Preview

Saturday

Arsenal (2) v Derby (20)

David Seaman has picked up yet another injury and the Arsenal goalkeeper could be out of action for at least three weeks with a sprained ankle. With Alex Manninger also struggling to overcome a knee ligament injury, 39-year-old John Lukic is in the firing line again. Patrick Vieira and Gilles Grimandi return, and Matthew Upson looks set to take over from the injured Tony Adams.

Derby captain Darryl Powell is expected to be fit after suffering a dead leg in the draw with West Ham.

Last season: Arsenal 2 Derby 1, Derby 1 Arsenal 2

Last five league matches: Arsenal WWWWW, Derby LLLLD

Top scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 9; Malcolm Christie (Derby) 5

Match odds: H 1-6 A 11-1 D 9-2

Aston Villa (5) v Tottenham (10)

David Ginola is set to be on the bench after recovering from a torn thigh muscle. Paul Merson has been troubled by a calf problem but expects to be fit. Tottenham are still without injured Sol Campbell, Steffen Freund and Mauricio Taricco.

Last season: Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 4, Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1

Last five league matches: Aston Villa WLDWW, Tottenham LLWLW

Top scorers: Julian Joachim, Paul Merson (Aston Villa) 3; Sergei Rebrov (Tottenham) 5

Match odds: H 4-5 A 3-1 D 21-10

Bradford (19) v Everton (16)

The Bantams have an embarrassment of riches to choose from up front, with six fit strikers pushing for places in caretaker boss Stuart McCall's side. Everton's former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne will have a fitness test on his injured thigh before the match.

Last season: Everton 4 Bradford 0, Bradford 0 Everton 0

Last five league matches: Bradford D L L D L, Everton L D W L L

Top scorers: Benito Carbone, Dean Windass (Bradford) 3; Francis Jeffers (Everton) 7

Match odds: H 6-4 A 6-4 D 21-10

Ipswich (7) v Charlton (9)

Ipswich have a doubt over striker Richard Naylor, who is suffering from sore knees and faces a late fitness test. James Scowcroft stands by. Charlton captain Mark Kinsella plays the 400th game of his career.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Ipswich W D W W L, Charlton D L W L W

Top scorers: Marcus Stewart (Ipswich) 6; Jonatan Johansson (Charlton) 8

Match odds: H 5-6 A 11-4 D 11-5

Leicester (3) v Newcastle (6)

Leicester central defender Matt Elliott could miss the match because he is still troubled by an ankle injury. But goalkeeper Tim Flowers has pronounced himself fit. Bobby Robson is without Carl Cort, Kevin Gallacher and Nolberto Solano (both hamstring) and Warren Barton and Marcelino (both groin strains).

Last season: Newcastle 0 Leicester 2, Leicester 1 Newcastle 2

Last five league matches: Leicester D L L W W, Newcastle W W L L W

Top scorers: Muzzy Izzet (Leicester) 3; Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 7

Match odds: H 6-5 A 9-5 D 11-5

Man Utd (1) v Middlesbrough (18)

Ryan Giggs and Andy Cole will be missing for Manchester United while Paul Scholes is doubtful with a knee injury. Giggs is out with a recurrence of his hamstring trouble and Cole faces an operation on his Achilles. Boro give a late fitness test to striker Alen Boksic. Keeper Mark Schwarzer could return to the squad after recovering from a knee problem.

Last season: Middlesbrough 3 Man Utd 4, Man Utd 1 Middlesbrough 0

Last five league matches: Man Utd L W W W W, Middlesbrough W L L L L

Top scorers: Teddy Sheringham (Man Utd) 12; Alen Boksic (Middlesbrough) 6

Match odds: H 1-6 A 11-1 D 9-2

Sunderland (12) v S'thampton (14)

Kevin Kilbane returns for Sunderland after completing a three-match ban. Record signing Emerson Tome has recovered from a bug which forced him out of last Saturday's defeat by Tottenham and is expected to replace Stanislav Varga in central defence.

Last season: Southampton 1 Sunderland 2, Sunderland 2 Southampton 0

Last five league matches: Sunderland D W D W L, Southampton L D L L W

Top scorers: Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 5; Marian Pahars (Southampton) 6

Match odds: H 4-6 A 7-2 D 23-10

West Ham (15) v Man City (13)

Nigel Winterburn has recovered from a hamstring injury and returns to the West Ham team but Joe Cole is ruled out with an ankle injury. Shaun Goater is rated only `50-50' for Manchester City after a recurrence of his groin injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: West Ham D D L W D, Man City L W W L L

Top scorers: Paolo di Canio (West Ham) 6; Paulo Wanchope (Man City) 6

Match odds: H 8-11 A 10-3 D 11-5

Sunday

Chelsea (11) v Leeds (8)

Chelsea have defenders Marcel Desailly, Albert Ferrer and Mario Melchiot available for selection. Graeme Le Saux will be out for another two weeks with an Achilles injury, while Mario Stanic, Jes Hogh and Roberto di Matteo are all long-term absentees.

Leeds manager David O'Leary is likely to name an unchanged side.

Last season: Leeds 0 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 0 Leeds 2

Last five league matches: Chelsea W L W W L, Leeds W W L D W

Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 11; Mark Viduka (Leeds) 10

Match odds: H 4-5 A 11-4 D 23-10

Liverpool (4) v Coventry (17)

Michael Owen could start his first match for almost a month after his recovery from a head injury that required two brain scans. Carlton Palmer is available for Coventry after a three-match suspension, and Craig Bellamy (hamstring) and Cedric Roussel (back) have made good progress from their injuries.

Last season: Coventry 0 Liverpool 3, Liverpool 2 Coventry 0

Last five league matches: Liverpool L W W W L, Coventry D W L L L

Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 8; John Aloisi (Coventry) 5

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

Odds courtesy of William Hill