The matches taking place this weekend
Liverpool (13)
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Everton (12)
LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish has virtually a full squad to choose from but will be without Steven Gerrard (suspended) and Jamie Carragher (injured). Everton are again likely to be without defender Phil Jagielka as he is short of fitness following a thigh strain. Manager David Moyes has no other injury concerns although top goalscorer Tim Cahill is on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup..
Last season: Liverpool 1 Everton 0, Everton 0 Liverpool 2.
Last five league matches: Liverpool L L W L L; Everton D W D L W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Steven Gerrard David Ngog (Liverpool) 8; Tim Cahill (Everton) 9.
Match odds: H 23-20 A 5-2 D 9-4.
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
West Ham (20)
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Arsenal (3)
WEST HAM forward Victor Obinna is suspended but Lars Jacobsen returns after a lengthy lay-off and Danny Gabbidon is available. Carlton Cole is also fully fit and could start.
Arsenal will be without goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) and Wojciech Szczesny will again deputise. Centre-back Sebastien Squillaci (hamstring) is also out and right-back Bacary Sagna serves the last of his three-match ban.
Last season: Arsenal 2 West Ham 0, West Ham 2 Arsenal 2.
Last five league matches: West Ham D W D W L; Arsenal L W D W D.
Top scorers (all competitions): Frederic Piquionne (West Ham) 7; Samir Nasri (Arsenal) 13.
Match odds: H 9-2 A 4-7 D 3-1.
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)
Wigan (19)
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Fulham (14)
WIGAN have Charles N’Zogbia back after the winger completed a three-match suspension. Latics boss Roberto Martinez hopes James McCarthy and Franco Di Santo (both ankle) will be close to full fitness again by the end of the month.
Steve Sidwell could make his Fulham debut as Moussa Dembele and Andy Johnson return from injury. Mark Schwarzer is on Asian Cup duty with Australia.
Last season: Fulham 2 Wigan 1, Wigan 1 Fulham 1.
Last five league matches: Wigan D W D L D; Fulham D L W L W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Hugo Rodallega (Wigan) 5; Clinton Dempsey (Fulham) 7.
Match odds: H 6-4 A 15-8 D 11-5.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).
West Brom (16)
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Blackpool (9)
GOALKEEPER Boaz Myhill will make his first Premier League start for West Brom after manager Robert Di Matteo dropped Scott Carson. Peter Odemwingie is battling an ankle injury, while Ismael Miller and Pablo Ibanez are also doubtful and Steven Reid is recovering from knee surgery.
Blackpool midfielder Elliot Grandin faces a late fitness test but manager Ian Holloway has no other fresh injury concerns.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: West Brom L L L L L; Blackpool W W L L W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Peter Odemwingie Reuben Reid (West Brom) 6; DJ Campbell (Blackpool) 8.
Match odds: H 8-11 A 10-3 D 14-5.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
Chelsea (5)
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Blackburn (10)
DIDIER Drogba, Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and Ashley Cole could all return for Chelsea after being rested for Sunday’s 7-0 FA Cup third-round thrashing of Ipswich.
Blackburn will have new signing Roque Santa Cruz available after the Paraguay striker rejoined Rovers on loan from Manchester City. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson is fit after a calf injury and Steven Nzonzi (hamstring) could be back in contention.
Last season: Blackburn 1 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 5 Blackburn 0.
Last five league matches: Chelsea D L W D L; Blackburn D L W L W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 11; Mame Biram Diouf (Blackburn) 6.
Match odds: H 2-7 A 9-1 D 9-2.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
Sunderland (6)
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Newcastle (8)
SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed over skipper Lee Cattermole (back) and striker Danny Welbeck (hamstring). David Meyler is facing around 10 weeks on the sidelines after further damaging his cruciate ligament.
Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is out with a thigh injury and joins the banned Cheik Tiote on the sidelines. Steven Taylor will also miss out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last five league matches: Sunderland W L L W W; Newcastle W L L W W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Darren Bent (Sunderland) 11; Andy Carroll (Newcastle) 11.
Match odds: H 6-5 A 23-10 D 23-10.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
Tottenham (4)
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Manchester United (1)
GARETH BALE is likely to return for Tottenham despite a back injury. Younes Kaboul is back after completing a three-match suspension but Ledley King is likely to be out for some time after aggravating his groin injury. Wayne Rooney is set to return from an ankle injury after missing two games. Nemanja Vidic and Edwin van der Sar are also fit after recent absences.
Last season: Man Utd 3 Tottenham 1, Tottenham 1 Man Utd 3.
Last five league matches: Tottenham D W W W L; Man Utd W W D W W.
Top scorers: Gareth Bale Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham) 11; Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) 15.
Match odds: H 9-5 A 6-4 D 23-10.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Birmingham (15)
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Aston Villa (18)
BIRMINGHAM newcomer David Bentley is included in the squad after signing on loan from Tottenham. Blues will be without central defender Scott Dann. Midfielder Lee Bowyer is available after completing a three-game ban. Aston Villa will be without suspended duo Emile Heskey and Ashley Young. On-loan Tottenham defender Kyle Walker is expected to make his league debut.
Last season: Aston Villa 1 Birmingham 0, Birmingham 0 Aston Villa 1.
Last five league matches: Birmingham D L D L W; Aston Villa W L L D L.
Top scorers : Craig Gardner Jordon Mutch (Birmingham) 5; Stewart Downing Emile Heskey (Aston Villa) 6.
Match odds: H 6-4 A 15-8 D 11-5.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne Wear)
Manchester City (2)
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Wolverhampton (17)
NEW signing Edin Dzeko may have to be content with a place on the bench having not played a competitive game since scoring a last-minute equaliser for Wolfsburg against Hoffenheim prior to the German winter break.
Wolves have skipper Karl Henry (knee) and defenders Jody Craddock (hip) and Steve Mouyokolo (back) in contention after recovering from injury.
Last season: Wolves 0 Man City 3, Man City 1 Wolves 0.
Last five league matches: Man City L W W W D; Wolves W L W L W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Carlos Tevez (Man City) 13; Steven Fletcher (Wolves) 5.
Match odds: H 7-20 A 8-1 D 19-5.
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).
Stoke (11)
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Bolton Wanderers (7)
STOKE striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is doubtful because of a neck injury. Tuncay Sanli is looking to retain his place in the side after scoring in the FA Cup draw against Cardiff but Mamady Sidibe remains sidelined with an Achilles injury.
Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic (groin) is the latest addition to their long injury list. Lee Chung-yong is on international duty at the Asian Cup with South Korea while Joey O’Brien remains on the sidelines.
Last season: Stoke 1 Bolton 2, Bolton 1 Stoke 1.
Last five league matches: Stoke L W L W L; Bolton L W L L D.
Top scorers (all competitions): Kenwyne Jones (Stoke) 7; Johan Elmander (Bolton) 10.
Match odds: H 23-20 A 5-2 D 9-4.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
