FA Premiership Previews

Saturday

Saturday

(Current league positions in brackets)

BRADFORD (16) v ARSENAL (4)

Bradford hope to have Dan Petrescu back to bolster their defence after missing the Bantams' 6-0 thumping by Manchester United on Tuesday with a hamstring strain.

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Arsenal's new French striker Sylvain Wiltord looks set for a full debut but new Latvian defender Igors Stepanovs has been hit by a groin injury in training. Dennis Bergkamp and Silvinho are out with thigh strains and also missing are Tony Adams (ankle) and Lauren (Olympic duty) while Lee Dixon (knee) faces a late fitness test. Ashley Cole (19), will make only his second Premiership start in place of Silvinho.

Last season: Bradford 2 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 2 Bradford 0.

Last five league matches: Bradford WLWDL, Arsenal LLWWD.

Top scorers: Benito Carbone, Dean Windass (Bradford) 1; Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 4.

Match odds: H 3-1 A 8-11 D 12-5.

Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).

COVENTRY (9) v LEEDS (7)

Norwegian Runar Normann could be handed a place in Coventry's starting line-up and Moroccan midfielder Mustapha Hadji has recovered from his groin injury. David Thompson is available after suspension while John Aloisi could replace Craig Bellamy in attack.

Leeds boss David O'Leary has ruled defender Jonathan Woodgate out of the trip and Wednesday's Champions League opener against Barcelona. Woodgate has been struggling with an ankle problem and O'Leary feels this week's double-header has come just too quickly for the England international.

Last season: Leeds 3 Coventry 0, Coventry 3 Leeds 4.

Last five league matches: Coventry LLWWL, Leeds DDWWL.

Top scorers: Craig Bellamy (Coventry) 2; Alan Smith (Leeds) 5.

Match odds: H 2-1 A 11-10 D 11-5.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

IPSWICH (14) v ASTON VILLA (19)

Ipswich have a doubt about central defender Mark Venus who is suffering from an infection following the removal of a wisdom tooth, although he has shaken off the effects of a thigh strain.

David Ginola is pushing for a place in the Villa starting line-up after coming on as a substitute against Liverpool on Wednesday. Central defender Ugo Ehiogu and midfielder Ian Taylor are both seeking to hold on to their places and left-back Alan Wright is hoping to win a recall.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Ipswich WLDWL, Aston Villa DLDDL.

Top scorers: Titus Bramble, Jim Magilton, Mark Venus, Fabian Wilnis (Ipswich) 1; Gareth Barry, Luc Nilis, Steve Stone (Aston Villa) 1.

Match odds: H 7-4 A 5-4 D 11-5.

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).

LEICESTER (3) v SOUTHAMPTON (18)

Northern Ireland midfielder Neil Lennon is in line for a Leicester recall after recovering from groin and thigh injuries. Striker Stan Collymore is also pushing for a starting place after a good showing in midweek, but Muzzy Izzet is doubtful with a stomach upset.

Latvian striker Marian Pahars is battling to be fit for Southampton after sustaining an ankle injury in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Charlton. Captain Jason Dodd is struggling to recover from a foot injury.

Last season: Southampton 1 Leicester 2, Leicester 2 Southampton 1.

Last five league matches: Leicester LDWDW, Southampton WDLDD.

Top scorers: Ade Akinbiyi, Darren Eadie, Matt Elliott (Leicester) 1; Marian Pahars (Southampton) 3.

Match odds: H 4-6 A 10-3 D 12-5.

Referee: M Dean (Hewsall).

LIVERPOOL (5) v MAN CITY (8)

Liverpool have Sami Hyypia (knee) missing and a worry over Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer (hamstring). Gary McAllister is suspended and Patrik Berger is still out with a knee injury, while Robbie Fowler and Christian Ziege are still not match fit.

