FA Premiership previews

Saturday

BRADFORD (19) v IPSWICH (8)

Dean Saunders is set to make his first-team comeback after being added to the squad by boss Chris Hutchings as he looks to solve Bradford's dreadful record in front of goal.

Ipswich manager George Burley will choose from a full-strength squad with 19-yearold centre-half Titus Bramble back in training after missing last week's match against West Ham with a heavy cold. James Scowcroft is challenging Richard Naylor for a spot up front.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Bradford DLLDL; Ipswich LWDWD. Top scorers: Benito Carbone, Dean Windass (Bradford) 3; Marcus Stewart (Ipswich) 5. Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 11-5. Referee: P Taylor (Cheshunt).

CHARLTON (9) v MIDDLESBROUGH (14)

Charlton will again be without striker Andy Hunt with the striker still suffering from the effects of a mystery virus. Kevin Lisbie is again ready to deputise while centre-half Richard Rufus should shake off a minor toe injury.

New £8 million defensive signing Ugo Ehiogu goes straight into the Middlesbrough squad, but Croatian striker Alen Boksic (knee) and midfielders Robbie Mustoe (shoulder) and Phil Stamp (hamstring) are out.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Charlton DWWDL, Middlesbrough LDDWL. Top scorers: Jonatan Johansson (Charlton) 7; Alen Boksic (Middlesbrough) 6. Match odds: H 11-10 A 2-1 D 11-5. Referee: M Riley (Leeds).

CHELSEA (15) v COVENTRY (13)

Graeme Le Saux is the major fitness doubt for Claudio Ranieri with an ankle problem. Goalkeeper Ed de Goey has not trained fully but should play. Slavisa Jokanovic will be in the squad for the first time since his £1.7 million move from Deportivo La Coruna while Gustavo Poyet is in line for a comeback. Mario Stanic, Roberto di Matteo and Jes Hogh are all injured.

Republic of Ireland defender Gary Breen has overcome a flu bug, while Paul Williams returns from suspension. Cedric Roussel will be confined to the bench with on-form Aussie John Aloisi again partnering record signing Craig Bellamy.

Last season: Chelsea 2 Coventry 1, Coventry 2 Chelsea 2. Last five league matches: Chelsea DLDWL, Coventry DLLDW. Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 5; John Aloisi (Coventry) 5. Match odds: H 2-5 A 13-2 D 13-5. Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).

LIVERPOOL (5) v LEICESTER (4)

Michael Owen is ruled out following the head injury he received at Derby last weekend. Dietmar Hamann, Steven Gerrard and Stephane Henchoz, who all missed the 4-0 rout of Derby, are back in contention while Patrik Berger, Gary McAllister, Robbie Fowler, Titi Camara and Vladimir Smicer are all over recent injury problems.

Richard Cresswell is poised for his first start for Leicester since his summer move from Sheffield Wednesday. Gerry Taggart is still ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Last season: Liverpool 0 Leicester 2, Leicester 2 Liverpool 2. Last five league matches: Liverpool WDDLW, Leicester WWDDL. Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 8; Ade Akinbiyi, Matt Elliott, Muzzy Izzet, Gerry Taggart (Leicester City) 2. Match odds: H 1-2 A 5-1 D 12-5. Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).

MANCHESTER UNITED (1) v LEEDS (6)

Alex Ferguson will check on the fitness of Andy Cole (ankle) before naming his side and Dwight Yorke is on standby to start his first home game this season.

Leeds have Michael Bridges out for six weeks with ankle and calf injuries. He joins Harry Kewell, Nigel Martyn, Lucas Radebe, Jason Wilcox, Michael Duberry, David Batty and Olivier Dacourt in the treatment room. Left back Ian Harte is rated 50-50 with an ankle problem. Stephen McPhail looks set to start his first game since September 16th.

Last season: Leeds 0 Man Utd 1, Man Utd 2 Leeds 0. Last five league matches: Man Utd WWDLW, Leeds DLDWW. Top scorers: Teddy Sheringham (Man Utd) 8; Alan Smith (Leeds Utd) 9. Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 12-5. Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

NEWCASTLE (3) v EVERTON (17)

Laurent Charvet is poised to make an appearance for Newcastle, though he could join Manchester City next week. Robson does have Warren Barton available.

Dave Unsworth is expected to return - but as a centre-back. The defender was only on the bench last weekend in the 1-1 home draw with Southampton.

Last season: Everton 0 Newcastle 2, Newcastle 1 Everton 1. Last five league matches: Newcastle DLLWW, Everton WLDLD. Top scorers: Lumana Lua Lua (Newcastle) 5; Francis Jeffers (Everton) 7. Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 12-5. Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).

TOTTENHAM (11) v DERBY (20)

Neil Sullivan is set to return in goal for Tottenham after serving a one-match suspension at the expense of Ian Walker. Steffen Iversen is ruled out (knee) and Sergei Rebrov is hoping to shake off a thigh strain.

Branko Strupar's injury frustration is set to rule him out for bottom-placed Derby. The Belgian striker returned after a hernia operation in last Sunday's 4-0 home defeat by Liverpool, but has inflamed his old problem and is likely to miss out again. Craig Burley (back) should start, while Horacio Carbonari is back from suspension. Chris Riggott (knee) has recovered.

Last season: Tottenham 1 Derby 1, Derby 0 Tottenham 1. Last five league matches: Tottenham WLDLL, Derby DLDLL. Top scorers: Sergei Rebrov (Tottenham) 5; Malcolm Christie, Branko Strupar (Derby) 4. Match odds: H 1-2 A 5-1 D 12-5. Referee: M Dean (Hewsall, Wirrall).

WEST HAM (18) v ARSENAL (2)

Davor Suker is in contention for a place on the bench against his former club. The Croatian frontman has been out for a month with a groin injury. Igor Stimac (leg) is ruled out after suffering a gashed leg at Ipswich in an accidental clash with Hammers goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

David Seaman has recovered from a back injury meaning veteran keeper John Lukic will be back on the bench for Arsenal. Captain Tony Adams' back injury continues to keep him out and Oleg Luzhny is expected to deputise in central defence.

Last season: Arsenal 2 West Ham 1, West Ham 2 Arsenal 1. Last five league matches: West Ham LDWDD, Arsenal DWDWW. Top scorers: Paolo di Canio (West Ham) 5; Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 6. Match odds: H 2-1 A 11-10 D 11-5. Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury).

Sunday

ASTON VILLA (7) v SUNDERLAND (10)

David Ginola is bidding to shake off a thigh strain, otherwise John Gregory will retain the side that started at Highbury. Midfielder Lee Hendrie is poised to keep his place, despite being sent off last week and J Lloyd Samuel is set for a place on the bench as a replacement for Middlesbrough-bound Ugo Ehiogu.

Don Hutchison is expected to return to Sunderland's midfield after suspension. Alex Rae came in for his first Premiership match of the season against Chelsea and manager Peter Reid must decide whether to change a winning team.

Last season: Aston Villa 1 Sunderland 1, Sunderland 2 Aston Villa 1. Last five league matches: Aston Villa WWDWL Sunderland LWDDW. Top scorers: Julian Joachim (Aston Villa) 3; Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 5. Match odds: H 8-11 A 3-1 D 12-5. Referee: G Barber (Tring).