Today

Barnsley (20) v Everton (14)

Barnsley striker Jan-Aage Fjortoft looks set to replace John Hendrie after being cup-tied for the midweek win over Spurs. Defender Darren Sheridan starts a two-match ban as Barnsley search for their fifth successive win at Oakwell.

Craig Short and Tony Thomas are likely to be back for Everton, while John O'Kane's two-match suspension does not start until next week. Carl Tiler, who started his career at Barnsley, misses the game through suspension.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five league matches: Barnsley D W L W L; Everton L W W W D.

Top scorers: Jan Aage Fjortoft (Barnsley) 12; Gary Speed, Duncan Ferguson (Everton) 7.

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

Referee: M J D Bodenham (Sussex).

Blackburn (3) v Tottenham (18)

Swedish striker Martin Dahlin returns to the Blackburn squad after months out but Kevin Gallacher is ruled out. Gallacher has a pelvic injury which forced him to be substituted at Liverpool last week.

Spurs have Jurgen Klinsmann out with a broken jaw and Andy Sinton is likely to be missing after damaging a knee ligament. Striker Chris Armstrong and midfielder David Howells both appeared as substitutes in the FA Cup defeat at Barnsley and could start.

Last season: Blackburn 0-2 Tottenham; Tottenham 2-1 Blackburn.

Last five League matches: Blackburn D D L W D; Tottenham L D L W L.

Top scorers: Kevin Gallacher (Blackburn) 16; David Ginola (Tottenham) 8

Match odds: H 1-2; A 11-2; D 12-5.

Referee: G P Barber (Pyrford)

Coventry (13) v Sheffield Wed (11)

Marcus Hall looks set to regain his first-team place for Coventry against the team he came so close to joining last month. He will replace the suspended Noel Whelan, while defensive duo Gary Breen and Richard Shaw have rib and groin injuries respectively but are expected to play.

Sheffield Wednesday's 10-goal top scorer Paolo Di Canio returns to the side and could partner Benito Carbone up front. Andy Booth is doubtful (groin) but Graham Hyde is available after a two-match ban and is set to replace Niclas Alexandersson, out for the season with damaged knee ligaments.

Last season: Coventry 0-0 Sheffield Wed; Sheffield Wed 0-0 Coventry.

Last five League matches: Coventry L W L D W; Sheffield Wed D D W W D.

Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Coventry) 15; Paolo Di Canio (Sheff Wed) 10.

Match odds: H 10-11; A 5-2; D 9-4.

Referee: G R Ashby (Worcester).

Derby (6) v Aston Villa (15)

Jim Smith could push Scottish defender Christian Dailly into his three-man front line, because Paulo Wanchope and Deon Burton are both on international duty in the United States. Rory Delap has been drafted in, after signing from Carlisle, while Costa Rican midfielder Mauricio Solis gets a rare opportunity as a third non-EU player because of Wanchope's absence.

Villa will be without midfielder Ian Taylor, who is suspended. Central defender Steve Staunton, who missed last Sunday's 1-0 defeat at home to Newcastle with a knee problem, looks set to replace Riccardo Scimeca, while leading scorer Dwight Yorke is free to play after Trinidad and Tobago allowed him to miss the Gold Cup tournament.

Last season: Derby 2-1 Aston Villa; Aston Villa 2-0 Derby.

Last five League matches: Derby W L W D W; Aston Villa W D D L L.

Top scorers: Francesco Baiano, Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 12; Dwight Yorke (Aston Villa) 8.

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

Referee: P E Alcock (Redhill).

Leicester (9) v Leeds (7)

Leeds have Robert Molenaar out with a twisted ankle and Lucas Radebe is on African Nations' Cup duty with South Africa. Gunnar Halle steps into a centre back slot and Alfie Haaland is expected to return for the first time in four weeks after recovering from an ankle injury.

Leicester skipper Steve Walsh is doubtful with a groin strain and Spencer Prior stands by to replace him. Greek international Theo Zagorakis, a £750,000 midweek signing from PAOK Salonika, is expected to be on the bench.

Last season: Leicester 1-0 Leeds; Leeds 3-0 Leicester.

Last five League matches: Leicester L D D D W; Leeds L D L L W.

Top scorers: Ian Marshall (Leicester) 8; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 12.

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

Referee: N S Barry (Scunthorpe)

Liverpool (4) v Southampton (12)

Steve McManaman expects to be fit after his hamstring knock, while Liverpool have minor injury doubts over Robbie Fowler (back) and Phil Babb (hamstring). Rob Jones will deputise at wing-back for Jason McAteer, who broke his leg last week.

John Beresford goes straight into the Southampton side after completing his move from Newcastle. He will replace Lee Todd. Kevin Davies is still struggling with an ankle injury while Carlton Palmer and defender Francis Benali are both suspended.

Last season: Liverpool 2-1 Southampton; Southampton 0-1 Liverpool.

Last five League matches: Liverpool W W D W D; Southampton D W D W L.

Top scorers: Robbie Fowler (Liverpool) 13; Kevin Davies (Southampton) 12.

Match odds: H 1-2; A 11-2; D 12-5.

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

Manchester Utd (1) v Bolton (19)

Henning Berg is set to return to Manchester United's defence as fellow Norwegian Ronny Johnsen is out with a calf strain. Scottish midfielder Brian McClair is also poised for a rare start as England international Nicky Butt is suspended.

Striker Dean Holdsworth is set to return for Bolton for the first time since injuring his calf two months ago. Icelandic forward Arnar Gunnlaugsson is away on international duty, as is defender South African defender Mark Fish. Midfielder Alan Thompson and captain Gudni Bergsson are both available after twomatch suspensions, although the latter is nursing an ankle injury and rated doubtful.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five League matches: Manchester Utd W L W L L; Bolton D L D L L.

Top scorers: Andy Cole (Man Utd) 20; Nathan Blake (Bolton) 10.

Match odds: H 1-4; A 8-1; D 4-1.

Referee: S J Lodge (Barnsley).

Newcastle (10) v West Ham (8)

Gary Speed, Newcastle's new £5.5 million recruit, is one of three recent signings in the squad. Speed is likely to start along with Andreas Andersson while former Stoke full-back Andy Griffin will also play some part in the match. Steve Watson is out with a broken foot, while Temuri Ketsbaia is on international duty with Georgia.

Paul Kitson is hoping to return from a groin injury to face his old club but may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Trevor Sinclair once more partnering John Hartson up front. Andy Impey also returns from a groin problem, and French goalkeeper Bernard Lama is fit again, while Samassi Abou is still suspended.

Last season: Newcastle 1-1 West Ham; West Ham 0-0 Newcastle.

Last five League matches: Newcastle L L W L W; West Ham W W W L D.

Top scorers: John Barnes (Newcastle) 7; John Hartson (West Ham) 19.

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

Referee: U D Rennie (Sheffield).

Tomorrow

Arsenal (5) v Chelsea (2)

Arsenal will give a fitness test to England striker Ian Wright before deciding whether he is fit enough to make it at least onto the bench. Lee Dixon returns but Martin Keown and David Seaman are injured, and midfielder Patrick Vieira suspended.

Italian midfielder Roberto Di Matteo returns after suspension as Chelsea bid to keep their title challenge alive. Frank Sinclair is away on Jamaican duty in the United States while Andy Myers is still struggling with injury.

Last season: Arsenal 3-3 Chelsea; Chelsea 0-3 Arsenal. Last five League matches: Arsenal W D W D W; Chelsea D L W L W.

Top scorers: Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) 15; Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 15.

Match odds: H evens; A 9-4; D 9-4.

Referee: D J Gallagher (Banbury).