Australian defender Danny Tiatto (groin) is Manchester City's main concern and there are minor doubts over goalkeeper Nicky Weaver and centre-back Steve Howey. Former skipper Richard Edghill was not even on the bench at Leeds in midweek and will probably still be left out at Anfield.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Liverpool LWLDW, Man City WLWLW.

Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 6; Paulo Wanchope (Man City) 5.

Match odds: H 4-11 A 7-1 D 11-4.

Referee: G Barber (Tring).

MAN UTD (2) v SUNDERLAND (15)

Teddy Sheringham is set to lead Manchester United's attack alongside Andy Cole after scoring his 200th league goal in midweek against Bradford. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes return in place of Jonathan Greening and Quinton Fortune. Denis Irwin could make his first appearance of the season following his ankle injury. Definitely out are hamstring victims Dwight Yorke and Jaap Stam, while skipper Roy Keane is suspended.

Sunderland are expected to be unchanged. Jurgen Macho will continue to deputise for injured goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and although Alex Rae has completed a four-match ban he will miss out through injury, as will skipper Steve Bould, Stefan Schwarz and Gavin McCann.

Last season: Man Utd 4 Sunderland 0, Sunderland 2 Man Utd 2.

Last five league matches: Man Utd WWDDW, Sunderland LWLLD.

Top scorers: David Beckham, Andy Cole (Man Utd) 3; Niall Quinn (Sunberland) 2.

Match odds: H 2-7 A 7-1 D 7-2.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe)

MIDDLESBROUGH (10) v EVERTON (12)

Middlesbrough are without first-choice central defenders Gary Pallister (groin) and Colin Cooper (thigh). Midfielder Paul Okon is also out (broken foot), but striker Hamilton Ricard is available again after returning from international duty.

With Everton still missing several players through injury, Thomas Gravesen may move back into midfield with David Unsworth or Alex Nyarko going into the heart of the defence and Alex Cleland coming in as full-back. Richard Dunne is still suspended.

Last season: Everton 0 Middlesbrough 2, Middlesbrough 2 Everton 1.

Last five league matches: Middlesbrough WWDLD, Everton LLWDL.

Top scorers: Alen Boksic (Middlesbrough) 3; Francis Jeffers (Everton) 4.

Match odds: H Evs A 11-5 D 11-5.

Referee: S Bennett (Orpington).

NEWCASTLE (1) v CHELSEA (11)

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson will be without left-sided pair Didier Domi and Stephen Glass after both picked up knocks in the win at Coventry. But fullback Warren Barton is available after suspension and 18-year-old striker Shola Omebi is included in the squad for the first time.

Chelsea will be without Olympics-bound defender Celestine Babayaro so Jon Harley is in line to replace him, while Mario Melchiot is waiting in the wings to deputise for midfielder Gustavo Poyet if he fails to recover from a knee injury. Ed de Goey is still doubtful with a hamstring injury and Mario Stanic is hampered by a damaged knee, but Albert Ferrer returns after an ankle knock.

Last season: Newcastle 0 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 1 Newcastle 0.

Last five league matches: Newcastle WLWWW, Chelsea WWLDD.

Top scorers: Daniel Cordone (Newcastle) 2; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 3.

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

Referee: G Poll (Tring).

Sunday

DERBY (17) v CHARLTON (13)

Derby striker Branko Strupar (hernia) is out so Malcolm Christie could start, with Georghe Kinkladze likely to have to settle for a place on the bench again. Youngster Danny Higginbotham could also feature if Rams boss Jim Smith starts with a trio of centre-halves.

Defender Carl Tiler comes back into the Charlton squad after his one-match ban for being sent off at Everton and could replace Steve Brown, who was dismissed against Southampton in midweek. Striker Jonatan Johansson could make his first start of the season after scoring as a substitute on Wednesday night.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Derby LDLDD, Charlton LWLLD.

Top scorers: Branko Strupar (Derby) 4; Andy Hunt (Charlton) 3.

Match odds: H Evs A 11-5 D 11-5.

Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).

Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill.