Today

Aston Villa (13) v Chelsea (5)

Aston Villa have Michael Oakes on standby to replace Mark Bosnich, who is almost certain to be ruled out by a knee injury. Stan Collymore is suspended as well as being ruled out after his nose operation, but midfielder Ian Taylor, having treatment to a hamstring strain, is hoping to return.

Chelsea welcome back Gianfranco Zola and Roberto Di Matteo and Bernard Lambourde is available after suspension but Dennis Wise and Gianluca Vialli are still banned.

Last Season: Aston Villa 0-2 Chelsea, Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa.

Last five league matches - Aston Villa LDWLD, Chelsea DWLWL.

Top Scorers: Dwight Yorke, Ian Taylor (Aston Villa) 3; Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 7.

Match Odds: H 6-4, A 6-4, D 11-5.

Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).

Barnsley (20) v Blackburn (3)

Barnsley could be without Ashley Ward, who is struggling to overcome a throat virus. Danny Wilson could start with veteran striker John Hendrie at the expense of Macedonian international Georgi Hristov.

Blackburn striker Martin Dahlin will be out with a back injury, but winger Jason Wilcox is back after a three-match ban. Jeff Kenna returns from World Cup duty and is set to replace Frenchman Patrick Valery. Last Season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches - Barnsley LLLWL, Blackburn DDWWD.

Top Scorers: Neil Redfearn (Barnsley) 6; Chris Sutton (Blackburn) 11.

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

Referee: G Poll (Tring).

Bolton (17) v Liverpool (6)

Jamie Pollock is poised for a Bolton recall in place of the suspended Scott Sellars, who starts a three-match suspension. Gerry Taggart starts a six-game ban and Andy Todd sits out the last of his three matches. Mike Whitlow returns at left back.

Liverpool are expected to be unchanged for the trip to Bolton although both Patrik Berger and Karlheinz Riedle have recovered from the injuries which kept them out of the UEFA Cup defeat in Strasbourg and the 4-0 victory over Derby last weekend.

Last Season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches - Bolton DDLLW, Liverpool WLWLW.

Top Scorers: Nathan Blake (Bolton) 5; Robbie Fowler (Liverpool) 6.

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

Referee: D J Gallagher (Banbury)

Derby (7) v Arsenal (2)

Derby recall England Under-21 defender Matt Carbon, Gary Rowett returns at wingback and Lee Carsley is back in midfield. Still missing are skipper Igor Stimac (back), Stefano Eranio (hamstring) and Robbie van der Laan (ankle).

Arsenal will be without Dutch winger Marc Overmars, who is still troubled by an ankle injury, but Ian Wright should be fit despite a heavy cold. Dennis Bergkamp starts a three-match ban and Nicolas Anelka is favourite to partner Wright.

Last Season: Derby 1-3 Arsenal, Arsenal 2-2 Derby.

Last five league matches - Derby WWDDL, Arsenal WDWDD.

Top Scorers: Francesco Baiano (Derby) 8; Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) 11.

Match Odds: H 2-1, A 11-10, D 9-4.

Referee: P E Alcock (Redhill)

Man Utd (1) v Sheff Wed (19)

Republic of Ireland international Denis Irwin is the only new injury doubt for United after picking up a slight thigh strain in the midweek World Cup play-off against Belgium. Fellow defender Henning Berg could be fit to return after missing the last two games with a damaged hamstring.

Wednesday's only doubt is over Lee Briscoe, who has a calf strain, while Italian duo Benito Carbone and Paulo Di Canio are both expected to recover from leg strains.

Last Season: Man Utd 2-0 Sheff Wed, Sheff Wed 1-1 Man Utd.

Last five league matches - Man Utd DLWDW, Sheff Wed LDWLL.

Top Scorers: Andy Cole (Man Utd) 6; Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed) 7.

Match Odds: H 1-3, A 8-1, D 3-1.

Referee: G R Ashby (Worcester).

Newcastle (10) v Leicester (4)

Emergency centre-forward Keith Gillespie is almost certainly out for Newcastle with a calf injury, while Ian Rush still has knee trouble but is hoping to return to the Magpies line-up. Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given will replace Pavel Srnicek, and captain Rob Lee and fellow England team-mate Steve Howey are both available to start, after recovering from thigh and calf injuries respectively.

Veteran striker Steve Claridge is Leicester's biggest injury doubt after aggravating knee trouble and will be replaced by either Tony Cottee or Graham Fenton if he fails a late fitness test. Frenchman Pegguy Arphexad continues in goal while Kasey Keller recovers from a dislocated thumb. Defender Steve Walsh (hamstring) is still out.

Last Season: Newcastle 4-3 Leicester, Leicester 2-0 Newcastle.

Last five league matches - Newcastle WLWLD, Leicester DWLLW.

Top Scorers: Faustino Asprilla (Newcastle) 6; Ian Marshall (Leicester) 5.

Match Odds: H 4-6, A 10-3, D 5-2.

Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).

Tottenham (14) v Leeds (8)

Tottenham are hoping internationals Darren Anderton, John Scales and Steffen Iversen will return tomorrow. But Swiss defender Ramon Vega and Portuguese winger Jose Dominguez both face late fitness tests, before Gerry Francis can name his team. Vega pulled a muscle in training, while Dominguez hurt a knee.

Norwegian international Gunnar Halle faces a late test on a groin injury, so 19year-old Irish defender Alan Maybury stands by for Leeds. Gary Kelly may slot in at right-back on his return from international duty with the Republic of Ireland, while striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is also available again after completing a threematch ban.

Last Season: Tottenham 1-0 Leeds, Leeds 0-0 Tottenham.

Last five league matches - Tottenham DDLWL, Leeds WWDWL.

Top Scorers: David Ginola (Tottenham) 4; Rod Wallace (Leeds) 7.

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

Referee: K W Burge (Tonypandy).

Wimbledon (9) v Coventry (15)

Wimbledon will recall Republic of Ireland international defender Kenny Cunningham, returning from World Cup duty. The Dons will be without Jon Goodman, who goes into hospital on Monday for an operation on cruciate knee ligaments, and young striker Jason Euell, ruled out of action until the New Year with a shoulder injury that will also need surgery.

Coventry expect to field first choice strike partnership Dion Dublin and Darren Huckerby for the first time in six weeks now Dublin has completed a three match suspension. Paul Telfer, out for a month with an ankle injury, is likely to be on the bench. Defender Roland Nilsson hopes to play with a lightweight strapping on his injured arm.

Last Season: Wimbledon 2-2 Coventry, Coventry 1-1 Wimbledon.

Last five league matches - Wimbledon DLWDW, Coventry DDDLD.

Top Scorers: Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 5; Dion Dublin (Coventry) 5.

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

Referee: U D Rennie (Sheffield).

Tomorrow

Everton (16) v Southampton (18)

Southampton's Norwegian international striker Egil Ostenstad is still out of action following ankle surgery. But England star Matthew Le Tissier has recovered from a thigh muscle strain, and Ken Monkou has beaten a hamstring injury. Kevin Davies will partner David Hirst up front following Micky Evans' departure to West Brom.

Everton defender Slaven Bilic, back from World Cup duty with Croatia, is almost certainly out after being sent home from training, after complaining of feeling unwell.

Last Season: Everton 7-1 Southampton, Southampton 2-2 Everton.

Last five league matches - Everton LDLWD, Southampton LLWLW.

Top Scorers: Danny Cadamarteri (Everton) 5; Kevin Davies (Southampton) 6.

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

Referee: A B Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).