Premiership team news and statistics

Tomorrow's matches

Aston Villa (15) v Watford (20)

On-loan defender Phil Bardsley is included in the Villa squad and could replace Aaron Hughes at right-back if Martin O'Neill deems he has sufficient match fitness. Midfielder Stiliyan Petrov (hamstring) is again sidelined.

Ashley Young is set to miss out, regardless of whether he joins Villa, as any move is unlikely to be completed in time for him to be registered to play. Dan Shittu (ankle) is 50-50 while fellow defenders James Chambers (ankle) and Clarke Carlisle (thigh) and striker Marlon King (knee) are out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Aston Villa L L L D L; Watford L L L D L
Top scorers: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) 9; Will Hoskins (Watford) 16
Match odds: H 4-7 A 9-2 D 23-10
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Fulham (13) v Tottenham (8)

Cottagers centre-backs Zat Knight (jaw) and Ian Pearce (groin) are in the squad. Clint Dempsey is in need of match-fitness, while Jimmy Bullard (knee) is out. Antti Niemi is recovering from a neck injury, Papa Bouba Diop is not in the squad, while on-loan winger Wayne Routledge cannot play against his parent club.

Anthony Gardner is set to start at centre-back for Spurs following Calum Davenport's departure to West Ham. Skipper Ledley King is still out with a bruised foot, while Jermaine Jenas returns to training next week after a ankle injury. Striker Mido (groin) and Paul Stalteri (hip) are struggling.
Last season: Fulham 1 Tottenham 0, Tottenham 1 Fulham 0
Last five league matches: Fulham D D D D D; Tottenham L W L D L
Top scorers: Brian McBride (Fulham) 9; Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 14
Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Liverpool (3) v Chelsea (2)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez must decide which of his front-line strikers plays. Benitez used Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy in last weekend's 3-0 win at Watford, but he is unlikely to be as bold against the champions.

Chelsea's Claude Makelele is suspended, with Mikel Jon Obi likely to take his midfield holding role and  Michael Essien again partnering Ricardo Carvalho in the centre of defence in the absence of captain John Terry (back). Goalkeeper Petr Cech may make his first appearance since fracturing his skull in October but Joe Cole (foot) and Khalid Boulahrouz (knee) are out, although Andriy Shevchenko (hamstring) is fit.
Last season: Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0, Liverpool 1 Chelsea 4
Last five league matches: Liverpool W L W W W; Chelsea W D D D W
Top scorers: Peter Crouch (Liverpool) 12; Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 21
Match odds: H 6-4 A 13-8 D 19-10
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).

Man City (10) v Blackburn (12)

City midfielder Joey Barton is suspended, while Nedum Onuoha and Hatem Trabelsi remain doubtful with hamstring problems. Sun Jihai (hamstring) and Dietmar Hamann (back) could come into contention after making their comeback from injury in the reserves in midweek.

Blackburn midfielder David Bentley is available again after suspension, but new recruit David Dunn may have to wait for his chance as he builds up his fitness. Striker Paul Gallagher (groin) remains doubtful.
Last season: Blackburn 2 Man City 0, Man City 0 Blackburn 0
Last five league matches: Man City L W W W D; Blackburn L W W W L
Top scorers: Georgios Samaras (Man City) 6; Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 13
Match odds: H 11-10 A 21-10 D 21-10
Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Middlesbrough (14) v Bolton (5)

Boro boss Gareth Southgate will give captain George Boateng every opportunity to prove his fitness. The midfielder missed the FA Cup replay win over Hull with a knee injury and needs a late fitness test. Andrew Taylor and Emanuel Pogatetz return after knocks — Taylor replaces Seb Hines at left-back while Abel Xavier is likely to move across to right-back at the expense of Andrew Davies to accommodate Pogatetz.

Bolton may have captain Kevin Nolan back if he continues to make good progress in recovering from a knee injury. Fellow midfielder Abdoulaye Faye is available again after serving a suspension against Stuart Pearce's side, while striker Kevin Davies has recovered from an Achilles injury sustained against City.
Last season: Bolton 1 Middlesbrough 1, Middlesbrough 4 Bolton 3
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough W D L W W; Bolton W W W L D
Top scorers: Yakubu (Middlesbrough) 11; Nicolas Anelka (Bolton) 8
Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Newcastle (11) v West Ham (18)

Magpies captain Scott Parker is in contention after suspension and a stomach muscle strain, while full-back Stephen Carr could be available after a foot injury. However, midfielder Emre (calf) remains a doubt while Damien Duff, Michael Owen and Charles N'Zogbia (all knee), Shola Ameobi and Olivier Bernard (both hip), Celestine Babayaro and Craig Moore (both hamstring) and Titus Bramble (calf) are still out.

