The biggest soccer rivalry in England is on us this weekend as Manchester United host Liverpool with David De Gea in the squad for the first time this season. Chelsea are looking to fix the jinx and Arsene Wenger will try to prove to fans that he can do with Olivier Giroud. As other big sides are struggling, Manchester City is smiling. SATURDAY EVERTON 2-1 CHELSEA 1.45pm Toffees defender John Stones will be the rock in Everton’s defence trying to swat the attacking threats of misfiring forwards Edin Hazard, Diego Costa and Willian. Chelsea have posted the worst start by a champion in over 20 years in English football and Jose Mourinho is under pressure. As bad as Chelsea have been going forward, their defence cannot even swear at the forwards as they have been as loose as something entering a brothel. Jose Mourinho tried to price John Stones away from Goodison Park in the summer but failed and will watch as the English defender swat his forwards. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is out for up to two months with knee injury. Although his deputy Asmir Begovic is a solid backup, the script might not be to their wish. With Arouna Kone’s relentless runs and Romelu Lukaku’s powerful surges, Everton sure has a win in sight if they can tame Pedro. ARSENAL 3-0 STOKE 4pm The Gunners, the only top flight side not have signed a single outfield player this summer, are looking for their first home win of the season. The irony is that the travelling party will hope against hope that they get their first three points of the season at Emirates. Who fancies that? Not me. Alexis Sanchez should break his duck in this game, after all, even Falcao scored last time. PALACE 1-1 MAN CITY 4pm Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has seemingly forgotten what it is like to pick a ball from the back of the net. City, with maximum points from four games, are yet to concede. As they plunder in goals, they are hardly bothered by the injury to Fabian Delph. If any, the arrival of Belgian starlet Kevin De Bruynne could mean a loan move for Delph in January. However, Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace are no pushovers. They beat Chelsea so they believe that they can still shock City. A draw looks likely. NORWICH 0-0 B’MOUTH 4pm Norwich are short of options upfront and efforts to get a striker on deadline day was in vain. The Cherries had the upper hand in the Championship last season, so the Canneries will want to get even. Bournemouth record signing Mings is out for the season, while Ivorian winger Max Gradel is out for six months. An element of dour draw. WATFORD 0-1 SWANSEA 4pm International break doesn’t do any favours to on-form league players. They return and bore. Bafetimbi Gomis, Jefferson Montero and Andre Ayew have lit up Swansea but it is hard to see even the BPL player of the month in Ayew offering much. Slim win. MONDAY West Ham 1-2 Newcastle 9pm West Ham put up a show to end a 60-year wait for a win at Anfield, thumping the hosts 3-0. Slaven Bilic welcomes Newcastle to Boleyn Ground hoping to pick up another priceless three points. But Newcastle will get its first win of the season. Advantage United against Coutinho-less Liverpool SATURDAY Man UTD 2-2 L’POOL 6.30pm Manchester United have been boosted by the return into the squad of goalkeeper David De Gea. After a summer of shenanigan over the Spaniard’s future, including a deadline day fiasco over his signature, De Gea has been recalled to the first team and could return straight between the sticks after Argentina Sergio Romero conceded his first goals against Swansea and was criticised for his display. United have ended the De Gea mess by getting the keeper to commit to a new four-year contract. Although he played for Spain twice in Euro qualifiers, De Gea’s match readiness will be tested by Liverpool. The visiting Kop are without suspended playmaker Coutinho, while Daniel Sturridge’s return from hip surgery is slow. United are buoyed further that Wayne Rooney’s became the highest scorer in Three Lions history in midweek. Still, this is a game to be decided by two managers who only talk about philosophy and the character of their players. After getting two on United two seasons ago, United duly paid back in the same currency last season. Neither sides can afford a loss but a draw will be welcome. OTHER FIXTURES LEICESTER 0-1 ASTON VILLA SUNDERLAND 1-2 SPURS HANNOVER 0-2 DORTMUND ESPANYOL 3-2 REAL MADRID ATLETICO 1-3 BARCELONA Seaman is a Liverpool fan
