Arsenal (8) v Watford (19)

Left-back Gael Clichy (foot) will return to the Arsenal squad after a long fitness battle but Freddie Ljungberg (calf), Emmanuel Eboue (knee) and Julio Baptista (hamstring) are out. Centre-half Philippe Senderos (shoulder) is close to a return but Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are all still some way off.

Chris Powell is back in the Watford squad, the former England defender having recovered from a calf injury. He will compete with Jordan Stewart for the left-back berth, but Clarke Carlisle remains sidelined with a thigh injury and defender James Chambers has joined Cardiff on loan for a month.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Arsenal L D W W W; Watford L L D D D
Top scorers: Robin Van Persie & Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 3; Ashley Young & Marlon King (Watford) 2
Match odds: H 1-7 A 14-1 D 9-2
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Aston Villa (6) v Tottenham (14)

Striker Luke Moore (shoulder) is a long-term absentee so Milan Baros is in line for a Villa recall. Doubts over keeper Thomas Sorensen (shoulder) and centre-back Olof Mellberg (knee) see Stuart Taylor and Martin Laursen standing by while utility player Peter Whittingham has a thigh problem.

Tottenham coach Martin Jol is sweating on the fitness of centre-half Ledley King (knee) and striker Jermain Defoe (foot). Full-back Pascal Chimbonda (calf) is also a worry, while Teemu Tainio (hernia), Steed Malbranque (groin) and Aaron Lennon (knee) are definitely out.

Last season: Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 0, Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1
Last five league matches: Aston Villa W D D W D; Tottenham L L D L W
Top scorers: Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa) 4; Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham) 2
Match odds: H 11-10 A 21-10 D 21-10
Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Liverpool (10) v Blackburn (9)

Dirk Kuyt has definitely been ruled out of Liverpool's home match with Blackburn with an ankle injury picked up playing for Holland. Liverpool also have doubts over Robbie Fowler (back) and Mohamed Sissoko (ankle). Daniel Agger broke his hand playing for Denmark but there is a possibility he could face Blackburn wearing a cast.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel is doubtful as his injured groin has not fully been assessed so Jason Brown stands by to make his Blackburn full debut. Australian duo Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton will also be checked on after their return from Asian Cup action with the Socceroos.

Last season: Blackburn 0 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 1 Blackburn 0
Last five league matches: Liverpool L L W W L; Blackburn L D W W W
Top scorers: Peter Crouch (Liverpool) 5; Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 5
Match odds: H 2-5 A 6-1 D 11-4
Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Man City (12) v Sheff Utd (18)

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Nicky Weaver who suffered a minor back injury in training. City are confident the Sheffield-born player will be fit, but teenager Joe Hart could yet make his Premiership debut.

Irish keeper Paddy Kenny is a major doubt for Sheffield United after picking up a hamstring strain injury on international duty, with Ian Bennett set to start in his place. Striker Colin Kazim-Richards hurt his knee in training and is doubtful, with Steve Kabba his likely replacement.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Man City W L L W D; Sheff Utd L D L L W
Top scorers: Georgios Samaras (Man City) 3; Rob Hulse (Sheff Utd) 3
Match odds: H 7-10 A 11-5 D 7-2
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Middlesbrough (17) v Everton (5)

Robert Huth could make his Barclays Premiership debut for Middlesbrough against Everton after Jonathan Woodgate was ruled out with a thigh injury. The German and youngster Matthew Bates will battle it out for selection. Julio Arca returns after breaking his foot, while skipper George Boateng is also included in the squad following his recovery from a knee problem.

Everton boss David Moyes has fitness doubts over Phil Neville (hamstring), Nuno Valente (groin) and Andrew Johnson (hamstring). Moyes is also concerned midfielder Tim Cahill may be suffering with jet lag after returning from Australia. Tony Hibbert (ankle) should return while Gary Naysmith and Alessandro Pistone are both still long-term injury victims.

Last season: Middlesbrough 0 Everton 1, Everton 1 Middlesbrough 0
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough L D D L L; Everton W W D D D
Top scorers: Yakubu (Middlesbrough) 2; Andrew Johnson (Everton) 6
Match odds: H 6-4 A 6-4 D 21-10
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).

