Manchester City v Everton

If City are really serious about a title race this year, can they immediately banish the doubts arising from last week’s dire 2-2 draw at Fulham?

But there’s an extra bit of spice to this one. Everton have one of the best records in the Premier League against both Manchester City and Roberto Mancini. Regardless of his problems, David Moyes clearly has some measure of the side since they’ve won their last four at Etihad Stadium. Can they keep it up?

And, in that, is this a good or a bad time to play City? Can Everton continue this run of two games without a win – particularly since they have a tough European game in midweek. Or will Everton face a backlash?

Will Sergio Aguero keep up his sensational form against an abrasive side?

Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers

This is a game that should tell us exactly where Arsenal are. Win, in whatever manner, and you can keep a certain amount of faith that these early-season problems are nothing more than a new squad’s continued teeth problems. Drop points, however, and it will be hard to escape the growing belief that this is something deeper at Arsenal. So what will they tell us?

How will Arsenal’s suspect defensive line handle the aggressive approach of Bolton’s forward line?

But, at the other end, how will an out-of-form Gary Cahill handle the increasingly impressive integration of Gervinho and Mikel Arteta? Arsenal’s attack, after all, hasn’t really been the problem in recent games.

Chelsea v Swansea City

With Andre Villas-Boas’s team beginning to find their style and their feet, will Swansea feel something of a backlash from last week at Old Trafford?

In what is likely to be a more open game in midfield, how will Frank Lampard fare – should he start? There are increasing concerns about his physique as he approaches his mid-30s and the suggestions are that is exposing the existing technical weaknesses in his game. Lampard has always been no more than a decent passer, with Fernando Torres’s runs demanding exquisite passes. Certainly, Villas-Boas’s withdrawal of Lampard at half-time appears a tacit approval of Torres’s recent comments.

Liverpool v Wolves

After a disconcerting series of results for Liverpool, will Wolves be “made to pay for the broken plates” as they say in Spain? Certainly, it appears a good time to play Wolves, with their early-season form having seemingly evaporated.

What will give? Can Liverpool keep only a second cleansheet in eight games? Or will Wolves score for the first time in four?

Newcastle United v Blackburn

Have Blackburn’s pre-season predictions been unfair? Does last week’s result against AArsenal prove there’s a bit more resolve to Steve Kean’s side than many had given them credit for?

Can Irish striker Leon Best continue his exceptional run of scoring form? Certainly, it helps overcomes Newcastle’s many problems in attack.

West Brom v Fulham

How low-scoring is this likely to be? Hodgson’s tight framework against Fulham’s relative frugality in front of goal?

Wigan v Tottenham Hotspur

And how many goals will we see in this one? Wigan are a notoriously open team while Tottenham are famously gung-ho in attack.

That element is only accentuated with the absence of Antolin Alcaraz, Emmerson Boyce and Steve Gohouri in defence for Wigan. How susceptible will they be to wide crosses for Emmanuel Adebayor’s head? Could be a feature of the day.

Can Franco Di Santo break a personal record and claim a fourth Premier League goal of the season.

Stoke City v Manchester United

Normally the sort of game in which you would see 100% records end. Except Stoke will hardly be confident after last season’s 4-0 reversal at Sunderland – especially not against the league’s top scorers. Can United continue that rate of scoring up against a notoriously robust defence?

Or can Stoke claim a result against Manchester United for the first time since returning to the Premier League? United have beaten them on seven successive occasions.