The Watford and Stoke players are heading out of the tunnel. The first of our four games for today will start in just a few minutes...

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

I have probably been guilty of under-estimating Watford in the past, but I have been very impressed by some of their attacking play and, in Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, they have got a goal threat too.

This should be a decent game, and it is hard to call. But Stoke are not quite firing up front and I think that is where Watford will have the edge.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Lloyd's prediction: 3-0

Image source, Getty Images

Lawro is having a good weekend so far with his predictions. He has got four results right so far and two perfect scores. That means he's already earned himself 100 points.

His opponent, Grimsby-supporting comedian Lloyd Griffith (pictured above), currently has just 10 points to his name.

Here is what Lawro has to say about today's first game...

Martin Fisher
Match of the Day commentator at Vicarage Road

While Antonio Conte is praised to the heavens for switching to three at the back at Chelsea, fellow Italian Walter Mazzarri has been employing the same system at Watford, external with impressive results.

He did swap to a four-man defence recently at Liverpool; however, the 6-1 defeat at Anfield means we're unlikely to see that again anytime soon.

Troy Deeney remains stuck on 99 goals for the club but, having scored home and away against Stoke last season, maybe this is the day he reaches treble figures?

Joe Allen's suspension is a huge blow for the visitors, but if the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Marko Arnautovic, Wilfried Bony and Bojan produce their best then Mark Hughes might see his team repeat their Vicarage Road victory of March.

It is unconventional, but I'm going to share with you an entry from our live text commentary of Swansea v Crystal Palace, specifically the last goal of the nine scored. In it, Saj Chowdhury sums up matters better than I can now in the cold light of the morning after...

Image source, BBC Sport

You could do a lot worse than going back and reading the last few entries from that game to try and get a sense of just what went on at the Liberty Stadium.

Saj is currently sat in a padded room. Rocking backwards and forwards. Whispering the word "Llorente". Crying.

Image source, Rex Features

When I was a kid in primary school, the teacher who took the football team used to stand on the sidelines and wave his arms around like a nutter. I can only assume he thought he was the new Brian Clough, although the only advice I ever got from him during my time as full-back was "hoof it" so I'm dubious of his tactical acumen. 

Antonio Conte is another firm believer in swinging your arms around and screaming like King Lear in a storm. Thankfully for Chelsea, he has a bit more to offer on the tactics front than sticking your foot through the ball at every opportunity.

If you want an insight into how Conte has revived Chelsea, you could do worse than clicking here and taking a bit of time to have a read.

Speaking of sport and its positive impact... 

Want to know how to get into sports journalism?

We could give you some tips, but you'd be much better off listening to Henry Winter. The Times' chief football writer is live now on the Match of the Day Facebook page answering your questions.

Image source, Rex Features

With the Rainbow Laces campaign in full swing this weekend, we would like you to tell us the ways that football has impacted positively on your life.

Has being part of a team helped you overcome obstacles in your life? Did you meet your partner while playing? Or have you provided joy to others through the running of a local football team?

You can contact us using the hashtag #bbcfootball or 81111 on text.

The Premier League has embraced Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign this weekend. The campaign, which sees players sport rainbow-coloured laces and captains use similar-themed armbands, is designed to promote inclusion in sport, principally for LGBT people.

It is easy to lose sight of it, but sport has the capacity to play a very important and positive role in people's lives. Long may that continue.

Watford make one change from the team that beat Leicester last week withJose Holebas returning following a ban in place of Juan Zuniga, who has a minor knock. Younes Kaboul has recovered from his own knock to start.

Watford: Gomes, Kaboul, Prödl, Britos, Janmaat, Capoue, Behrami, Holebas, Amrabat, Deeney, Pereyra.  

Image source, .

Glen Johnson returns in defence for Stoke in place of the injured Phil Bardsley but there is no Ryan Shawcross alongside him. He is also injured so Marc Muniesa comes in. Joe Allen is suspended so Giannelli Imbula is recalled. Wilfried Bony and Bojan Krkic drop to the bench with forwards Jon Walters and Mame Diouf brought in to the side.

Stoke: Grant, Johnson, M.Indi, Muniesa, Pieters, Imbula, Adam, Walters, Shaqiri, Arnautovic, Diouf.

Image source, .

Take a bow Antonio Conte. Eighth in September after defeats by Liverpool and Arsenal, Chelsea are now top following a seventh straight win - coming against Tottenham.

"I think now we are not the same team, now we are another team. We have another type of confidence. It's important to stay humble," Conte said.  

Millionaire footballers currently top of the Premier League staying humble? Yeah, good luck with that Antonio. You've more chance of turning Victor Moses into one of the league's most in-form wing-backs. Oh.

Sunderland are "the most defensive team I ever saw" said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after his side continued their fine start to the season with a win.  

He obviously never watched Leeds United in 1996-97.

The Reds had 27 shots and 77.5% possession as goals from Divock Origi and James Milner earned a 2-0 win. It came at a cost, though, with Philippe Coutinho being taken off on a stretcher with an ankle injury.

Image source, Reuters

Manchester City fired the first shot in the title race yesterday. Well, technically Dean Marney fired the first real shot, but City hit back with two of their own from Sergio Aguero to briefly seize top spot in the Premier League.

Here is what Pep had to say...

"There will be a special landmark at the Emirates today... The boss will be taking his 3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th game in permanent charge of #afcb, external!! ⚽️🍒👏"

Image source, Rex Features

It was on this day in 2011 that Gary Speed died. I was also on live text commentary duty that day. I also happen to be a Leeds fan who grew up watching Speed come through and then excel in the United midfield before watching on enviously as he continued to be brilliant for other clubs. I was gutted when he left and even more gutted when he died.

Go on Gary Speed, get one yourself son. RIP.

A new project by the English Football League called 'Every Player Counts' has been launched at Wembley Stadium with the aim of getting 10,000 more disabled people playing football.  

The project aims to give as many disabled people as possible access to football for the first time.  

The former England player Danny Mills and Paralympics GB footballer Jack Rutter share their experiences. 

Southampton manager Claude Puel is confident Jose Fonte will return after a foot injury, but Dusan Tadic is likely to miss out with a broken nose.

Left-back Matt Targett could again be absent as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Everton welcome back midfielder Gareth Barry, who served a one-game ban last weekend.

Manager Ronald Koeman could make changes following a run of one win in seven league games.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to return for Manchester United after completing a one-match domestic suspension.

Wayne Rooney and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could also start after impressing against Feyenoord, but Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling remain injured.

West Ham captain Mark Noble is available after serving a ban but defender Winston Reid misses out because of his red card at Tottenham.

Pedro Obiang is expected to be fit despite an ankle injury.