A roundup of today's matches from the English Premiership:
Saturday
Aston Villa (6) v Fulham (10)
Villa midfielder Gavin McCann is doubtful because of a calf problem and Patrik Berger is also struggling to be fit after damaging his thigh in training. First-choice goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen could be back after resuming training following a shoulder injury.
Luis Boa Morte is still out with a fractured cheekbone. Simon Elliott and Mark Pembridge (both calf) are unavailable and Jimmy Bullard (knee) is out for the season. Philippe Christanval (knee) is another to miss out and Bjorn Runstrom and Gabriel Zakuani are added to the squad.
Last season: Aston Villa 0, Fulham 0; Fulham 3, Aston Villa 3. Last five league matches: Aston Villa DDWDD; Fulham WDLDW. Top scorers: Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa) 4; Brian McBride (Fulham) 3. Match odds: H4-6 A4-1 D21-10. Referee: C Foy.
Charlton Ath (20) v Watford (19)
Winger Jerome Thomas is pushing for a start after a broken foot while Omar Pouso (hamstring) is nearing full fitness. Djimi Traore (leg), Gonzalo Sorondo (back), Kevin Lisbie (shoulder) and Cory Gibbs (knee) are out for Charlton.
Chris Powell is pushing hard for a return to the Watford starting line-up after a calf injury and battles with Jordan Stewart for the left-back spot. Manager Adrian Boothroyd has no new injury worries, with defender Clarke Carlisle (thigh) the only absentee.
Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Charlton LLLLL; Watford LDDDL. Top scorers: Darren Bent (Charlton) 6; Ashley Young & Marlon King (Watford) 2. Match odds: H10-11 A13-5 D21-10. Referee: L Mason.
Chelsea (2) v Portsmouth (4)
Hilario continues in goal for Chelsea because of injuries to Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini. Mikel Jon Obi is banned but Michael Ballack is available after a three-match suspension.
Full backs Glen Johnson (ineligible against his parent club) and Dejan Stefanovic (knee) are missing for Portsmouth. Noe Pamarot comes in at right back with Matt Taylor dropping into defence.
Last season: Chelsea 2, Portsmouth 0; Portsmouth 0, Chelsea 2. Last five league matches: Chelsea WWWDW; Portsmouth WWLLW. Top scorers: Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 9; Kanu (Portsmouth) 6. Match odds: H1-4 A9-1 D7-2. Referee: M Clattenburg.
Everton (7) v Sheffield Utd (16)
Everton are likely to switch Phil Neville to right back, with Tony Hibbert ruled out for up to two months with a groin tear. Defender Alan Stubbs, back in training this week after groin trouble, could be on the bench. Gary Naysmith and Alessandro Pistone are long-term injury victims.
United centre back Claude Davis faces a late fitness test on a knee injury. Rob Hulse, Michael Tonge and Chris Armstrong complained of aches and pains this week but none are considered serious and boss Neil Warnock hopes to name an unchanged side.
Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Everton WDDDL; Sheff Utd DLLWD. Top scorers: Andrew Johnson (Everton) 6; Rob Hulse (Sheff Utd) 3. Match odds: H4-7 A9-2 D23-10. Referee: D Gallagher.
Wigan Ath (17) v Manchester City (12)
Wigan manager Paul Jewell is set to name an unchanged squad. Only striker David Cotterill (ankle) and long-term casualties Ryan Taylor and Steve McMillan are unavailable.
Goalkeeper Nicky Weaver is a major doubt for City after a back injury - Joe Hart stands by to deputise again. Sylvain Distin, Claudio Reyna and Hatem Trabelsi should recover from minor knocks but Darius Vassell (knee) and DaMarcus Beasley (ankle) are out, Ishmael Miller is doubtful with a hamstring strain, while Ben Thatcher serves the final game of his eight-match ban.
Last season: Man City 0, Wigan 1; Wigan 4, Man City 3. Last five league matches: Wigan LDDLL; Man City LLWDD. Top scorers: Paul Scharner, Svetoslav Todorov, Emile Heskey & David Cotterill (Wigan) 2; Georgios Samaras (Man City) 3. Match odds: H5-4 A9-5 D21-10. Referee: P Dowd.
