Premier League team news and statistics

Saturday, April 16th

Birmingham (16) v Sunderland (13)

Blues defender Roger Johnson should be available despite suffering concussion against Blackburn. Winger David Bentley and striker Nikola Zigic could come into contention after their respective groin problems but centre-back Martin Jiranek (toe) and Obafemi Martins (groin) are again ruled out.

Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell is facing the possibility of a second operation to repair cruciate ligament damage and goalkeeper Craig Gordon may also need surgery. Titus Bramble has revealed he will not play again this term because of his knee cartilage problem, while Anton Ferdinand (hamstring), John Mensah (groin), Sulley Muntari (calf) and David Meyler (knee) are all out. Kieran Richardson (hamstring) is rated at 50-50, but England international Jordan Henderson is likely to be recalled and 19-year-olds Craig Lynch and Ryan Noble have been drafted into the squad.
Last season:Sunderland 3 Birmingham 1, Birmingham 2 Sunderland 1
Last five league matches:Birmingham L D L W D; Sunderland L D L L L
Top scorers(all competitions): Craig Gardner & Nikola Zigic (Birmingham) 8; Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland) 10
Match odds:H 6-5 A 12-5 D 11-5
Referee:Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Blackpool (17) v Wigan (20)

Blackpool will be without midfielder David Vaughan with a hip injury. Seasiders boss Ian Holloway does not feel that Matt Gilks is ready to return as the goalkeeper continues his recovery after breaking his kneecap in November. Defender David Carney is undergoing surgery for his shoulder complaint and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Left-back Maynor Figueroa is Wigan's only major absentee as the Honduras international collected his 10th booking of the season in the defeat at Chelsea last weekend. Callum McManaman is pushing strongly for a return after recovering from a head injury suffered in January. Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia are both likely to start despite being substituted just after the hour at Stamford Bridge.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:Blackpool L L D L L; Wigan L L W D L
Top scorers(all competitions): Charlie Adam & DJ Campbell (Blackpool) 10; Conor Sammon (Wigan) 18
Match odds:H 13-10 A 15-8 D 5-2
Referee:Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Everton (7) v Blackburn (15)

Everton have Seamus Coleman, Jack Rodwell (both ankle) and Tim Cahill (foot) doubtful. Playmaker Mikel Arteta (hamstring) remains on the sidelines but Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini are long-term absentees. The injury situation could see the likes of youngsters Magaye Gueye and Apostolos Vellios get further opportunities.

Blackburn will be without key defender Ryan Nelsen following a knee operation. Gael Givet missed the 1-1 draw with Birmingham but could come into contention after a contract dispute with the club saw him left out. Junior Hoilett (hamstring) is rated as 50/50, while Keith Andrews (groin) has returned to training but is not yet match fit. Ruben Rochina could come in following his January transfer from Barcelona but Steven Nzonzi serves the second of a three-game ban.
Last season:Blackburn 2 Everton 3, Everton 3 Blackburn 0
Last five league matches:Everton W D W D W; Blackburn L L D D D
Top scorers(all competitions): Louis Saha (Everton) 10; Mame Biram Diouf & Nikola Kalinic (Blackburn) 6
Match odds:H 3-4 A 7-2 D 11-4
Referee:Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

West Brom (10) v Chelsea (3)

West Brom have no new injury concerns. Graham Dorrans is the only absentee with the Scottish midfielder still recovering from an ankle injury. Head coach Roy Hodgson, who will look to his side to continue their good form against Chelsea, has not set a date for his return.

Chelsea will be without Ramires and Alex as the Brazilian duo have muscle strains which will rule them out for the trip to The Hawthorns. But they should both be back in contention against Birmingham on Wednesday. David Luiz is set to start after being cup-tied for Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final second leg defeat at Manchester United.
Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches:West Brom D W D W W; Chelsea W W W D W
Top scorers(all competitions): Peter Odemwingie (West Brom) 11; Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 16
Match odds:H 7-2 A 3-4 D 11-4
Referee:Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

West Ham (18) v Aston Villa (14)

Midfielder Scott Parker is a doubt for West Ham with an Achilles problem. Kieron Dyer has returned to the club from a loan spell at Ipswich and Jack Collison continued his return from a long-term knee injury for the reserves in midweek. Junior Stanislas (hernia) is ruled out. Manager Avram Grant will serve the second of his two-match touchline ban.

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been declared fit after recovering from the slight hamstring strain which led to him being substituted during last weekend's 1-0 home win over Newcastle. Villa boss Gerard Houllier has no fresh injury worries as his side look for the win which will take them to the 40-point mark and close to safety. His only major selection poser is in central midfield with skipper Stiliyan Petrov, January signing Jean Makoun and Nigel Reo-Coker vying for two places.
Last season:Aston Villa 0 West Ham 0, West Ham 2 Aston Villa 1
Last five league matches:West Ham W W D L L; Aston Villa W L L D W
Top scorers(all competitions): Demba Ba (West Ham) 13; Darren Bent (Aston Villa) 16
Match odds:H 5-4 A 21-10 D 12-5
Referee:Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Sunday, April 17th

Arsenal (2) v Liverpool (6)

Arsenal could welcome back goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny from a finger injury. Centre-half Johan Djourou (shoulder) may also recover, along with midfielders Alex Song (knee) and Denilson (toe), but full-back Bacary Sagna (knee) is a doubt. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (ankle) is also struggling so veteran Jens Lehmann could be on the bench again while Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) continues his rehabilitation.

Teenager John Flanagan's tough baptism could continue as Liverpool are without a number of key defenders. The 18-year-old right-back made an impressive debut against Manchester City in the absence of Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson with hamstring injuries. Brazilian Fabio Aurelio could continue at left-back. Centre-back Daniel Agger (knee) and captain Steven Gerrard (groin) have both been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Last season:Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0, Liverpool 1 Arsenal 2
Last five league matches:Arsenal W D D D W; Liverpool L W W L W
Top scorers(all competitions): Robin van Persie (Arsenal) 16; Andy Carroll (Liverpool) 13
Match odds:H 7-10 A 19-5 D 11-4
Referee:Andre Marriner (W Midlands).