Weekly shorts: Big Four collide

In a mouth-watering weekend, Liverpool take on Chelsea as both sides test each others title-winning potential. Meanwhile, a resurgent City under Sven-Goran Eriksson play wobbling champions United in a crunch derby.

Manchester United's performance has been less than convincing so far and with the loss of last season's top two scorers: the injured Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo, suspended for head-butting, they could be looking at another draw match. Manchester City revitalised under a new owner and management have the chance to capitalise on the weakand prove that they are serious contenders this season.

In Saturday's matches, league leaders Everton look to keep up their perfect start at Reading. Early pace-setters Everton have got the better of Tottenham and Wigan so far, but they travel to Reading, whose man-marking tactics squeezed a goalless draw out of Manchester United and gave Chelsea a fright before the Blues ground out a win. "We'll be playing three from the top six inside a week, and it's as if it's the hardest possible hurdle we could have been set," said Royals boss Steve Coppell.

Big-spending Tottenham, desperate for a first win, host newly-promoted Derby County. Tottenham were tipped to be among the top sides this season but they have lost both matches so far. "Now there is more pressure to get a result," said Spurs boss Martin Jol's assistant Chris Hughton. Soccer Pundit believes that against Derby, they should be able to get the 3 points.

West Ham travel to Birmingham with new signing Kieron Dyer set to make his Hammers debut. Birmingham have been frustrated in their matches so far, losing 3-2 at Chelsea and succumbing to a disputed last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland. West Ham hasn't been on a roll either as they embarrassed when visitors Manchester City tore them apart in a 2-0 opening day win.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce takes charge of his first league match at St James's Park as the Magpies host Aston Villa. England striker Michael Owen could make a welcome return for Newcastle, who have not scored at home since February.

However, Villa boss Martin O'Neill wants his defenders to close down the likes of Owen more."If we could just tighten up a little bit, especially when we haven't got the ball, then I honestly believe we will start to do better," the Northern Irishman said."Once we get going, we'll be fine."

For the Middlesbrough vs Fulham match, Mido should make his debut. Boro lost both their opening games and boss Gareth Southgate cannot wait for the tall Egyptian striker to get started."You want a centre-forward to hold the ball up, to be a physical presence and to score goals. Mido brings all of those attributes," he said."Mido is a player I believe possibly has a point to prove. He is a player of great ability, a strong player and a big character."

Roy Keane's Championship winners Sunderland travel to Wigan looking to capitalise on their four points from six games so far, with new striker Michael Chopra scoring in both games. "Hopefully I can make it three in three at Wigan," he said."I've got self-belief and I always thought I should be playing in the Premier League."

Portsmouth host Bolton, who have lost both their opening games."It's right that we've got no points out of the two games but I want the players to have the belief in what they are doing," Bolton boss Sammy Lee said.