Arsenal (3rd) v Aston Villa (5th)

Arsenal have Patrick Vieira back from suspension, Robert Pires fit after a hamstring injury and expect skipper Tony Adams to have recovered from his latest back problem. Cameroon midfielder Lauren is also available again after returning from the Olympic Games with a gold medal.

Julian Joachim is set to start his first game of the season after scoring three goals in the last two games as a substitute. He could take over from David Ginola, who has been under treatment for a thigh strain.

Last season: Aston Villa 1 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 1. Last five league matches: Arsenal D D W D W, Aston Villa L W W D W. Top scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 5; Julian Joachim (Aston Villa) 3. Match odds: H 8-15, A 9-2, D 12-5.

Referee: R Harris (Oxford).

Coventry (17) v Tottenham (10)

Coventry are forced into one change. Paul Williams is suspended and his place could go either to Colin Hendry or Gary Breen.

Transfer-listed Ian Walker starts his first game for Spurs this season as Neil Sullivan is suspended. Goalkeeping coach Hans Segers (39) will be on the bench.

Last season: Coventry 0 Tottenham 1, Tottenham 3 Coventry 2.

Last five league matches: Coventry L D L L D, Tottenham W W L D L.

Top scorers: John Aloisi (Coventry) 4; Sergei Rebrov (Tottenham) 4.

Match odds: H 13-5, A 11-8, D 21-10.

Referee: P Jones (Loughborough)

Everton (15) v Southampton (13)

Everton's massive injury problems leave boss Walter Smith with few options. Niclas Alexandersson returned from international duty with a knee problem which will keep him out for a month while Duncan Ferguson, Alessandro Pistone, Richard Gough, Francis Jeffers and Abel Xavier are all out with long term problems. But Mark Pembridge, Richard Dunne and Michael Ball could all return.

Southampton defender Dean Richards (Achilles) and midfielder Jo Tessem (foot) are both rated doubtful. Norwegian centre-back Claus Lundekvam is expected to play with a mask after fracturing his cheekbone against Middlesbrough. Matt Le Tissier is suspended.

Last season: Southampton 2 Everton 0, Everton 4 Southampton 1.

Last five league matches: Everton L W L D L, Southampton D L W W L.

Top scorers: Francis Jeffers (Everton) 7; Marian Pahars (Southampton) 6.

Match odds: H 4-6, A 11-4, D 23-10.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)

Ipswich (9) v West Ham (18)

Ipswich have doubts about midfielder Jermaine Wright (groin strain) and defender Titus Bramble (heavy cold) and both face fitness checks.

Harry Redknapp is hoping to have Croatia striker Davor Suker back in his plans. Suker has been put for a month with a groin injury and, although he did not play for his country in midweek, he is back in West Ham's squad.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Ipswich L L W D W, West Ham D L D W D.

Top scorers: Marcus Stewart (Ipswich) 4; Paolo di Canio (West Ham) 4.

Match odds: H 11-8 A 13-8 D 21-10.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).

Leeds (8) v Charlton (6)

Jonathan Woodgate makes a welcome return for Leeds after a two-month lay-off with an ankle injury. He will be partnered in the centre of defence by Danny Mills, who has recovered from his own ankle problem, as Lucas Radebe - concussed twice in the space of 17 days - and Michael Duberry (Achilles) are both out. Harry Kewell, David Batty, Jason Wilcox and Stephen McPhail are also out, while Olivier Dacourt will undergo a late fitness test.

Charlton have added one addition to their squad with the return to fitness of Martin Pringle.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Leeds L D L D W, Charlton D D W W D.

Top scorers: Alan Smith (Leeds) 8; Jonatan Johansson (Charlton) 7.

Match odds: H 1-2, A 9-2, D 13-5.

Referee: M Dean (Hewsall, Wirral).

Leicester (1) v Man Utd (2)

Phil Gilchrist is likely to be drafted into Leicester's defence as Northern Ireland international Gerry Taggart is struggling with a knee injury.

United are likely to be without David Beckham, who has seen a specialist after pulling out of the England squad with a knee ligament injury. England fullback Gary Neville has also been under treatment and could lose his place to brother Phil.

Last season: Leicester 0 Man Utd 2, Man Utd 2 Leicester 0.

Last five league matches: Leicester W W W D D, Man Utd W W W D L.

Top scorers: Ade Akinbiyi, Matt Elliott, Muzzy Izzet, Gerry Taggart (Leicester) 2; Andy Cole (Man Utd) 6.

Match odds: H 11-4, A 4-5, D 23-10.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland).

Man City (16) v Bradford (19)

Paulo Wanchope has a thigh strain and is City's big injury worry. Steve Howey and Nicky Weaver are fit again and Weaver will replace Tommy Wright in goal.

Bradford are still without Gunnar Halle (broken foot bone), David Hopkin (ankle ligaments), Dean Saunders (knee), Andy Myers (hamstring) and Andy O'Brien (broken collarbone).

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last five league matches: Man City W L D D L, Bradford L D L L D.

Top scorers: Paulo Wanchope (Man City) 6; Benito Carbone, Dean Windass (Bradford) 3.

Match odds: H 4-5 A 11-4 D 23-10

Referee: B Knight.

Sunderland (14) v Chelsea (12)

With Don Hutchison serving his second suspension of the season, Sunderland must make a change in central midfield.

Chelsea defender Graeme Le Saux will travel but is only rated '50-50' after limping home from England duty. Gustavo Poyet returns after missing six games through injury but Mario Stanic faces further surgery on his knee problem. A work permit has been granted for Slavisa Jokanovic but the Yugoslav midfielder will join his new teammates after the game at Sunderland.

Last season: Sunderland 4 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 4 Sunderland 0.

Last five league matches: Sunderland D L W D D, Chelsea D D L D W.

Top scorers: Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 4; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 5.

Match odds: H 2-1, A 11-10, D 11-8.

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

Derby (20) v Liverpool (7)

Belgian Branko Strupar, who scored four goals in his first four league games before requiring a groin operation, is set to return. Steven Gerrard, sent home from the England camp with a thigh injury, looks unlikely to return to Premiership action while Robbie Fowler is still short of match practice.

But after a midweek practice match, Gary McAllister, Patrik Berger and Vladimir Smicer could return to the squad after long-term problems.

Last season: Derby 0 Liverpool 2, Liverpool 2 Derby 0.

Last five league matches: Derby D D L D L, Liverpool W W D D L.

Top scorers: Malcolm Christie, Branko Strupar (Derby) 4; Michael Owen (Liverpool) 8.

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

Referee: S Bennett (Orpington).