Today
Aston Villa (15) v Liverpool (2)
Villa's new manager John Gregory has injury doubts over striker Dwight Yorke (calf), midfielder Mark Draper (ankle) and utility player Steve Staunton (hamstring). He is definitely without transfer-listed striker Savo Milosevic, who suffered knee ligament damage at Wimbledon last weekend.
Liverpool are hoping that Karlheinz Riedle will have shaken off a foot injury in time to replace Robbie Fowler. Norwegian defender Stig Bjornebye will return after international duty in midweek. Definitely out, apart from Fowler, are Jason McAteer, Phil Babb and Dominic Matteo, with Paul Ince and Steve McManaman doubtful.
Last season: Aston Villa 1-0 Liverpool, Liverpool 3-0 Aston Villa
Last five league matches: Aston Villa LLWLL, Liverpool WDLDD
Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (Aston Villa) 9; Michael Owen (Liverpool) 17
Match odds: H 15-8 A 6-5 D 9-4
Referee: G Poll (Tring)
Barnsley (20) v Wimbledon (14)
Barnsley give John Hendrie (ankle) and Nicky Eaden (chest infection) late fitness tests. If Hendrie is ruled out, Jan Aage Fjortoft will return after being cuptied for the FA Cup fifth-round replay win over Manchester United. Centre-back Chris Morgan is available again after completing a two-game ban.
Duncan Jupp is doubtful for the Dons and his place may be taken by Kenny Cunningham, who has been out with a recent ankle injury. Robbie Earle is still not fit.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Barnsley LWLDL, Wimbledon LDDWW
Top scorers: Jan Aage Fjortoft (Barnsley) 13; Carl Leaburn, Jason Euell (Wimbledon) 7
Match odds: H 6-4 A 6-4 D 11-5
Referee: G Barber (Pyrford)
Blackburn (5) v Leicester (7)
Kevin Gallacher starts a three-match ban for Blackburn and goalkeeper Tim Flowers is out with a shoulder injury so Anthony Williams has been recalled from a month's loan at QPR to act as cover for Alan Fettis. Midfielder Billy McKinlay is a major doubt with a calf injury and will have a late fitness test, but Lars Bohinen returns from international duty with Norway.
Leicester give fitness tests to Pontus Kaamark (Achilles), Matt Elliott and Spencer Prior (both virus) and Tony Cottee is also doubtful because of a hamstring strain. Kasey Keller returns from international duty.
Last season: Blackburn 2-4 Leicester, Leicester 1-1 Blackburn
Last five league matches: Blackburn LWDLL, Leicester DWWDW
Top scorers: Kevin Gallacher (Blackburn) 17; Ian Marshall (Leicester) 8
Match odds: H 8-11 A 10-3 D 9-4
Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)
Chelsea (4) v Man Utd (1)
Dutch Goalkeeper Ed De Goey returns after a week on international duty for Chelsea and will replace Dmitri Kharine. Gianluca Vialli is likely to stick with the policy of playing himself, Mark Hughes and Gianfranco Zola up front.
Norwegian duo Henning Berg and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return for United, but Nicky Butt (calf injury) is still doubtful. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are unfit and David May probably won't be risked. Youngsters Michael Clegg, Michael Twiss, Ben Thornley and John Curtis should all keep their places in the squad, but are unlikely to start.
Last season: Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd, Man Utd 1-2 Chelsea
Last five league matches: Chelsea WLWLL, Man Utd LLDWW
Top scorers: Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 15; Andy Cole (Man Utd) 22
Match odds: H 7-4 A 5-4 D 9-4
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol)
Crystal Palace (19) v Coventry (10)
Matt Jansen is in contention for his Palace debut following his £1 million move from Carlisle. Manager Steve Coppell welcomes back Marcus Bent, Cup-tied against Arsenal in midweek, but is still without long-term casualties Attilio Lombardo, Michele Padovano, Neil Shipperley and Paul Warhurst. Jamie Smith suffered an ankle injury in the Cup exit, but is expected to be fit.
David Burrows and Richard Shaw are carrying groin injuries and will have late fitness checks before a decision is made on whether they can play for Coventry.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Crystal Palace LLLLL, Coventry DWWWW
Top scorers: Matt Jansen (Crystal Palace) 12; Dion Dublin (Coventry) 17
Match odds: H 15-8 A 6-5 D 9-4
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)
Derby (6) v sheff wed (12)
Danish defender Jacob Laursen could make a surprise return for Derby after undergoing an exploratory knee operation 11 days ago. Jamaican striker Deon Burton is available after returning from international duty and midfielder Jonathan Hunt is back from suspension, but goalkeeper Russell Hoult is banned.
Defender Earl Barrett will make his Wednesday debut as a replacement for Ian Nolan, who broke a leg in the home win over Tottenham last week. Petter Rudi (hamstring) and Dejan Stefanovic (back) are doubtful starters but Andy Booth has recovered from a groin strain.
Last season: Derby 2-2 Sheff Wed, Sheff Wed 0-0 Derby
Last five league matches: Derby DWLWL, Sheff Wed WDLDW
Top scorers: Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 13; Paolo Di Canio (Sheff Wed) 12
Match odds: H 4-5 A 3-1 D 9-4
Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street)
Everton (16) v Newcastle (13)
Don Hutchison will make his Everton debut after completing his £1million move from Sheffield United. Duncan Ferguson starts a three-match ban, while Nick Barmby is still suffering from a groin strain. Terry Phelan had a reaction to his calf problem in a midweek reserve match and is ruled out.
Italian full-back Alessandro Pistone (suspended) and utility man Steve Watson (ankle injury) are the only players missing for Newcastle.
Last season: Everton 2-0 Newcastle, Newcastle 4-1 Everton
Last five league matches: Everton WDDLD, Newcastle WLWLD
Top scorers: Duncan Ferguson (Everton) 9; John Barnes, Gary Speed (Newcastle) 7
Match odds: H 11-8 A 13-8 D 11-5
Referee: M Riley (Leeds)
Leeds (8) v Southampton (11)
Austrian defender Martin Hiden is poised to make his debut for Leeds, for whom captain David Hopkin will also play after recovering from a calf strain picked up in training this week. Alfie Haaland, David Wetherall and Lee Bowyer are all suspended while David Robertson and Derek Lilley are still on the injured list.
Leading goalscorer Kevin Davies is a major doubt for Southampton as he is still being troubled by an ankle injury. Goalkeeper Paul Jones is confident of recovering from a back problem and Francis Benali is hopeful he will shrug off a hamstring injury. John Beresford is available again after a two-match suspension, but Ken Monkou is still banned.
Last season: Leeds 0-0 Southampton, Southampton 0-2 Leeds
Last five league matches: Leeds LLWLD, Southampton WLWLW
Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 14; Kevin Davies (Southampton) 12
Match odds: H 8-11 A 10-3 D 9-4
Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy)
Tomorrow
Tottenham (17) v Bolton (18)
Juergen Klinsmann returns for Spurs four weeks after fracturing his jaw, but Swiss defender Ramon Vega is still out through suspension and midfielder Stephen Clemence is sidelined by an ankle injury.
Bolton are without Mark Fish, who is on African Nations Cup duty, and midfielder Scott Sellars completes a two-match suspension. John Sheridan or Dane Michael Johansen will fill in.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures
Last five league matches: Tottenham WLWDL, Bolton DLLDD
Top scorers: David Ginola (Tottenham) 8; Nathan Blake (Bolton) 11
Match odds: H 4-5 A 3-1 D 9-4
Referee: P Jones (Loughborough)
Odds supplied by William Hill
