Premiership Team news

Aston Villa (10) v Newcastle (15): Villa could have Lee Hendrie back in their midfield after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury.

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is having treatment for a bruised knee, with Stefan Postma on stand-by should the Dane be ruled out.

Jermaine Jenas, whose place was taken by Kieron Dyer for the midweek clash with Norwich, is back from a knee injury. Lee Bowyer is short of match fitness but is included in the squad.

Last season: Aston Villa 0 Newcastle 0, Newcastle 1 Aston Villa 1 Last five league matches: Aston Villa D L W D L; Newcastle D D D L D Top scorers: Darius Vassell, Olof Mellberg & Carlton Cole (Aston Villa) 1; Craig Bellamy (Newcastle) 2 Match odds: H 13-10 A 9-5 D 2-1 Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Blackburn (19) v Man Utd (12)

New signing Morten-Gamst Pedersen is poised to make his Blackburn Rovers debut. The winger joined the club yesterday for £1.5 million - the fee rising to £2.5 million depending on appearances - from Tromso, and is now awaiting international clearance.

Jonathan Spector could retain his place for United. John O'Shea will play in the middle, in the absence of Roy Keane who has a rib injury. Phil Neville is also pushing for a place in the team as is Louis Saha.

Last season: Blackburn 1 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 2 Blackburn 1 Last five league matches: Blackburn L D D L L; Man Utd L D W L W Top scorers: Craig Short, Barry Ferguson, Paul Dickov (Blackburn) 1 ; Alan Smith (Man Utd) 4 Match odds: H 3-1 A 5-6 D 2-1 Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Chelsea (2) v Southampton (14)

Chelsea's £24 million striker Didier Drogba has been declared fit after fears over an ankle injury he picked up in the midweek win over Crystal Palace. He faces competition from Eidur Gudjohnsen and Adrian Mutu for a starting place.

Saints midfielder Paul Telfer will continue at right back again with club captain Jason Dodd yet to fully recover from a back injury. Left-back Graeme Le Saux is fit to face his former side after overcoming a minor knock suffered in the Bolton defeat.

Last season: Chelsea 4 Southampton 0, Southampton 0 Chelsea 1 Last five league matches: Chelsea D W W W W; Southampton D L L W L Top scorers: Eidur Gudjohnsen, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Tiago (Chelsea) 1; Anders Svensson, Kevin Phillips, Jo Tessem, Peter Crouch, James Beattie (Southampton) 1 Match odds: H 3-10 A 15-2 D 16-5 Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

Everton (13) v West Brom (11)

Everton striker Kevin Campbell has overcome a knee injury picked up at Crystal Palace last weekend. He played for an hour in the 3-1 win at Selhurst Park and has responded well to a week of intensive treatment.

West Brom are set to name an unchanged side with Zoltan Gera, who marked his full debut against Tottenham with his first goal for the club, retaining his place in midfield. Albion are without the suspended Jason Koumas. Rob Hulse and Larus Sigurdsson.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Everton L L L L W; West Brom L L D D D Top scorers: Thomas Gravesen (Everton) 2; Neil Clement (West Brom) 2 Match odds: H 21-20 A 5-2 D 15-8. Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).

Man City (18) v Charlton (4)

Richard Dunne is available again after serving a one-match ban, with Danny Mills possibly reverting to right back and replacing Sun Jihai. Steve McManaman may come into contention after an achilles injury while new goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus is set to be on the City bench.

Alan Curbishley looks set to name an unchanged Charlton side, with Shaun Bartlett remaining doubtful because of ankle ligament damage. Matt Holland (ankle) is still sidelined.

Last season: Man City 1 Charlton 1, Charlton 0 Man City 3 Last five league matches: Man City L W D L L; Charlton D W L W W Top scorers: Robbie Fowler, Nicolas Anelka (Man City) 1; Francis Jeffers (Charlton) 2 Match odds: H 11-10 A 21-10 D 21-10 Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Middlesbrough (7) v Crystal Palace (20)

Boro are awaiting the results of X-rays on the ankle George Boateng injured at Fulham in midweek. Ugo Ehiogu faces a fitness test on his back injury, Stewart Downing has recovered from a hamstring strain, but Michael Reiziger will have an operation on his shoulder which will sideline him for two months.

Midfielder Michael Hughes is doubtful for Palace with a calf injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Middlesbrough W L D L W; Crystal Palace W L D L L Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Middlesbrough) 2; Mark Hudson, Andrew Johnson (Crystal Palace) 1, Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 5-2 Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Norwich (16) v Arsenal (1)

City will be without David Bentley under the terms of the Arsenal midfielder's season-long deal. Thomas Helveg may return to the defence and although Phil Mulryne (groin) remains a doubt, Malky Mackay and Youssef Safri are in contention after recovering match-fitness.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Norwich L W D L D; Arsenal W W W W W Top scorers: Paul McVeigh, Darren Huckerby, David Bentley, Gary Doherty (Norwich) 1; Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal) 4 Match odds: H 7-1 A 1-3 D 3-1 Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Tottenham (5) v Birmingham (9)

Spurs could rest Jermain Defoe after the striker made four appearances in less than two weeks. Robbie Keane, recently recovered from ankle ligament damage, may partner Frederic Kanoute up front.

Emile Heskey (ankle) and Clinton Morrison (knee) are rated 50-50 for Birmingham. Stan Lazaridis (thigh), Jamie Clapham (knee) and David Dunn (hamstring) are definitely out while Robbie Savage is suspended.

Last season: Tottenham 4 Birmingham 1, Birmingham 1 Tottenham 0 Last five league matches: Tottenham W W D W D; Birmingham L D D L W Top scorers: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 2; Emile Heskey, Robbie Savage (Birmingham) 1 Match odds: H 23-20 A 2-1 D 21-10 Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Sunday

Bolton (3) v Liverpool (6)

Bolton have a full squad to choose from, with only Florent Laville on the long-term absentee list. Liverpool will give Premiership debuts to new signings Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso.

Last season: Bolton 2 Liverpool 2, Liverpool 3 Bolton 1 Last five league matches: Bolton W L W L W; Liverpool W W D D W Top scorers: Henrik Pedersen, Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton) 3; Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 3 Match odds: H 2-1 A 23-20 D 21-10 Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).