League positions in brackets

Today

Aston Villa (15) v Everton (17)

Savo Milosevic is set to start for Villa despite being at the centre of talks over a move to Napoli. Villa are also hoping Dwight Yorke will be released from a friendly by Trinidad. Ian Taylor is suspended, while Gareth Southgate (ankle) is injured. Mark Draper and Ugo Ehiogu are set to replace them.

Everton's veteran defender, Dave Watson, is struggling with a hamstring injury, but Craig Short - who has a similar injury - should be fit, along with Croatian defender Slaven Bilic, who is back in training after a bout of flu. Terry Phelan is fighting to overcome a calf strain.

Last season: Aston Villa 3-1 Everton, Everton 0-1 Aston Villa.

Last 5 League matches: Aston Villa WLDLD, Everton LWDLL.

Top scorers: Dwight Yorke, Ian Taylor (Aston Villa) 4; Danny Cadamarteri (Everton) 5.

Match odds: H 4-5 D 9-4 A 3-1.

Referee: U D Rennie (Sheffield).

Blackburn (3) v Chelsea (4)

BLACKBURN defender Colin Hendry faces a lengthy spell out with knee ligament problems and Roy Hodgson will also be without Swedish striker Martin Dahlin. Norwegian Tore Pedersen is expected to continue deputising for Hendry.

Ruud Gullit recalls his stars after resting nine players for the midweek League Cup win over Southampton. Gianluca Vialli is available after suspension, but may have to be content with a place on the bench, with Gullit likely to pair Mark Hughes and Gianfranco Zola up front.

Last season: Blackburn 1-1 Chelsea, Chelsea 1-1 Blackburn. Last 5 League matches: Blackburn WWDDW, Chelsea LWLWW. Top scorers: Chris Sutton (Blackburn) 11; Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 10.

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

Referee: S J Lodge (Barnsley).

Derby (8) v Coventry (11)

Igor Stimac is still injured, but Italian midfielder Stefano Eranio will be back for his first League game in six weeks for Derby. Jamaica striker Deon Burton also returns to the squad, but midfielder Robin van der Laan is still out.

Coventry striker Darren Huckerby has been receiving treatment all week for a thigh muscle injury, but he appeared as a substitute against Arsenal in midweek and should reclaim his place at the expense of Simon Haworth.

Last season: Derby 2-1 Coventry, Coventry 1-2 Derby.

Last 5 League matches: Derby DDLWL, Coventry DLDWD.

Top scorers: Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 9; Dion Dublin (Coventry) 8.

Match odds: H 4-5 D 9-4 A 3-1.

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

Leicester (7) v Bolton (18)

England Under-21 striker Emile Heskey starts a three-match ban, so versatile Ian Marshall is expected to move into attack, with Steve Walsh replacing him in defence if he passes a late fitness test on his ribs and back. Manager Martin O'Neill must decide whether to keep faith with French goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad or recall fit-again Kasey Keller.

Bolton will be missing midfielder Scott Sellars, who is serving the last game of a three-match ban, but striker Dean Holdsworth, cup-tied for the Coca-Cola clash at Middlesbrough in midweek, returns.

Last season: No corresponding fixture.

Last 5 League matches: Leicester LLWDL, Bolton LLWDL. Top scorers: Ian Marshall (Leicester) 7; Nathan Blake (Bolton) 6. Match odds: H 8-11 D 9-4 A 10-3.

Referee: G P Barber (Pyrford).

Liverpool (6) v Barnsley (20)

Liverpool will be without the suspended Paul Ince and Robbie Fowler. Michael Owen, hat-trick hero in midweek, will continue up front in Fowler's place, while Jason McAteer, Michael Thomas, Jamie Carragher or Patrik Berger compete for Ince's midfield slot.

New Barnsley signing Peter Markstedt could make his debut against his childhood heroes Liverpool. Ashley Ward, still suffering from the after-effects of viralmeningitis, is manager Danny Wilson's only doubt.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last 5 League matches: Liverpool WLWDW, Barnsley LWLDL.

Top scorers: Robbie Fowler (Liverpool) 8; Neil Redfearn (Barnsley) 6.

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

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

Newcastle (10) v Southampton (14)

Stuart Pearce and Faustino Asprilla could both be back in the Newcastle team after lengthy spells on the sidelines. Goalkeeper Shay Given may be recalled, but both Warren Barton and John Beresford are out.

Southampton central defender Claus Lundekvam is doubtful with a knee injury, but David Hirst (hamstring) and Kevin Richardson (stomach bug) are both expected to play.

Last season: Newcastle 0-1 Southampton, Southampton 22 Newcastle.

Last 5 League matches: Newcastle WLDDD, Southampton WLWWW.

Top scorers: Faustino Asprilla (Newcastle) 6; Kevin Davies (Southampton) 8.

Match odds: H 8-13 D 12-5 A 4-1.

Referee: D J Gallagher (Banbury).

Sheffield Wed (19) v Arsenal (2)

Ron Atkinson has named an unchanged side for his first match as Sheffield Wednesday manager following their 5-0 home win over Bolton in Peter Shreeves' only match in charge. It means no place in the starting 11 for Benito Carbone, who missed the Bolton game with a foot injury and will be on the bench.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is desperately short of forwards, with Nicolas Anelka sidelined by an injured ankle, Dennis Bergkamp completing a threematch ban and Luis Boa Morte on international duty. In addition, Patrick Vieira is out for another two weeks with knee ligament damage and fellow Emmanuel Petit is finishing his three-match ban.

Last season: Sheff Wed 0-0 Arsenal, Arsenal 4-1 Sheff Wed. Last 5 League matches: Sheff Wed WLLLW, Arsenal WDDLW.

Top scorers: Paolo Di Canio, Benito Carbone (Sheff Wed) 7; Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) 12.

Match odds: H 5-2 D 9-4 A 10-11.

Referee: K W Burge (Tonypandy).

Wimbledon (9) v Man Utd (1)

Wimbledon defender Brian McAllister is out with a ruptured Achilles, but left-back Alan Kimble is back in the squad after being sidelined for more than a month with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Robbie Earle is available again after returning from international duty with Jamaica.

Gary Pallister is Manchester United's only doubt after hurting his back in the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal. Ronny Johnsen is on stand-by. Teddy Sheringham and Gary Neville, who both withdrew from last week's England squad, have responded to treatment and are ready for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Last season: Wimbledon 0-3 Man Utd, Man Utd 2-1 Wimbledon. Last 5 League matches: Wimbledon WDWLW, Man Utd WDWWL.

Top scorers: Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 6; Andy Cole (Man Utd) 11.

Match odds: H 5-2 D 9-4 A 10-11.

Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).

TOMORROW

Leeds (5) v West Ham (13)

Leeds full-back Gary Kelly is battling to shake off an ankle injury, while skipper David Hopkin starts a threematch ban and Harry Kewell is away on international duty with Australia.

West Ham are still without Paul Kitson and Stan Lazaridis, but Andy Impey is close to returning after a foot injury and Ludek Miklosko is fit again to challenge Craig Forrest for the goalkeeper's jersey.

Last season: Leeds 1-0 West Ham, West Ham 0-2 Leeds.

Last 5 League matches: Leeds DWLWW, West Ham WLWLL.

Top scorers: Rod Wallace (Leeds) 9; John Hartson (West Ham) 13.

Match odds: H 4-6 D 12-5 A 7-2.

Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).

Odds supplied by William Hill