Premier League team news

Blackburn (16) v Bolton (8):Steven Nzonzi is back from suspension for Blackburn but striker Junior Hoilett remains 50-50 with a hamstring problem. Rovers' struggles to find goals will not be helped by doubts over Roque Santa Cruz (hamstring) while midfielder David Dunn misses out with a calf injury.

On-loan striker Daniel Sturridge is a major doubt for Bolton with an ankle injury, while full-back Gretar Steinsson is unlikely to feature after injuring his knee at Fulham. Midfielder Mark Davies has an ankle problem and Sam Ricketts, Sean Davies and Stuart Holden are all long-term absentees.

Last season: Blackburn 3 Bolton 0, Bolton 0 Blackburn 2
Last five league matches:Blackburn D D D L L; Bolton L L W W L
Top scorers (all competitions): Mame Diouf & Nikola Kalinic (Blackburn) 6; Johan Elmander (Bolton) 12
Match odds: H 10-11 A 3-1 D 5-2
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

Blackpool (17) v Stoke (10)

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway should have a virtually full squad to choose from. Striker James Beattie has been feeling unwell but trained yesterday and Holloway expects Stephen Crainey to be available despite the defender sustaining a toe problem. David Carney (shoulder) is the only definite absentee.

Stoke are without winger Matthew Etherington (hamstring) and striker Ricardo Fuller (Achilles) - Dean Whitehead and John Carew could step in. Danny Higginbotham (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Blackpool D L L L D; Stoke W D L D W
Top scorers (all competitions): DJ Campbell (Blackpool) 12; Kenwyne Jones & Jonathan Walters (Stoke) 11
Match odds: H 17-10 A 6-4 D 5-2
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

Chelsea (2) v Tottenham (5)

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has dispelled fears over the fitness of Michael Essien (knee) and Ramires (hamstring), with the latter back in the frame after missing the last three matches. Defender Alex is also fit again following an identical period on the sidelines with a similar injury.

Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone is set to miss out after his ankle injury flared up. Benoit Assou-Ekotto (hamstring) is sidelined and Vedran Corluka (ankle) and Niko Kranjcar (foot) are doubts. Jonathan Woodgate (calf) and Ledley King (groin) remain doubtful and Wilson Palacios and Alan Hutton (both knee) miss out.

Last season: Tottenham 2 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 3 Tottenham 0
Last five league matches: Chelsea D W W W W; Tottenham D D W D D
Top scorers (all competitions): Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 16; Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham) 14
Match odds:H 1-2 A 11-2 D 16-5
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

Sunderland (12) v Fulham (9)

Sunderland are without Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck (both hamstring) and Fraizer Campbell (knee), so Stephane Sessegnon may be up front. Full-back Phil Bardsley has recovered from concussion and John Mensah and Anton Ferdinand may play but Kieran Richardson is a doubt and Titus Bramble and Craig Gordon are out.

Defender Philippe Senderos could make his first appearance for Fulham after recovering from Achilles trouble. Boss Mark Hughes will hope Damien Duff has recovered from his own Achilles complaint, while Bobby Zamora and Andrew Johnson are pushing for starts.

Last season:Sunderland 0 Fulham 0, Fulham 1 Sunderland 0
Last five league matches:Sunderland L L L L W; Fulham L W L D W
Top scorers (all competitions): Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland) 11; Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 13
Match odds: H 6-4 A 19-10 D 11-5
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

West Brom (14) v Aston Villa (13)

West Brom captain Chris Brunt will be assessed tomorrow after suffering a slight hamstring strain in training yesterday. Winger Jerome Thomas (hamstring/groin) and defender Steven Reid (calf) are definitely out - although boss Roy Hodgson says none of the three are long-term concerns.

Caretaker boss Gary McAllister - still deputising while Villa manager Gerard Houllier recovers from a heart problem - has a full strength squad available and could name an unchanged squad, although midfielder Barry Bannan has been recalled from a loan spell with Leeds and could be included.

Last season:No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: West Brom D W W L D; Aston Villa L D W W D
Top scorers (all competitions): Peter Odemwingie (West Brom) 13; Darren Bent (Aston Villa) 18
Match odds:H 5-4 A 21-10 D 12-5
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

Wigan (18) v Everton (7)

Latics defender Maynor Figueroa returns from a ban but veteran goalkeeper Mike Pollitt is unavailable after a minor elbow operation, so Chris Kirkland will provide bench cover for first-choice Ali Al Habsi.

