United, Chelsea, Bayern and Lille Among Weekend's European League Picks

Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich
Saturday 13th August - 14:30

Having beaten FC Cologne 3-0 last weekend table-toppers Wolfsburg host Bayern Munich, whose season opener was less emphatic, falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of MGladbach.

If the visiting German giants were to lose once again then it would represent the first time they have lost consecutive games at the beginning of a Bundesliga season in their history. However, Munich have cause for confidence with the Wolves having only enjoyed one win in their last 10 competitive matches against Bayern (two draws, seven defeats).

The away side should welcome Franck Ribery back to their starting line-up, though Arjen Robben is a doubt having picked up an injury in training. Patrick Helmes is likely to keep his place ahead of Srdjan Lakic upfront after netting a brace last time out.

Wolfsburg are without midfielder Thomas Kahlenberg and defender Arne Friedrich, while Bayern centre-back Breno is also out, meaning new signing Jerome Boateng should continue at the heart of defence. Keeper Manuel Neuer was to blame after a mistake saw MGladbach steal all three points last time out, with Bayern dominating the match from start to finish.

Liverpool vs Sunderland
Saturday 13th August - 15:00

The Anfield opener between Liverpool and Sunderland could see as many as 10 players making their debuts between the two sides, with the visitors most likely to display more new recruits. One of those hoping to start for the home side will be former Sunderland star Jordan Henderson.

Sunderland have only scored in three of their last 14 Premier League matches against Liverpool and have lost 8 of their last 10 games against the Reds, winning just once.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is a certainty to miss the season opener with a groin injury while key striker Luis Suarez may be rested due to a lack of match fitness. Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon is out with a knee injury, as is new signing John O'Shea with a hamstring problem.

O'Shea's former United teammate Wes Brown is in line for a debut, as are ex-Birmingham duo Seb Larsson and Craig Gardner as well as David Vaughan and Connor Wickham among others. Henderson joins newcomers Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam vying for a midfield berth, while Alberto Aquilani returns to the club after a successful loan spell with Juventus.

Newcastle vs Arsenal
Saturday 13th August - 17:30

Arsenal travel to St. James' Park in a repeat of what was arguably the best of the 2010/11 campaign after Newcastle came back from 4-0 down to fight for a 4-4 draw through an injury time leveller from Cheik Tiote. The Gunners will be without Cesc Fabregas, set to join Barcelona, and Samir Nasri, seemingly bound for Manchester City.

The visitors have won just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions away from the Emirates Stadium while Newcastle have lost just one of their last nine Premier League games at St James Park.

Arsenal have a number of doubts for the game and are particularly lacking in midfield with Arshavin, Walcott, Wilshere and Ramsey all doubtful, while Abou Diaby definitely misses out along with Fabregas and Nasri. It remains to be seen as to whether Newcastle and Alan Pardew will hand a lifeline to last season's key performer Joey Barton, made available on a free transfer after a public outburst at the club.

New signings Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan and Demba Ba, all from or born in France, will all be hoping to make their league debuts for the home side. Another player from France's Ligue 1, Gervinho is set to make his Arsenal debut and could cause problems for a makeshift Magpies left-back following the sale of Jose Enrique.

Rennes vs PSG
Saturday 13th August - 18:00

Rennes are sitting pretty at the top of Ligue 1 after crushing newly-promoted Dijon 5-1 last week while big-spending PSG faltered somewhat in their first game of the season, going down 1-0 at home to Lorient.

More cause for concern for PSG fans comes as their side have lost their last five trips to Rennes in Ligue 1, failing to score in the process, and are currently on the longest winless streak in the league of 6 games, continuing from last season.

Sylvain Armand is out for the visitors while record Ligue 1 signing Javier Pastore may not play for the club until late August or September. Rennes defender Jean Kana Biyik is a doubt with an ankle injury and could join Kembo-Ekoko, Pajot and Mavinga on the sidelines for the hosts.

