Norwich vs Southampton August 31, 2013

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With a combined expenditure of over £65m this summer it's fair to say optimism levels are high for supporters of both Norwich and Southampton.
These are two well-matched clubs, and expectation levels have been significantly heightened after they both broke their transfer records - twice in Southampton's case.
But while the Saints have made their best-ever start to a Premier League season after two matches, Norwich only have one point to show for their efforts. Chris Hughton was left perplexed by their failure to beat Hull last Saturday despite playing against 10 men for over an hour.

However, they will not have an easy task against Chris Hughton's side, who have won 32 of the 45 points they have collected since returning to the Premier League at home.

Four of the last six Premier League meetings between the two sides have ended as draws, while Southampton keeper Artur Boruc saved a last-minute penalty to deny Norwich all three points on home soil last season.

And Pochettino admitted he expects another challenging encounter this time around.

"The last time we played Norwich, they were one of the hardest teams we faced away from home," the Argentine said.

"It’s going to be a complicated game away in their stadium. They have reinforced their squad very well, so we’re expecting a very tough game against them.

"They’re physically a very strong side and a very quick side. They go on the counter-attack very quickly as well which is one of their main strengths.

"They’re very well organised, and they know exactly what they need to do in every single moment of the game, so overall they’re a very tough side to play against away from home."

Goals should not be a problem in the game if the records books are anything to go by, as Norwich's last five home fixtures in the Premier League have produced 18 strikes.

One man who will be hoping to get on the scoresheet for the first time in English football is Southampton's new club-record signing Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, who is in line to make his first start for the club. 

Morgan Schneiderlin is a doubt for the visitors after coming off at half time against Sunderland due to a knock, while full-back Luke Shaw (knee) may not be risked by Pochettino. 

Meanwhile, Gary Hooper continues to be sidelined for Norwich. The ex-Celtic striker has been struggling with a shin injury and Hughton does not expect him to be available until after the forthcoming international break.

Newcastle United vs Fulham August 31, 2013

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Last weekend Fulham received an Arsenal backlash, when Arsene Wenger's team responded to early season criticism and scored three goals at Craven Cottage.
Newcastle fans will be hoping that their team can muster a similar revival after what has been the club's equal-worst start to a Premier League season since 2005.

While two games into a new season is a ridiculously early standpoint from which to judge the formative league table, Newcastle's position - in the bottom three already - has hardly helped morale on Tyneside.
From a top-five finish two seasons ago, to a bottom five finish in May; Newcastle fans know they can ill afford that downward trend to continue.

Yet to score a goal in the new Premier League campaign, it's a concern that Alan Pardew's side have only managed one shot on target during their two league games so far.

I was commentating at Morecambe on Wednesday night when it took Newcastle until the 84th minute to finally break the deadlock against League Two opposition in the League Cup.

Both of the Ameobi brothers, Shola and Sammy, scored in the closing minutes at The Globe Arena and Pardew can only hope that finally finding the net this season proves to be a pivotal moment.

Coincidentally, the last time Fulham visited St James' Park Newcastle also came up with a very late goal - and that one certainly proved to be a massive turning point.

Papiss Cisse's 90th-minute winner in April moved Newcastle six points clear of the relegation zone, ensuring last season's slump did not become any worse than it might have been.

Location: St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013

Time: 10 a.m. EDT (3 p.m. BST)

With Newcastle fans still crying out for high-profile arrivals, Fulham's new owner Shahid Khan has added Scott Parker, Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent to the ranks this summer. Martin Jol's side also had a taxing run-out in midweek against a League Two side, and were taken all the way to penalties by Burton Albion.
Fulham have a good record against Newcastle in recent years, managing to beat them in seven of the last eight seasons they've been in the same division.

Cardiff vs Everton August 31, 2013

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Cardiff City have gotten off to a solid start to their English Premier League season. Cardiff City won the Championship league last year and earned a promotion to England’s top football league. They have a tall order playing one of the England Premier League’s stronger clubs, Everton.

It was the result that nobody had predicted last weekend, as Cardiff City secured a 3-1 win in their first home Premier League game against 2011-12 league champions Manchester City.

The latest Cardiff v Everton odds with Paddy Power offering more than a hint in the betting value, with Malky Mackay’s side a very backable price for the home in of 9/4.

The Bluebirds will hope to emulate the performance they gave last weekend when Everton make the trip to the Welsh capital.

Malkay Mackay’s side came from a goal down to beat Manchester City 3-2 and they be looking for a second straight win against an Everton side that has yet to taste a league victory this season.

They were simply exceptional in their work on that occasion and, ultimately, were well deserving of their win. The tests come thick and fast in the Premier League, though, and this weekend marks the visit of Roberto Martinez's Everton side.

The Toffees have put in two strong-looking league performances thus far this campaign but have been forced to come away with a solitary point from both encounters. Martinez will certainly be hoping for more this weekend.

Change is already underway at Goodison Park, with Everton looking to retain possession much more this season than in previous years, while also creating plenty of chances. The cup victory over Stevenage in midweek perhaps offered a glimpse of the role Barcelona's on-loan attacker, Gerard Deulofeu, could play at Everton this year as well.

So far Cardiff City has won a home game, and lost an away game gaining 3 points in two games. That has them currently sitting at 11th in the table, or in the middle of the pack. It’s still very early in the season.

Date: August 31 Start Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

Manchester City vs Hull City August 31, 2013

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After Manchester City was stunned by Cardiff City 3-2 last week, fans will be looking for a dominant effort as Manuel Pellegrini's crew hosts newly-promoted Hull City.

Manchester City will be pressed to prove that the loss to Cardiff was a blip on the radar and not something that is going to be a trend. Pointing to that possibility is that there were no signs of the malaise that struck Man City last week when they opened up their EPL campaign by toasting Newcastle 4-0.

With that 1-1 record, the clubs enter this match tied in the standings. Hull City impressed last week by beating Norwich City 1-0, and they played the majority of that match with just 10 men. That win followed a tough 2-0 loss to Chelsea and surely gave them some confidence.

Now this feisty group will try to steal at least a point on the road.

Manchester City have Matija Nastasic (ankle) back in contention, but captain Vincent Kompany (groin) and fellow defender Micah Richards (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Hull travel to Manchester with striker Yannick Sagbo ruled out through suspension.

Stephen Quinn (hamstring) could return for manager Steve Bruce, who is likely to ring the changes after making 11 changes for the Capital One Cup victory against Leyton Orient in midweek.

What they've said ahead of kick-off:

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini:
 "Set pieces are very important and we must learn from last week. It was a bad game for us in that way, but I we must improve for our next game.

"I think Hull have started well, they played very well against Chelsea. We will have to mark a very difficult team here also, so we will have to play very well."

Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

When: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7:45 a.m. ET (12:45 p.m. BST)