Premier League preview: Zlatan Ibrahimovic in line for first start of the season

Watford vs. Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could get his first start of the season as second-placed Manchester United travel to Watford tonight in the Premier League.

Since returning from a serious knee injury sustained in April, Ibrahimovic has made three substitute appearances for the Red Devils. But tonight at Vicarage Road the Swede could be named in the United starting XI alongside under-fire first-choice striker Romelu Lukaku.

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Belgian star Lukaku has scored only once in his last 10 matches. Against Brighton at the weekend he was involved in an alleged incident where he kicked out at defender Gaetan Bong.

While no action has been taken against Lukaku, and he is free to play against the eight-placed Hornets, BBC football pundit Ian Wright believes he should have been banned.

“If they look back at it, how can they not see it is not right what he has done?” Wright told BBC Radio 5 live. “As soon as I saw it, I thought they will probably look at it. You think, why has he got away with it?”

With Lukaku available, the Manchester Evening News (MEN) predicts Ibrahimovic will be named in Jose Mourinho’s team.

MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst says the Lukaku-Ibrahimovic axis “needs to be trialled at some stage” and the match against Watford is seen as more ideal rather than the away clash against Arsenal on Saturday.

Watford have captain Troy Deeney available after he served a three-match suspension.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Crystal Palace

Expect a “raucous night” at the AMEX Stadium as rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace go head-to-head in the Premier League.

Despite meeting in the top-flight for the first time in 26 years, Palace boss Roy Hodgson was keen not to add to the hype.

“As far as derbies are concerned, the guys hear enough from the fans and externally around all that,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s important as a manager and coach that you don’t add to that hype.

“Players have to play more with their head than their heart, so you don’t want to have players playing too much with their heart and losing that focus.

“Every club has classic derbies, but this is the most important for Palace fans. Managers, coaches, players understand there’s a fierce rivalry where fans care that extra bit about the result.”

BBC Match of the Day commentator Tony Husband added: “The Premier League’s expanding global audience may be surprised to learn that this is a derby fixture, but events – as much as geography – have often put these two clubs at loggerheads. It should be a raucous night on the south coast.”

Tonight’s Premier League fixtures (7.45pm unless stated)

Tomorrow’s Premier League fixtures (7.45pm unless stated)