The home side are unlikely to change their team or set-up after their opening day trouncing of Dijon while PSG may rethink their attacking style with Mathieu Bodmer hoping to return.

Stoke vs Chelsea
Sunday 14th August - 13:30

Games between Stoke and Chelsea bring together two of the strongest, most physical defences in the league, though Andre Villas-Boas has some defensive concerns ahead of his first competitive game in charge at the club.

However, the former Porto boss will be buoyed by the fact that Chelsea have won their last nine opening day fixtures and have won five and lost none of the six Premier League games against Stoke. Villas-Boas also has a remarkable stat of his own having lost only one away game in all competitions with FC Porto last season.

Michael Essien is a certainty to miss the tie having damaged ligaments in his knee, and will miss much of the campaign. Daniel Sturridge is also unavailable for the visitors having been sent off on the last day for Bolton last term while Luiz, Alex and Ivanovic are all doubtful in defence. Stoke could be without Rory Delap and through him, a key weapon in their armoury due to his long throws.

The hosts could hand debuts to Former England international centre-backs Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson, though the arrival of the two new defenders could force former Chelsea man Robert Huth into a wide right berth at the back.

West Brom vs Manchester United
Sunday 14th August - 16:00

The Champions begin the defence of their title at West Brom; the only side to pick up a point from Old Trafford last term, off the back off an impressive comeback victory in the Community Shield, beating rivals Manchester City 3-2.

The visitors will be hot favourites as West Brom are yet to win an opening day fixture in the Premier League, drawing twice and losing three of their five attempts so far. Ferguson will look to exploit set-pieces after United netted more headed goals than any other team last year with 18. In turn, West Brom conceded a joint league-high of 14 goals from corners in 2010-11.

Zoltan Gera has returned to the home side this summer but misses out due to a suspension picked up at Fulham. Key duo from last season Peter Odemwingie and Youssuf Mulumbu are both doubtful, with new signing Shane Long set to replace the former should he fail to recover. United are without their own front man in Javier Hernandez who misses out with concussion, while Fletcher, Carrick and Valencia are all doubts in midfield.

Due to injuries the young pairing of Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck could start having impressed against City last week. New signing David De Gea should continue in goal despite a difficult debut, while Ashley Young should also make his league debut for the Reds.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen
Sunday 14th August - 16:30

Hosts Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to improve after a poor start last week, losing 2-0 to Mainz, while Werder Bremen had the same score-line, but in their favour versus Kaiserslautern.

The likelihood of Leverkusen's fortunes turning may be slim having only won one of their last 14 competitive matches against Werder (six draws, seven defeats), who are unbeaten against the hosts in over six years. However, the game should be tight and the last 5 Bundesliga matches between the sides have ended in draws.

Werder have lots of injury problems, especially in their defence with Naldo and Silvestre both missing, along with Ayik, Boenisch, Balogun, Yildirim, Wolf and Avdic, while Tim Borowski remains doubtful. Rene Adler is still absent for the hosts meaning new signing Bernd Leno could make his debut in goal, while Tranquillo Barnetta is also missing through injury.

German internationals Michael Ballack and Stefan Kießling will be fighting for a place with the likes of Augusto and Derdiyok for the home side, while Bremen forward Markus Rosenberg will be looking to add to his tally having netted both goals in the opening day victory last week.

Lille vs Montpellier
Sunday 14th August - 20:00

In their first game in a bid to retain the Ligue 1 title Lille only managed a 1-1 draw away to Nancy, despite dominating, while Montpellier picked up an impressive 3-1 victory over Auxerre.

The visitor’s chances of continuing their decent start to the season seem unlikely having only won once in their 16 trips to Lille in Ligue 1. Lille have netted 7 goals in the last two games that they have hosted Montpellier since the away side returned to the top-flight.

Defender David Rozehnal is injured for the hosts, though Lille could welcome back Aurelien Chedjou after suspension. Striker Tulio De Melio is also out while Montpellier have no outfield injuries, though keeper Geoffrey Jourdren is yet to train and is likely to miss out to Laurent Pionnier between the posts.