Saturday (League positions in brackets) Aston Villa (13) v Coventry (12) Dwight Yorke and Steve Staunton face fitness tests on calf strains and if Yorke is ruled out Villa boss Brian Little may have to consider recalling Savo Milosevic.
Coventry boss Gordon Strachan's 19-year-old son Gavin is in the frame for an FA Cup debut because of injuries to Gary McAllister and Paul Williams, and suspensions for Paul Telfer and Noel Whelan. Strachan jnr faces competition from Willie Boland and there could be a place for Romanian international Viorel Moldovan.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Aston Villa DDLLW, Coventry WLDWW.
Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (Aston Villa) 9; Dion Dublin (Coventry)16.
Match odds: H Evens, A 9-4, D 9-4.
Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).
West Ham (8) v Blackburn (4) Paul Kitson is an injury doubt for West Ham, who also have Samassi Abou suspended and Trevor Sinclair cup-tied. If Kitson does not play Eyal Berkovic may be forced to play a striker's role alongside John Hartson.
Blackburn have a doubt over winger Stuart Ripley who has a knee injury but Kevin Gallacher and Tim Flowers, who pulled out of the England squad because of a rib injury, are back and fit-again Swedish striker Martin Dahlin is in the squad.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: West Ham WWLDW, Blackburn DLWDL.
Top scorers: John Hartson (West Ham) 19; Kevin Gallacher (Blackburn) 16.
Match odds: H Evens A 9-4 D 9-4.
Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).
Leeds (7) v Birmingham (9) Leeds should be boosted by the return of Dutch central defender Robert Molenaar, who sat out last week's 1-0 defeat at Leicester with a twisted knee.
Birmingham striker Peter Ndlovu is set to start his first game since St Stephen's Day as leading scorer Paul Furlong is beginning a three-game ban and new signing Dele Adebola is cup-tied. Chris Marsden and Steve Robinson are missing from midfield due to suspension.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Leeds DLLWL, Birmingham WDWLD.
Top scorers: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds) 12; Paul Furlong (Birmingham) 16.
Match odds: H 4-7, A 5-1, D 11-5. Referee: D J Gallagher (Banbury).
Newcastle (10) v Tranmere (18) Andreas Andersson makes his FA Cup debut for Newcastle. Former Stoke defender Andrew Griffin is cuptied but Gary Speed is available.
Graham Branch has an injured Achilles tendon and is doubtful for Tranmere, who are definitely without fellow strikers Lee Jones and Stephen Frail with knee problems.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Newcastle LWLWL, Tranmere DDLWW.
Top scorers: John Barnes, Gary Speed with Everton (Newcastle) 7; David Kelly (Tranmere) 11.
Match odds: H 4-11, A 8-1, D 11-5.
Referee: G R Ashby (Worcester).
Wimbledon (15) v Wolves (6) Wimbledon have Carl Leaburn cup-tied and Michael Hughes is suspended. Marcus Gayle is still on international duty with Jamaica, so manager Joe Kinnear is likely to play Jason Euell and Carl Cort in attack.
Wolves are without teenage striker Robbie Keane who chipped two bones in his hand playing for Republic of Ireland B in midweek but Simon Osborn and Adrian Williams could be on the bench after recovering from injuries and fit-again Steve Bull is in the squad.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Wimbledon LLDDW, Wolverhampton WLWLL.
Top scorers: Carl Leaburn, Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 6; Dougie Freedman (Wolverhampton) 9.
Match odds: H 8-11, A 10-3, D 9-4.
Referee: U D Rennie (Sheffield).
Sunday Arsenal (5) v Crystal Palace (18) Arsenal are without hamstring victims Ian Wright and Martin Keown but Ray Parlour has recovered from a foot injury. Tony Adams is suspended but fit-again Lee Dixon returns. Patrick Vieira has missed training with flu and Stephen Hughes could keep his place in midfield.
Palace have Tomas Brolin and Bruce Dyer up front because Attilio Lombardo, Michele Padovano, Neil Shipperley and Paul Warhurst are injured and Marcus Bent and Matt Jansen are cup-tied. Midfielder Jamie Fullarton is back from suspension.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Arsenal DWDWW, Crystal Palace DLLLL.
Top scorers: Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) 15; Bruce Dyer (Crystal Palace) 7.
Match odds: H 1-2 A 6-1 D 9-4
Referee: M J Bodenham (Sussex).
Man Utd (1) v Barnsley (20) Ronny Johnsen and Brian McClair are ready to fill Manchester United's midfield gaps with Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes suspended and David Beckham nursing a hamstring injury. Andy Cole is doubtful because of a slight groin strain and sore back. Henning Berg should return to partner Gary Pallister.
Barnsley are without Darren Sheridan and Darren Barnard, who are completing and starting two-match bans respectively. Jan-Aage Fjortoft is cup-tied so John Hendrie is almost certain to partner Ashley Ward up front.
Last season: No corresponding fixtures.
Last five League matches: Man Utd LWLLD, Barnsley WLWLD.
Top scorers: Andy Cole (Man Utd) 21; Jan Aage Fjortoft (Barnsley) 13.
Match odds: H 2-7, A 8-1, D 7-2.
Referee: M A Riley (Leeds). Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill
