Barclays Premier League team news
Saturday, December 1st
Arsenal (7) v Swansea (8)
Gunners right-back Bacary Sagna is doubtful with a foot injury. Forwards Theo Walcott (ankle) and Lukas Podolski (virus) will be assessed, defender Laurent Koscielny (thigh) is set for a spell on the sidelines, while defender Andre Santos (stomach muscle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) continue their recoveries.
Pablo Hernandez misses out for Swansea after picking up a thigh injury — Jonathan de Guzman is set to return to the starting line-up in his place. Chico Flores should be available despite a shoulder problem, while striker Danny Graham will not be risked despite returning to training after illness.
Last season: Swansea 3 Arsenal 2, Arsenal 1 Swansea 0
Last five league matches: Arsenal L D W D D; Swansea D D W D W
Top scorers (all competitions): Theo Walcott (Arsenal) 10; Michu (Swansea) 9
Match odds: H 4-9 A 6-1 D 7-2
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Fulham (11) v Tottenham (5)
Fulham have Kieran Richardson available after a hamstring injury, although similar issues will keep Alex Kacaniklic and Bryan Ruiz out for a further week. Brede Hangeland serves the final game of a three-match ban and Simon Davies is also out as he continues his return from a hip complaint.
Defender Steven Caulker has overcome illness and is fit for Tottenham. Emmanuel Adebayor completes his three-match suspension, but Scott Parker (Achilles), Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul (both knee) are out.
Last season: Tottenham 2 Fulham 0, Fulham 1 Tottenham 3
Last five league matches: Fulham D D L L D; Tottenham L L L W W
Top scorers (all competitions): Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham) 5; Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 10
Match odds: H 15-8 A 13-10 D 13-5
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
Liverpool (12) v Southampton (18)
Midfielder Lucas Leiva returns to Liverpool’s matchday squad after a three-month injury absence with a thigh injury. Joe Cole has overcome a hamstring problem which forced him out of the defeat at Tottenham. Defender Andre Wisdom, on the bench at White Hart Lane after a knee injury, could come back into contention for a starting place.
Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga looks set to start for Saints again — the 20-year-old has come under increasing scrutiny following a number of recent high-profile mistakes, including the one that saw Norwich grab an equaliser in midweek. Danny Fox could return from a knee complaint, while Frazer Richardson and Richard Chaplow are closing in on a return.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Liverpool D D W D L; Southampton L D W W D
Top scorers (all competitions): Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 13; Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 6
Match odds: H 4-11 A 15-2 D 19-5
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Man City (2) v Everton (6)
City midfielder James Milner will miss out with a hamstring injury sustained in the midweek win at Wigan but could return for the derby with Manchester United. Fellow midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and left-back Gael Clichy (ankle) are not yet ready to return while right-back Micah Richards (knee) is still out.
Everton defender Leighton Baines (hamstring) is a major doubt, Sylvain Distin or Bryan Oviedo will fill in if the left-back misses out — although David Moyes will wait as long as possible before ruling him out. Midfielder Séamus Coleman and forwards Kevin Mirallas and Victor Anichebe (both hamstring) are unlikely to be fit to return.
