Live - Premier League build-up

Manchester City v Newcastle, 1245 BST

LATER GAMES:
Birmingham v Manchester United, 1715 BST
Chelsea v Fulham, 1500 BST
Derby v Bolton, 1500 BST
Portsmouth v Reading, 1500 BST
Sunderland v Blackburn, 1500 BST
West Ham v Arsenal, 1500 BST
Wigan v Liverpool, 1500 BST

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

Send us your views, comments and opinions on Saturday's games - text us on 81111 or use 606

1155: A great little tale reaches us from Portsmouth, who are playing Reading today. Over to you Bookem...
"The missus is due to go into labour today so can't go to Fratton Park, how inconvenient. But the hospital is almost next to the ground and has a delivery room overlooking it! Gonna feed her a curry to try and get her in for kick off!
Bookem, via text on 81111
You old romantic. Lamb bhuna for breakfast was it?

1151: So what of the other games today? West Ham and Arsenal are getting some real heat on 606...
"West Ham will beat Arsenal for the pure reason they know and believe they can beat them."
dirk-kuyt18 on 606
"When will people stop predicting the demise of Arsenal? if we win today people have got to start taking the Gunners seriously."
Gael force on 606

1145: And just 15 minutes until Sport on Five starts on BBC Radio 5live with Mark Pougatch. Mike Ingham and Alan Green are at Eastlands with Jan Molby for that Manchester City v Newcastle game. John Murray and Steve Claridge will be keeping across West Ham and Arsenal from three. And the two Ians - Brown and Dennis - will be commentating on Birmingham and Manchester United from 1715, with Graham Taylor in the summariser's seat.

1140: Half an hour until Football Focus on BBC One. Steven Gerrard's the headline act on that today.

1136: Fatboyjohnmulhern predicts a 0-0 draw, but since Newcastle have failed to keep a clean sheet in their 16 games away from home since last playing City is that really realistic? City have scored in every home game this season. In fact, all their home games have ended 1-0. Consistent City. Who would have thought it?

"Never be 0-0 with the Magpies - either defence is gonna give and Martins for a hat-trick."
Gavyn, in Wales, via text
Persistent is that Gavyn as he clock watches at work before heading off to watch the game. Told you he liked Obafemi Martins.

1134: Some early predictions coming in for Manchester City against Newcastle. While Lawro reckons it will be a 1-1 draw, Gavyn and blacknwhitegeps are tipping Newcastle all the way, with James Milner and Obafemi Martins having storming games.

"I'm guessing that Arsenal will keep their spot at the top while Birmingham will put up a fight against Man Utd but will succumb under all the pressure."
sunillcfcp on 606
"West Ham to beat Arsenal. We are their bogey team."
spuffman on 606
Good point succintly made. The Hammers did the double over the Gunners last season and have won that fixture at the last three times of asking. BBC pundit and pinsticker Mark Lawrenson reckons they will make it four today.

1124: Last but by no means least is the late game between Birmingham and Manchester United. City haven't won that fixture in the last 19 attempts so it seems pretty clear what will happen... although we said that about Coventry in midweek as well.

1122: But the joker in the pack could come at Pride Park where Derby host Bolton - 20th v 19th in the Premier League. County's abject displays on the road are one thing, but lose this and they really will be struggling this season. If Wanderers lose boss Sammy Lee could be for the chop. High stakes indeed.

1121: Three o'clock is the time for those with big hands to fan out the deck as there are six games starting and three of them involve three of the 'big four' - Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. That's doesn't often happen. Clearly one of those weekends where the TV men give a patronising pat on the back to lesser clubs to fulfil their quota system of dishing out games.

1118: So what is on the cards today? The first in your hand features Manchester City against Newcastle at 1245 BST. City can go level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table, while the Magpies can leapfrog their hosts and go second with a win.

1115: Who's going to a game today and which one is it?

1113: These things start earlier and earlier and with a full football match's worth of time before a football match starts you are vital to proceedings. Drop us a line on all things football via 606 or the wonders of your mobile with a text to 81111.

1110: Startling news in the world of football today involving Thierry Henry. One of the things he misses most about living and playing in England is eating bread and butter pudding. And you thought it was all protein shakes these days.

Source: BBC Sport