Saturday, March 4th

Aston Villa (15) v Portsmouth (19)

Villa have only one available central defender in Liam Ridgewell. Olof
Mellberg is suspended while Mark Delaney (knee), Gary Cahill (ankle) and
long-term knee victim Martin Laursen are sidelined. Aaron Hughes (calf) will
play alongside Ridgewell if he passes a late fitness test. Luke Moore, who has scored five goals in his previous four starts, has shaken off a slight leg
strain and partners Milan Baros in attack.

Pompey's Gary O'Neil (ankle), Richard Hughes (shoulder), Andy Griffin (calf) and Linvoy Primus (groin) will need to pass late checks but Noe Pamarot and Salif Diao are almost certainly ruled out with hamstring strains. Benjani
Mwaruwari should overcome a groin strain and Wayne Routledge may start in a wide role rather than Ognjen Koroman.

Last season: Portsmouth 1 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 3 Portsmouth 0
Last five league matches: Aston Villa D D W L D; Portsmouth L D L L L
Top scorers: Milan Baros (Aston Villa) 9; Matthew Taylor & Andres D'Alessandro (Portsmouth) 5
Match odds: H 8-13 A 4-1 D 23-10
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Fulham (14) v Arsenal (7)

Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi has failed to recover from a hamstring injury,
so boss Chris Coleman will make a late choice between Tony Warner - who was promoted from the bench last week - and Mark Crossley.  Niclas Jensen or Liam Rosenior will replace Wayne Bridge (ankle) at left-back, while midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is doubtful after returning from Senegal's midweek friendly against Norway with a swollen foot.

Arsenal welcome back Dennis Bergkamp and Freddie Ljungberg to the squad after calf problems, but Robin van Persie (toe) has not yet recovered full match fitness. Full-back Ashley Cole (ankle) faces at least another three weeks out. Sol Campbell (ankle) continues to receive treatment, along with Pascal Cygan (hamstring) and Kerrea Gilbert (back). Gael Clichy (foot) and Lauren (knee) are longer-term absentees.

Last season: Arsenal 2 Fulham 0, Fulham 0 Arsenal 3
Last five league matches: Fulham L W L W L; Arsenal L W D L L
Top scorers: Brian McBride (Fulham) 10; Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 20
Match odds: H 15-8 A 6-5 D 21-10
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).

Liverpool (3) v Charlton (13)

Robbie Fowler returns for Liverpool after being unavailable against Manchester City under the terms of his move back to Anfield. Steve Finnan (neck) is a doubt but Jamie Carragher, suspended for the City match, is available again.

Charlton have no fresh injury worries despite a clutch of first-teamers having
been away on international duty. Midfielder Alexei Smertin had been struggling with a knee injury but as he was able to play for Russia in midweek he will travel to Anfield. Winger Dennis Rommedahl (rib) is still not back in contention but should soon be turning out for the reserves, and the same applies to defender Gonzalo Sorondo (foot).

Last season: Charlton 1 Liverpool 2, Liverpool 2 Charlton 0
Last five league matches: Liverpool L L W W W; Charlton L W L D D
Top scorers: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 18; Darren Bent (Charlton) 17
Match odds: H 2-5 A 6-1 D 11-4
Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Middlesbrough (16) v Birmingham (18)

Boro winger Stewart Downing may return to the squad after recovering from a knee problem. Doriva is also in contention after a back strain, while Ray Parlour (ankle) and James Morrison (hip) are on the comeback trail, although both will miss out tomorrow, and Fabio Rochemback (ankle) is a long-term absentee.

Blues midfielder Damien Johnson has recovered from a knock on the knee and central defender Alex Bruce is also available after serving a one-match
suspension but Matthew Upson, Chris Sutton, Muzzy Izzet and Kenny Cunningham are almost certain to be ruled out. Midfielder David Dunn could be given a start after recovering from his calf injury — he played an hour for the reserves in midweek.

Last season: Birmingham 2 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 2 Birmingham 1
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough L W L W W; Birmingham W D L L W
Top scorers: Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Middlesbrough) 18; Dudley Campbell (Birmingham) 12
Match odds: H 5-6 A 11-4 D 11-5
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Newcastle (11) v Bolton (6)

Magpies captain Alan Shearer will have a late fitness test after missing the
last three matches with a calf injury. Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble and Craig
Moore (all hamstring injuries) will not be considered.

Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf has made a rapid recovery from a double hernia operation and may find himself on the bench at St James’ Park. Boss Sam Allardyce will make a late check on the fitness of his nine internationals but Matt Jansen (knee) has already been ruled out and Nicky Hunt is suspended.

Last season: Newcastle 2 Bolton 1, Bolton 2 Newcastle 1
Last five league matches: Newcastle L W W D W; Bolton W D D D W
Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 9; Kevin Nolan (Bolton) 10
Match odds: H 6-5 A 15-8 D 21-10
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

West Brom (17) v Chelsea (1)

West Brom are without the suspended Nigel Quashie, with Junichi Inamoto and Darren Carter bidding to replace him in central midfield. Utility player Steve Watson returns to the squad after a month on the sidelines with a pelvic problem but midfielder Zoltan Gera continues to be sidelined as he seeks to build-up his fitness after a pelvic injury.

Frank Lampard (hamstring) is unlikely to feature as the Chelsea midfielder
concentrates on his battle to play in next week's Champions League game in
Barcelona. Defender William Gallas may not be risked despite recovering from a hamstring problem.

Last season: Chelsea 1 West Brom 0, West Brom 1 Chelsea 4
Last five league matches: West Brom L D W L L; Chelsea D D W L W
Top scorers: Nathan Ellington (West Brom) 6; Frank Lampard (Chelsea) 17
Match odds: H 13-2 A 1-3 D 16-5
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).

West Ham (8) v Everton (12)

West Ham have reported no fresh injury worries, although goalkeeper Roy
Carroll will be absent for at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on a
troublesome back problem.

Everton could have Richard Wright available following his return to light
training after an ankle injury but on-loan Sander Westerveld is set to keep his place at Upton Park, with either Wright or Iain Turner - who has served his one-match suspension - on the bench. Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville also return after completing one-match bans but Duncan Ferguson still has three matches of his seven-match ban to serve.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: West Ham W W W W W; Everton W D W W L
Top scorers: Dean Ashton (West Ham) 13; James Beattie (Everton) 8
Match odds: H 10-11 A 13-5 D 21-10
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Sunday, March 5th

Man City (10) v Sunderland (20)

Claudio Reyna is set to replace suspended midfielder Joey Barton for City
after coming though a 60-minute reserve team appearance in midweek following two months on the sidelines with a broken ankle. Antoine Sibierski is a doubt after picking up a knock at Anfield while Andy Cole (knee) is definitely out.

Sunderland have Tommy Miller available again after a ban but Grant Leadbitter may retain his place. Rory Delap is also set for his first start after coming on as a substitute at Birmingham last week and full-back George McCartney is also expected to be available after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Man City L W L W L; Sunderland L L D L L
Top scorers: Andy Cole (Man City) 10; Anthony Le Tallec & Dean Whitehead (Sunderland) 4
Match odds: H 4-11 A 7-1 D 11-4
Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

Tottenham (4) v Blackburn (5)

Spurs winger Andy Reid is still recovering from knee ligament damage but coach Martin Jol has no other major worries. New signing Hossam Ghaly is back in training after his groin injury and nearing full fitness - but he requires match practice before being considered for a first-team place. Finland midfielder Teemu Tainio should have shaken off his ankle injury in time to play.

Morten Gamst Pedersen is almost certain to miss out with a hamstring injury - either David Bentley or Sergio Peter will deputise for Blackburn.

Last season: Tottenham 0 Blackburn 0, Blackburn 0 Tottenham 1
Last five league matches: Tottenham D L W D D; Blackburn W L L W W
Top scorers: Mido (Tottenham) 10; Craig Bellamy (Blackburn) 11
Match odds: H 10-11 A 13-5 D 21-10
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).