Today

(Current league positions in brackets)

Aston Villa (4) v Coventry (18)

Midfielder Mark Draper returns to the Villa squad after five games out following an ankle operation. Alan Thompson is in danger of missing out as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury. Manager John Gregory also has to decide whether to recall central defender Gareth Barry.

Former Portsmouth striker John Aloisi will start for Coventry if Noel Whelan fails a fitness test on an injured shoulder and Norwegian international midfielder Trond Soltvedt will replace George Boateng if the Dutchman has not recovered from illness.

Last season: Aston Villa 3 Coventry 0, Coventry 1 Aston Villa 2.

Last five league matches: Aston Villa WLLLD, Coventry LWDLL.

Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 13; John Aloisi (Coventry) 18.

Match odds: H 4-7, A 9-2, D 12-5.

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).

Charlton (16) v Nottm Forest (20)

Eddie Youds is suffering with a knee injury and Richard Rufus has broken his wrist, so Carl Tiler and Steve Brown are likely to form Charlton's centreback pairing.

John Harkes, who missed last weekend's 3-1 defeat against Chelsea because of a calf injury, faces a late fitness test for Forest, who will be without suspended pair Alan Rogers and Andy Johnson. Jon Olav Hjelde (groin) and Hugo Porfirio (hamstring) are also ruled out. Stale Stensaas is likely to replace Rogers at left-back and Scot Gemmill is poised to take over from Johnson in midfield.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches: Charlton DLWWW, Nottm Forest LWLLL.

Top scorers: Andy Hunt, Clive Mendonca (Charlton) 6; Dougie Freedman (Nottm Forest) 7.

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

Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).

Chelsea (2) v Liverpool (6)

Tore Andre Flo is in line for a place in Chelsea's starting line-up for the first time this year. Flo, who injured his ankle when appearing as a substitute against Oldham in the FA Cup on January 2nd, came on at Nottingham Forest last weekend and may be preferred to teenager Mikael Forssell. Graeme Le Saux, Roberto Di Matteo and Michael Duberry, who missed the game at the City Ground, are also available but Dennis Wise is still suspended.

Liverpool are without Jamie Carragher, who starts a three-match ban, and Rigobert Song, who is away on international duty with Cameroon. Patrik Berger has recovered from a hamstring injury and Paul Ince is available again after suspension. Newly signed French teenage defender Djimi Traore will travel with the squad after impressing in a midweek reserve game.

Last season: Chelsea 4 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 4 Chelsea 2.

Last five league matches: Chelsea WLWDW, Liverpool WLWLD.

Top scorers: Gianfranco Zola, Gustavo Poyet (Chelsea) 11; Michael Owen (Liverpool) 20.

Match odds: H 4-6, A 3-1, D 9-4.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland).

Everton (15) v Wimbledon (9)

Everton are without Don Hutchison, who is serving a one-match ban, and Ibrahima Bakayoko is away on international duty with the Ivory Coast so Walter Smith will turn to Francis Jeffers and Danny Cadamarteri up front.

Michael Hughes returns for Wimbledon after flu ruled him out of Sunday's goalless draw against Aston Villa. Carl Leaburn is out with a thigh injury and fellow striker John Hartson is still banned.

Last season: Everton 0 Wimbledon 0, Wimbledon 0 Everton 0.

Last five league matches: Everton LLLWL, Wimbledon WDDLD.

Top scorers: Ibrahima Bakayoko (Everton) 5; Marcus Gayle, Jason Euell (Wimbledon) 8.

Match odds: H 6-5, A 15-8, D 11-5.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).

Man Utd (1) v Southampton (19)

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has to decide whether to risk Jaap Stam from the start. Stam has been having treatment on a hamstring injury all week and may start on the bench as Ferguson eyes next Wednesday's Champions' League quarter-final first-leg clash at home to Inter Milan.

Southampton welcome Matt Le Tissier back from a torn hamstring and he is set to replace Hassan Kachloul, who is away on international duty with Morocco. Mark Hughes misses the game against his old club as he completes a two-match ban. James Beattie is hopeful of being fit despite a nagging groin injury and Stuart Ripley is battling to recover from a calf problem. Francis Benali and Scott Marshall are back from injury and in contention.

Last season: Man Utd 1 Southampton 0, Southampton 1 Man Utd 0.

Last five league matches: Man Utd WWWDW, Southampton WLWLW.

Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (Man Utd) 21; Egil Ostenstad (8).

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

Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).

Sheff Wed (12) v Middlesbrough (11)

WEDNESDAY centre-back Des Walker will undergo an late fitness test on an ankle injury and is their major worry. Midfielder Danny Sonner and striker Andy Booth are carrying minor knocks but should be fit.

Middlesbrough are without Curtis Fleming, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season after having surgery on a troublesome knee cartilage injury. Gianluca Festa is also sidelined by a hamstring problem but Hamilton Ricard has recovered from an ankle injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches: Sheff Wed DWLWW, Middlesbrough LDLLD.

Top scorers: Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed) 7; Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 13.

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

Ref: M Riley (Leeds)

Tottenham (13) v Derby (7)

SPURS are without England striker Les Ferdinand, who was concussed in a clash of heads during the FA Cup fifth-round replay victory against Leeds on Wednesday and is likely to be replaced by Chris Armstrong. Defender Ramon Vega has shaken off the effects of an ankle knock.

Derby are without suspended skipper Igor Stimac but Danish international Jacob Laursen replaces him after serving a one-match ban. Midfielder Darryl Powell is out after injuring his neck in training but defender Spencer Prior should be available after missing the midweek FA Cup win over Huddersfield because of a family illness.

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

Last five league matches: Tottenham DDDDD, Derby WWLWL.

Top scorers: Chris Armstrong (Tottenham) 11; Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 6.

Match odds: H 4-5, A 3-1, D 9-4.

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

West Ham (8) v Blackburn (17)

Rio Ferdinand is winning his battle to be fit for West Ham. The defender has been troubled by a back problem but came through a training session yesterday without any reaction. Paolo Di Canio and Paul Kitson, who missed last week's draw at Liverpool, are fit again, as is Joe Cole, who came off in that match and has also had a virus.

Jason McAteer, cup-tied for the FA Cup exit against Newcastle, is likely to return for Blackburn at rightback as Jeff Kenna suffered a calf muscle tear against the Magpies. Matt Jansen was also cup-tied in midweek and will battle it out for the two striking positions with Kevin Davies, Nathan Blake and Ashley Ward. Young Irish winger Damien Johnson may also come into the reckoning after being out for several weeks.

Last season: West Ham 2 Blackburn 1, Blackburn 3 West Ham 0.

Last five league matches: West Ham LDLWD, Blackburn LDWDL.

Top Scorers: Ian Wright (West Ham) 7; Ashley Ward (Blackburn) 17.

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

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

Tomorrow

Newcastle (10) v Arsenal (3)

NEWCASTLE will give fitness tests to flu victims Alan Shearer and Didier Domi ahead of the match. Midfielder Stephen Glass will also have to prove he is ready to return from a knee injury, while new signing Silvio Maric is yet to return to match fitness after his move from Croatia Zagreb.

England defender Martin Keown returns for Arsenal after four games out with a damaged hamstring. French midfielder Emmanuel Petit, however, faces another two weeks on the sidelines after a slight setback to his ankle injury.

Last season: Newcastle 0 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 3 Newcastle 1.

Last five league matches: Newcastle DWWWL, Arsenal WWWDW.

Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 13; Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal) 14.

Match odds: H 15-8, A 6-5, D 11-5.

Referee: M Reed (Birmingham) Match odds supplied courtesy of William Hill