Weekend Previews

Saturday

Coventry (11) v Leicester (7)

Coventry are expected to be unchanged from the team which beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Monday. Richard Shaw, Marc Edworthy and John Aloisi are still on the injury list and will play no part. Leicester have Muzzy Izzet back from an ankle injury and Matt Elliott returns from suspension. Elliott is likely to replace Steve Walsh in the centre of defence.

Last season: Leicester 1 Coventry 0, Coventry 1 Leicester 1.

Last five league matches: Coventry WDWDW, Leicester WLWLW.

Top scorers: Robbie Keane (Coventry) 12; Tony Cottee, Muzzy Izzet (Leicester) 8.

Match odds: H 5-4, A 7-4, D 9-4.

Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).

Everton (12) v Aston Villa (13)

Everton's Don Hutchison, Francis Jeffers and Kevin Campbell have all shrugged off injuries picked up in training and are fit for selection. Dave Watson is still recovering from a knee operation but Scottish duo David Weir and John Collins are expected to return. Alex Cleland, Abel Xavier and Mark Pembridge are most at risk of dropping to the bench. Villa are boosted by the availability of midfielder Alan Thompson and versatile teenager Gareth Barry. The duo both missed the 2-1 defeat at Coventry on Monday as they were serving onematch bans. But central defender Ugo Ehiogu is still struggling with a calf strain and misses his sixth successive match.

Last season: Aston Villa 3 Everton 0, Everton 0 Aston Villa 0.

Last five league matches: Everton LDLDD, Aston Villa LDLLL.

Top scorers: Kevin Campbell (Everton) 8; Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 9.

Match odds: H 8-11, A 10-3, D 9-4.

Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).

Middlesbrough (8) v Wimbledon (15)

Middlesbrough will be without Gary Pallister as the former Manchester United and England defender has not recovered from a back injury. Christian Ziege and Keith O'Neill both return after suspension but Paul Gascoigne, still short of match fitness, may have to be content with a place on the bench. Wimbledon manager Egil Olsen is sweating on the fitness of Republic of Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham and key striker John Hartson. The pair picked up injuries during training, Hartson taking a heavy blow to his thigh and Cunningham aggravating a long-term knee problem. Winger Michael Hughes, who seemed out of favour with Olsen following his return from injury, is back in the travelling squad for the first time this season.

Last season: Middlesbrough 3 Wimbledon 1, Wimbledon 2 Middlesbrough 2.

Last five league matches: Middlesbrough WWWDL, Wimbledon WDDWL.

Top scorers: Brian Deane (Middlesbrough) 6; Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 10.

Match odds: H 4-6, A 7-2, D 12-5.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland, Dorset).

Watford (19) v Sunderland (4)

Mark Williams returns for Watford after serving a three-match suspension and Richard Johnson, missing last week against Newcastle, has recovered from tonsilitis. Record signing Stefan Schwarz returns to Sunderland's starting line-up after missing last week's home defeat by Liverpool because of suspension. Skipper Kevin Ball has also served a one-match ban and will be on the bench.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches: Watford LLLDD, Sunderland WDWDL.

Top scorers: Neil Cox, Michel Ngonge (Watford) 3; Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 13.

Match odds: H 9-4, A Evens, D 9-4.

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).

West Ham (10) v Liverpool (5)

Javier Margas is expected to leap straight back into the West Ham starting line-up after suspension with Steve Potts or Neil Ruddock making way for the Chilean defender. Captain Steve Lomas is also back after a one-match ban and that could cost Marc-Vivien Foe his place, while Paul Kitson is expected to return after a calf injury ruled him out last week. But Igor Stimac is still out with a calf problem while Stuart Pearce and Ian Pearce remain on the injury list. Liverpool will be without Jamie Redknapp against his father Harry's side. Redknapp has an ankle injury, Vladimir Smicer is still missing and Robbie Fowler is set for another reserve run-out before making a first-team comeback. Titi Camara and Steve Staunton are also expected to be out, with Sami Hyypia to be skipper in Redknapp's absence.

