Saturday, October 5th
Cardiff (11) v Newcastle (16)
Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has almost a full squad to select from. Andreas Cornelius, who continues to be hindered by a niggling ankle problem, is the only absentee. Midfielder Jordon Mutch is pushing for a place after his stunning winner at Fulham last week, but Mackay is expected to stick with the same starting line-up.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has reported a clean bill of health. Yohan Cabaye was used as a substitute in Monday's defeat at Everton amid concerns over his fitness, but Pardew expects him to be ready to start on Saturday if required. Striker Shola Ameobi has recovered from flu and he, defender Steven Taylor and midfielder Jonas Gutierrez (both hamstring) could return to contention.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Cardiff W D D L W; Newcastle D W W L L
Top scorers: Fraizer Campbell (Cardiff) 2; Loic Remy (Newcastle) 3
Match odds: H 11-8 A 19-10 D 12-5
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).
Fulham (18) v Stoke (15)
Fulham will be without midfielder Scott Parker because of a calf problem. Defender Aaron Hughes (thigh) is still not match fit, while goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg continues his recovery from a shoulder problem. Midfielder Ashkan Dejagah (calf) is also still sidelined along with defender Matthew Briggs (hernia).
Forward Jonathan Walters is Stoke's only injury doubt. The Republic of Ireland international suffered a groin injury in the loss to Norwich last week and will be assessed. Midfielder Matthew Etherington did not feature against the Canaries after suffering whiplash in a car accident but he is available.
Last season: Fulham 1 Stoke 0, Stoke 1 Fulham 0
Last five league matches: Fulham L L D L L; Stoke W W D L L
Top scorers: Darren Bent (Fulham) 2; Kenwyne Jones (Stoke) 3
Match odds: H 13-10 A 21-10 D 23-10
Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).
Hull (8) v Aston Villa (9)
Hull are without their leading scorer Robbie Brady after the Republic of Ireland international underwent a hernia operation on Wednesday. Brady is out for around four weeks, joining long-term absentees Robert Koren (fractured foot) and James Chester (hamstring) on the sidelines. Stephen Quinn or George Boyd will replace Brady, while fit-again Paul McShane could replace Abdoulaye Faye at centre-half.
Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Westwood could return from recent injuries for Aston Villa. Striker Agbonlahor's recent run of form has been interrupted by an ankle issue while midfielder Westwood has been out with a thigh problem. Manager Paul Lambert will be without striker Christian Benteke (hip) while defender Jores Okore (cruciate ligament) and midfielder Charles N'Zogbia (Achilles) are long-term absentees.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Hull W L D W W; Aston Villa L L L W W
Top scorers: Robbie Brady (Hull) 4; Christian Benteke (Aston Villa) 5
Match odds: H 13-10 A 21-10 D 23-10
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
Liverpool (2) v Crystal Palace (19)
Lucas Leiva is suspended for the visit of Crystal Palace so Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has to find a replacement in central midfield. Jordan Henderson, who has operated predominantly on the right this season, is the most likely candidate to switch to the central holding role. Depending on which formation Rodgers opts for, that could mean an opening for the likes of Martin Kelly, Raheem Sterling or Luis Alberto.
Yannick Bolasie could make his first appearance of the season when Crystal Palace head to Liverpool. The winger has recovered from a torn hamstring, while defender Damien Delaney should also be in the squad after shaking off an ankle knock. Manager Ian Holloway revealed two of his starting XI from the 2-0 defeat at Southampton last week are set to miss out through injury, although he would not specify the players concerned.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Liverpool W W D L W; Crystal Palace L W L L L
Top scorers: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) 7; Marouane Chamakh, Danny Gabbidon, Owen Garvan, Dwight Gayle & Stuart O'Keefe (Crystal Palace) 1
Match odds: H 2-9 A 12-1 D 5-1
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).
Manchester City (7) v Everton (4)
Manchester City are close to full strength. Midfielder Jack Rodwell will miss out against his former club after a recent knock but is back in training and nearing a return. Striker Stevan Jovetic has also had a minor issue but will be available, meaning defender Martin Demichelis (knee) is the only long-term absentee.
On-loan midfielder Gareth Barry is ineligible to face his parent club. Darron Gibson could be a made-to-measure the replacement but manager Roberto Martinez is unsure whether he will be fit as he is still suffering after-effects from a knee injury. Forward Kevin Mirallas (ankle) is rated 50-50 while it is still too early for Steven Pienaar to return from a hamstring injury.
Last season: Everton 2 Manchester City 0, Manchester City 1 Everton 1
Last five league matches: Manchester City L W D W L; Everton D D W W W
Top scorers: Yaya Toure (Manchester City) 6; Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 3
Match Odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 10-3
Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).
Sunderland (20) v Manchester United (12)
Striker Fabio Borini returns to the Sunderland squad having been ineligible for Sunday's home defeat by parent club Liverpool under the terms of his loan agreement. Caretaker manager Kevin Ball has no fresh injury worries with striker Steven Fletcher continuing his recovery from a dislocated shoulder, while defenders Wes Brown (calf) and Andrea Dossena (thigh) work their way back to full fitness.
