The English premiership previewed

Wigan Athletic (18)

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Manchester United (1)

Defender Emmerson Boyce is Wigan’s only major injury concern because of a hamstring injury which has dogged his season and will be assessed before the game. New signing Conor Sammon is in contention.

Michael Owen returns to the United squad. Ryan Giggs is also in contention, but Rio Ferdinand (calf), Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia (both ankle), Park Ji-sung (hamstring) and Anderson (knee) are all side-lined.

Last season: Man Utd 5 Wigan 0, Wigan 0 Man Utd 5. Last five league matches: Wigan LLDWD; Man Utd WWWLW. Top scorers: (all competitions): Conor Sammon (Wigan) 18; Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) 20 Match odds: H 11/2 A 1/2 D 3/1.

Stoke City (10)

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West Brom (17)

Stoke winger Matthew Etherington is again a major doubt after he missed Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal with a back-related injury. Defender Abdoulaye Faye is unlikely to figure after missing the last four matches with a hamstring injury, whilst striker Mamady Sidibe is out with a ruptured Achilles.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson should have a full squad available.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Stoke LLWLL; West Brom LDLDD. Top scorers (all competitions): Kenwyne Jones, Robert Huth Jonathan Walters (Stoke) 7; Peter Odemwingie (West Brom) 9. Match odds: H 19/20

A 3/1 D 23/10.

Newcastle United (9)

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Bolton Wanderers (8)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will make a late decision on striker Peter Lovenkrands after the Dane limped off with a thigh injury after scoring in the 2-0 win at Birmingham last time out. Nile Ranger and Shefki Kuqi are on standby. Midfielder Danny Guthrie will miss out with a hamstring problem.

Striker Daniel Sturridge returns to the Bolton squad after missing the last two games as he has been cup tied. Jussi Jaaskelainen will return in goal.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Newcastle DLDDW; Bolton LLWLW. Top scorers (all competitions): Kevin Nolan (Newcastle) 10; Johan Elmander (Bolton) 10. Match odds: H 11/10 A 5/2 D 23/10.

Wolverhampton (20)

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Blackpool (12)

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has been declared fit after he suffered a painful blow to the hips during the derby draw with West Brom last weekend. Midfielder Stephen Hunt is still sidelined with a calf injury.

Blackpool will be without Charlie Adam who starts a two-match suspension. Striker Luke Varney should be involved having been rested for the midweek win over Tottenham, but Elliot Grandin and Gary Taylor-Fletcher (both hamstring) remain sidelined.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Wolves LLWLD; Blackpool LLLDW. Top scorers: (all competitions): Adam Hammill (Wolves) 8; Dudley Campbell (Blackpool) 10. Match odds: H 4/5 A 16/5 D 11/4.

Aston Villa (16)

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Blackburn Rovers (11)

Aston Villa’s January signing Jean Makoun starts a three-game ban. Stiliyan Petrov, Barry Bannan and Michael Bradley, another of Gerard Houllier’s transfer captures, will be in contention to replace Makoun.

Blackburn are hopeful Christopher Samba will have recovered from a virus. Defensive partner Ryan Nelsen will play despite a difficult week following the earthquake in his home city of Christchurch while Gael Givet has recovered from a groin injury.

Last season: Aston Villa 0 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 2 Aston Villa 1. Last five league matches: Aston Villa WWLDD; Blackburn LWLLD. Top scorers (all competitions): Darren Bent (AVilla) 13; Mame Diouf (Blackburn) 6. Match odds: H 4/5 A 19/5 D 23/10.

West Ham United (19)

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Liverpool (6)

Matthew Upson (Achilles) took part in a light training session yesterday, but is unlikely to be involved for West Ham. Victor Obinna is a doubt with a foot injury and Robbie Keane is out with a calf strain.

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard could return after three games out with a groin injury. The Reds will check on the fitness of Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger, who were both forced off against Sparta, and Glen Johnson (Achilles).

Last season: Liverpool 3 West Ham 0, West Ham 2 Liverpool 3. Last five league matches: West Ham LDWLD; Liverpool WWWWD. Top scorers (all competitions): Demba Ba (West Ham) 11; Andrew Carroll Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 11. Match odds:

H 14/5 A 1/1 D 9/4.

Everton (14)

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Sunderland (7)

Everton have a number of injury concerns. Key midfielders Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini are new additions to the casualty list with unspecified knocks and will be assessed before the game. Striker Louis Saha is hoping to shake off the hamstring injury while Jack Rodwell (groin) is also doubtful.

Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon is a doubt with a knee problem and Belgian Simon Mignolet is standing by.

Last season: Everton 2 Sunderland 0, Sunderland 1 Everton 1. Last five league matches: Everton DDLWL; Sunderland DWLLL. Top scorers (all competitions): Louis Saha Tim Cahill (Everton) 9; Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland) 10. Match odds: H 8/11

A 4/1 D 5/2.

Manchester City (3)

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Fulham (13)

Vincent Kompany is a major doubt after the Belgium international limped out of the Europa League victory over Aris Salonika with a hip injury. Kolo Toure could come in as a direct replacement, although Jerome Boateng is also capable of filling the void.

Fulham’s Bobby Zamora went over on his ankle in training yesterday and faces a fitness test tomorrow. Midfielder Steve Sidwell has been ruled out for four weeks after damaging knee ligaments.

Last season: Fulham 1 Man City 2, Man City 2 Fulham 2. Last five league matches: Man City WLDWL; Fulham WLWDD. Top scorers (all competitions): Carlos Tevez (Man City) 21; Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 10 Match odds: H 1/2 A 13/2 D 11/4