Premier League Injuries: Fulham to miss Berba threat

Dimitar Berbatov's goal threat will be a big loss for Fulham
Dimitar Berbatov, Micah Richards and Anton Ferdinand will all be big misses for their clubs this weekend...
Dimitar Berbatov - Southampton v Fulham (Sunday 13:30)
It was a real coup for Martin Jol to prise Berbatov away from the jaws of Juventus in the dying hours of the transfer window. For such a ridiculously small transfer fee of around 4 million this was surely among the very best signings of the summer, especially when you consider his last price tag was valued at over seven times that amount just four years ago. The silky Bulgarian's impact at Craven Cottage was immediate too, scoring twice on his home debut to ensure Fulham halted a run of three straight defeats. He'll be a big loss at St Mary's where the Cottagers haven't won in their last four attempts.
Recommended Bet: Back Southampton and Fulham to draw @ 3.55/2
Micah Richards - Man City v Sunderland (Saturday 12:45)
If it wasn't for a superhuman display of shot-stopping from Joe Hart on Wednesday Man City would already be gazing at successive group stage exits from the Champions League. City were opened up at will by Borussia Dortmund in their tenth straight game of the season without a clean sheet. Roberto Mancini claims he knows how to fix these defensive frailties and a good starting point would be the return of Micah Richards. The versatile defender was a consistent performer in the stingiest defence in the league last season, but has not featured since injuring an ankle on Great Britain duty this summer. His power and pace have been sorely missed in the opening weeks.
Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.84/5
Anton Ferdinand - West Brom v QPR (Saturday 15:00)
Mark Hughes is a man feeling the pinch at Loftus Road after the latest Premier League defeat to London rivals West Ham on Monday. Unfortunately for the Welshman his squad has been severely depleted due to a defensive injury crisis. This predicament forced Hughes into fielding a patched up centre back pairing of Ryan Nelsen alongside new signing Stephane Mbia, actually a defensive midfielder, in the absence of Ferdinand on Monday. QPR still remain rooted to the foot of the table ahead of their trip to West Brom this weekend and Rangers' dismal record of 19 consecutive away games without a clean sheet doesn't look like improving at the Hawthorns. The Baggies have won five and lost just one of their last seven in the league at home.
Recommended Bet: Back West Brom to beat QPR @ 1.9110/11