Last season: Liverpool 2 West Ham 2, West Ham 2 Liverpool 1.

Last five league matches: West Ham DLLDW, Liverpool DWWWW.

Top scorers: Paolo Di Canio (West Ham) 7; Titi Camara, Michael Owen (Liverpool) 5.

Match odds: H 13-8, A 11-8, D 11-5.

Referee: G Barber (Tring, Herts).

Sunday

Arsenal (3) v Derby (18)

Arsenal will almost certainly be without Emmanuel Petit, who aggravated a long-standing knee injury while Patrick Vieira and Fredrik Ljungberg are suspended. Gilles Grimandi is set for a midfield role with German signing Stefan Malz ready to make his Premiership debut. Georgian star Georgi Kinkladze is set to make his Derby debut after receiving a work permit and international clearance yesterday. Israeli international Avi Nimni, like Kinkladze a midfielder, may also figure after scoring for Derby Reserves on his first appearance for the club against Chelsea on Thursday night.

Last season: Arsenal 1 Derby 0, Derby 0 Arsenal 0.

Last five league matches: Arsenal WWDLW, Derby LLWLL.

Top scorers: Kanu (Arsenal) 10; Rory Delap (Derby) 6.

Match odds: H 1-4, A 10-1, D 7-2.

Referee: A D'urso (Billericay, Essex).

Chelsea (9) v Bradford (17)

Chelsea will be without captain Dennis Wise and defender Frank Leboeuf due to suspension. Full-back Graeme Le Saux (ankle), winger Gabriele Ambrosetti (hamstring) and striker Mikael Forssell (knee) are all still out of contention, while defender Celestine Babayaro has been playing through a knee problem. Dean Saunders is still missing for Bradford having failed to recover from the hamstring injury. Manager Paul Jewell has no new injury worries following last week's 2-1 defeat at Leeds.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches: Chelsea LLLDD, Bradford LWLDL.

Top scorers: Tore Andre Flo (Chelsea) 7; Lee Mills (Bradford) 4.

Match odds: H 2-7, A 8-1, D 7-2.

Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood, Staffs).

Leeds (2) v Southampton (14)

Leeds captain Lucas Radebe will make a late dash back from international duty in South Africa in a bid to play at Elland Road. If Radebe makes it back in time then it will be up to manager David O'Leary to decide whether he will play from the start or be on the bench. Saints leading Marian Pahars faces a late fitness test on a calf injury he suffered in the 1-0 defeat against Tottenham last weekend. Kevin Davies, who has missed three games though suspension, is also a doubt as he bids to recover from a boil on his hip.

Last season: Southampton 3 Leeds 0, Leeds 3 Southampton 0.

Last five league matches: Leeds WDWLW Southampton LDDWL.

Top scorers: Michael Bridges (Leeds) 11; Marian Pahars (Southampton) 8.

Match odds: H 2-5, A 13-2, D 11-4.

Referee: R Harris (Oxford).

Newcastle (16) v Tottenham (6)

Newcastle have Warren Barton and Gary Speed suspended and defenders Alessandro Pistone and Laurent Charvet limped away from the 1-0 UEFA Cup third round first leg defeat by Roma. With Stephen Carr sidelined until the New Year by an ankle injury, Spurs have Mauricio Taricco at right-back and Justin Edinburgh at left-back. David Ginola is likely to continue in the starting line-up despite a disappointing display at Southampton last weekend when he was replaced by Jose Dominguez.

Last season: Newcastle 1 Tottenham 1, Tottenham 2 Newcastle 0.

Last five league matches: Newcastle LWDDD ,Tottenham WWLWW.

Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 18; Steffen Iversen (Tottenham) 10.

Match odds: H 11-8, A 13-8, D 11-5.

Referee: P Alcock (Halstead, Kent).