Arsenal (9) v Wigan (11)- Striker Robin van Persie is set to return for Arsenal following a knee problem, but Russian midfielder Andrey Arshavin (groin) remains sidelined. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is still troubled by the chest infection which ruled him out of Wednesday night's Champions League away win at Standard Liege, so rookie Vito Mannone will continue.

Denilson (back), Theo Walcott (back), Samir Nasri (leg), Lukasz Fabianski (knee), Johan Djourou (knee) and Carlos Vela (ankle) remain out.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has virtually a fully fit squad to choose from. Midfielder Olivier Kapo, who injured knee ligaments in pre-season, played in midweek for the reserves and could come into contention but is probably still a few days short of match fitness. However, after last weekend’s victory over West Ham the best he can hope for is a place on the bench.

Last season: Wigan 1 Arsenal 4, Arsenal 1 Wigan 0
Last five league matches: Arsenal W W W L L; Wigan W L L L W
Top scorers: Francesc Fabregas, William Gallas, Vassiriki Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen & Da Silva Eduardo (Arsenal) 2; Hugo Rodallega (Wigan) 2
Match odds: H 2-9 A 14-1 D 9-2
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

Aston Villa (6) v Portsmouth (20)

Aston Villa striker John Carew is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up after he came off the bench at Birmingham last weekend to set up Gabriel Agbonlahor’s winning goal in the 1-0 victory. Villa boss Martin O’Neill also has the option of recalling England striker Emile Heskey. New signings Richard Dunne, James Collins and Stephen Warnock, who all made their debuts at Birmingham, will make their home bows against Portsmouth. Nigel Reo-Coker is not available. Wilfred Bouma and Stewart Downing continue their comebacks from ankle and foot problems respectively.

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has no fresh injury worries. Steve Finnan (hamstring) is back in training but is not yet ready for selection. Herman Hreidarsson is no longer suffering pain in his foot but also remains sidelined. Papa Bouba Diop is still out with a hamstring problem and new striker Aruna Dindane is undergoing a two-week fitness programme in a bid to overcome a knee injury.

Last season: Portsmouth 0 Aston Villa 1, Aston Villa 0 Portsmouth 0
Last five league matches: Aston Villa W L W W W; Portsmouth L L L L L
Top scorers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 2; Mike Williamson, Tommy Smith & Younes Kaboul (Portsmouth) 2
Match odds: H 2-5 A 8-1 D 16-5
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Bolton (18) v Stoke (8)

Johan Elmander should be fit to return to Bolton’s starting line-up following a calf injury. Sean Davis is a doubt with a sore knee and Andy O’Brien (groin) is a doubt. Ricardo Gardner came through training sessions this week with no ill-effects to his hamstring injury and may be in contention, while Ricardo Vaz Te is also back after playing 45 minutes for the reserves. Long-term absentee Joey O’Brien has suffered a further setback in his rehabilitation from his knee problems after a specialist recommended he have an operation that will rule him out for at least another four months.

Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen should be fit to return from a thigh strain after limping off in the first half of last Saturday’s defeat by Chelsea. James Beattie, who burst a blood vessel in his ankle in the same game, is a serious doubt despite the injury being not as serious as first feared. Stoke boss Tony Pulis is likely to make further changes after selecting three centre-backs against Chelsea, with wingers Liam Lawrence and Matthew Etherington back in contention.

Last season: Stoke 2 Bolton 0, Bolton 3 Stoke 1
Last five league matches: Bolton L L L L W; Stoke W L D W L
Top scorers: Ivan Klasnic (Bolton) 4; Tuncay Sanli & Dave Kitson (Stoke) 2
Match odds: H 21-20 A 11-4 D 9-4
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

Burnley (12) v Sunderland (7)

Burnley manager Owen Coyle will again be without skipper Steven Caldwell as the defender continues to be troubled by a groin injury. Fellow centre-back Michael Duff is fit again after an ankle injury but is unlikely to dislodge Andre Bikey and Clarke Carlisle at the heart of the defence.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole (heel) is a major doubt while goalkeeper Marton Fulop is likely to miss out once again with a similar problem. Craig Gordon, who played in the 4-1 victory over Hull last weekend, has recovered from his thigh strain. Left-back George McCartney (hamstring) has a chance of playing but Kieran Richardson, who played there against the Tigers, John Mensah and Paulo da Silva are standing by.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Burnley L W W L L; Sunderland W L W L W
Top scorers: Steven Fletcher (Burnley) 2; Darren Bent (Sunderland) 4
Match odds: H 15-8 A 6-4 D 11-5
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Hull (17) v Birmingham (15)

Hull could hand a first start to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink after he featured off the bench in last week’s defeat at Sunderland. Midfielder Dean Marney is back in contention for the first time since suffering a knee injury on the opening day of the season but defender Anthony Gardner (knee) is still sidelined. Steven Mouyokolo (hamstring) has also been ruled out.

