Manchester City

Roberto Mancini has been rocked by the news that Mario Balotelli will be out of action for upto 6 weeks through a knee injury. The Italian striker has had a frustrating start to life at Eastlands and he will have to wait a few more weeks to showcase his talents. The side looked sluggish in their defeat against Sunderland, especially in the 2nd half when an energetic home side overran them. Their away form is still a cause for concern and it will need a marked improvement if they are to break into the top four.

After an absence last week due to international fixtures, Premier League action returns to the Emirates as Arsenal host Bolton Wanderers. Bolton have had little luck at the Gunners' new ground, never having taken a point off Arsenal in the last three seasons, despite the oft-repeated view that the Trotters are the Gunners' ‘bogey' team.

Arsenal have a propensity for producing some stirring comebacks in this fixture; Bolton have twice led 2-0 in the past, only for the Gunners to overturn the deficit - 3-2 away in the 07/08 season and 4-2 at home last season. Arsenal will be hoping for a calmer win this time around, although Bolton will relish being able to trouble Arsenal once again in a contest that witnesses the 2nd & 5th placed sides of the Premier League table clash.

Villa were rocked by O'Neill's shock resignation last month and have been on the lookout for a quality replacement since. MacDonald took over as the caretaker manager and had a promising 3-0 opening day victory against West Ham. But since then they have been in disarray, first losing 6-0 to Newcastle and then getting knocked out of the Europa League. MacDonald's coaching is highly rated by both the players and the owner; hence it seems likely that he'll return to his Reserve team coaching role.

West Ham

The Hammers have endured a torrid start to the campaign, losing all three games quite comprehensively. More importantly, the morale of the team is at an all time low and Grant will have his task cut out in raising the spirits of the squad. They have quite a few talented individuals but it's a team game and they need to get their act together soon if they are to avoid relegation.