Chelsea (1) v Coventry (17)
Defender Michael Duberry is suspended, which is likely to mean Frenchman Marcel Desailly moving back into central defence. Dennis Wise, Roberto Di Matteo and Jody Morris are competing for the central midfield spots. Celestine Babayaro is available again after missing last weekend's victory at Newcastle.
Dutch midfielder George Boateng and winger Steve Froggatt return to Coventry's squad after one-match bans. Noel Whelan is suspended and his place on the left will go to Froggatt. The right side of midfield is expected to be between Boateng and Paul Telfer.
Last season: Chelsea 3 Coventry 1, Coventry 3 Chelsea 2.
Last five League matches: Chelsea DWWDW, Coventry LDDLW.
Top scorers: Gustavo Poyet (Chelsea) 11; John Aloisi (Coventry) 18.
Match odds: H 2-5, A 13-2, D 11-4.
Referee: J Winter (Stockton-On-Tees).
Derby (11) v Blackburn (16)
Derby captain Igor Stimac could play his first game since October 31st after recovering from an ankle injury. Darryl Powell is out with a knee injury but Stefan Schnoor and Francesco Baiano are available, having come through the same reserve match. Deon Burton is set to play up front in place of Paulo Wanchope, who starts a three-match ban, and Tony Dorigo - who has been suffering from a hamstring strain - is also in the squad.
Blackburn goalkeeper Tim Flowers may be given a place on the bench following two months out with an injured biceps. Kevin Gallacher (calf strain) may return but striker Kevin Davies has had a recurrence of throat trouble and is doubtful.
Last season: Derby 3 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 1 Derby 0.
Last five League matches: Derby DDDWL, Blackburn DDWDW.
Top scorers: Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 6; Ashley Ward (Blackburn) 15.
Match odds: H 6-5, A 15-8, D 11-5.
Referee: P Alcock (Halstead)
Leeds (5) v Middlesbrough (9)
Defender Jonathon Woodgate misses this game due to a one-match ban. Lucas Radebe, who returned from a knee injury against Rushden & Diamonds in Wednesday's FA Cup replay, makes his League comeback. New signing Willem Korsten, on-loan until the end of the season, played his first game in the reserves' midweek defeat at Sunderland and may be added to the squad.
Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe is expected to return after overcoming a sciatica problem. Captain Andy Townsend serves a one-match suspension for the game but defender Colin Cooper returns from his own ban.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Leeds WLWDL, Middlesbrough WWLLD.
Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 12; Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 13.
Match odds: H 4-5, A 3-1, D 9-4.
Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).
Leicester (10) v Man Utd (3)
Leicester's top scorer Emile Heskey is struggling to be fit - he is suffering from a heavy cold. Central defenders Frank Sinclair and Matt Elliott are both out suspended and recent signing Andy Impey faces a late fitness test on an injured calf.
United's England trio Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Gary Neville are back in contention following their mid-season breathers, but definitely out is Teddy Sheringham, who has a knee injury.
Last season: Leicester 0 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 0 Leicester 1.
Last five League matches: Leicester WLWDD, Man Utd DLWDW.
Top scorers: Emile Heskey, Tony Cottee (Leicester) 9; Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole (Man Utd) 13
Match odds: H 9-4, A Evs, D 9-4.
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
Liverpool (7) v Southampton (18)
Dominic Matteo will get the chance to revive his Liverpool career when he replaces Steve Staunton (groin). Stig Bjornebye is available again after suspension but Steve Harkness could hold his place after a solid performance at Arsenal.
Scott Marshall, who has missed the last three months with a back injury, is in contention to start only his third game for Southampton as Ken Monkou begins a three-match ban. Midfielder Carlton Palmer is included in the squad after his expected move to Nottingham Forest collapsed.
Last season: Liverpool 2 Southampton 3, Southampton 1 Liverpool 1.
Last five League matches: Liverpool LWWWD, Southampton LWLDW.
Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 16; Egil Ostenstad (Southampton) 6.
Match odds: H 4-9, A 13-2, D 5-2.
Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).
Nottm Forest (20) v Arsenal (4)
Chris Bart-Williams (ankle), Steve Chettle (flu), Alan Rogers (thigh) and Pierre van Hooijdonk (calf) will all undergo fitness tests for Forest's first game under new boss Ron Atkinson. Definitely ruled out are Steve Stone, who must serve a one-match ban.
Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn are set to return for Arsenal but midfielder Patrick Vieira starts a three-match suspension and Luis Boa Morte has a knee injury. Adams, sidelined for seven weeks with back trouble, replaces Steve Bould who has a bruised knee. Bergkamp is back after missing two games with a shin injury. New signing Nwankwo Kanu is ineligible until he receives a British work permit.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Nottm Forest LDLDL, Arsenal LWWWD.
Top scorers: Dougie Freedman (Nottm Forest) 7; Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal) 7.
Match odds: H 4-1, A 4-6, D 11-5.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
Tottenham (12) v Wimbledon (6)
Argentinian full-back Mauricio Taricco could make his long-awaited Tottenham debut after finally recovering from an ankle injury. There are doubts over Darren Anderton (calf), Les Ferdinand (knee), Allan Nielsen, Ruel Fox (both hamstring) and Luke Young (virus). John Scales and Ramon Vega are still ruled out.
Wimbledon will give a debut to £7.5million club record signing John Hartson. The Welsh international's capture from West Ham is a timely one with Jason Euell serving a one-match ban and Efan Ekoku away on international duty with Nigeria. Winger Gareth Ainsworth faces a fitness test on a hamstring strain.
Last season: Tottenham 0 Wimbledon 0, Wimbledon 2 Tottenham 6.
Last five League matches: Tottenham DLDWD, Wimbledon WLWDW.
Top scorers: Chris Armstrong (Tottenham) 11; Marcus Gayle, Jason Euell (Wimbledon) 8
Match odds: H 4-5, A 3-1, D 9-4.
Referee: M Riley (Leeds).
West Ham (8) v Sheff Wed (15)
Julian Dicks, Richard Hall and Paul Kitson are definitely missing for the Hammers. It is likely that Samassi Abou will be the man to plug the gap left by John Hartson's departure to Wimbledon.
Dejan Stefanovic's one-match ban following his sending off at Aston Villa last month could mean a recall for midfielder Danny Sonner if Wednesday boss Danny Wilson reverts from a 5-3-2 formation to 4-4-2. Otherwise Jon Newsome may play. Striker Andy Booth looks set for a recall if he has fully recovered from an ankle injury.
Last season: West Ham 1 Sheff Wed 0, Sheff Wed 1 West Ham 1.
Last five League matches: West Ham LWLWL, Sheff Wed WLLLD.
Top scorers: Ian Wright (West Ham) 7; Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed) 4.
Match odds: H 8-13, A 4-1, D 12-5.
Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy)
Sunday
Charlton (19) v Newcastle (13)
Charlton will be without Neil Redfearn, who is serving a one-match ban. Richard Rufus is doubtful after picking up a knock at Southampton last weekend but Carl Tiler is available again after suspension.
Newcastle will be without French striker Louis Saha, who has pulled out of the squad with a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Shay Given and German midfielder Dietmar Hamann are suspended.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five league matches: Charlton LLLLL, Newcastle DWLLL.
Top scorers: Clive Mendonca (Charlton) 6; Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 9.
Match odds: H 13-8, A 11-8, D 11-5.
Referee: P Jones (Barrow-in-Furness).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)