Saturday, December 8th

Aston Villa (7) v Portsmouth (6)

Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker will return after suspension. Stiliyan Petrov is unavailable for at least a fortnight after suffering a hamstring injury against Arsenal. Craig Gardner could keep his place after scoring his third goal of the campaign against Arsenal.

Pedro Mendes could come in for Sean Davis who is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury. Kanu looks set to be a substitute but defenders Lauren (hamstring), Martin Cranie (broken leg) and Linvoy Primus (knee) are still out.

Last season: Aston Villa 0 Portsmouth 0, Portsmouth 2 Aston Villa 2
Last five league matches: Aston Villa W W W W L; Portsmouth D W D W D
Top scorers: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 6; Benjani Mwaruwari (Portsmouth)
8
Match odds: H 19-20 A 5-2 D 21-10
Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

Chelsea (3) v Sunderland (15)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is "90 per cent" certain to miss out with a knee problem that might soon require surgery, according to manager Avram Grant. Goalkeeper Petr Cech has recovered from a calf injury but will not play, with Carlo Cudicini retaining his place. Paul Ferreira (ankle), Ricardo Carvalho (back) and Michael Ballack (ankle) remain on the sidelines and Michael Essien is suspended, while Florent Malouda is doubtful with a knee injury.

Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards is out with a broken leg suffered against Derby last weekend. Manager Roy Keane otherwise has no new injury worries with Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring), Kieran Richardson (back) and Russell Anderson (ankle) remaining on the sidelines.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Chelsea W W D W W; Sunderland D L D L W
Top scorers: Didier Drogba (Chelsea) 9; Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) 5
Match odds: H 1-7 A 14-1 D 9-2
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Everton (9) v Fulham (14)

Everton are fighting to get defender Joseph Yobo fit after the Nigerian missed the midweek UEFA Cup success over Zenit St Petersburg with an ankle injury. Fellow central defender Alan Stubbs is out with a calf injury so Phil Jagielka, played alongside Joleon Lescott against the Russians, could do the same against Fulham

Fulham midfielder Alexey Smertin will miss out with a muscle problem. German full-back Moritz Volz is one match away from being available following shoulder, groin and foot problems. Phillipe Christanval (knee), Kasey Keller (bicep), Lee Cook (knee), Ian Pearce (calf), Brian McBride (knee) and Jimmy Bullard (knee) are still sidelined.

Last season: Everton 4 Fulham 1, Fulham 1 Everton 0
Last five league matches: Everton W W D W D; Fulham D W L D L
Top scorers: Tim Cahill & Ayegbeni Yakubu (Everton) 6; David Healy & Clinton
Dempsey (Fulham) 4
Match odds: H 4-7 A 9-2 D 23-10
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Man Utd (2) v Derby (20)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has no fresh injury worries but there is bad news for Gary Neville, who has suffered a new setback to his return from a broken ankle.

Derby boss Paul Jewell is hoping a 'flu bug does not take hold on his squad. Defender Claude Davis and winger Gary Teale were laid low earlier this week although the duo have been able to resume training. Andy Todd (back) is out and fellow defender Marc Edworthy is doubtful with a calf injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Man Utd W D W L W; Derby L L L L L
Top scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) 13; Kenny Miller (Derby) 5
Match odds: H 1-10 A 16-1 D 11-2
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Newcastle (11) v Birmingham (12)

Newcastle trio Abdoulaye Faye (calf), Stephen Carr (hamstring) and Claudio Cacapa (knee) are still recovering while Michael Owen continues his rehabilitation from a thigh problem. Damien Duff's return from a foot injury is on hold after a reserve game was called off but Peter Ramage (knee) is back in light training.

Birmingham have no fresh major injury problems, with Gary McSheffrey available despite suffering a minor hip injury against Portsmouth a fortnight ago. Garry O'Connor could return after a recent groin problem. Skipper Damien Johnson (hamstring) remains unlikely to be involved.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Newcastle L D L L D; Birmingham W L L L W
Top scorers: Obafemi Martins (Newcastle) 6; Olivier Kapo (Birmingham) 5
Match odds: H 10-11 A 5-2 D 11-5
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

Reading (13) v Liverpool (4)

Reading will be without John Oster after it was decided the winger required surgery on a troublesome ankle. Defender Michael Duberry has resumed training following cracked ribs but will not be considered. Winger Glen Little (Achilles) is the only other absentee.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez must decide whether to risk Jamie Carragher as a booking would rule him out of next weekend's clash with Manchester United. Carragher has recovered from a rib injury, but Benitez has teenager Jack Hobbs on stand-by. Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso and Fabio Aurelio are back in training following injury.

