Today
Aston Villa (1) v Tottenham (9)
Dion Dublin will make his debut for leaders Aston Villa at home to Tottenham today. The £5.75 million signing from Coventry could be joined by Paul Merson and Steve Watson in the starting line-up. Villa will also check on the fitness of goalkeeper Mark Bosnich who has missed the last five games with a shoulder injury.
Spurs manager George Graham has received a double boost with the return of David Ginola and Steffen Iversen. Ginola is back after suspension and Iversen has shaken off a knee injury. Les Ferdinand is still injured.
Last season: Aston Villa 4-1 Tottenham, Tottenham 32 Aston Villa.
Last five League matches: Aston Villa D W W D D; Tottenham D W L W D.
Top scorers: Stan Collymore (Aston Villa) 4; Chris Armstrong, Sol Campbell (Tottenham) 4.
Match odds: H 4-6; A 7-2; D 12-5.
Referee: R Harris (Oxford).
Blackburn (17) v Coventry (19)
Blackburn-born David Dunn rejoins his hometown team's squad for the visit of Coventry after a groin injury ruled out Billy McKinlay. Dunn (18) will compete with Italian Dario Marcolin to partner Tim Sherwood. Coventry have Marc Edworthy deputising for the injured David Burrows, who is recovering from a hamstring strain. Marcus Hall, Burrows' deputy in the last two matches, has had an operation for a knee ligament injury.
Last season: Blackburn 0-0 Coventry, Coventry 2-0 Blackburn.
Last five League matches: Blackburn D W L L D; Coventry D L W L L.
Top scorers: Nathan Blake (Blackburn) 9; Dion Dublin (Coventry) 4.
Match odds: H 8-11; A 10-3; D 9-4.
Referee: P Durkin (Portland).
Charlton (11) v Leicester (7)
Charlton defender Richard Rufus faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury. If Rufus is ruled out Curbishley is likely to revert to a 4-4-2 formation with John Robinson returning to the starting line-up in midfield and Carl Tiler and Eddie Youds in defence.
In-form striker Tony Cottee is doubtful for Leicester after pulling out of training with a thigh strain. Skipper Steve Walsh may make the starting line up for the first time in 11 games despite suffering a groin strain in midweek but Theo Zagorakis is doubtful.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Charlton D W L W D, Leicester D W W D W.
Top scorers: Clive Mendonca (Charlton) 5; Tony Cottee (Leicester) 7.
Match odds: H 6-4; A 6-4; D 11-5.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
Liverpool (5) v Derby (12)
Liverpool are expected to be unchanged from the side that beat Valencia in midweek. Karlheinz Riedle missed the trip with a groin injury, and is unlikely to be fit.
Dean Sturridge has been ruled out of Derby's plans with a muscle strain so Deon Burton looks favourite to take over in attack. Francesco Baiano is doubtful after injuring a knee and another knee problem means centre-half Spencer Prior misses his second consecutive game. German wing-back Stefan Schnoor serves a one-match ban following five bookings.
Last season: Liverpool 4-0 Derby, Derby 1-0 Liverpool.
Last five League matches: Liverpool L D D W L, Derby L L L D D.
Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 9; Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 4.
Match odds: H 8-15; A 5-1; D 12-5.
Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).
Nottm Forest (18) v Wimbledon (14)
Nottingham Forest rebel Pierre van Hooijdonk could return to first team action. Dave Bassett has included the Dutch player in his squad even though he has not played a game since the World Cup finals in July. Wimbledon are still without Efan Ekoku. The Nigerian striker's hamstring strain has recovered sufficiently to enable him to resume training but he is not ready for a return to first team action.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Nottm Forest L L D L D, Wimbledon D L L D D.
Top scorers: Steve Stone, Dougie Freedman (Nottm Forest) 4; Efan Ekoku (Wimbledon) 6.
Match odds: H 6-4; A 6-4; D 11-5.
Referee: G Poll (Tring, Hertfordshire).
