You could be excused for being a bit maddened by the fact that many sides this week, have a massive amount of key players either injured of doubtful ahead of their respective Week 6 fixtures. Arsenal and Manchester City are hurting the most, both figuratively and literaly. Here's a quick look at who is lounging in the physio's office:

Arsenal are missing five players ahead of their test with West Bromwich Albion.

A few more players were added to Santa's naughty list in Week 4 and are set to miss out on featuring for their sides this week's fixtures. Others are finally back after serving bans from Week 1, while one player is back on the bad list for a second time after just a few weeks. Here's who will not be playing this week:

Joe Cole (AM) is back in action!

EPL on ESPN2: Manchester City - Chelsea at 7:30am. On Fox Soccer Channel: Arsenal - WBA at 10am, Jonathan Spector's West Ham host Spurs at noon, and Wigan - Birmingham City at 5pm. On Fox Soccer Plus: Liverpool - Sunderland at 10am and a battle of the National Teamers Abroad when Fulham play Everton at 4pm.

This week's results see both a shack-up in top-side performance or lack thereof and in the players in The Team of the Week. Numerous players are making their debut in this glorious and highly prestigious squad. Despite Arsenal's loss, a player from their said made the cut, while numerous other from clubs from the bottom-half of the table are included or fell just short of the mark.

This week's results see both a shack-up in top-side performance or lack thereof and in the players in The Team of the Week. Numerous players are making their debut in this glorious and highly prestigious squad. Despite Arsenal's loss, a player from their said made the cut, while numerous other from clubs from the bottom-half of the table are included or fell just short of the mark.

The transfer window is now closed, many would say a blessing in itself.

Moving into the break for International games and with Liverpool not taking to the field again until Septmber 12th when they travel to face Birmingham City, I found myself stepping back from football to a degree, tired.

Birmingham City striker Christian "Chucho" Benitez opened the scoring with a fine solo effort after 40 seconds in Ecuador's shock 2-1 win over Mexico in a friendly Saturday in Guadalajara last night. Mexico drew level via an own-goal by Luis Checa in the 40th before Jaime Ayovi gave Ecuador their first win in Mexico in 14 [.

Premier League football returns after the international break that saw it's usual spate of injuries, outstanding performances and potential returns to form.

In the context of the title race it's still early but Chelsea and Arsenal have a relatively easy game compared to Manchester United, while all English teams involved in Europe will also have an eye on midweek's fixtures when they embark on their Champions League and Europa League group stage games.

Wayne Rooney faces an antagonising reception at Goodison Park as the Premier League action returns following a two-week international sabbatical. Manchester United lock horns with Everton, with Rooney set to feature at his old stamping ground keen to focus on his football amid ongoing allegations surrounding his private life.

With the International Break behind us, and the scores of injuries suffered baying before us, Week 4 of the Premier League could be a bit underwhelming. There aren't any matches that jump off the page and scream classic this week. Though Manchester United's trip to Goodison Park to face Everton could be a diamond in the rough.

The Premier League is full of players from countries from around the world hence why recent rules have been implemented by the FA for Premier League Clubs to name 8 home-grown players in their squads. There are even an increasing number of foreign imports in our game in the Championship and even lower down the league structure.

Without any fanfare, English Premier League side Birmingham City FC has launched an Xtep 2010/11 third kit. The new red Brummies jersey was seen for the first time during the club's 3-1 Premiership win at West Bromwich Albion last Saturday. The Xtep kit template appears to be the same as that used for the Birmingham 10/11 [.

By Ollie Irish

So which Birmingham player is hiding behind the lovely visage of Jessica Alba?

Previous answer: Phil Jagielka

This round of Premier League fixtures is the first since December 13-14 of 2008 that each of the so-called "Big Four" – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United – all failed to win their match.

Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea: This was the first match of the weekend and it set the tone for what was to be a very interesting series of fixtures in the Premiership.

New Birmingham City signing Alexander Hleb has sensationally revealed he turned down Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham to sign for the Blues.
The 29-year-old playmaker has joined the Premier League club from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal having spent last season with Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart.

For the first time Premier League teams had to name a 25-man squad for the first half of the EPL season and there was a couple of surprises.

All 20 clubs had to submit a squad of up to 25 players containing no more than 17 players who do not qualify as homegrown. Homegrown players are classed as players who "irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday".

By Chris Wright

Friends, we are witnessing association football's fragile facade crumbling before our very eyes.

Following yesterday's shocking revelations that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is not as he was believed to be child magician Harry Potter, comes the planet-shattering development that Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is, in turn, not the Real Madrid coach.

It's almost time for Blanc's first competitive match as coach of France. I'm sure he didn't imagine it would be this way, France is riddled with injuries and suspensions to their key players. At least we have someone competent who can piece together a squad of misfits. To add to Blanc's woes, this morning Karim Benzema was ruled out of today's match.

With no English Premier League action this weekend, it was the turn of the biggest international teams in Europe to take centre stage. It was the first competitive action for many of Europe's finest teams since the World Cup. And once again, it was players from the EPL making the headlines.

One major challenge facing Roy Hodgson this season is improving Liverpool's shocking away form.
We were so poor on our travels last season that at times it left me lost for words. There was a serious lack of belief and desire when we played away and when things went against us heads went down.
The fact that we only won five and only scored 18 goals in 19 away games speaks volumes.

Another meaningless feat of athleticism is punished.

From the Premier League:

Liverpool have confirmed Dirk Kuyt will miss the next four weeks with a shoulder injury. Kuyt suffered the injury during training with Holland ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier against Finland, and returned to England for tests at Liverpool's Melwood training base.

