional for Chelsea's record goalscorer Frank Lampard, who left Stamford Bridge in the summer after 13 seasons, signing for New York City FC before being loaned to Manchester City in a six-month deal.

Manchester City have only failed to score in two of their last 71 home league games; against Stoke last time out and against Chelsea last season.

Chelsea have won away from home at Manchester City more often than any other team in Barclays Premier League history (11 times).

Joe Hart should make his 200th Premier League appearance for Man City in this game.

Eden Hazard has created the most chances (14) without recording a single assist in the Premier League this season.

Both teams go into the clash after midweek UEFA Champions League games against German opposition – City going down to a last-gasp 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich, while Chelsea were held 1-1 by Schalke.

City's star striker Sergio Aguero is also set to start after he was rested for the Bayern Munich clash.

Costa will start for Chelsea against Manchester City on Sunday despite a hamstring problem.

The striker was only a substitute in Wednesday's Champions League draw with Schalke and cannot play more than one full game a week at present.

Manager Mourinho reported no other injury problems.

Mourinho has suggested Costa won’t play and if that happens then Man City will win, it’s as simple as that. He's not going to play him in the Capital One Cup so I’ve no doubt he will play in this one though.

As for Man City, they didn’t have enough pace on the break against Bayern Munich and it was only a matter of time before they conceded to a top team.

Premier League: Manchester United vs Queens Park Rangers

As Old Trafford regulars await the first sight of their new No 7 this afternoon, the view back at Angel Di Maria’s hometown club, Rosario Central, is that he has everything it takes to become a Manchester United hero.

Di Maria will follow a famous line of United No 7s and, according to Alberto Gomez, his coach in Rosario’s junior teams, the 25-year-old is ready to shine in the shirt worn by Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. “I have no doubt because I see him getting better and better, with the desire and determination to be the figure he wants to be – the best in the world,” he tells the Independent on Sunday.

Rosario may also be Lionel Messi’s home city but Argentina shirts with his name were outnumbered by Di Maria ones during the World Cup and Gomez says the evidence of his performance in Argentina’s 4-2 victory over Germany at the start of the month shows the player he has become. “He’s a player who takes charge. He has trust in his ability and is brave as well as skilful. He will confront anything. He almost won the game against Germany on his own.”

It was a performance that came in a right attacking role rather than the left-wing, where he played for Gomez between 13 and 15. The player was only six when Central spotted him playing for El Torito, a club who famously agreed to let him move on in return for 26 footballs.

What Gomez, now co-ordinator for the club’s youth department, remembers above all of the skinny winger, is his love of dribbling. “As a boy you could see he had a special ability – he loved to dribble. He was born with this skill and he put it to use every time he got the ball. He was a very quiet boy and very obedient. We never had any problems with him.”

And on the football pitch he was transformed. “He was a daring player,” said Gomez. “He would win games on his own, he would dribble past a lot of players and score goals – like he does today

“He always wanted the ball. There are players who are there as intermediaries, they get the ball and give it. He wanted to get it and dribble and score goals. On top of that he was a really good passer; he was excellent at providing assists.”

Di Maria did just that on his senior debut aged 17 in a 2-2 draw at Sergio Aguero’s Independiente; he came off the bench and provided the cross for a late equaliser. Gomez was not surprised. After all this is a player that, in Spanish, he describes as desequilibrante. “He unbalances the opposition and he adapted straight away in the top division. Some players with real talent have come through here but Angel has shown he is ready for elite football and to be the best in the world. I have no doubt a  special player came out of Rosario Central.”

Premier League: Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Liverpool will have to cope without Daniel Sturridge when they return to Premier League action at home to Aston Villa on Saturday. Sturridge is set to miss three weeks after picking up a thigh injury while on international duty with England, meaning that Liverpool will now have to make do without their two top scorers of last season, with Luis Suarez now ready to showcase his considerable talents in Barcelona. Sturridge’s injury, in the aftermath of a friendly against Norway, was one that particularly irked manager Brendan Rodgers.

“For him to pick up a thigh injury when he did was disappointing for us,” he said. “For us we’ve lost a player who was outstanding in our last game against Tottenham and we certainly feel it could have been prevented.”

The injury also means that there will be more early pressure than Rodgers surely would have liked on the shoulders of Mario Balotelli. The Italian made his debut two weeks ago following his £16 million move from Milan and, while he failed to score, he more than played his part in a convincing 3-0 victory over Tottenham. He has had plenty of time to get accustomed to his new surroundings and prepare for his Anfield bow, having being overlooked by new Italy boss Antonio Conte. It is an illustration that, to many, he has much to prove. Without Sturridge he will now have the platform to do just that.

Ahead of Liverpool’s return to the Champions League against Ludogorets on Tuesday, Rodgers will have to decide whether Balotelli starts alongside fellow summer arrival Rickie Lambert, or is another of the summer signings, Lazar Markovic, could make his first start as part of a forward three. Adam Lallana is also in contention to make his debut having had an outing in a behind-close-doors-friendly, although the former Southampton midfielder remains short of match fitness. Liverpool have other injury concerns, too, with Emre Can joining Sturridge in returning hurt from international duty and now being out for six weeks. Defenders Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan also remain out.

While Sturridge was back at Liverpool, Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph was making his full England debut and earning much praise for his part in an encouraging 2-0 win in Switzerland in qualifying for Euro 2016. He could now lineup at Anfield alongside a man who not so long ago was a regular in the England midfield, Tom Cleverley. The 25-year-old has endured a torrid past 12 months, during which he has been used as a scapegoat by many Manchester United fans for the club’s fall from grace. He didn’t make the best first impression at his new club, either. It was reportedly only after a permanent move to Villa broke down over his wage demands that he sealed a loan deal after the deadline had passed. But Cleverley states that he is relishing the chance at Villa Park and the prospect of working with manager Paul Lambert and assistant Roy Keane.

