Saturday
Aston Villa (6) v Southampton (19)
Villa are boosted by the return of midfielder Alan Thompson. The former Bolton player was suspended for Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Leicester and is expected to take over from Mark Draper in midfield. Paul Merson, who has been on the bench for the last three games, is likely to remain among the substitutes.
Southampton's Moroccan international Hassan Kachloul is playing for his country against Togo in the African Nations Cup, but midfielder Matthew Le Tissier is in contention for a recall to the Saints' starting line-up. Striker David Hirst, who has missed the entire season with a knee ligament injury, could feature after scoring for the reserves in midweek but Matthew Oakley (rib injury), Egil Ostenstad (groin) and Stuart Ripley (calf) are all expected to miss out. Neil Moss continues in goal with Paul Jones (slipped disc) still out.
Last season: Aston Villa 1 Southampton 1, Southampton 1 Aston Villa 2.
Last five League matches: Aston Villa LLLDD, Southampton WLWDL.
Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 14; Egil Ostenstad (Southampton) 8.
Match odds: H 8-13, A 7-2, D 13-5.
Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).
Derby (7) v Nottm Forest (20)
Derby boss Jim Smith is sweating on the fitness of Deon Burton (hamstring injury), Francesco Baiano (groin) and new boy Mikkel Beck (toe). If they are out, Paulo Wanchope and Dean Sturridge - who were on the bench against Newcastle last week - are on standby to start and Darryl Powell is back from suspension. However, Smith is definitely without longterm casualties Igor Stimac, Stefano Eranio and Rory Delap.
Forest, bottom of the table and seemingly doomed to relegation, have no fresh injury worries and boss Ron Atkinson is likely to keep faith with the side that held Liverpool 2-2 on Monday.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Derby DWWLL, Nottm Forest LWLLD.
Top scorers: Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 9; Dougie Freedman (Nottm Forest) 11.
Match odds: H 8-15, A 9-2, D 13-5.
Referee: G Barber (Pyrford).
Leicester (14) v West Ham (5)
Leicester City stalwart Steve Walsh faces a late fitness test on an injured ankle. The veteran defender picked up the injury in last month's League Cup Final against Spurs and has missed the Foxes' last two matches. Martin O'Neill's only definite absentee is midfielder Muzzy Izzet, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury. Gerry Taggart returns after flu.
Marc-Vivien Foe is on international duty for Cameroon against Mozambique this weekend and Harry Redknapp will be forced into a reshuffle. Either Eyal Berkovic or Steve Potts will start. Ian Wright, who came through a reserve team game in midweek, will be on the bench, but Rio Ferdinand is out for a fortnight with an ankle injury.
Last season: Leicester 2 West Ham 1, West Ham 4 Leicester 3.
Last five League matches: Leicester LWDWD, West Ham LWWDL.
Top scorers: Tony Cottee (Leicester) 15; Ian Wright (West Ham) 7.
Match odds: H 11-10, A 7-4, D 13-5.
Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).
Middlesbrough (9) v Charlton (16)
Boro pair Brian Deane and Keith O'Neill are both rated only 50-50 after picking up ankle injuries. Both will undergo late fitness tests but young midfielder Mark Summerbell is definitely ruled out with a back problem.
Charlton will be without Welsh international John Robinson after he was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage in the first half of Monday's win at West Ham. He may miss the rest of the season, while goalkeeper Sasa Ilic, also taken off at Upton Park after a collision, is also rated highly doubtful for the clash at the Riverside. Andy Petterson stands by to deputise. Joint-leading scorer Clive Mendonca is still ruled out with a back injury.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Middlesbrough LWWDW, Charlton DLDLW.
Top scorers: Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 17; Graham Stuart (Charlton) 8.
Match odds: H 4-6 A 10-3 D 5-2
Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).
Sunday
Everton (18) v Coventry (15)
Veteran defender Dave Watson returns to add his experience to the Everton defence. Ibrahima Bakayoko is away on international duty with the Ivory Coast, while Don Hutchison is serving the last of a three-match ban. Craig Short, who had stitches in a wound above his eye after the defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, has recovered and Mitch Ward is back in the squad.
Coventry are expected to be unchanged. John Aloisi is likely to win a place on the substitutes' bench after his three-match suspension while Steve Froggatt, who missed Monday's 1-0 win over Southampton, has been under treatment for a slight hamstring strain.
Last season: Everton 1 Coventry 1, Coventry 0 Everton 0.
Last five League matches: Everton WLLLL, Coventry WDLWW.
Top scorers: Ibrahima Bakayoko (Everton) 7; John Aloisi (Coventry) 21.
Match odds: H 5-4, A 7-4, D 9-4.
Referee: R Harris (Oxford)
Wimbledon (11) v Chelsea (3)
Groin injury victim Michael Hughes has finally gone under the surgeon's knife and will not be available. Striker Efan Ekoku also underwent exploratory surgery on his knee this week and is doubtful. Kenny Cunningham will have to pass a late fitness test on his hamstring tomorrow to ensure his place in the London derby.
Chelsea full back Albert Ferrer has cleared fears of a major injury worry after limping off with hamstring trouble against Real Mallorca but could miss out against Wimbledon. Dennis Wise and Marcel Desailly must be replaced - probably by Michael Duberry and Roberto di Matteo - as they are serving one-match bans for five yellow cards. Gianfranco Zola looks doubtful after being substituted after an hour against Real Mallorca by Gustavo Poyet, who may be given his first start since damaging a knee on St Stephen's Day. Bjarne Goldbaek is also set to figure.
Last season: Wimbledon 0 Chelsea 2, Chelsea 1 Wimbledon 1.
Last five League matches: Wimbledon LLLDL, Chelsea WWLWW.
Top scorers: Marcus Gayle, Jason Euell (Wimbledon) 10; Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea) 12.
Match odds: H 9-2, A 4-7, D 12-5.
Referee: G Willard (Worthing).
Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill.
