SATURDAY
(League positions in brackets)
Chelsea (3) v West Ham (8)
French defender Frank Leboeuf is Chelsea's main injury doubt after he was taken off during the midweek defeat by Manchester United with a thigh muscle injury. Michael Duberry, Bernard Lambourde and Andy Myers stand by. Player-boss Gianluca Vialli completes a three-match suspension but Albert Ferrer and Dan Petrescu are available again.
Paolo Di Canio is missing for West Ham with a groin problem. Manager Harry Redknapp has also ruled out Joe Cole as he is on England under-18 duty against Israel.
Last season: Chelsea 2 West Ham 1, West Ham 2 Chelsea 1.
Last five league matches: Chelsea L W D W W, West Ham L W D W L.
Top scorers: Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea) 12; Ian Wright (West Ham) 7.
Match odds: H 2-5; A 13-2; D 11-4.
Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).
Coventry (16) v Blackburn (18)
JOHN ALOISI is expected to be left out of Coventry's line-up to make way for George Boateng to return from suspension. Striker Chris Sutton may have to play as an emergency defender for Blackburn as Darren Peacock and Marlon Broomes are suspended and Christian Dailly is still out injured. Rovers also have midfield problems with David Dunn (virus) and Jason McAteer is set to deputise at right-back in the absence of Jeff Kenna and Gary Croft.
Last season: Coventry 2 Blackburn 0, Blackburn 0 Coventry 0.
Last five league matches: Coventry D L L W W, Blackburn W D L L L.
Top scorers: John Aloisi (Coventry) 20; Ashley Ward (Blackburn) 18.
Match odds: H 4-5; A 3-1; D 9-4.
Referee: M Riley (Leeds).
Derby (6) v Liverpool (9)
DERBY have new signing Vas Borbokis available but manager Jim Smith could name an unchanged side. Liverpool captain Paul Ince is doubtful with a sore toe so youngster Stephen Gerrard could come into midfield. Michael Owen, Vegard Heggem and Steve Staunton should all have recovered from injuries.
Last season: Derby 1 Liverpool 0, Liverpool 4 Derby 0.
Last five league matches: Derby L W L D W, Liverpool L W L D L.
Top scorers: Deon Burton, Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 6; Michael Owen (Liverpool) 21.
Match odds: H 6-4; A 6-4; D 11-5.
Referee: G Barber (Pyrford, Surrey).
Everton (15) v Arsenal (2)
NICKY BARMBY is doubtful for Everton after he injured a shin midweek. Walter Smith will recall French midfielder Olivier Dacourt following a two-match ban and will keep striker Ibrahima Bakayoko up front. Emmanuel Petit has had no reaction to the ankle injury which sidelined him for six matches before he appeared as a substitute to inspire Arsenal's 3-0 midweek win. Left-back Nigel Winterburn was rested for that match but will now take over again from Nelson Vivas. Petit's return allows Ray Parlour to revert to his familiar wide-right role. Stephen Hughes (broken arm) and Steve Bould and Remi Garde, both nursing twisted ankles, are the only current casualties.
Last season: Everton 2 Arsenal 2, Arsenal 4 Everton 0.
Last five league matches: Everton L W L D W, Arsenal W D W D W.
Top scorers: Ibrahima Bakayoko (Everton) 7; Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal) 15.
Match odds: H 3-1; A 4-5; D 9-4.
Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).
Leicester (14) v Charlton (17)
Leicester striker Emile Heskey is back to full fitness after suffering with a back problem and will resume his attacking partnership with Tony Cottee. Richard Rufus returns to the centre of defence for Charlton following a two-month lay-off with a broken wrist but Eddie Youds is still not ready to come back from tendinitis of the knee.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: Leicester D L L L W, Charlton W W W D L.
Top scorers: Arnar Gunnlaugsson (Leicester) 14; Andy Hunt, Clive Mendonca (Charlton) 6.
Match odds: H 4-5; A 3-1; D 9-4.
Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).
Newcastle (10) v Manchester Utd (1)
NEWCASTLE midfielder Gary Speed is winning his battle against flu and could be set to resume. Rested striker Temuri Ketsbaia and Peruvian Nolberto Solano will also hope for recalls.
Manchester United will be at virtually full strength with only Nicky Butt and Ronny Johnsen under treatment.
Last season: Newcastle 0 Man Utd 1, Man Utd 1 Newcastle 1.
Last five league matches: Newcastle W W L D W, Man Utd W W D W W.
Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 15; Dwight Yorke (Man Utd) 26.
Match odds: H 9-4; A evens; D 9-4.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
Sheffield Wednesday (12) v Leeds (4)
Sheffield Wednesday striker Benito Carbone is suspended and Ritchie Humphreys will partner Andy Booth up front. With no injuries to key players, Humphreys' starting role is almost certain to be the only change. David Hopkin is available after a one-match ban but could face a battle to get back in the Leeds side following the performances of David Batty and Alfie Haaland against Tottenham. Stephen McPhail and Bruno Ribeiro are also fit again.
Last season: Sheff Wed 1 Leeds Utd 3, Leeds Utd 1 Sheff Wed 2.
Last five league matches: Sheff Wed W W W L L, Leeds L W W W W.
Top scorers: Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed) 7; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 14.
Match odds: H 13-8; A 11-8; D 11-5.
Referee: G Poll (Tring, Hertfordshire).
Tottenham (11) v Aston Villa (5)
JUSTIN Edinburgh and Steffen Freund serve onematch bans for Spurs. Andy Sinton or Mauricio Taricco will replace Edinburgh at left-back while Allan Nielsen should play in place of Freund.
Aston Villa hand a debut to Steve Stone but are without Dion Dublin due to a one-match ban. Striker Julian Joachim is struggling with a hamstring strain and Steve Watson (ankle), Ian Taylor (thigh) and Simon Grayson (knee) are all under treatment.
Last season: Tottenham 3 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 4 Tottenham 1.
Last five league matches: Tottenham D D D W L, Aston Villa L L D L L.
Top scorers: Chris Armstrong (Tottenham) 12; Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 14.
Match odds: H 10-11; A 5-2; D 9-4.
Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).
Wimbledon (7) v Nottingham Forest (20)
WIMBLEDON striker John Hartson is due to return to the starting line-up. The Dons' only injury worry is Dean Blackwell, who hopes to recover from an ankle injury. Nottingham Forest have doubts surrounding Richard Gough and Stale Stensaas. Gough looks almost certain to miss out with a bad back and Christian Edwards is on stand-by to deputise. Thierry Bonalair is the leading candidate to take over the right-wing berth vacated by Steve Stone.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: Wimbledon L D D W L, Nottm Forest L L L D L.
Top scorers: Marcus Gayle, Efan Ekoku (Wimbledon) 9; Dougie Freedman (Nottm Forest) 8.
Match odds: H 4-7; A 9-2; D 12-5.
Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy).
Sunday
Middlesbrough (13) v Southampton (19)
Middlesbrough captain Andy Townsend, fellow midfielders Paul Gascoigne and Martin Summerbell and defender Gary Pallister are all suspended. Brian Deane, Gianluca Festa, long-term absentee Alun Armstrong are back in contention.
Dave Jones has worries over four key players. James Beattie and Egil Ostenstad are under treatment for groin injuries and Ken Monkou and Jason Dodd are also struggling.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough D L L D L, Southampton L W L L W.
Top scorers: Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 13; Egil Ostenstad (Southampton) 8.
Match odds: H 5-6; A 11-4; D 9-4.
Referee: M Reed (Birmingham).
Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill
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