Saturday
CHARLTON (7th) v SUNDERLAND (10th) - Charlton's Clive Mendonca and goalkeeper Sasa Ilic are sidelined through injury. Manager Alan Curbishley rang the changes for the 2-0 defeat of Chelsea and may decide to stick with the same 11, with John Salako and Radostin Kishishev keeping their places. For Sunderland, Chris Makin and Don Hutchison are struggling with injuries.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: Charlton WLWLW, Sunderland DWLDW.
Top scorers: Johansson (Charlton) 9; Hutchison (Sunderland) 6.
Match odds: H 11-10 A 2-1 D 11-5.
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
COVENTRY (17th) v ASTON VILLA (6th) - Gordon Strachan may rest midfielders Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo. The Moroccans played in an international against Libya this week, as well as Monday's 1-0 defeat by Ipswich. Villa's Mark Delaney is poised to make his first start of the season after battling back from a knee injury picked up in the pre-season build-up.
Last season: Villa 1 Coventry 0, Coventry 2 Villa 1.
Last five league matches: Coventry LLLLL Villa DWWWL.
Top scorers: Aloisi (Coventry) 5; Joachim, Merson, Taylor (Aston Villa) 3.
Match odds: H 7-4 A 13-10 D 21-10.
Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).
DERBY (19th) v MANCHESTER UNITED (1st) - Striker Branko Strupar could be on the bench after recovering from a hernia injury. But Derby will be without injured internationals Craig Burley (calf) and Simo Valakari (ankle). Alex Ferguson will check on the fitness of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before naming the United side. The Norwegian injured an ankle a fortnight ago but is back in training. Defender Ronny Johnsen is fit again.
Last season: Man Utd 3 Derby 1, Derby 1 Man Utd 2.
Last five league matches: Derby LLDDW, Utd WWWWW.
Top scorers: Christie (Derby) 6; Sheringham (Man Utd) 14.
Match odds: H 5-1 A 1-2 D 12-5.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
EVERTON (13th) v CHELSEA (14th) - Everton have defenders Steve Watson and David Unsworth available again but are without Alex Cleland (hamstring), Joe Max-Moore (flu) and Thomas Gravesen, who is suspended. Defender Albert Ferrer is Chelsea's main doubt. Ferrer, who missed the 2-0 defeat at Charlton last weekend, has an ankle problem, while midfielder Jody Morris also has flu.
Last season: Chelsea 1 Everton 1, Everton 1 Chelsea 1.
Last five league: Everton WLLWW, Chelsea WWLDL.
Top scorers: Jeffers (Everton) 7; Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 12.
Match odds: H 6-4 A 7-5 D 9-4.
Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville)
MANCHESTER CITY (16th) v IPSWICH (5th) - Shaun Wright-Phillips will make his third successive start for City and he could partnered by Shaun Goater up front. Manager Joe Royle has named the same squad, but he promises to make at least one change as City bid to end a run of four successive defeats. Ipswich central defender John McGreal is doubtful after he collided with the goalpost at Coventry on Monday night and is suffering from a badly bruised thigh. Titus Bramble stands by to deputise.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five matches: Man City WLLLL, Ipswich WWLWW.
Top scorers: Wanchope (Man City) 6; Stewart (Ipswich) 7.
Match odds: H 11-8 A 13-8 D 21-10.
Referee: M Dean (Heswall).
MIDDLESBROUGH (18th) v BRADFORD (20th) - Middlesbrough defender Gary Pallister is out after failing to shake off a back injury. Pallister joins long-term hamstring victim Keith O'Neill on the sidelines, but skipper Paul Ince is back in contention after recovering from knee surgery. Bradford have drafted new signing Billy McKinlay straight into the squad following the midfielder's free signing from Blackburn for the rest of the season. Centre-back David Wetherall is out after groin surgery, with Andy O'Brien stepping in.
Last season: Bradford 1 'Boro 1, 'Boro 0 Bradford 1.
Last five league matches: 'Boro LLLLL, Bradford LDLLL.
Top scorers: Boksic (Boro) 6; Carbone, Windass (Bradford) 3.
Match odds: H 4-5 A 11-4 D 23-10.
Referee: P Taylor (Cheshunt).
SOUTHAMPTON (15th) v WEST HAM (12th) - Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle has Moroccan international Tahar El Khalej available again after suspension. Defender Jason Dodd has recovered from a knee injury, and Chris Marsden has overcome a neck injury. Italian striker Paolo di Canio returns for West Ham after missing last weekend's win at Leeds with a stomach upset.
Last season: West Ham 2 S'hampton 0, S'hampton 2 West Ham 1.
Last five matches: S'hampton LLWDW, West Ham LWDWW.
Top scorers: Pahars (S'hampton) 6; di Canio (West Ham) 7.
Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 11-5.
Referee: S Bennett (Orpington).
TOTTENHAM (9th) v LEICESTER (3rd) - Ben Thatcher is set to return at left back after missing last Sunday's win over Liverpool through suspension. Luke Young is out of action with a broken bone in his foot, so teenagers Ledley King and Alton Thelwell are in contention to retain their places. Goalkeeper Simon Royce makes his full Premiership debut for Leicester as Tim Flowers has a shoulder injury.
Last season: Leicester 0 Spurs 1, Spurs 2 Leicester 3.
Last five league matches: Spurs WLWLW, Leicester LWWDW.
Top scorers: Rebrov (Spurs) 5; Izzet (Leicester) 4.
Match odds: H 10-11 A 9-4 D 12-5.
Referee: R Harris (Oxford).
Sunday
LEEDS (11th) v ARSENAL (2nd) - Eirik Bakke could come into contention for Leeds after missing the Champions League defeat against Real Madrid with a calf strain. Olivier Dacourt returns from suspension. Arsenal will still be without injured French midfield pair Patrick Vieira and Gilles Grimandi, who both have ankle injuries. Arsene Wenger is likely to recall Dennis Bergkamp in place of the out-of-form Kanu.
Last season: Leeds 0 Arsenal 4, Arsenal 2 Leeds 0.
Last five league matches: Leeds LDWDL, Arsenal WWWDL.
Top scorers: Viduka (Leeds) 11; Henry (Arsenal) 9.
Match odds: H 13-8 A 13-10 D 9-4.
Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)
NEWCASTLE (8th) v LIVERPOOL (4th) - Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed is facing a battle against the clock to be fit after picking up a neck injury. Argentinian Christian Bassedas is a major doubt with a groin problem, although defender Alain Goma could return after shaking off a calf strain. Steve Staunton stands by to make his first Premiership start since last December for Liverpool following the end of his loan spell at Crystal Palace. Michael Owen is almost certainly out with a back problem, but fellow striker Robbie Fowler, recovering from a knee injury, should be available.
Last season: Liverpool 2 Newcastle 1, Newcastle 2 Liverpool 2.
Last five matches: Newcastle LLWDL, Liverpool WWLWL.
Top scorers: Shearer (Newcastle) 7; Heskey (Liverpool) 10.
Match odds: H 6-4 A 6-4 D 21-10.
Referee: B Knight (Orpington).
Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill
