Iraola returns to Bournemouth, Premier League buildup and Townsend’s bizarre accident – matchday live
Former Premier League star Andros Townsend made light of a bizarre incident after being run over by a pitch roller in Thailand, while Andoni Iraola prepared for a return to Bournemouth
12.11pm BST
That's all from me today. Be sure to join John Brewin now for coverage of the Old Firm derby.
Related: Celtic v Rangers: Scottish Premiership – live
12.03pm BST
Jeremy Boyce has messaged in to say:
“A great menu the fixture computer has generated for us today, looks like it’ll be a long lunch.
“Starting with the Tatties (Celtic) and Neeps (Rangers) up at Celtic Park, can Rangers succeed in dethroning the Hoops where Hearts so miserably failed last time round? McInnes will certainly be hoping to erase that bad memory.
“Plenty of Black Country derbies to enjoy this season with Wolves, West Brom and Brummagem all vying for play-off places or better, so a couple of pints of Banks’s Wolves v Baggies at Molineux should wash that down nicely.
Next comes the main event: Leeds will be hoping for a strong win as they take on a fragile Crystal Palace side at Elland Road. If they win, they could spend three weeks unaccustomed to being high in the table, above long-time rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. Farke will be honest enough to say that this would put them nearly a third of the way to safety, and he would be right. He must manage both the team and expectations.
“Iraola’s return to the south coast with the aforementioned Reds would normally mean a hearty Scouse (meat and veg stew) but they may find themselves feeding off Dorset apple pie and Blue Vinney crumbs if Bournemouth can reproduce their midweek European form.
“Man City will hope the Etihad will be too much of a hot-pot for the visit of Sunderland, who will have their own plans for hi-jacking things by turning it into a proper Panackelty served with Stottie cake to mop up the points.
“Then it’s all down to west London to see if Fulham’s pragmatic Fish and Chip supper will be too filling to leave room for any fancy Manchester tart, Carrick could do with getting something out of his jam, custard and coconut team, leaving SW10 with any/all the points would be the cherry on top.
“Bon appetit!”
11.50am BST
“Big things are the target and big things are expected from a Liverpool side containing three £100m-plus forwards. But the learning curve under the new head coach is proving challenging. As it is for the new head coach, too. Big decisions appear unavoidable…”
Related: Andoni Iraola makes Bournemouth return still learning on the job at Liverpool
11.40am BST
A reminder of today’s Premier League fixtures
Bournemouth v Liverpool (2pm BST)
Manchester City v Sunderland (2pm BST)
