Stoke's club record signing faces late fitness test after injury against AFC Bournemouth last week
Ahead of the five 3pm matches in the Barclays Premier League this Saturday, read below for the latest team news and talking points.
Aston Villa v Stoke | #AVLSTK | Team news and stats >>
Xherdan Shaqiri has made five BPL appearances since joining Stoke this summer
Xherdan Shaqiri faces a fitness test ahead of Stoke City's encounter with Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The 23-year-old was forced off late in Stoke's 2-1 win at home to AFC Bournemouth last weekend with a thigh problem but Shaqiri, who arrived at the Britannia Stadium from Inter Milan in July, could yet be included in Saturday's matchday squad.
"We will have to see how he is over the coming hours, because he hasn't trained with the group yet this week," Stoke manager Mark Hughes toldwww.stokecityfc.com. "He will go home and rest now and hopefully he can come in tomorrow and join in the session with the rest of the lads.
"If he does that, and suffers no affects from it, then he will certainly be in my thoughts. If not then we won't take any chances."
AFC Bournemouth v Watford | #BOUWAT | Team news and stats >>
Quique Sanchez Flores took over as Watford head coach this summer
Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores has revealed he did not know much about AFC Bournemouth before taking over at Vicarage Road this summer, but he has respect for Eddie Howe's men.
The Cherries pipped Watford to the Championship title last season, earning promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history.
AFC Bournemouth and Watford are 16th and 13threspectively ahead of their meeting at the Vitality Stadium, with both sides will be aiming to bounce back from defeats last week.
"I didn't know Bournemouth, they were not one of the teams I knew before I came here to England," Sanchez Flores said. "I need to read, to take in media about Bournemouth.
"They have started with seven points so we respect Bournemouth and if we are going to win on Saturday we have to give a good performance."
Man City v Newcastle | #MCINEW | Team news and stats >>
Daryl Janmaat shakes hands with Jose Mourinho after Newcastle's draw with Chelsea
Daryl Janmaat says Newcastle United will visit Manchester City without fear as Steve McClaren's men seek their first Barclays Premier League victory of the campaign.
Newcastle are in the relegation zone with three points, but they did produce an encouraging display to go 2-0 up against Chelsea before the champions earned a late draw last week.
Man City are second in the table, despite successive league defeats, and right-back Janmaat said: "It's important to go there on Saturday with nothing to fear. City started the season brilliantly, but maybe they are struggling a little bit more at the moment with a couple of defeats in the league.
"Hopefully the result and performance against Chelsea has answered a few questions. If we play like we did against them, I don't think anyone would be wanting to play us, including City."
Norwich v Leicester | #NORLEI | Team news and stats >>
Nathan Redmond scored in Norwich City's 2-2 draw at West Ham United last week
Nathan Redmond has hailed the attacking freedom granted by Norwich City manager Alex Neil this season as they prepare to host Leicester City.
Norwich have scored 11 goals in seven Barclays Premier League matches since their return to the top flight, with Redmond netting three of those himself.
The 21-year-old told the Eastern Daily Press: "When I do pick the ball up I have the freedom to create, the same for Wes Hoolahan and Jonny Howson. You love hearing that from a manager.
"We know when we haven't got the ball we have to work hard for each other. I have had about seven managers now in my career and he is probably one of the best in terms of his attention to detail.
"It is down to a series of things. It has always been my ethos to practise hard, to listen and learn. Mentally I feel good this year, really, really focused."
Sunderland v West Ham | #SUNWHU | Team news and stats >>
The 2-1 success at Man City was West Ham's third successive BPL away win
Jermain Defoe says Sunderland need to get out the blocks swiftly against West Ham United if they are to collect their first win of the BPL campaign.
"We're at home and we need to start the game quick," he told www.safc.com. "West Ham are a good side and they have picked up a lot of points and beaten some of the big teams, so they will come here and be confident but it is important for us to set our stall out from the first whistle and be positive.
"It is a big game, even more so because of how it has gone the last few games. We've not had that luck and not reached those levels we reached in the closing stages of last year, so it is a massive game and it is a game we need to win.”
To follow all of Saturday's Barclays Premier League action as it unfolds, visit the Carlsberg Live Match Centre at live.premierleague.com.
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