Get up to speed with all the team and injury news for this weekend’s Premier League matches before you place your bets.
Arsenal v West Ham
There are no new major injury worries for Arsene Wenger’s ARSENAL as he waits for an injury report on Kieran Gibbs (knee). WEST HAM are likely to be without Frederic Piquionne (leg) after a bad fall but Matthew Upson will be ready for the weekend after resting. The Hammers have also recalled Frank Nouble from his loan at Swansea.
Blackburn v Chelsea
BLACKBURN are largely injury free aside from Keith Andrews (groin) but could hand a debut to new signing Herold Goulon after his successful trial. Frank Lampard is in contention to start for CHELSEA after he returned to training and Jose Bosingwa is set to retain his place after coming through his return game unscathed but Alex (hip) is a doubt.
Everton v Stoke
Mikel Arteta (hamstring) is described as ‘touch and go’ by EVERTON who will also be without midfielder Leon Osman (ankle) for up to 6 weeks. Tony Pulis revealed a bug had gone through the STOKE camp meaning Kenwyne Jones and Jermaine Pennant are doubtful for the weekend while Ricardo Fuller (shoulder) continues to struggle.
Fulham v Wigan
Andy Johnson hands a massive boost to FULHAM as he is ready to take is place in the starting line up and Damien Duff’s fitness will be assessed. WIGAN will be without James McCarthy (ankle) for 10 weeks and Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) is very doubtful but Thomas Cleverley should step back in after being ineligible for the Carling Cup.
Wolves v Man City
Jody Craddock (hip) will miss out this weekend for WOLVES, as will Ronald Zubar (ankle) but Karl Henry is back after suspension. Carlos Tevez (thigh) is a big loss for MAN CITY meaning Mario Balotelli will step in for his first start and Kolo Toure faces late fitness tests while Dedryck Boyata starts a three-game suspension following his straight red.
Man Utd v Tottenham
Wayne Rooney (ankle) will not return for MAN UNITED this weekend and Michael Owen (hamstring) is injured again so Javier Hernandez pushes for a start but it is too soon for Ryan Giggs (hamstring) to return. Younes Kaboul continues to deputise at the back for SPURS and Jermaine Defoe (ankle) nears a return but they have no fresh injury worries.
Aston Villa v Birmingham – Sunday
ASTON VILLA have lost captain Stiliyan Petrov (knee) for up to two months so Steve Sidwell could get the call-up but Marc Albrighton is suspended and it may be one game too soon for Luke Young (hamstring). Alexander Hleb (knee) is ‘fifty-fifty’ to make it for BIRMINGHAM but Jean Beausejour (knee) has less of a chance as he continues his recovery.
Newcastle v Sunderland – Sunday
Stephen Taylor (shoulder) has lost the fitness race for the Tyne-Wear derby but Sol Campbell (thigh) should be fit for selection if needed and NEWCASTLE have no fresh injuries. Kieran Richardson has declared himself fit for SUNDERLAND and Ahmed Elmohamady has shaken off a foot injury while John Mensah is pushing for a starting place after a brief cameo.
Bolton v Liverpool – Sunday
Ivan Klasnic is available after suspension for BOLTON but it remains to be seen whether he will be picked following off-pitch issues but Sam Allardyce has no new injury worries. Ryan Babel (rib) is a serious doubt for LIVERPOOL and Glen Johnson is also a concern with a muscle injury while Fabio Aurelio (Achilles) is back playing but lacks fitness.
Blackpool v West Brom – Monday
BLACKPOOL have the usual long-term injuries in the form of Alex Baptiste and Billy Clarke (both knee) but Louis Almond (shoulder) has a chance of making the squad. Marc-Antoine Fortune (ankle) and Jonas Olsson (Achilles) could be in contention for a start for WEST BROM after coming off injured last weekend but Peter Odemwingie (knee) remains doubtful.
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