Birmingham are without forward James McFadden (thigh) and defender Franck Queudrue (hamstring). Midfielders Lee Carsley (back) and Damien Johnson (strain) are also struggling to be fit. Liam Ridgewell (broken leg) will compete with the returning Scott Dann (thigh) and Giovanny Espinoza to start alongside Roger Johnson. Full-backs David Murphy (knee) and Stephen Carr (thigh) are also back training and may feature.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Hull L L W D L; Birmingham L W D L L
Top scorers: Stephen Hunt & Deiberson Geovanni (Hull) 2; Lee Bowyer (Birmingham) 2
Match odds: H 11-8 A 2-1 D 9-4
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

West Ham (13) v Liverpool (5)

West Ham have Herita Ilunga available after recovering from a jaw injury. Kieron Dyer (hamstring) is also back, along with Valon Behrami after recovering from a long-term knee problem but Luis Jimenez (muscle) is a doubt. Longer-term absentees Dean Ashton (ankle) and Luis Boa Morte (knee) are still unavailable. Mexico striker Guillermo Franco is unlikely to play.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could field the same starting XI for the third game in succession. Benitez has plenty of options, with Fabio Aurelio back from a knee injury while Javier Mascherano has recovered from a pelvic problem. Ryan Babel is pushing for another chance after not starting a game since the first day of the season. Defender Daniel Agger has returned to training after a back operation, but will not be considered.

Last season: West Ham 0 Liverpool 3, Liverpool 0 West Ham 0
Last five league matches: West Ham W W L D L; Liverpool L W L W W
Top scorers: Junior Stanislas (West Ham) 2; Yossi Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt & Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 3
Match odds: H 11-2 A 8-15 D 14-5
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

Sunday, September 20th

Chelsea (1) v Tottenham (4)

Chelsea welcome back Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa after they missed the Champions League win over Porto through suspension. Joe Cole, Yuri Zhirkov and Paulo Ferreira are all out with knee injuries with coach Carlo Ancelotti saving their return for next week’s Carling Cup tie with QPR. Defender Alex is still struggling with a groin injury.

Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes stepped up his comeback from a groin injury by playing a friendly against QPR this week. Full-back Gareth Bale also played following an operation in June to repair a medial meniscal tear on his left knee. Luka Modric (fibula), Michael Dawson (Achilles) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are still sidelined.

Last season: Tottenham 1 Chelsea 0, Chelsea 1 Tottenham 1
Last five league matches: Chelsea W W W W W; Tottenham W W W W L
Top scorers: Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 4; Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 5
Match odds: H 4-9 A 13-2 D 16-5
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

Everton (19) v Blackburn (14)

New signing Lucas Neill is unlikely to make the Everton squad because of his lack of match fitness. Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s groin injury will be assessed after he was substituted in the Europa Cup victory over AEK Athens but a place on the bench is probably his best hope. Captain Phil Neville and Victor Anichebe are both out with knee injuries.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce finds himself in the rare position of having a full-strength squad. Midfielder Steven Nzonzi (foot) and striker Benni McCarthy (ankle) have both recovered from injuries and are added to the squad which beat Wolves. Former Everton defender Lars Jacobsen will hope to keep his place in the side despite competition from Michel Salgado as he returns to Goodison Park for the first time since his summer move.

Last season: Blackburn 0 Everton 0, Everton 2 Blackburn 3
Last five league matches: Everton W L L W L; Blackburn D L L D W
Top scorers: Louis Saha (Everton) 4; David Dunn (Blackburn) 2
Match odds: H 4-5 A 18-5 D 12-5
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Man Utd (2) v Man City (3)

Rio Ferdinand is a major doubt for Manchester United after sitting out Tuesday night’s Champions League win over Besiktas with a groin injury and Alex Ferguson is not convinced the defender will recover in time. If Ferdinand does miss out, Jonny Evans will retain his place, while Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Fletcher are likely to return as United look to end the Blues’ 100 per cent record. Paul Scholes is suspended following his dismissal at Tottenham last weekend.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has returned to training following a knee injury but faces a late fitness test. The addition of Tevez would be a boost for manager Mark Hughes as Emmanuel Adebayor starts a three-match suspension. Robinho and Roque Santa Cruz remain sidelined through injury and Craig Bellamy is likely to start as the lone striker.

Last season: Man Utd 2 Man City 0, Man City 0 Man Utd 1
Last five league matches: Man Utd W L W W W; Man City W W W W W
Top scorers: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 6; Emmanuel Adebayor (Man City) 4
Match odds: H 8-13 A 9-2 D 11-4
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

Wolves (16) v Fulham (10)

Wolves are set to be boosted by the return of winger Michael Kightly (hip and foot), striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (hamstring), right-back Kevin Foley (knee) and central defender Jody Craddock (hamstring). Ecuador international midfielder Segundo Castillo, who is on loan from Red Star Belgrade, is pushing to make his debut. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy could also hand a first start to striker Stefan Maierhofer after the Austrian international scored on his debut as a substitute at Blackburn last weekend following his £1.8million move from Rapid Vienna.

Fulham will revert to their strongest available line-up. Clint Dempsey, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff and Mark Schwarzer should all return after missing the 1-1 Europa League draw with CSKA Sofia with minor injuries. Strikers Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora are also back after being rested, but Paul Konchesky is a doubt because of a knee problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Wolves L W L D L; Fulham L W L L W
Top scorers: Stefan Maierhofer (Wolves) 2; Bobby Zamora & Andrew Johnson (Fulham) 3
Match odds: H 6-4 A 15-8 D 11-5
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)