Premiership Previews

Saturday

Arsenal (4) v Southampton (15)

Arsenal have all their stars back apart from suspended Thierry Henry. Nigerian star Nwanko Kanu has been fined two weeks' wages for returning two days late from the African Nations Cup but could win an immediate recall alongside Dennis Bergkamp in attack. Captain Tony Adams, certain to be recalled in defence after seven weeks out with a foot injury, and winger Marc Overmars are both fit again for selection. Latvian striker Marian Pahars is confident of recovering from his hamstring injury in time. England Under-21 winger Wayne Bridge is available again after a one-match ban - but midfielders Matthew Le Tissier and John Beresford are not yet fully fit, while winger Stuart Ripley is out with a hamstring problem.

Last season: Southampton 0 Arsenal 0, Arsenal 1 Southampton 1

Last five league matches: Arsenal DWDLL, Southampton WLWWW

Top scorers: Henry, Suker (Arsenal) 11, Pahars (Southampton) 9

Match odds: H 1-3 A 7-1 D 3-1

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees)

Bradford (18) v Aston Villa (7)

Bradford striker Lee Mills looks set to miss his third successive match through injury. Mills was initially sidelined with a hamstring strain, but now has a back problem.

Villa will check on the fitness of David James and Ian Taylor before finalising their side. If James is ruled out for a second successive match then Peter Enckelman will continue to deputise. Taylor's best hope is a place on the bench with the in-form Steve Stone continuing in midfield.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Bradford DLWWL, Aston Villa WDDWW

Top scorers: Mills, Saunders (Bradford) 6, Dublin (Aston Villa) 12

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

Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)

Chelsea (5) v Watford (20)

Nigerian international Celestine Babayaro is back for Chelsea after finally returning from the African Nations Cup in midweek. Full-back Albert Ferrer also returns. But Dennis Wise and Frank Leboeuf are suspended and Graeme Le Saux and Roberto di Matteo are still injured.

Richard Johnson is unlikely to be fit for Watford following just one reserve game after his hamstring injury. Neil Cox is suspended, while Tommy Mooney, Nick Wright and Gifton Noel-Williams are still injured.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Chelsea WDDWW, Watford LLLLD

Top scorers: Flo (Chelsea) 14, Ngonge (Watford) 5

Match Odds: H 2-9 A 8-1 D 4-1

Referee: R Harris (Oxford)

Coventry (12) v Tottenham (9)

Transfer-listed Noel Whelan is likely to partner Robbie Keane as Cedric Roussel is still concussed after a clash at Middlesbrough last weekend.

Oyvind Leonhardsen and Steffen Freund are both set to make their comebacks from injury as Tottenham bid to end a run of three consecutive defeats. Willem Korsten should win the vote over Chris Armstrong if George Graham opts for a lone striker. Left-back Justin Edinburgh is named in the squad.

Last season: Tottenham 0 Coventry 0, Coventry 1 Tottenham 1

Last five league matches: Coventry WDLWL, Tottenham LDLLL

Top scorers: Keane (Coventry) 17, Iversen (Tottenham) 13

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

Referee: P Durkin (Portland)

Middlesbrough (14) v Leeds (2)

Middlesbrough captain Paul Ince will undergo a late fitness test on a groin injury. Brazilian midfielder Juninho has recovered from an ankle knock - but Brian Deane (ribs), Steve Vickers (Achilles), Keith O'Neill (groin) and Robbie Mustoe (back) are all out.

Leeds manager David O'Leary has been hit with a triple suspension blow. Right-back Gary Kelly and midfielders Matthew Jones and Eirik Bakke all face one-match bans. Danny Mills, David Hopkin and Alfie Haaland are all likely to step in.

Last season: Leeds 2 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 0 Leeds 0

Last five league matches: Middlesbrough DLLLW, Leeds LWLWL

Top scorers: Ricard (Middlesbrough) 9, Bridges (Leeds) 14

Match odds: H 12-5 A 10-11 D 9-4

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield)

Sheff Wed (19) v Newcastle (13)

Sheffield Wednesday's Dutch international midfielder Wim Jonk is manager Danny Wilson's major doubt. Jonk is struggling with a groin injury and will undergo a late fitness test along with fellow midfielder, Simon Donnelly. Definitely out through injury are both Philip Scott and Andy Booth with Achilles and groin problems respectively.

Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed is doubtful with an infected blister.

Last season: Sheff Wed 1 Newcastle 1, Newcastle 1 Sheff Wed 1

Last five league matches: Sheff Wed WWLDL, Newcastle DWLDW

Top scorers: De Bilde (Sheff Wed) 8, Shearer (Newcastle) 27

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

Referee: G Poll (Tring, Herts)

Sunderland (6) v Derby (17)

Defender Michael Gray returns after missing his first game of the season in the 3-2 defeat at Coventry City. Midfielder Gavin McCann is ruled out for the rest of the season with damaged knee ligaments, while Stefan Schwarz and full-back Chris Makin are suspended.

Craig Burley is confident he will be fit for Derby despite a sore ankle. Midfielder Lars Bohinen is still injured, and Spencer Prior is suspended. But wingback Rory Delap has recovered from a stomach problem, Horacio Carbonari is back along with Stefan Schnoor, and captain Darryl Powell returns after a calf injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Sunderland LLLDL, Derby WWDDL

Top scorers: Phillips (Sunderland) 23, Strupar (Derby) 14

Match odds: H 8-13 A 7-2 D 5-2

Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood)

West Ham (10) v Everton (8)

SASA ILIC, signed on loan from Charlton, will go straight into the West Ham line-up with Shaka Hislop injured and Craig Forrest on international duty. Neil Ruddock will also miss the clash with a knee injury while both Frank Lampard and Igor Stimac are suspended.

Everton are without Francis Jeffers, who is ruled out by an ankle injury. Michael Ball could return in a midfield role, and Danny Cadamarteri will be on the bench as cover for Kevin Campbell and Joe-Max Moore.

Last season: Everton 6 West Ham 0, West Ham 2 Everton 1

Last five league matches: West Ham DDWLW, Everton DDLWW

Top scorers: Di Canio (West Ham) 13, Campbell (Everton) 12

Match odds: H 10-11 A 9-4 D 12-5

Referee: P Alcock (Halstead)

Wimbledon (16) v Man Utd (1)

John Hartson's expected comeback in the reserves this week was delayed by a cold, and Egil Olsen is reluctant to throw him straight into action. Ben Thatcher is also still injured. Dean Blackwell and Andy Roberts have returned to full training after lengthy lay-offs, however, and Marcus Gayle is back from international duty with Jamaica after missing the game at Chelsea.

David Beckham is Manchester United's main doubt, but it has nothing to do with last weekend's much-publicised row with Alex Ferguson. Beckham is under treatment for an ankle injury picked up during England's draw with Argentina on Wednesday night but provided he can shake off the problem he will play.

Last season: Wimbledon 1 Man Utd 1, Man Utd 5 Wimbledon 1

Last five league matches: Wimbledon WLWLL, Man Utd WWWLW

Top scorers: Cort (Wimbledon) 15, Cole (Man Utd) 18

Match odds: H 4-1 A 4-7 D 5-2

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

Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill