Saturday

BOLTON (9) v EVERTON (11)

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is set to ring the changes. Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and central defender Mike Whitlow are available again after suspension while midfielder Paul Warhurst has recovered from a back injury.

Striker Akinori Nishizawa is included in the squad after an impressive display for the reserves in midweek.

Everton will be without injured Abel Xavier and probably captain Kevin Campbell. Xavier is still recovering from concussion following the clash with goalkeeper Paul Gerrard in last weekend's 3-1 home defeat by Aston Villa, while Campbell also had to come off in that match with a back problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Bolton D L L W L, Everton L W D W L.

Top Scorers: Michael Ricketts (Bolton) 8; Kevin Campbell (Everton) 4.

Match odds: H 6/5, A 7/5, D 9/4.

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).

LEICESTER (20) v SUNDERLAND (13)

Dave Bassett is expected to field the same XI that drew at Blackburn on Monday, their first point since the former Wimbledon coach took charge. Striker Jamie Scowcroft, a second-half substitute at Ewood Park, could again have to settle for a place on the bench as he builds up his match fitness.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Kevin Kilbane is likely to be missing for Sunderland because of an ankle injury, but compatriot Niall Quinn is fit after shaking off ankle and back injuries and could return to the starting line-up after being used only as a late substitute in last weekend's game with Arsenal.

Last season: Leicester 2 Sunderland 0, Sunderland 0 Leicester 0.

Last five league matches: Leicester L L L L D, Sunderland D W L L D.

Top Scorers: Dean Sturridge (Leicester) 3; Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 6.

Match odds: H 13/8, A 11/8, D 21/10.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

MIDDLESBROUGH (15) v DERBY (18)

Steve McClaren could name an unchanged side for the second successive week. Long-term absentee Andy Campbell is the only senior player currently not in training, although Boro's resources are likely to be stretched in the coming weeks. Skipper Paul Ince plays his last game before a three-match suspension following his dismissal against Sunderland, while keeper Mark Schwarzer and out-of-favour midfielder Paul Okon jet off to join up with their Australian team-mates this weekend.

Derby manager Colin Todd is expected to stick with the side that drew 1-1 against Chelsea at the weekend, with striker Fabrizio Ravanelli returning to Middlesbrough for the first time since his departure from the Teesside club at the end of the 1996-97 season.

Last season: Middlesbrough 4 Derby 0, Derby 3 Middlesbrough 3.

Last five league matches: Middlesbrough D L D W L, Derby L L L D D.

Top Scorers: Alen Boksic (Middlesbrough) 4; Fabrizio Ravanelli (Derby) 7.

Match odds: H 8/11, A 10/3, D 11/5.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).

NEWCASTLE (6) v ASTON VILLA (1)

Newcastle midfielder Laurent Robert (virus) is a major doubt while Andy Griffin is also struggling with a similar illness, Olivier Bernard is standing by to replace French compatriot Robert. Midfielder Rob Lee is battling hard to shake off the back injury which kept him out of the 3-1 win at Everton last week, but could find the game comes too quickly for him.

Villa are set to be boosted by the return of central defender Olaf Mellberg.

The Swedish international has been battling to shake off the ankle injury he suffered against Varteks in the UEFA Cup in September and has missed the last six games but could be on the bench.

Last season: Newcastle 3 Aston Villa 0, Aston Villa 1 Newcastle 1.

Last five league matches: Newcastle W L W L W, Aston Villa W W L W W.

Top Scorers: Craig Bellamy (Newcastle) 8; Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa) 8.

Match odds: H 13/10, A 7/4, D 21/10.

Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucester).

SOUTHAMPTON (19) v BLACKBURN (10)

Norwegian defender Claus Lundekvam is battling to recover from a hamstring strain so new signing from Coventry Paul Williams stands by. Striker Kevin Davies is in contention for a recall against his old club, while midfielder Chris Marsden is available again following a one-match ban. But defender Francis Benali (groin) and Matt Le Tissier (hamstring) are still out.

Corrado Grabbi has failed to recover from his knee injury. Damien Duff is still sidelined with his hamstring injury which will also force him to miss the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off against Iran.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Southampton W L L D L, Blackburn W L W D D.

Top Scorers: James Beattie (Southampton) 6; David Dunn and Matt Jansen (Blackburn) 3.

Match odds: H 6/4, A 6/4, D 21/10.

Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).