Sunday
Blackburn (9) v Bolton (3)
Robbie Savage (back) and David Bentley (hamstring) are slight injury worries for Blackburn. Steven Reid's stress fracture of his back makes him a long-term casualty while Ryan Nelsen has a hamstring problem.
Bolton are set to be unchanged. El-Hadji Diouf should again team up with Kevin Davies and Nicolas Anelka in attack. Long-term injury casualties Ricardo Gardner, Henrik Pedersen and Joey O'Brien remain sidelined.
Last season: Blackburn 0, Bolton 0; Bolton 0, Blackburn 0. Last five league matches: Blackburn DWWWD; Bolton WDWWW. Top scorers: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 6; El-Hadji Diouf & Ivan Campo (Bolton) 3. Match odds: H5-4 A15-8 D2-1 Referee: M Dean.
Manchester Utd (1) v Liverpool (11)
United have a near clean bill of health. Park Ji-Sung (ankle) is out and Mikael Silvestre will not be considered despite returning to training after his broken foot, but Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand seem certain to return in defence and Gabriel Heinze could also feature in a much-changed back four. Ryan Giggs is vying for selection on the left flank.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard should make his 350th appearance for the club after recovering from a hamstring injury. Robbie Fowler (back) and Daniel Agger (broken hand) could be fit enough for the bench, while Mohamed Sissoko and Dirk Kuyt have both shaken off ankle injuries.
Last season: Man Utd 1, Liverpool 0; Liverpool 0, Man Utd 0. Last five league matches: Man Utd WLDWW; Liverpool LWWLD Top scorers: Louis Saha (Man Utd) 6; Peter Crouch (Liverpool) 6. Match odds: H5-6 A3-1 D2-1. Referee: G Poll.
Middlesbrough (13) v Newcastle Utd (15)
Jonathan Woodgate returns to the Middlesbrough squad after recovering from a thigh problem. Central defender Chris Riggott and striker Malcolm Christie (both ankle) remain unavailable.
Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder makes late checks on goalkeeper Steve Harper (groin) and midfielder Emre (back). Celestine Babayaro comes into contention after completing a three-match ban and recovering from a groin problem.
Last season: Middlesbrough 1 Newcastle 2, Newcastle 2 Middlesbrough 2. Last five league matches: Middlesbrough DDLLW; Newcastle WLDLL. Top scorers: Yakubu (Middlesbrough) 3; Shola Ameobi (Newcastle) 5. Match odds: H11-10 A21-10 D21-10. Referee: M Atkinson.
Reading (8) v Arsenal (5)
Reading winger Bobby Convey (knee) faces a fitness test but captain Graeme Murty misses out with a hamstring injury and fellow defender Andre Bikey is banned.
Arsenal could be without midfielder Freddie Ljungberg for another month because of his calf problem. Emmanuel Eboue (knee) and Julio Baptista (hamstring) also remain unavailable. Defender Philippe Senderos and midfielder Mathieu Flamini return to the squad and left back Gael Clichy is in contention, but Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are some way from a return.
Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Reading WWDWL; Arsenal DWWWW. Top scorers: Leroy Lita & Kevin Doyle (Reading) 3; Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 4. Match odds: H5-1 A8-15 D23-10. Referee: A Wiley.
Tottenham (14) v West Ham Utd (18)
Tottenham give a late fitness test to defender Ledley King (knee). Didier Zokora (fever) is unlikely to feature. Mido returns following a thigh injury but Teemu Tainio (hernia) and Steed Malbranque (groin) are out.
West Ham could have striker Carlos Tevez back after a knee injury. Full back John Pantsil has recovered from knee surgery. Robert Green could replace Roy Carroll in goal.
Last season: West Ham 2, Tottenham 1; Tottenham 1, West Ham 1. Last five league matches: Tottenham LDLWD; West Ham DLLLL. Top scorers: Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham) 2; Bobby Zamora (West Ham) 5. Match odds: H4-6 A7-2 D23-10. Referee: S Bennett.