Calum Davenport is set to make his Hammers debut — he looks likely to partner Anton Ferdinand in the centre of defence after the Hammers lost both Danny Gabbidon and James Collins to injury. Boss Alan Curbishley is also without striker Carlos Tevez (calf) and Bobby Zamora (suspended) for the trip north.
Last season: West Ham 2 Newcastle 4, Newcastle 0 West Ham 0
Last five league matches: Newcastle W L L D W; West Ham D L L L D
Top scorers: Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) 10; Bobby Zamora (West Ham) 6
Match odds: H 4-5 A 14-5 D 9-4
Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).

Portsmouth (6) v Charlton (19)

New signing Lauren could be a ready-made replacement for suspended skipper Gary O'Neil on the right of Pompey's midfield. However, the Cameroonian has not played for a year after knee surgery and manager Harry Redknapp is also considering David Thompson, Rudolphe Douala and Arnold Mvuemba. Niko Kranjcar is doubtful (ankle) and Lomana LuaLua is still at least a week away from a comeback (thigh).

Charlton midfielder Andy Reid has aggravated a hamstring problem, but full-back Osei Sankofa is available again following a two-match suspension. England striker Darren Bent and captain Luke Young (both knee) are continuing their recovery, but are still at least a week away from a return.
Last season: Charlton 2 Portsmouth 1, Portsmouth 1 Charlton 2
Last five league matches: Portsmouth W W L D D; Charlton L D W L L
Top scorers: Kanu (Portsmouth) 10; Darren Bent (Charlton) 10
Match odds: H 4-7 A 9-2 D 23-10
Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Reading (9) v Sheff Utd (16)

Reading give fitness tests to striker Shane Long (thigh) and defender Graeme Murty (groin). Top scorer Kevin Doyle (hamstring) is out for at least four weeks, and utility man Brynjar Gunnarsson is sidelined with a similar problem. Striker Dave Kitson and winger Bobby Convey rejoin the squad after knee injuries.

New signing Luton Shelton is unavailable as he has not received international clearance — but fellow new arrival Mamadou Seck is clear to play. Matthew Kilgallon is doubtful with an ankle injury while Paul Gerrard retains his place in goal as Blades boss Neil Warnock will not risk Paddy Kenny or Ian Bennett after injury. Skipper Chris Morgan is suspended and midfielder Mikele Leigertwood (ankle) is still out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Reading L D L W D; Sheff Utd L L W L D
Top scorers: Kevin Doyle (Reading) 10; Rob Hulse (Sheff Utd) 6
Match odds: H 4-5 A 3-1 D 21-10
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).

Sunday, January 21st

Arsenal (4) v Man Utd (1)

Gunners midfielder Gilberto is suspended — Mathieu Flamini is in contention to step into midfield — while striker Emmanuel Adebayor is fit again after thigh trouble. Forward Robin van Persie (ankle) has an 80% chance of being available and right-back Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) is pressing for a recall, but Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring), William Gallas (thigh) and centre-back Johan Djourou (hamstring) are out.

Manchester United defender Wes Brown returns to the squad following a virus which forced him to miss the 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at the weekend.
Last season: Man Utd 2 Arsenal 0, Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0
Last five league matches: Arsenal W W L W W; Man Utd W W W D W
Top scorers: Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) 12; Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) 13
Match odds: H 11-8 A 17-10 D 2-1
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Wigan (17) v Everton (7)

Wigan midfielder Lee McCulloch is available for selection despite handing in a transfer request today. Manager Paul Jewell, himself struggling with flu, is again without Arjan de Zeeuw (toe), Henri Camara and Paul Scharner (both knee). Andreas Granqvist is available after shaking off his own bout of flu, while Antonio Valencia is close to a return following a long lay-off with a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta returns to Everton's squad after a ban but Nuno Valente is still out with a knee problem and fellow full-back Tony Hibbert is still a few weeks away from fitness after a groin injury. With veteran David Weir now at Rangers, youngster Mark Hughes may come into the squad as defensive cover.
Last season: Wigan 1 Everton 1, Everton 0 Wigan 1
Last five league matches: Wigan L L L L L; Everton W D W L D
Top scorers: Henri Camara (Wigan) 6; Andrew Johnson (Everton) 9
Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).