WEST HAM (12) v FULHAM (14)

Hammers defender Hayden Foxe is set to continue with Tomas Repka completing his two-match suspension. Goalkeeper David James, still to appear in the first team after suffering a knee injury on England duty following his summer signing from Aston Villa, will again be on the bench.

Fulham's record signing Steve Marlet has suffered a minor relapse of his knee injury but is expected to be fit as he bids to shatter his barren goalscoring run. Midfielder Abdeslam Ouaddou faces another week out with an eye injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: West Ham L L W W W, Fulham D D L D W.

Top Scorers: Frederic Kanoute (West Ham) 5; Barry Hayles, Steed Malbranque and Louis Saha (Fulham) 4.

Match odds: H 1/1, A 11/5, D 11/5.

Referee: G Barber (Tring).

Sunday

ARSENAL (3) v CHARLTON (16)

Sol Campbell faces a late fitness test and Matthew Upson is out for three weeks as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces up to another crisis in central defence. Both have hamstring problems following the Champions League defeat by Schalke on Tuesday. Tony Adams, David Seaman, Francis Jeffers and Lee Dixon are all still out injured and Junichi Inamoto flies to Japan tomorrow for their friendly against Italy on Tuesday.

Charlton midfielder Graham Stuart will have an 11th-hour fitness check on his knee injury. Defender Andy Todd will again play no part after his much-publicised training ground bust-up ended with him being slapped on the transfer list.

Last season: Charlton 1 Arsenal 0, Arsenal 5 Charlton 3. Last five league matches: Arsenal D W W D D, Charlton W D D L L.

Top Scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 13; Sean Bartlett, Jason Euell, Jonatan Johansson (Charlton) 2.

Match odds: H 1/4, A 9/1, D 7/2.

Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).

CHELSEA (8) v IPSWICH (17)

Chelsea have injury doubts over Emmanuel Petit and Gianfranco Zola. Petit came off with an ankle injury during last night's UEFA Cup clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv, while Zola was forced to start on the bench because of a heavy cold.

Ipswich defender Titus Bramble is expected to return to Premiership action after missing the last five weeks with an ankle injury. The England under-21 star played against Helsingborgs in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night and is in George Burley's squad for the match at Stamford Bridge.

Last season: Chelsea 4 Ipswich 1, Ipswich 2 Chelsea 2.

Last five league matches: Chelsea D W D L D, Ipswich L D D D L.

Top Scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 10; Marcus Stewart (Ipswich) 5.

Match odds: H 4/9, A 11/2, D 13/5.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).

LEEDS (2) v TOTTENHAM (7)

Leeds skipper Rio Ferdinand (hamstring) remains doubtful while if Harry Kewell (calf) fails a late fitness test it could open the way for recent £9million signing Seth Johnson to come in on the left of midfield. Midfielder Lee Bowyer should be fit despite undergoing an operation to repair his broken nose.

Tottenham - seeking their fourth successive Premiership victory - should be unchanged. Sergei Rebrov is likely to be back on the bench after shaking off the knee injury which ruled him out of last weekend's win over Middlesbrough.

Last season: Tottenham 1 Leeds 2, Leeds 4 Tottenham 3.

Last five league matches: Leeds W W D D D, Tottenham L L W W W.

Top Scorers: Robbie Keane (Leeds) 6; Teddy Sheringham and Christian Ziege (Tottenham) 5.

Match odds: H 4/7, A 9/2, D 23/10.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

LIVERPOOL (4) v MAN UTD (5)

Liverpool's Sami Hyypia has recovered from a hamstring strain but caretaker-boss Phil Thompson may not risk him against the champions. Midfielder Nick Barmby is out of contention and will need a scan on a damaged ankle received in training last week, while Gregory Vignal is back in training after a broken foot and could get a reserve outing in the next fortnight.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will delay his team selection to give some of his players time to prove their fitness. Roy Keane is recovering from a knee injury and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is doubtful because of an ear infection and reserve Roy Carroll is on stand-by. Veteran Laurent Blanc has to prove his fitness, while Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Ryan Giggs and David May have all received treatment for injuries this week.

Last season: Liverpool 2 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1.

Last five league matches: Liverpool W W D W W, Man Utd W W W L D.

Top Scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 10; Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) 8.

Match Odds: H 7/5 A 7/4 D 19/10.

Referee: G Poll (Tring) Odds courtesy of William Hill.