Mikel Arteta could return after five games out with a hamstring injury. Fellow midfielder Tim Cahill should be in the squad but is unlikely to start due to a foot problem, while utility man John Heitinga (hamstring) is doubtful. Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini are out for the season with ankle injuries.

Last season: Wigan 0 Everton 1, Everton 2 Wigan 1
Last five league matches: Wigan W D L W L; Everton W D W W L
Top scorers (all competitions): Conor Sammon (Wigan) 18; Louis Saha (Everton) 10
Match odds: H 9-5 A 6-4 D 23-10
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Sunday, May 1

Arsenal (3) v Man Utd (1)

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen will not be rushed back despite returning to action with the reserves after Achilles trouble. Midfielder Abou Diaby (calf) is out but Tomas Rosicky could figure after illness.

Dimitar Berbatov has missed three games with a minor groin strain but is expected to be handed a starting spot. Paul Scholes serves the final game of a three-match ban, whilst Darren Fletcher (virus) is not expected to be available.

Last season:Arsenal 1 Man Utd 3, Man Utd 2 Arsenal 1
Last five league matches: Arsenal D W D D L; Man Utd W W W D W
Top scorers (all competitions): Robin van Persie (Arsenal) 19; Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) 22
Match odds: H 6-4 A 9-5 D 23-10
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Birmingham (15) v Wolves (19)

Blues striker Nikola Zigic could return after groin trouble, a welcome boost with Obafemi Martins ruled out for the season with a stress fracture of the leg which has required surgery. Goalkeeper Ben Foster has recovered from the back spasm and dead leg which forced him to be substituted against Liverpool.

Wolves will check on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (hamstring) but fellow striker Steven Fletcher should be fit after a knee problem. Defender George Elokobi (hamstring) and midfielder Dave Edwards (back) will resume training next week while striker Kevin Doyle (knee) remains on the sidelines.

Last season: Birmingham 2 Wolves 1, Wolves 0 Birmingham 1
Last five league matches: Birmingham W D W L L; Wolves W L L D L
Top scorers (all competitions): Craig Gardner (Birmingham) 9; Kevin Doyle, Steven Fletcher & Adam Hammill (Wolves) 8
Match odds: H 23-20 A 5-2 D 9-4
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Liverpool (6) v Newcastle (11)

Liverpool hope striker Andy Carroll will be fit to face his former club - he has a knee injury which will be assessed over the weekend. Full-back Jack Robinson is fit after suffering cramp against Birmingham.

Keeper Steve Harper returns to Newcastle’s squad after a knee injury, although whether or not he replaces Tim Krul remains to be seen. Skipper Kevin Nolan has recovered from a slight muscle strain, but loan signing Stephen Ireland (ankle) joins Danny Guthrie (shin), Leon Best (ankle), Dan Gosling (knee) and Alan Smith (ankle) on the sidelines. Hatem Ben Arfa continues his rehabilitation after returning to training from a broken leg.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Liverpool W L W D W; Newcastle L W L D D
Top scorers (all competitions): Andy Carroll & Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) 13; Kevin Nolan (Newcastle) 12
Match odds:H 1-2 A 11-2 D 16-5
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)

Man City (4) v West Ham (20)

City boss Roberto Mancini could be tempted to recall Edin Dzeko after the striker scored his first Premier League goal for the club in the victory against Blackburn after stepping off the bench. Carlos Tevez and Micah Richards (both hamstring) are out, as is Jerome Boateng (knee).

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is still struggling with an Achilles injury and is almost certain to miss out. He is joined on the sidelines by fellow midfielders Mark Noble and Gary O’Neil, who are out with hernia and ankle injuries respectively. Wayne Bridge is ineligible to feature against his parent club, but the Hammers’ defence will be boosted by the return of Matthew Upson from a chest infection.

Last season: West Ham 1 Man City 1, Man City 3 West Ham 1
Last five league matches: Man City W L W L W; West Ham D L L L L
Top scorers (all competitions): Carlos Tevez (Man City) 22; Demba Ba (West Ham) 13
Match odds: H 2-5 A 13-2 D 15-4
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)