Saturday, November 29
Aston Villa (18) v Southampton (10)
Aston Villa will be boosted by the return of midfielder Gavin McCann from suspension. Striker Juan Pablo Angel should be back too after arriving back late from international duty last week. Right-back Mark Delaney is definitely ruled out with a knee injury.
Defender Michael Svensson is available to return to Southampton's defence after suspension with Danny Higginbotham expected to drop to the bench. James Beattie (calf) and Jason Dodd (groin) are again doubtful but Agustin Delgado could start only his fifth game in two years after recovering from back surgery while Latvian international Marian Pahars may also figure after a year out with ankle trouble.
Last season: Southampton 2 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 0 Southampton 1. Last five league matches: Aston Villa D D D L L; Southampton D W L D L. Top scorers: Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa) 7; James Beattie (Southampton) 8 Match odds: H 5-4 A 15-8 D 2-1. Referee: M Messias (N Yorkshire).
Blackburn (17) v Tottenham (12)
Blackburn will be without the suspended Andy Cole and Lucas Neill. David Thompson is out for the rest of the season following a knee operation, and Lorenzo Amoruso is also missing until the new year with a knee injury. The 19-year-old striker Paul Gallagher could get his first Premiership start.
Gus Poyet and Jonathan Blondel are ruled out for Spurs. Poyet has visited a specialist after being troubled by his wrist in recent weeks - having been playing with a lightweight cast on his right arm - while Blondel has a slight knee injury. Dean Marney is back in the squad. Frederic Kanoute (ankle), Jamie Redknapp, Christian Ziege (both knee) and Simon Davies (thigh) are still sidelined.
Last season: Tottenham 0 Blackburn 4, Blackburn 1 Tottenham 2. Last five league matches: Blackburn L L L W L; Tottenham W D L L W. Top scorers: Andy Cole (Blackburn) 5; Frederic Kanoute (Tottenham) 7. Match odds: H 6-5 A 9-5 D 11-5. Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
Bolton (14) v Everton (15)
Youri Djorkaeff is set to return to Bolton's starting line-up following his substitute appearance in last week's win at Elland Road as he makes his way back from a troublesome calf strain. Emerson Thome is also available following hamstring problems.
Defender Gary Naysmith could return from a hamstring injury but Kevin Campbell (hamstring and back) is still not fully recovered. Duncan Ferguson, although back in full training after his bust up with boss David Moyes, is unlikely to be considered.
Last season: Bolton 1 Everton 2, Everton 0 Bolton 0. Last five league matches: Bolton L L W D W; Everton D D L L W. Top scorers: Kevin Davies, Kevin Nolan (Bolton) 4; Steve Watson (Everton) 5. Match odds: H 5-4 A 9-5 D 21-10 Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).
Charlton (4) v Leeds (20)
Midfielders Scott Parker, who has completed his suspension, and Claus Jensen, fit again after injury, are set to return. Striker Jonatan Johansson (thigh) faces a late fitness test.
Leeds captain Dominic Matteo and striker Alan Smith return to the side after each serving a one-match suspension. Gary Kelly and Jermaine Pennant are also available after missing the defeat at home to Bolton because of a back injury and personal problems respectively. Stephen McPhail is also in the squad after completing a three-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest, but Roque Junior (Achilles) and Lamine Sakho (cracked rib) are both out.
Last season: Charlton 1 Leeds 6, Leeds 1 Charlton 2. Last five league matches: Charlton W D W W D; Leeds L L L L L. Top scorers: Kevin Lisbie (Charlton) 5; Alan Smith (Leeds) 5. Match odds: H 8-13 A 5-2 D 7-2. Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).
Portsmouth (11) v Leicester (16)
On-loan Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin will make his first Premiership start for six matches after recovering from a knee injury. However, Harry Redknapp has only 15 fit outfield players with Shaka Hislop, Eddie Howe, Amdy Faye, Nigel Quashie, Vincent Pericard and Jason Roberts all injured. England Under-21 international Matt Taylor is in contention to make his full Premiership debut.
Leicester manager Micky Adams will check on the fitness of leading scorer Paul Dickov, who has a back problem. Defender Frank Sinclair is the only long-term casualty with the Achilles problem which will keep him out until Christmas. His fellow centre-back Gerry Taggart's hopes of a comeback after a groin injury have been further hampered by a thigh setback.
Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Portsmouth W L L W L; Leicester L L W W D. Top scorers: Teddy Sheringham (Portsmouth) 6; Paul Dickov (Leicester) 6. Match odds: H 4-5 A 3-1 D 21-10. Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Wolverhampton (19) v Newcastle (7)
Midfielder Colin Cameron (stomach muscle) faces a fitness test but Republic of Ireland winger Mark Kennedy expects to be fit after a shoulder problem, and midfielder Alex Rae has recovered from a calf strain. Steffen Iversen (thigh) hopes to figure but fellow striker Dean Sturridge (hamstring) continues to struggle. On-loan Aston Villa midfielder Hassan Kachloul (back) is set to return.
Andy O'Brien is suspended after being sent off at Chelsea but Jonathan Woodgate, who was rested for Thursday's UEFA Cup game, will return, while Lee Bowyer is also back after completing his European ban. Skipper Alan Shearer needed a couple of stitches in a head wound but will be available.
Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Wolverhampton D W L D L; Newcastle W W D L W, Top scorers: Colin Cameron, Alex Rae (Wolverhampton) 3; Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 12. Match odds: H 5-2 A 10-11 D 11-5. Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
Sunday, November 30
Arsenal (1) v Fulham (5)
Thierry Henry is expected to shrug off his back and hamstring niggles to face Fulham. Henry will have a fitness test on Saturday but boss Arsene Wenger says he is "90% fit". However, Ray Parlour (hamstring), Sylvain Wiltord (groin), Patrick Vieira (thigh), Lauren (suspended) and Martin Keown (suspended) all miss out. Gilberto Silva and Dennis Bergkamp are fit after minor injuries.
French striker Louis Saha was unable to train in midweek because of cramp - but he should be ready to face Arsenal. Steed Malbranque is likely to overcome a slight knock. But Luis Boa Morte is still suspended following the red card he picked up against Liverpool, and manager Chris Coleman is also without Mark Pembridge (calf). Alain Goma is back in training after a minor knee operation and should be fit.
Last season: Arsenal 2 Fulham 1, Fulham 0 Arsenal 1. Last five league matches: Arsenal W D W W W; Fulham L W L L W. Top scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 14; Louis Saha (Fulham) 8. Match odds: H 2-7 A 7-1 D 7-2. Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).
Chelsea (2) v Man Utd (3)
Juan Sebastian Veron (back) misses out against his former club but defender Glen Johnson is back in the squad after missing Wednesday night's Champions League draw against Sparta Prague through suspension.
Sir Alex Ferguson expects to have Roy Keane available after the United skipper missed the midweek Champions League win over Panathinaikos with a minor hamstring strain.
Last season: Man Utd 2 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 2 Man Utd 2. Last five league matches: Chelsea L W W W W; Man Utd W L W W W. Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 8; Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) 12. Match odds: H 7-5 A 7-4 D 19-10. Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
Liverpool (9) v Birmingham (6)
Michael Owen has been ruled out for another three weeks following a scan on the thigh muscle he injured last night in Liverpool's UEFA Cup win over Steaua Bucharest.
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce hopes Christophe Dugarry will be fit to return after twisting his knee against Wolves three weeks ago. Bruce has no other injury problems.
Last season: Birmingham 2 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 2 Birmingham 2. Last five league matches: Liverpool L W W L D; Birmingham D W L D L. Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 9; Mikael Forssell (Birmingham) 5. Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 12-5. Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).
Man City (8) v Middlesbrough (13)
Midfielder Claudio Reyna is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after recovering from flu. Defender Michael Tarnat remains doubtful with a hamstring strain.
Danny Mills returns to the squad from suspension and seems likely to replace youngster Andrew Davies. Boro boss Steve McClaren otherwise has few selection problems with Ugo Ehiogu and Stuart Parnaby (both knee) back in full training, although still several weeks away from returning to action.
Last season: Man City 0 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 3 Man City 1. Last five league matches: Man City W L W L L; Middlesbrough L D W W D. Top scorers: Nicolas Anelka (Man City) 11; Szilard Nemeth (Middlesbrough) 3. Match odds: H 10-11 A 12-5 D 19-10. Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
PA