Portsmouth (4) v West Ham (16)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is considering changes in attack after two defeats in a row. Benjani Mwaruwari may replace Lomana LuaLua and Kanu is fit to start after a thigh injury. Matt Taylor and Rodolph Douala could return. Andrew Cole could feature again as a substitute along with Manuel Fernandes.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew welcomes back Anton Ferdinand and Tyrone Mears after injury. Danny Gabbidon should recover from a knock suffered playing for Wales but James Collins (groin) and John Pantsil (knee) are out. Striker Carlos Tevez faces a late check on a knee injury.

Last season: West Ham 2 Portsmouth 4, Portsmouth 1 West Ham 1
Last five league matches: Portsmouth W W W L L; West Ham L D L L L
Top scorers: Kanu (Portsmouth) 5; Bobby Zamora (West Ham) 5
Match odds: H 4-5 A 11-4 D 23-10
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).

Reading (7) v Chelsea (2)

Reading expect skipper Graeme Murty and striker Kevin Doyle to be passed fit after respective hamstring and ankle problems. Defender Ibrahima Sonko has recovered from groin trouble but Dave Kitson (knee), Sam Sodje (knee), Peter Mate (knee), Aaron Brown (ankle) and Simon Cox (broken leg) remain sidelined and winger Seol Ki-Hyeon could miss out if he returns too tired from international duty with South Korea.

Ashley Cole is the main doubt for Chelsea after suffering a leg injury in the second half of England's 2-0 defeat by Croatia. German midfielder Michael Ballack is still suspended after being sent off against Liverpool last month.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Reading L W W D W; Chelsea W W W W D
Top scorers: Leroy Lita & Kevin Doyle (Reading) 3; Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 8
Match odds: H 11-2 A 4-9 D 13-5
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Wigan (15) v Man Utd (1)

Wigan manager Paul Jewell will assess his 12 returning international players before he makes a final decision on his squad. The fixture is likely to come too soon for centre-back Andy Webster, while Ryan Taylor and Steve McMillan remain long-term casualties.

Ryan Giggs and Gabriel Heinze (both hamstring) have been ruled out for United. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson reported a few bumps and bruises from the international programme, notably Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who picked up an ankle injury against Poland on Wednesday.

Last season: Wigan 1 Man Utd 2, Man Utd 4 Wigan 0
Last five league matches: Wigan W L D D L; Man Utd W W L D W
Top scorers: Svetoslav Todorov, David Cotterill, Paul Scharner & Emile Heskey (Wigan) 2; Louis Saha (Man Utd) 5
Match odds: H 5-1 A 1-2 D 12-5
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

Sunday, October 15th

Newcastle (13) v Bolton (3)

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder could start with fit-again midfielder Nolberto Solano and full-back Stephen Carr. Defender Titus Bramble returns from suspension and loan signing Giuseppe Rossi is available after being ineligible for the 2-0 defeat by parent club Manchester United.

Bolton duo Nicolas Anelka and Abdoulaye Faye are both doubts because of thigh injuries, however Quinton Fortune returns to the squad following a groin problem. Defender Joey O'Brien had minor knee surgery and misses out, along with Ricardo Gardner and Henrik Pedersen.

Last season: Newcastle 3 Bolton 1, Bolton 2 Newcastle 0
Last five league matches: Newcastle L W L D L; Bolton L W D W W
Top scorers: Shola Ameobi (Newcastle) 4; Ivan Campo (Bolton) 3
Match odds: H 6-5 A 15-8 D 21-10
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Monday, October 16th

Fulham (11) v Charlton (20)

Carlos Bocanegra (groin) and Ian Pearce (virus) are back for Fulham to face Charlton. Papa Bouba Diop has returned fit from his stint on international duty with Senegal. Luis Boa Morte (cheekbone), Jimmy Bullard (knee), Ahmad Elrich (knee), Simon Elliott (calf), Philippe Christanval (knee) and Mark Pembridge (calf) are out.

Charlton may welcome winger Jerome Thomas back into the squad after his recovery from a broken foot. Souleymane Diawara (hamstring) also featured for the reserves this week, while Uruguay midfielder Omar Pouso (hamstring) is close to full match fitness. Gonzalo Sorondo (back) and Djimi Traore (leg) will not be
ready to return. Striker Kevin Lisbie faces three months out after surgery on a shoulder problem.

Last season: Fulham 2 Charlton 1, Charlton 1 Fulham 1
Last five league matches: Fulham W W D L D; Charlton W L L L L
Top scorers: Brian McBride, Heidar Helguson & Jimmy Bullard (Fulham) 2; Darren Bent (Charlton) 5
Match odds: H 10-11 A 5-2 D 11-5
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)