Manchester United manager David Moyes will check on the fitness of Wayne Rooney who missed Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Shakhtar Donetsk due to a shin problem. It was his fourth injury this season. United are looking to avoid suffering three consecutive league defeats for the first time since 2001 and have won on six of their last seven visits to Wearside.
Last season: Sunderland 0 Manchester United 1, Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1
Last five league matches: Sunderland D L L L L; Manchester United D L W L L
Top scorers: Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland) 3; Robin van Persie (Manchester United) 6
Match Odds: H 9-2 A 6-10 D 3-1
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
Sunday, October 6th
Norwich (14) v Chelsea (5)
Norwich manager Chris Hughton will delay naming his squad as he assesses the fitness of defender Sebastien Bassong who has been suffering from a hamstring injury. Midfielder Nathan Redmond (ankle) and defender Javier Garrido (thigh) are both fit and available after training this week. Striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel missed a couple of training sessions this week with a toe problem but should be fit to play a part.
Eden Hazard (ankle) is doubtful as Chelsea seek a first Premier League away win of the season. Hazard returned to training on Friday after missing the midweek win at Steaua Bucharest along with Kevin de Bruyne, who was not selected, and Marco van Ginkel, who is out for six months following knee surgery. Fernando Torres is out for three weeks with a knee injury but would have been suspended in any case.
Last season: Norwich 0 Chelsea 1, Chelsea 4 Norwich 1
Last five league matches: Norwich L W L L W; Chelsea W D L W D
Top scorers: Steven Whittaker, Gary Hooper & Johan Elmander (Norwich) 2; Ramires & Oscar (Chelsea) 3
Match Odds: H 9-2 A 6-10 D 3-1
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).
Southampton (6) v Swansea (13)
Southampton defender Luke Shaw is a doubt due to illness. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is due to assess Shaw on Saturday before deciding whether the left-back will play any part in the game at St Mary's Stadium. The Saints boss has no other injury concerns as he goes in search of a third successive win.
Swansea captain Ashley Williams is set to miss a fourth successive game. The Wales defender has an ankle ligament injury, meaning Jordi Amat and Chico Flores will continue to form a partnership at centre-half. Full-back Angel Rangel is closing in on a return from an ankle injury of his own, but Pablo Hernandez's hamstring may not be risked by manager Michael Laudrup.
Last season: Swansea 0 Southampton 0, Southampton 1 Swansea 1
Last five league matches: Southampton D L D W W; Swansea L W D W L
Top scorers: Steven Davis, Gaston Ramirez & Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 2; Wilfried Bony & Miguel Michu (Swansea) 5
Match Odds: H 21-20 A 13-5 D 12-5
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Tottenham (3) v West Ham (17)
Younes Kaboul will miss Tottenham's clash with West Ham on Sunday after sustaining a knock in the Europa League win at Anzhi. Plagued by knee injuries over the best part of 18 months, the Frenchman suffered a knock in the second half of Thursday's 2-0 win in Russia. Danny Rose (toe), Aaron Lennon (foot), Etienne Capoue (ankle) and Emmanuel Adebayor (illness) are not expected to return until after the international break.
West Ham midfielder Joe Cole could make his comeback from a five-week hamstring injury lay-off. The 31-year-old is likely to be on the bench, but striker Andy Carroll (heel) remains out. Defender George McCartney could make his first league appearance of the season following a knee injury.
Last season: West Ham 2 Tottenham 3, Tottenham 3 West Ham 1
Last five league matches: Tottenham W L W W D; West Ham D L D L L
Top scorers: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) 6; Ravel Morrison (West Ham) 3
Match Odds: H 4-9 A 6-1 D 17-5
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
West Brom (10) v Arsenal (1)
West Brom forward Saido Berahino may make his first league start after scoring in the win against Manchester United last weekend. Head coach Steve Clarke could be without strikers Victor Anichebe (groin), Shane Long (knee) and Nicolas Anelka (foot), leaving the door open for youngster Berahino. Midfielders James Morrison and Chris Brunt should also be available but Scott Sinclair (hamstring) is absent. Matej Vydra, Ben Foster, George Thorne and Zoltan Gera are ruled out.
Arsenal will be without defender Bacary Sagna after the France international suffered a hamstring problem which could sideline him for three weeks. Carl Jenkinson is set to come in, while Jack Wilshere is pressing for a recall after starting on the bench for the 2-0 midweek win over Napoli. Forward Theo Walcott (abdominal), Santi Cazorla (ankle), Yaya Sanogo (back), Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee) are all still recovering.
Last season: West Brom 1 Arsenal 2, Arsenal 2 West Brom 0
Last five league matches: West Brom D L D W W; Arsenal W W W W W
Top scorers: Saido Berahino (West Brom) 5; Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) 8
Match Odds: H 16-5 A 3-4 D 3-1
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire).