“I see this as a good opportunity to get into the team hopefully, improve Villa and get my career back on that upward curve,” he said, according to Aston Villa’s official website. “To work with Paul and Roy too -- two top midfielders in their time -- hopefully can develop my game. That's a massive pull for me - two fantastic footballers who have won everything there is to win in club football. Hopefully their experience and knowledge of the position will help me progress this season.”

Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar is expected to face a late fitness test on a calf injury, but fellow center-back Jores Okore is back in contention for his first appearance for Villa in almost exactly a year, having played in Denmark’s win over Armenia in midweek.

Prediction: Villa have provided tough opposition for Liverpool in recent times and, indeed, they have fared well against the top sides in general. It is no coincidence, with Villa far more comfortable sitting back at hitting teams on the break. Although they have started the season with an impressive seven points from three matches, they have hardly been thrilling to watch -- scoring three goals and conceding just one. Liverpool will find it hard to break through a packed midfield, but if Vlaar is not fully fit then Villa’s defense will be vulnerable and the home side, even without Sturridge, should secure a narrow win.

Premier League: Chelsea vs Swansea

Garry Monk believes "powerhouses" Chelsea will take some stopping this season ahead of Swansea City's trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Swansea and Jose Mourinho's side have made perfect starts to the Barclays Premier League campaign and are the only teams to have won their opening three matches. While Monk's Swansea side were not expected to be early front-runners, leaders Chelsea were installed as title favourites after a spending spree which included Spain duo Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.

Costa has wasted no time in making an impact in English football, scoring four goals in his first three Barclays Premier League matches, including a brace as Chelsea beat Everton 6-3 at Goodison Park last time out.

Monk is not surprised to see Chelsea hit the ground running, but believes his in-form side are capable of bringing them back down to earth on Saturday.

"They are one of the powerhouses of the league," Monk said. "They have quality players over the pitch. When you analyse them, there are a lot more strengths than weaknesses.

"They can hurt you in many areas via different players. They'll be favourites for the title this season. But they'll be a good test for us.

"There's always a plan, every team in the world is beatable. We have to give our best performance in order to warrant winning any points. We have to go out there, be ourselves, be confident and hope it's good enough to get the points."

Swansea coasted to a 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion before the international break and have kept three clean sheets in a row in all competitions. The Welsh club have not beaten Chelsea in a league encounter since 1981 and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be confident of extending that run on Saturday.

Costa's fitness will be assessed after the striker pulled out of the Spain squad to face Macedonia with a hamstring injury and Eden Hazard (Achilles) will also be monitored. Loic Remy could make his debut following his move from QPR.

Swansea will be without midfielder Leon Britton with a knee injury and Marvin Emnes may return to the squad after a knee problem.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Courtois, Schwarzer, Ake, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Christensen, Filipe, Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Salah, Willian, Costa, Drogba, Remy, Schurrle.

Swansea City (from): Cornell, Fabianski, Tremmel, Amat, Bartley, Fernandez, Kingsley, Obeng, Rangel, Tate, Taylor, Tiendalli, Williams, Carroll, Dyer, Fulton, Ki, Montero, Richards, Routledge, Sigurdsson, Sheehan, Shelvey, Barrow, Bony, Emnes, Gomis.

Manchester City vs. Liverpool EPL 2014 match

After their impressive 2-0 opening-day victory over Newcastle at St James' Park, Manchester City's next Premier League test is even tougher. Liverpool are the visitors to the Etihad on Monday evening, with City keenly aware that a win against a title rival so early in the season would lay down a significant marker to the rest of the league.

Manuel Pellegrini, the City boss, is well-aware of the importance of the game, saying in his press conference at Carrington on Friday:

The Chilean, though, has a number of selection issues ahead of the game. City's impressive summer transfer window, which saw them sign Bacary Sagna, Fernando, Eliaquim Mangala and Willy Caballero, means Pellegrini now has huge strength in depth.

His options run deep, and picking his first XI will be tough, but with many of his players still not 100 percent after a summer interrupted by World Cup involvement, he'll be glad of the options for the game against Liverpool.

City finally have some competition in the goalkeeper department after the signing of Caballero from Malaga. Joe Hart for too long has been unchallenged at both club and international level, and Pellegrini will hope his form improves as a result.

Hart has been given the nod to start the season as the club's No.1, and he is very likely to start against Liverpool after keeping a clean sheet in his last match.

Gael Clichy has started City's last two matches—against Arsenal in the Community Shield and Newcastle in the league—at right-back, but he is unlikely to play in what is an unfamiliar role for much longer. Pablo Zabaleta, who has so far been rested after his involvement deep into the World Cup, will likely start this one.

At centre-back, the absence of Eliaquim Mangala, who is still searching for match fitness, means Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis will keep their places, with Aleksandar Kolarov almost certain to play at left-back.

Who plays in midfield depends on Pellegrini's formation. If he decides to go with a three-man midfield, then Fernando, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure will all play, with Toure in an advanced role. If he sticks with his 4-2-2-2 system, then one would have to make way.

It's likely Pellegrini will go with his preferred, more attacking system, and Fernando's tendency to sit much deeper may see him preferred to Fernandinho, but it's a tight call.

Samir Nasri and David Silva will start in the wide positions and will be asked to drift inside to support two forwards. With Sergio Aguero's goal and general sharpness during his cameo at Newcastle, he may very well start, with Edin Dzeko likely to keep his place after a superb display last weekend.