Aston Villa (5) V Charlton (19)
Villa striker Dion Dublin hopes to play despite a hernia problem and knee injury. Goalkeeper Mark Bosnich is likely to be left out as his Villa career faces an embarrassing finale, with Michael Oakes set to continue in goal.
Charlton's Simon Royce will not play any more part in the club's battle for Premiership survival, having undergone another round of operations on his knee, so Andy Petterson will be Alan Curbishley's goalkeeper. Hernia victim Paul Mortimer will also be missing following surgery but there is a chance of a recall for striker Clive Mendonca, who scored in Wednesday's reserve victory over Wycombe.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Aston Villa DWWWL, Charlton LDLLD.
Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 15; Graham Stuart (Charlton) 10.
Match odds: H 8-11, A 3-1, D 5-2.
Referee: M Riley (Leeds)
Blackburn (18) V Nottm Forest (20)
Matt Jansen is on course for a quick return to the Blackburn line-up. The former Crystal Palace striker, who only underwent knee surgery last month, is almost certain to be involved at some stage at Ewood Park as Rovers go in search of a vital win. But boss Brian Kidd still has injury worries with late checks on skipper Jason Wilcox and top scorer Ashley Ward.
Bernard Allou is poised to make his full debut for relegated Nottingham Forest. Pierre van Hooijdonk is in line for a return after being relegated to the bench for the past two matches. He could take Dougie Freedman's place in the front line.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Blackburn DLDLD, Nottm Forest DLLLW.
Top scorers: Ashley Ward (Blackburn) 20; Dougie Freedman (Nottm Forest) 11.
Match odds: H 1-3, A 13-2, D 10-3.
Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).
Derby (9) V Coventry (16)
Paulo Wanchope will again play in a withdrawn role. The Costa Rican striker will play behind the front two after he was successful in that position against Leicester on Wednesday. Mid-fielder Lars Bohinen is out with a calf injury.
Coventry left-back David Burrows is battling to get fit from a thigh muscle strain for the match at Pride Park. Burrows was substituted by Marcus Hall at half-time in the last match against Wimbledon.
Last season: Derby 3 Coventry 1, Coventry 1 Derby 0.
Last five League matches: Derby WLDLW, Coventry WLLLW.
Top scorers: Deon Burton (Derby) 12; John Aloisi (Coventry) 21.
Match odds: H 11-10, A 15-8, D 12-5.
Referee: P Alcock (Halstead).
Everton (15) V West Ham (6)
Olivier Dacourt returns for what could be his final Goodison appearance for Everton. The Frenchman, who looks likely to be sold shortly, is back after missing last week's trip to Chelsea with an ankle problem. Scot Gemmill also returns after suspension, while Dave Watson should be available again following a leg problem.
England defender Rio Ferdinand is fit to return for West Ham. Mid-fielder John Moncur is suspended while Ian Pearce, Steve Potts, Julian Dicks and Paul Kitson remain on the Hammers' injured list and Stan Lazaridis is ruled out because of illness.
Last season: Everton 2 West Ham 1, West Ham 2 Everton 2.
Last five League matches: Everton LWWWL, West Ham LDWWL.
Top scorers: Ibrahima Bakayoko (Everton) 7; Ian Wright (West Ham) 9.
Match odds: H 10-11, A 12-5, D 12-5.
Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).
Leicester (11) v Newcastle (12).
Defender Steve Walsh is set to start against Newcastle after coming off the bench in the Foxes midweek defeat to Derby. Walsh played the last 30 minutes against the Rams and showed no reaction to the ankle injury that kept him out of the previous six games.
Defender Andy Griffin will not be rushed back from injury - although he escaped unhurt after driving his car into a train on Monday night, he is still recovering from a twisted ankle picked up on international duty with England Under-21s, while Frenchman Laurent Charvet is still out with a knee problem.
Last season: Leicester 0 Newcastle 0, Newcastle 3 Leicester 3.
Last five League matches: Leicester DWWLL, Newcastle DLDDD.
Top scorers: Tony Cottee (Leicester) 15; Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 21.
Match odds: H Evs, A 9-4, D 9-4.
Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield)
Sheff Wed (14) V Liverpool (7)
England international left-back Andy Hinchcliffe is again a major doubt for Sheffield Wednesday's final home game of the season. Hinchcliffe is struggling with a knee injury. Brazilian centre-half Emerson, meanwhile, is fit after illness.
Liverpool should welcome back Patrik Berger from a hamstring injury with youngsters David Thompson and Steven Gerrard are also in contention. Liverpool may return to a four-man defence after reverting to five to try to contain Manchester United in midweek which could mean Phil Babb stepping down.
Last season: Sheff Wed 3 Liverpool 3, Liverpool 2 Sheff Wed 1.
Last five League matches: Sheff Wed WLDDL, Liverpool LLWWD.
Top scorers: Richard Cresswell (Sheff Wed) 19; Michael Owen (Liverpool) 23.
Match odds: H 11-10, A 15-8, D 12-5.
Referee: P Jones (Loughborough)
Wimbledon (13) V Southampton (17).
Wimbledon will be without defender Chris Perry, who has broken a bone in his foot and is unlikely to return this season. Also ruled out of the last two games is Nigerian international Efan Ekoku following a knee operation. Andy Roberts is to return to the mid-field after a one-match ban.
Matthew Le Tissier is struggling to recover from a calf injury in time. Mid-fielder Chris Marsden is expected to be okay despite a groin problem, while Hassan Kachloul will play despite being troubled by a shoulder injury. David Hirst is struggling with a hamstring injury and winger Stuart Ripley is suspended. Welsh goalkeeper Paul Jones may return after his rapid recovery from a back problem.
Last season: Wimbledon 1 Southampton 0, Southampton 0 Wimbledon 1.
Last five League matches: Wimbledon LLLDL, Southampton LLDDW.
Top scorers: Marcus Gayle (Wimbledon) 11; Egil Ostenstad (Southampton) 8.
Match odds: H 6-4, A 11-8, D 12-5.
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
Sunday
Middlesbrough (8) V Man Utd (2)
Hamilton Ricard has recovered from a neck injury to take his place after being substituted at Newcastle last week. Long-term victims Paul Gascoigne, Keith O'Neill, Colin Cooper, Gianluca Festa and Phil Stamp are again missing from the squad.
Ryan Giggs could step back for Manchester United in what would be his first outing since April 14th when he was injured late in the FA Cup semi-final replay win over Arsenal. Otherwise, Jesper Blomqvist will continue on the left. Alex Ferguson is contemplating few other changes to the side which drew at Liverpool on Wednesday.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Middlesbrough WDWLD, Man Utd DWDWD.
Top scorers: Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 18; Dwight Yorke (Man Utd) 28.
Match odds: H 5-1, A 8-15, D 12-5.
Referee: G Barber (Pyrford)
Odds supplied courtesy of William Hills
