Premier League team news for Tuesday, March 3rd.
Liverpool (3) v Sunderland (12)
Fernando Torres will be missing again with an ankle injury with Alvaro Arbeloa (hamstring) and Daniel Agger (back) still out.
Kenwyne Jones could play for Sunderland after returning to training at the weekend after a knee problem, while fellow striker Djibril Cisse is recovering well from an ankle injury and is in line to play against his former club. Steed Malbranque (calf) and Teemu Tainio (knee) are hopeful of being available and Phil Bardsley is back from suspension, but defender Nyron Nosworthy has suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain.
Last season: Liverpool 3 Sunderland 0, Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2
Last five league matches: Liverpool D W W D L; Sunderland L W D W D
Top scorers: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 15; Djibril Cisse (Sunderland) 10
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
Portsmouth (16) v Chelsea (2)
Portsmouth caretaker-manager Paul Hart will field the same line-up that started the 2-2 draw at relegation rivals Stoke nine days ago. Midfielder Richard Hughes and goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown are back in training after recovering from injuries but will not be considered for selection. Senegalese international Papa Bouba Diop remains sidelined with knee ligament damage.
Chelsea will again be without defender Ricardo Carvalho as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Michael Essien will also miss out but is on the brink of full fitness after long-term knee ligament problems. Midfielder Deco (hamstring) is again doubtful.
Last season: Portsmouth 1 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 1 Portsmouth 0
Last five league matches: Portsmouth L L L W D; Chelsea W L D W W
Top scorers: Peter Crouch (Portsmouth) 13; Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 21
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
West Brom (20) v Arsenal (5)
West Brom skipper Jonathan Greening could make his first start for nearly six weeks after medial ligament damage. On-loan Arsenal striker Jay Simpson is ineligible to play against his parent club and Roman Bednar is again a doubt because of a back problem while midfielder Filipe Teixeira is included in the squad despite still suffering from a broken toe.
Arsenal will be without defender William Gallas (ankle) so Johan Djourou is set to come into the centre alongside Kolo Toure. Theo Walcott (shoulder) and striker Eduardo (hamstring) are not yet fully match fit.
Last season: No Corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: West Brom L D L L L; Arsenal D D D D D
Top scorers: Roman Bednar (West Brom) 6; Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) 15
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset).
