Premier League Team News

Aston Villa (8) v West Brom (12)

Villa central defender James Collins is back in contention after missing the 4-1 setback at Manchester City with foot and groin problems. Villa boss Alex McLeish may recall midfielder Barry Bannan after leaving him out of the starting line-up at City following his exertions with Scotland, but striker Nathan Delfouneso (hamstring) and on-loan Jermaine Jenas (Achilles) are still ruled out.

West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera is in contention to play some part after making his comeback from a long-term ankle problem by playing 45 minutes of the midweek reserve clash with Arsenal. Defender Steven Reid will be available after undergoing minor hand surgery, while manager Roy Hodgson has to decide whether to recall Peter Odemwingie after he impressed as a scoring substitute against Wolves.

Last season: West Brom 2 Aston Villa 1, Aston Villa 2 West Brom 1

Last five league matches: Aston Villa D D D W L; West Brom W L D D W

Top scorers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 4; Shane Long (West Brom) 3

Match odds: H 1-1 A 11-4 D 23-10

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Bolton (18) v Sunderland (17)

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is hoping to be able to pick from the same squad as the Trotters look to build on last week’s win at Wigan. A couple of players are battling knocks but Coyle is hopeful they will be fit while defender Marcos Alonso returned to training today after eight weeks out with a broken foot.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is boosted by the return of key men Phil Bardsley, after suspension, and Nicklas Bendtner, who was ineligible to play against parent club Arsenal last weekend. Titus Bramble is suspended pending police and club investigations, while Craig Gordon and Fraizer Campbell (both knee) continue to work their way back to fitness.

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

Last five league matches: Bolton L L L L W; Sunderland L W L D L

Top scorers: Ivan Klasnic (Bolton) 3; Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland) 3

Match odds: H 13-10 A 11-5 D 11-5

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).

Liverpool (5) v Norwich (9)

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva serves a one-match suspension, which may give a chance for Jordan Henderson, dropped to the bench for the last two matches, to regain his starting place. Defenders Daniel Agger (rib) and Glen Johnson (hamstring) are fully fit again after playing in the midweek friendly defeat by Rangers.

Steve Morison is available for Norwich after suffering cramp and being replaced in last week’s 3-1 win over Swansea. Out again with knee injuries, though, are defenders Elliot Ward and Daniel Ayala, while Zak Whitbread’s hamstring problem keeps him out and long-term absentee James Vaughan is not expected to challenge for a place again until the New Year.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Liverpool L L W W D; Norwich L W W L W

Top scorers: Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 5; Anthony Pilkington (Norwich) 3

Match odds: H 1-3 A 8-1 D 15-4

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Newcastle (4) v Wigan (19)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has virtually a full squad to choose from. Skipper Fabricio Coloccini has had a minor toe problem, but is expected to be fit, while Haris Vuckic (broken hand) and Alan Smith (hamstring) are available again, with only central defender Mike Williamson (ankle) on the sidelines.

Striker Hugo Rodallega is set for a return to the Wigan starting line-up after making his comeback from a knee injury as a substitute a week ago. Steve Gohouri had 45 minutes to forget out of position at left-back in the home loss to Bolton and that could signal a return for Maynor Figueroa, who was dropped to the bench at the weekend.

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

Last five league matches: Newcastle D D W W D; Wigan L L L L L

Top scorers: Demba Ba (Newcastle) 5; Franco Di Santo (Wigan) 3

Match odds: H 8-13 A 9-2 D 11-4

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Wolves (16) v Swansea (13)

Wolves will still be without striker Steven Fletcher, who is recovering from the calf injury that kept him out of last week’s 2-0 defeat to West Brom. Meanwhile, Ronald Zubar (groin) has not reached match fitness and Kevin Foley (ankle) is also missing.

Swansea defender Steven Caulker is ahead of schedule in his return from a knee injury, but is still unavailable. Vangelis Moras could make his debut in defence after receiving international clearance to sign a short-term contract with the club, but Stephen Dobbie (ankle), Alan Tate (broken leg) and Kemy Agustien (hamstring) are out.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Wolves L L L L L; Swansea L W L W L

Top scorers: Steven Fletcher (Wolves) 3; Danny Graham & Scott Sinclair (Swansea) 2

Match odds: H 1-1 A 11-4 D 23-10

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

Sunday, October 23

Arsenal (10) v Stoke (7)

Carl Jenkinson, who picked up a knee problem against Marseille in the Champions League in midweek, will be out for a fortnight, as will Kieran Gibbs (stomach muscles). Meanwhile, defender Thomas Vermaelen is back in full training and could be available in 10 days to two weeks, while Abou Diaby is also two weeks away from a return.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis will check on winger Jermaine Pennant, who has been experiencing some trouble with his hamstring and did not feature in the Potters’ Europa League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Jonathan Woodgate also missed that game as he is not part of Pulis’ European squad and will come back into contention if he is fit, while Danny Higginbotham — out since April with a knee injury — may be involved.

