Manchester City are still smarting over the unlucky defeat at Old Trafford and we are yet to see if they will be able to recover from such a disappointing loss. West Ham, on the other hand, continued the poor run of results as they were eliminated from the Carling Cup by Bolton and the Hammers desperately need one good result to kick-start their season.

West Ham remained dangerously close to the relegation zone after the defeat to Wigan and they have to show a massive improvement if they want to stop Liverpool from taking all the points from Upton Park. The Reds enter the match on the back of three straight wins and they are eager to continue the winning run.

These are the teams that played really well last season but have been largely struggling at the start of the new league campaign. Wigan are now desperate to end the three-match losing run, while West Ham also need to raise their form if they are to get something out of this match.

Blackburn recovered well from the poor start of the Premier League by beating Gillingham in the Carling Cup but they desperately need to get some points on the board in the league campaign. West Ham lost the local derby to Tottenham but they also won their Carling Cup game, although the win over Millwall was marred by violence from the stands.

This London derby should be very interesting as both sides enter the match in high spirits. West Ham defeated Wolves away in the opening round, whereas Tottenham have already won two games, beating Liverpool and Hull. There is no need to say that both teams will be going for a win.

Newcomers Wolves will start their campaign at their Molineux against West Ham in what should be a very exciting match. Both sides are eager to start with a win and attacking approach is expected from both managers.

West Ham have lost all the chances to qualify for Europa League after the defeat at Goodison Park but they will, nevertheless, want to say goodbye to their fans with a win. Middlesbrough are in a very difficult situation and even a win in this match would not guarantee them survival.

West Ham continued the impressive run of results, having taken a point from Blackburn and they are the favourites in this match. Sunderland stayed very close to the relegation zone as they lost the last two league games and they will try to take at least one point from Upton Park.

Blackburn were trashed by Arsenal at the Emirates and Rovers will need to show a lot of improvement in order to win this match. West Ham failed to beat WBA at home but they will not be too downhearted by the result as the Hammers are still in seventh place.

West Ham won the last two league games and they are now in contention for the European places. The Hammers are favourites in this match but West Brom are not without chances. They are six points adrift of safety and will try everything to take all three points from Upton Park.