English FA Premiership Previews

Today

Aston Villa (1) v Derby (2)

Stan Collymore could be on the substitutes' bench for the top-of-the-table clash with Derby if Villa manager John Gregory is convinced the striker has shrugged off a thigh strain. Villa also have to check on the fitness of central defender Riccardo Scimeca, who missed last weekend's goalless draw at Leeds with a similar problem.

Derby captain Igor Stimac has a hamstring injury and Steve Elliott is doubtful with a knee problem. But Argentine centre-half Horacio Carbonari, who has not played since damaging knee ligaments on the opening day of the season, has been brought into the squad. Top scorer Paulo Wanchope has shaken off a knock picked up in midweek.

Last season: Aston Villa 2 Derby 1; Derby 0 Aston Villa 1. Last five League matches: Aston Villa W W W W D; Derby D D W W W.

Top scorers: Gary Charles, Julian Joachim, Darius Vassell (Aston Villa) 2; Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 4.

Match odds: H 8-13; A 4-1; D 12-5.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

Charlton (15) v Coventry (19)

Charlton's Richard Rufus has recovered from a knock picked up in Tuesday's League Cup clash against QPR. Mark Kinsella and Andy Hunt, rested on Tuesday, are also back in contention. Marc Edworthy, cup-tied for the midweek League Cup victory at Southend, is expected to play at right-back for Coventry in place of his former Crystal Palace team-mate Richard Shaw. Paul Telfer, who ricked his neck two hours before last Saturday's league match against Newcastle, is expected to return.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five League matches: Charlton W D L L D; Coventry L D L L L.

Top scorers: Clive Mendonca (Charlton) 5; Noel Whelan, Dion Dublin (Coventry) 2.

Match odds: H evens; A 9-4; D 9-4.

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

Chelsea (11) v Middlesbrough (7)

Dennis Wise (knee) is Chelsea's only major injury worry ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge. Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson recalls his experienced players for the visit to Chelsea after six changes for the League Cup tie against Wycombe in midweek. Former Republic of Ireland international Andy Townsend will take over as skipper from Paul Gascoigne.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five League matches: Chelsea L D D W W; Middlesbrough L D W W D.

Top scorers: Gustavo Poyet (Chelsea) 3; Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 7.

Match odds: H 4-6; A 7-2; D 12-5.

Referee: M Reed (Birmingham).

Everton (16) v Blackburn (18)

John Collins, on the bench for the midweek League Cup win over Huddersfield because of a chest infection, returns for Everton but Frenchman Olivier Dacourt is suspended. Nick Barmby and Dave Watson, also substitutes against the Yorkshire side, return as well. Chris Sutton is fit to lead the Blackburn attack and looks likely to line up alongside Martin Dahlin. Kevin Davies and Kevin Gallacher are still struggling to shake off the effects of illness and injury respectively but winger Damien Duff, missing for three matches with a thigh problem, could be set for a recall.

Last season: Everton 1 Blackburn 0; Blackburn 3 Everton 2.

Last five League matches: Everton L L W D D; Blackburn L W L L L.

Top scorers: Duncan Ferguson (Everton) 2; Kevin Gallacher, Chris Sutton (Blackburn) 2.

Match odds: H 6-5; A 15-8; D 9-4.

Referee: M Riley (Leeds).

Newcastle (9) v Nottm Forest (12)

David Batty could make his first appearance of the season for Newcastle after injury and suspension. However, Ruud Gullit will be without Andreas Andersson (ill) and Stephane Guivarc'h (ankle). Frenchman Thierry Bonalair (Achilles) is Forest's major concern. If he fails to recover in time his place on the left side of midfield is likely to go to Andy Gray. New £1.5 million signing Neil Shipperley could make his debut but Forest will definitely be without Ian Woan, Chris Bart-Williams, Glyn Hodges, Geoff Thomas, Scot Gemmill and Des Lyttle.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures/

Last five League matches: Newcastle D L L W W; Nottm Forest W W L L D.

Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 5; Steve Stone (Nottm Forest) 3.

Match odds: H 4-7; A 9-2; D 12-5.

Referee: D R Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).

Sheffield Wed (14) v Arsenal (5)

Sheffield Wednesday's Benito Carbone will have a late fitness test on a shin injury. Norwegian international Petter Rudi faces a third game on the sidelines if he fails to recover from a hamstring injury, while Graham Hyde serves a one-match ban.

Alex Manninger makes his first appearance of the season for Arsenal because England goalkeeper David Seaman has a shoulder muscle injury. Right-back Lee Dixon also misses the clash through a one-match ban so Nelson Vivas, Gilles Grimandi and Remi Garde stand by. Emmanuel Petit replaces Stephen Hughes in midfield.

Last season: Sheff Wed 2 Arsenal 0; Arsenal 1 Sheff Wed 0.

Last five League matches: Sheff Wed W L L W L; Arsenal D D D D W.

Top scorers: Paolo Di Canio (Sheff Wed) 3; Tony Adams, Stephen Hughes, Marc Overmars, Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Petit, Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal) 1.

Match odds: H 11-4; A 5-6; D 9-4.

Referee: P Alcock (Halstead, Kent).

Tottenham (13) v Leeds (6)

Les Ferdinand is back after a stomach upset having missed Spurs' League Cup tie against Brentford, but there is a doubt over David Ginola with the same problem. Norwegian striker Steffen Iversen is in the squad for the first time this season after a long-term knee injury.

Leeds' striker Clyde Wijnhard could partner compatriot Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink after sitting out last week's 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa. Leeds are still without injured quartet Gary Kelly, Alan Maybury (both shin), David Robertson (knee) and goalkeeper Mark Beeney (Achilles).

Last season: Tottenham 0 Leeds 1; Leeds 1 Tottenham 0.

Last five League matches: Tottenham L W W L D; Leeds W D W D D.

Top scorers: Ruel Fox, Les Ferdinand, Allan Nielsen (Tottenham) 2; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 2.

Match odds: H 13-8; A 11-8; D 11-5.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland, Dorset).

Tomorrow

Leicester (17) v Wimbledon (4)

Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet faces a late fitness test on an injured knee. Midweek goalscorer Graham Fenton comes into the squad after injury but veteran striker Ian Marshall is still out with hamstring problems.

Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear will recall goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, striker Marcus Gayle and midfielder Michael Hughes. Restless striker Efan Ekoku is also set to play, with Carl Leaburn suspended.

Last season: Leicester 0 Wimbledon 1; Wimbledon 2 Leicester 1.

Last five League matches: Leicester W L L D L; Wimbledon D D W L W.

Top scorers: Emile Heskey (Leicester) 5; Efan Ekoku (Wimbledon) 6.

Match odds: H 6-5; A 15-8; D 9-4.

Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).