English Premiership Previews

Today

Barnsley (20) v Crystal Palace (17)

New signing Jan Aage Fjortoft could make his Barnsley debut, but Barnsley will be without centre backs Arjan de Zeeuw and Adie Moses, who both complete two-match suspensions. Swede Peter Markstedt and 19-year-old Chris Morgan, making his home debut, are likely to cover.

Swedish international Tomas Brolin makes his second start for Palace after signing until the end of the season at Selhurst Park. Jamie Smith returns to the defence after an ankle injury, but Neil Shipperley is out and Italians Attilio Lombardo and Michele Padovano are doubtful.

Last season: Barnsley 0-0 Crystal Palace, Crystal Palace 1-1 Barnsley.

Last five league matches - Barnsley DLDWL, Palace LDDDL.

Top scorers: Neil Redfearn (Barnsley) 8; Neil Shipperley (Crystal Palace) 6.

Match odds: H 5/4 A 13/8 D 5/2.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland).

Blackburn (3) v Aston Villa (10)

Blackburn are without Norwegian Lars Bohinen, who broke down in training with a calf injury and could be out for several weeks.

Villa are still without England defender Gareth Southgate who has an ankle injury.

Last season: Blackburn 0-2 Aston Villa, Aston Villa 1-0 Blackburn.

Last five league matches - Blackburn WWDDL, Aston Villa LDWDD.

Top scorers: Chris Sutton (Blackburn) 14; Dwight Yorke, Ian Taylor, Savo Milosevic (Aston Villa) 6.

Match odds: H 8/11 A 10/3 D 9/4.

Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy).

Coventry (16) v Arsenal (5)

Swedish international Roland Nilsson returns for Coventry after missing two matches due to flu and Dutch midfielder George Boateng is back after suspension. New record signing Viorel Moldovan will start on the bench.

Arsenal have Marc Overmars and Ian Wright sidelined by hamstring injuries. Luis Boa Morte is set to deputise for Overmars. Nicolas Anelka or Chris Wreh will replace Wright. David Platt (groin) is out, but Emmanuel Petit returns after ankle trouble.

Last season: Coventry 1-1 Arsenal, Arsenal 0-0 Coventry.

Last five league matches - Coventry WLLWL, Arsenal WLWDW.

Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Coventry) 10; Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) 13.

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

Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).

Leeds (7) v Sheff Wed (12)

Leeds goalkeeper Mark Beeney is set for his first appearance of the season because Nigel Martyn is suspended. Alfie Haaland is out for a month after sustaining a foot injury in last week's defeat at Arsenal, but David Hopkin has recovered from tonsilitis and David Robertson is back after a two-match suspension.

Wednesday will be without Benito Carbone, who completes a twomatch suspension. Dejan Stefanovic is back from suspension to replace Des Walker, who suffered an ankle injury in the FA Cup thirdround replay with Watford.

Last season: Leeds 0-2 Sheff Wed, Sheff Wed 2-2 Leeds.

Last five league matches - Leeds DWLDL, Sheff Wed LLDDW.

Top scorers: Rod Wallace, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 10; Paolo Di Canio (Sheff Wed) 10.

Match odds: H 4/5 A 3/1 D 9/4.

Referee: P Alcock (Redhill).

Leicester (9) v Liverpool (4)

Leicester strikers Emile Heskey and Ian Marshall are both expected to recover from groin injuries.

Liverpool are likely to be unchanged. Brad Friedel and Stig Bjornebye are likely to be on the bench. Karl-Heinz Riedle is struggling to overcome a groin strain.

Last season: Leicester 0-3 Liverpool, Liverpool 1-1 Leicester.

Last five league matches - Leicester LLLDD, Liverpool WWWWW.

Top scorers: Ian Marshall (Leicester) 8; Robbie Fowler (Liverpool) 12.

Match odds: H 9/4 A Evens D 9/4.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

Newcastle (11) v Bolton (18)

Kenny Dalglish says he is considering selecting Alan Shearer after revealing that the England skipper has trained flat out without any reaction to the ankle ligaments injury which has sidelined him since last July. Alessandro Pistone and Stuart Pearce should be available, but David Batty is suspended.

Former Newcastle favourite Peter Beardsley could replace the suspended Alan Thompson for Bolton, who also have skipper Gudni Bergsson banned. Fellow defenders Gerry Taggart (groin) and Mike Whitlow (knee) are also out.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches - Newcastle DLLLL, Bolton DLDLD

Top scorers: John Barnes, Faustino Asprilla (Newcastle) 6; Nathan Blake (Bolton) 9.

Match odds: H 8/13 A 4/1 D 12/5.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).

Tottenham (19) v West Ham (8)

David Ginola will undergo a late fitness test on a calf injury. Espen Baardsen keeps his place as Ian Walker has not recovered from a shoulder injury. Nicola Berti makes his home debut, Andy Sinton is set to replace Stephen Clemence and fit-again David Howells could be on the bench.

Paul Kitson and Andy Impey are doubtful starters for West Ham because of groin strains but Steve Lomas is available after completing a three-match suspension.

Last season: Tottenham 1-0 West Ham, West Ham 4-3 Tottenham.

Last five league matches - Tottenham LWLDL, West Ham WLWWW.

Top scorers: David Ginola (Tottenham) 7; John Hartson (West Ham) 19.

Match odds: H 11/8 A 13/8 D 11/5.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).

Wimbledon (14) v Derby (6)

Efan Ekoku may continue his Wimbledon comeback after playing the final 14 minutes at Wrexham in midweek. New signing Carl Leaburn could also play.

Jamaican striker Deon Burton is likely to replace Dean Sturridge (thigh) for Derby. Wing-back Robert Kozluk is fit again, but midfielders Stefano Eranio, Darryl Powell and Lee Carsley are still suspended.

Last season: Wimbledon 1-1 Derby, Derby 0-2 Wimbledon.

Last five league matches - Wimbledon WDDLL, Derby DDWLW.

Top scorers: Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 6; Francesco Baiano (Derby) 12.

Match odds: H 11/8 A 13/8 D 11/5.

Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).

Tomorrow

Everton (15) v Chelsea (2)

Everton, who give a home debut to Mickael Madar, are without Mitch Ward and Tony Thomas is doubtful because of a hamstring strain. Terry Phelan and Tony Grant have calf strains and Graham Allen and Jon O'Connor are on standby to replace them.

Chelsea are without Roberto Di Matteo, who starts a two-match ban, and Andy Myers, ruled out by a hamstring injury. Dmitri Kharine is on standby to replace Kevin Hitchcock, who has a sore throat. Dan Petrescu has recovered from a bout of flu.

Last season: Everton 1-2 Chelsea, Chelsea 2-2 Everton.

Last five league matches - Everton DWLWW, Chelsea DWDLW.

Top scorers: Gary Speed, Duncan Ferguson (Everton) 6; Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 14.

Match odds: H 2/1 A 11/10 D 9/4.

Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).

Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill