Team News And Statistics

Saturday

Arsenal v Blackburn

Arsenal striker Kanu is away on international duty with Nigeria. Silvinho, meanwhile, only flew back from international duty yesterday, while Martin Keown (knee), Edu (hamstring) and Ray Parlour (hamstring) are all ruled out.

Blackburn midfielder David Dunn is expected to return after missing the midweek victory over Bolton with a toe injury. Henning Berg and John Curtis were rested but return to the squad.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Top scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 19; Marcus Bent and David Dunn (Blackburn) 17

Match odds: H 1-3 A 15-2 D 3-1

Referee: J Winter

Leicester v Wycombe

Leicester's Frank Sinclair is out for six weeks and will be replaced by Andrew Impey. Onloan Gillingham midfielder Junior Lewis is cup-tied, with Matthew Jones and Stefan Oakes vying for his spot. Simon Royce will again deputise in goal for injured Tim Flowers.

Wycombe have six strikers ruled out, leaving manager Lawrie Sanchez to pair 20-year-old George Clegg, on loan from Manchester United, alongside midfielder Keith Ryan up front.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Top scorers: Muzzy Izzet (Leicester) 10; Andy Rammell (Wycombe) 13

Match odds: H 1-4 A 8-13 D 7-2

Referee: S Bennett

Sunday

Tranmere v Liverpool

Veteran Tranmere striker Paul Rideout has recovered from a thigh injury, but manager John Aldridge might decide to start with Wayne Allison, who scored in midweek. Des Hamilton (hamstring) has been ruled out, and Wayne Gill (ankle) is doubtful.

Liverpool have a doubt over defender Stephane Henchoz (knee) while Dietmar Hamann is suspended. Markus Babbel should switch to the centre of defence, with Stephen Wright coming in at full back.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Top scorers: Andy Parkinson (Tranmere) 8; Emile Heskey (Liverpool) 19

Match odds: H 4-1 A 8-13 D 12-5

Referee: A Wiley

West Ham v Tottenham

West Ham will give Stuart Pearce (sprained ankle) a late fitness test. Michael Carrick, Frederic Kanoute, Nigel Winterburn, Igor Stimac and Sebastien Schemmel will return.

Tim Sherwood (groin) is a doubt for Spurs who are already without Darren Anderton, Oyvind Leonhardsen, Stephen Carr, Ben Thatcher, Chris Armstrong and Mauricio Taricco. Chris Perry and Sergei Rebrov are ready to return and Steffen Iversen may start after featuring as a substitute in the last two games.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Top scorers: Frederic Kanoute (West Ham) 11; Steve Ferguson & Sergei Rebrov (Tottenham) 9

Match odds: H Evens A 12-5 D 21-10

Referee: A P D'Urso

Premiership - Saturday

Aston Villa (14) v Ipswich (3)

Midfielder George Boateng (ankle) is out for Villa while Gareth Southgate will have a late fitness test. Ipswich's Marcus Stewart and Titus Bramble are both suspended. Full-back Chris Makin, signed for £1.25million from Sunderland this week, is named in a squad that also includes central defender Mark Venus, who is back after injury.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Aston Villa L W D L D, Ipswich L L L W W

Top scorers: Julian Joachim (Aston Villa) 6; Marcus Stewart (Ipswich) 17

Match odds: H 6-5 A 15-8 D 21-10

Referee: R Styles

Odds supplied courtesy of William Hills