Last season: Reading 1 Liverpool 2, Liverpool 2 Reading 0
Last five league matches: Reading W L L L D; Liverpool D D W W W
Top scorers: Dave Kitson (Reading) 5; Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 11
Match odds: H 4-1 A 8-13 D 23-10
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

Sunday, December 9th

Blackburn (8) v West Ham (10)

Blackburn duo David Bentley and Ryan Nelsen are both suspended. Top scorer Benni McCarthy is in contention after reports of a bust-up with manager Mark Hughes were played down but Jason Roberts is pushing for a start. Midfielder Robbie Savage is also hoping to force his way back in.

Mark Noble is pushing for a return to the West Ham squad after undergoing a hernia operation. Fellow midfielder Lee Bowyer is making a slower recovery from the same surgery and is rated as "touch and go". Dean Ashton and Freddie Ljungberg could come back into the side after their appearances off the bench against Chelsea last weekend.

Last season: Blackburn 1 West Ham 2, West Ham 2 Blackburn 1
Last five league matches: Blackburn D L D L W; West Ham D D W D L
Top scorers: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn) 8; Craig Bellamy & Lee Bowyer (West
Ham) 4
Match odds: H 8-11 A 10-3 D 11-5
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Bolton (17) v Wigan (19)

Bolton manager Gary Megson must consider whether to recall some of his rested stars after his stand-ins beat Red Star Belgrade. Stelios Giannakopoulos is pushing for a place after an impressive display while Ivan Campo is available again after being ineligible for the UEFA Cup match.

Wigan captain Mario Melchiot is suspended after his sending off against Manchester City last week. Striker Emile Heskey should be fit despite limping off early in the second half of the same game with a hamstring strain.

Last season: Wigan 1 Bolton 3, Bolton 0 Wigan 1
Last five league matches: Bolton D D D W L; Wigan L L L L D
Top scorers: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton) 8; Marcus Bent (Wigan) 4
Match odds: H 19-20 A 5-2 D 21-10
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Middlesbrough (18) v Arsenal (1)

Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer could yet return to action despite breaking his thumb just last week. The Australian returned to training on Tuesday wearing a protective plastic cover and is yet to be ruled out, although Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones are standing by. Midfielder Julio Arca (knee) and defender Robert Huth (ankle) are both in contention after long-term injuries, but striker Mido is out until the new year with his groin problem.

The leaders are set to be without injured stars Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Alexander Hleb (Achilles), Robin van Persie (knee) and Abou Diaby (back). Veteran Brazil captain Gilberto is in contention to start in central midfield alongside youngster Lassana Diarra.

Last season: Middlesbrough 1 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 1 Middlesbrough 1
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough L D D L D; Arsenal D W W W D
Top scorers: Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough) 5; Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) 11
Match odds: H 11-2 A 4-9 D 13-5
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Tottenham (16) v Man City (5)

Tottenham full-backs Pascal Chimbonda and Young-Pyo Lee picked up knocks during the UEFA Cup clash against Anderlecht and will need to be assessed ahead of the game with Manchester City. Ledley King (knee), Ricardo Rocha (ankle), Anthony Gardner (ankle), Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are all out. Robbie Keane starts the first game of his three-match domestic ban.

Michael Johnson and Darius Vassell will both return to the Manchester City squad. Johnson had abdominal surgery in October, while Vassell has been troubled by a hamstring injury but both have been declared fit. Sven-Goran Eriksson will be without suspended midfielder Dietmar Hamann, while Brazilian midfielder Elano (hamstring) will undergo a late fitness test.

Last season: Tottenham 2 Man City 1, Man City 1 Tottenham 2
Last five league matches: Tottenham L D W D L; Man City L W D W D
Top scorers: Robbie Keane (Tottenham) 12; Elano (Man City) 5
Match odds: H 19-20 A 5-2 D 21-10
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).