Wayne Rooney has retained his starting spot in Fabio Capello's England eleven for today's match against Switzerland. The Manchester United striker has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, but his closest circle insists he'll be mentally prepared for today's Euro 2012 qualifier.

Soccer fans in the United States who are looking forward to watching Premier League matches on television and online this weekend will want to refer to the following schedule to make sure they don't miss any of the action. Reason being is that there have been several changes regarding which games will be shown on which channel.

Roy Hodgson has challenged Daniel Pacheco to fight for a place in his first team.
With Dirk Kuyt ruled out of action for four weeks with a shoulder injury and David Ngog a doubt for Sunday's trip to Birmingham City with a hamstring problem, the Spanish starlet could get an opportunity.
Liverpool's No.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his confidence that striker David Ngog will return from a hamstring lay-off in time for this weekend's game with Birmingham City, whilst admitting Dirk Kuyt could spend a lengthy spell out of action.
Ngog withdrew from the France under-21 squad after sustaining the injury but it is thought that the striker's swift recovery will allow him to feature at St Andrew's.

The Weekend Six Pack Betting Preview is a post from: Just Football

Introducing a new regular column on Just Football, the Weekend Six Pack. We're delighted to welcome our new betting columnist Rob Hartnett, who each week will bring you six bets from the weekend's football action.

Raul trains with Reds before Birmingham clash...So after what seemed like a hell of a long international break, Liverpool swing back into action on Sunday against Midlanders - Birmingham City. Liverpool were quite lucky in terms of injuries with all the players coming back from duties with their countries in good shape, Dirk Kuyt however was an exception after he injured his shoulder.

Raul trains with Reds before Birmingham clash...So after what seemed like a hell of a long international break, Liverpool swing back into action on Sunday against Midlanders - Birmingham City. Liverpool were quite lucky in terms of injuries with all the players coming back from duties with their countries in good shape, Dirk Kuyt however was an exception after he injured his shoulder.

A few matches last week saw a few players receive their marching orders. Others are coming to last days of their suspensions. Here's a look at those that are unavailable ahead of Week 4′s kick off:

Joe Cole (AM) will miss Liverpool's trip to St. Andrews' to face Birmingham City as he sees out his final match under a three-game suspension from Week 1.

Liverpool will give Roy Hodgson every financial assistance if he chooses to pursue another striker when the transfer window re-opens on January 1.
The Reds received more than £20m for Javier Mascherano when they sold him to Barcelona last month and were subsequently able to bring in Paul Konchesky and Raul Meireles before deadline day.

It was the snapshot that perhaps signalled the beginning of the end for Rafael Benitez.
The number on the electronic scoreboard read ‘9', and it meant Fernando Torres was being hauled off despite Liverpool, still in the hunt for Champions League qualification, having been pegged back to 1-1 by Birmingham City with 25 minutes still remaining.

EPL on Fox Soccer Channel: Birmingham City - Liverpool at 11am. Serie A on FSC: Juventus - Sampdoria at 9am and Napoli - Bari at 2:30pm. Brescia - Palermo is on Fox Soccer Plus at 6:30am. Ligue 1 on Fox Soccer Plus: Marseille - Monaco at 3pm. La Liga on ESPN Deportes: Zaragoza - Malaga at 11am and Sevilla - Deportivo at 3pm.

>> Click Here To Watch Birmingham City Vs Liverpool Live Now <<

Birmingham City Vs Liverpool Live Streaming & Match Preview
English Premier League – Birmingham City Vs Liverpool Live Online Click Here
Sunday, 12th September 2010
Kick Off : 16:00 BST
Venue : St.

>> Click Here To Watch Birmingham City Vs Liverpool Live Now <<

Birmingham City Vs Liverpool Live Streaming & Match Preview
English Premier League – Birmingham City Vs Liverpool Live Online Click Here
Sunday, 12th September 2010
Kick Off : 16:00 BST
Venue : St.

Roy Hodgson insists Fernando Torres can handle three games in a week but admits he would prefer to use his star striker sparingly.
The Spaniard has failed to complete a season at Liverpool without sustaining an injury and the Anfield manager is mindful of the fragility of the 26-year-old.
"I think Torres can probably play three games in seven days - he is as capable as anyone else - but if you can spare your players you want to do that," Hodgson told Press Association Sport.

Second season syndrome? What second season syndrome?
Alex McLeish might have been concerned as the season began that his Birmingham City side couldn't possibly live up to last term's impressive finish, but with five points from their opening three fixtures already such a repeat performance doesn't look out of the question.

Liverpool travel to the Midlands to take on Alex McLeish's Birmingham City today. That much is known. However, not many are aware of an interesting subplot in the build-up to the day's only Premier League fixture.

Blues defender Scott Dann, 23, was once a Kop season-ticket holder and after a fine start to the new season, he is being tipped as one of the players Roy Hodgson's men will particularly need to watch out for.

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has revealed that injury-plagued midfielder Alexander Hleb, who arrived from the recent international break lacking full fitness, could now face Liverpool after all.

Former Arsenal player Hleb, who represented Belarus in their recent Euro 2012 qualifiers, which included a famous 1-0 away win against France, just arrived at St.

Roy Hodgson has named his starting line up to face Birmingham City at St Andrews today, with Raul Meireles on the bench.

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Roy Hodgson has named his starting line up to face Birmingham City at St Andrews today, with Raul Meireles on the bench.

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