S'hampton (20) v Middlesbrough (4)
Jason Dodd is in contention to return to strengthen Southampton's side following an ankle injury that has sidelined him for six weeks. Scott Hiley is likely to make way. David Howells is still struggling to recover from a knee injury but Matthew Oakley hopes to be back in contention for a place after recovering from a throat infection.
Curtis Fleming has recovered from a groin injury and returns for Middlesbrough but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has not fully recovered from an ankle injury.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Southampton L L D W D, Middlesbrough L W W D D.
Top scorers: Matt Le Tissier (Southampton) 3; Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 11.
Match odds: H 6-4; A 6-4; D 11-5.
Referee: P Alcock (Halstead, Kent).
Tomorrow
Leeds (10) v Sheffield Wed (16)
Leeds will again be without skipper Lucas Radebe and left wing-back Danny Granville. Goalkeeper Nigel Martyn should be fit to play, but Gary Kelly, Alan Maybury and David Robertson miss out through long-term injuries.
Wednesday boss Danny Wilson will wait until the 11th hour before deciding whether to recall Italian striker Benito Carbone and Norwegian international winger Petter Rudi. Carbone and Rudi have both been on the sidelines in recent weeks due to ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.
Last season: Leeds 1-2 Sheff Wed, Sheff Wed 1-3 Leeds
Last five League matches: Leeds D L D D D; Sheff Wed W L L D D.
Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 3; Paolo Di Canio (Sheff Wed) 3.
Match odds: H 8-13; A 4-1; D 12-5.
Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy).
Manchester Utd (2) v Newcastle (13)
Phil Neville is United's main doubt with a slight hamstring problem. Nicky Butt is back in contention for his first start since October 24th. Ronny Johnsen is also back to full fitness. Ryan Giggs is the only certain absentee as he recovers after breaking a bone in his foot.
Rob Lee and Dietmar Hamann will undergo late fitness tests before Ruud Gullit finalises his Newcastle line-up. Lee has been out with a virus while fellow midfielder Hamann played 33 minutes for the reserves on Monday night - his first action since damaging knee ligaments in August.
Last season: Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle, Newcastle 0-1 Man Utd.
Last five League matches: Man Utd W W W D W; Newcastle W L W L L.
Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (Man Utd) 9; Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 7.
Match odds: H 8-15; A 5-1; D 12-5.
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
West Ham (8) v Chelsea (6)
West Ham will be without Andy Impey, who is ruled out by a thigh injury, and that could mean a recall for Julian Dicks. Stan Lazaridis is still out with a groin problem. Chelsea will be without defenders Frank Leboeuf and Michael Duberry due to suspension. In Leboeuf's absence Bernard Lambourde is set to partner Marcel Desailly in defence.
Last season: West Ham 2-1 Chelsea, Chelsea 2-1 West Ham.
Last five League matches: West Ham W L D L W; Chelsea W W D W D.
Top scorers: Ian Wright (West Ham) 6; Gustavo Poyet (Chelsea) 4.
Match odds: H 6-4; A 6-4; D 11-5.
Referee: G Barber (Pyrford, Surrey).
Arsenal (3) v Everton (15)
Dennis Bergkamp and Nicolas Anelka are expected to return to Arsenal's attack but definitely out are defenders Tony Adams, with a back injury, and Steve Bould, who has a hamstring problem. Gilles Grimandi and Matthew Upson stand by as replacements.
Midfielder Don Hutchison is in contention for an Everton recall after completing a one-match suspension and could get the nod ahead of teenager Danny Cadamarteri against the Gunners.
Last season: Arsenal 4-0 Everton, Everton 2-2 Arsenal.
Last five League matches: Arsenal L W D W W; Everton D W D D L.
Top scorers: Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal) 5; Duncan Ferguson (Everton) 5.
Match odds: H 2-5; A 13-2; D 11-4.
Referee: G Willard (Worthing, W Sussex).
Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill
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