FED TO THE WOLVES

It seems incredible for a Premier League fixture, but Wolves will start as 18-1 outsiders when they travel to Manchester City this afternoon.

Mick McCarthy's side were thrashed by City at Molineux in the Carling Cup this week, and would appear to have little chance of extracting revenge at the Etihad Stadium.

After winning their opening two games of the season, they have failed to win any of their subsequent seven matches, leading a growing number of supporters to start calling for McCarthy's head.

That seems harsh given the manager's success since taking over in the West Midlands, but his position is unlikely to be any more secure by 5pm tonight.

TERRY'S TEST

All eyes will be on England captain John Terry as Chelsea entertain London rivals Arsenal in one of today's two early kick-offs.

Terry finds himself embroiled in a race row after he was accused of making racist comments to Anton Ferdinand in last weekend's defeat at QPR.

Andre Villas-Boas did not include the defender in the squad for the midweek Carling Cup game at Everton, but insists Terry is mentally ready to be involved today.

The fact the game is at Stamford Bridge will help, but it still promises to be an uncomfortable afternoon for Chelsea's talisman.

HAMMERING HOME THEIR ADVANTAGE

After a stuttering start to the season, West Ham have found their feet in recent weeks, powering to second in the Championship table on the back of Monday's impressive away win at Brighton.

They entertain misfiring Leicester today, with the Foxes in a state of some disarray following the dismissal of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Hammers' side is packed with Premier League experience, with the likes of John Carew, Kevin Nolan, Jack Collison and Mark Noble surely too good for Championship level.

There will be plenty of twists and turns in the remainder of the campaign, but having battled their way into a top-two position with almost a third of the season gone, Sam Allardyce's side will not be relinquishing it without a fight.

TERRIFIC TERRIERS

This week's 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe extended Huddersfield unbeaten league record to a staggering 40 matches.

Lee Clark's side will attempt to make it 41 at Yeovil this afternoon, and will also attempt to close the three-point gap separating them from league leaders Charlton.

Clark has ruled himself out of the running for the Leicester job this week, insisting he has unfinished business to complete at the Galpharm Stadium.

That unfinished business is promotion, and a win today would represent another significant step along the way.

HEBBURN IS A PLACE ON EARTH

The stand-out tie from today's FA Cup fourth-qualifying round pits Hebburn Town of the second division of the Northern League against Gateshead Town of the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The two sides are Tyneside neighbours, but cannot have expected to meet with a place in the FA Cup's first-round proper at stake.

Gateshead will start as strong favourites as they have been in fine form in the Conference, sparking hopes of a return to the Football League.

However, it would be wrong to write off Hebburn, who have already recorded five victories just to reach this stage.