EPL Preview – August 31 2013
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Man City Vs Hull | Kick off 12:45
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Team News
Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to replace Javi Garcia at centre-back.
Spanish forward Alvaro Negredo is in contention to start after his goal against Cardiff City.
Hull City are without Yannick Sagbo after his red card against Norwich with Danny Graham set to replace him.
New midfield duo Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore should partner each other in the middle of the park.
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Cardiff Vs Everton | Kick off 15:00
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Team News
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay could revert back to the team that beat Manchester City after resting a number of players in the League Cup win over Accrington.
Summer signing Andreas Cornelius injured his ankle at the Crown Ground and is unlikely to feature.
Everton are expected to recall Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini after they started on the bench in the midweek cup victory over Stevenage.
Darron Gibson (knee) and Antolin Alcaraz (hamstring) are still not fit.
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Newcastle Vs Fulham | Kick off 15:00
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Team News
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has hinted that the unsettled Yohan Cabaye may feature for the first time this season.
Loic Remy (calf) looks set for a place on the bench, but Cheick Tiote (groin), Jonas Gutierrez (knee) and Steven Taylor (suspension) are out.
Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg (shoulder) remains sidelined so David Stockdale will again deputise.
Manager Martin Jol is also without the services of Kieran Richardson and new signing Fernando Amorebieta.
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Norwich Vs Southampton | Kick off 15:00
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Team News
Norwich are again without Gary Hooper, who has not yet recovered from the shin injury he picked up in pre-season.
Ryan Bennett needed stitches after gashing his knee against Bury and could also miss out.
Southampton’s Guly do Prado and Jos Hooiveld face fitness tests, and Morgan Schneiderlin is also doubtful.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino must decide whether or not to include club-record signing Pablo Daniel Osvaldo in his starting line-up.
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West Ham Vs Stoke | Kick off 15:00
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Team News
West Ham are without midfielder Alou Diarra, who looks set to miss the rest of the season after picking up a knee ligament injury in the League Cup.
Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee) remain out but could return after the international break.
Stoke striker Peter Crouch is back after missing the Potters’ League Cup win through illness, although hat-trick hero Kenwyne Jones may keep his place.
Jamie Ness has a thigh injury and is City’s only certain absentee.
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Crystal Palace Vs Sunderland | Kick off 17:30
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Team News
Crystal Palace wingers Jerome Thomas (ankle) and Yannick Bolasie (hamstring) are still sidelined, as is Glenn Murray who is out until at least November.
Jason Puncheon is in line for his home debut, while 40-year-old Kevin Phillips could face one of his former clubs.
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has left Stephane Sessegnon out of his squad for disciplinary reasons.
Last season’s top scorer Steven Fletcher is included, while Connor Wickham is pushing for a start.
