English Premiership soccer news
Soccer:All the latest on injuries, suspensions, new signings and who's likely to be in action this weekend.
Saturday, August 25
Aston Villa (15) v Everton (7)
Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso will boost manager Paul Lambert’s attacking options after recovering from a thigh injury, while defender Chris Herd will also be included. Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (knee), defender Richard Dunne (groin)and winger Marc Albrighton (foot) are still sidelined while youngster Samir Carruthers has an ankle problem.
Everton manager David Moyes will make a late decision on whether to include Kevin Mirallas in his squad. The Belgium international has only had a couple of days’ training since signing on Sunday and although he has had intensive sessions Moyes is unsure about the player’s fitness. Sylvain Distin (back) and Nikica Jelavic (groin) are minor injury concerns.
Last season:Aston Villa 1 Everton 1, Everton 2 Aston Villa 2
Last five league matches:Aston Villa L D D L L; Everton W D D W W
Top scorers:Marouane Fellaini (Everton) 1
Match odds:H 15-8 A 6-4 D 11-5
Referee:Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Chelsea (1) v Newcastle (6)
Chelsea are likely to be without captain John Terry (neck), although David Luiz is expected to be fit after sitting out the 4-2 victory over Reading in midweek. Marko Marin remains unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will make late checks on skipper Fabricio Coloccini and striker Demba Ba after the pair were among nine men who missed or were rested for the 1-1 Europa League play-off draw at Atromitos, the Argentinian with a thigh problem and the Senegal international with a sore shin. Pardew is hoping both will be fit after training in London this evening, although Cheick Tiote (calf) and Shola Ameobi (hamstring) remain doubts.
Last season:Chelsea 0 Newcastle 2, Newcastle 0 Chelsea 3
Last five league matches:Chelsea L L W W W; Newcastle L W L L W
Top scorers:Frank Lampard & Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) 2; Hatem Ben Arfa & Demba Ba (Newcastle) 1
Match odds:H 1-2 A 11-2 D 16-5
Referee:Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
Man Utd (16) v Fulham (2)
Robin van Persie is set to make his first start while fellow Dutchman Alexander Buttner will be involved, most likely starting on the bench. United will once again be without the defensive quartet of Phil Jones (back), Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling (both foot) and Rio Ferdinand (leg) that was unavailable for the Everton game.
Clint Dempsey will be missing from Fulham’s squad once again while Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Philippe Senderos (foot) are unavailable, but Zdenek Grygera (knee) has been passed fit.
Last season:Man Utd 1 Fulham 0, Fulham 0 Man Utd 5
Last five league matches:Man Utd D L W W L; Fulham L W W L W
Top scorers:Mladen Petric (Fulham) 2
Match odds:H 7-20 A 8-1 D 19-5
Referee:Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
Norwich (19) v QPR (20)
Norwich will be without winger Elliott Bennett, who has a knee problem, although new signings Sebastien Bassong and Javier Garrido, who now has international clearance on his season-long loan from Lazio, are both in contention. Steven Whittaker (ankle), midfielders Jacob Butterfield (knee) and David Fox (knee) and defender Elliott Ward (ankle) all continue their rehabilitation.