Last season: Stoke 3 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 1 Stoke 0

Last five league matches: Arsenal W L W L W; Stoke W L D L W

Top scorers: Robin van Persie (Arsenal) 7; Jonathan Walters (Stoke) 4

Match odds: H 4-7 A 5-1 D 11-4

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).

Blackburn (20) v Tottenham (6)

Defender Michel Salgado aggravated a hamstring problem in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at QPR, so Jason Lowe is expected to fill in at right-back for Rovers. Midfielders David Dunn (calf), Vince Grella (hip) and Ryan Nelsen (knee) are all still out.

The likes of Scott Parker, Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart will be recalled for Tottenham after they were rested for last night’s Europa League win over Rubin Kazan. Manager Harry Redknapp has major problems in defence, with William Gallas (calf), Michael Dawson (Achilles), Ledley King (groin) and Vedran Corluka (foot) all unavailable, while Aaron Lennon (groin) and Sandro (calf) should be fit.

Last season: Blackburn 0 Tottenham 1, Tottenham 4 Blackburn 2

Last five league matches: Blackburn D W L L D; Tottenham W W W W D

Top scorers: Ruben Rochina (Blackburn) 4; Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 5

Match odds: H 11-4 A 10-11 D 13-5

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

Fulham (14) v Everton (15)

Bobby Zamora and Clint Dempsey, rested for the midweek Europa League defeat at Wisla Krakow, and Danny Murphy (knee) are among the Fulham players returning. They will be joined by Philippe Senderos and Zdenek Grygera after recovering from respective knocks. Bryan Ruiz faces a fitness test tomorrow, but Orlando Sa (hamstring) and Simon Davies (knee) are out.

James McFadden, who rejoined Everton on a free transfer this week, looks unlikely to make his second debut for the club as he has not played a competitive game in more than a year due to a serious knee injury and his condition is being closely monitored by manager David Moyes. Victor Anichebe remains sidelined with a groin complaint, but other than that, Moyes has a full squad to choose from.

Last season: Everton 2 Fulham 1, Fulham 0 Everton 0

Last five league matches: Fulham D D D W L; Everton D W L L L

Top scorers: Andrew Johnson (Fulham) 9; Apostolos Vellios (Everton) 2

Match odds: H 7-5 A 11-5 D 2-1

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

Man Utd (2) v Man City (1)

Alex Ferguson has recalled Rio Ferdinand to his squad after the centre-back was excused the Champions League trip to Romania in midweek. Rafael (shoulder) is still sidelined, but Tom Cleverley (foot) is due to return to training on Monday.

City have no fresh injury concerns, with striker Mario Balotelli returning after suspension in midweek and Owen Hargreaves, who made his league debut for City last week, set to be assessed in a practice match before the game. Carlos Tevez, the subject of disciplinary proceedings, is highly unlikely to be recalled.

Last season: Man Utd 2 Man City 1, Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Last five league matches: Man Utd W W D W D; Man City W D W W W

Top scorers: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 11; Sergio Aguero (Man City) 9

Match odds: H 11-10 A 5-2 D 23-10

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

QPR (11) v Chelsea (3)

QPR defender Danny Gabbidon has still not recovered from a knee injury and will therefore miss out, but Adel Taarabt, who has been suffering from a mild virus, is likely to be fit. DJ Campbell, who had an operation on his foot this week, was expected to be out for two months but may come back sooner.

Ramires has failed to recover from the knee injury picked up in Chelsea’s win over Everton last weekend but could be back for the Carling Cup tie against the same opponents next week. John Terry, Didier Drogba and Juan Mata look set to return after being rested for Wednesday night’s Champions League thrashing of Genk, while Fernando Torres serves the final instalment of his three-match domestic suspension.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: QPR D W D L D; Chelsea W L W W W

Top scorers: Joey Barton, DJ Campbell, Alejandro Faurlin, Heidar Helguson & Tommy Smith (QPR) 1; Frank Lampard (Chelsea) 5

Match odds: H 15-2 A 4-11 D 15-4

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).