premiership suspensions

Arsenal v Manchester United

A massive game for both sides, Sir Alex Ferguson has stated it as "pivotal" while Wenger has placed less importance in the fixture – the mind games begin.

Arsenal will most likely be missing defender Thomas Vermaelen (5 goals,1 assist), while fellow defender Sol Campbell will probably have to pass a late fitness test prior to the match.
Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner (1 goal,1 assist) is in line to start as Eduardo (3 goals,4 assists) is sidelined with a hamstring.
Phillippe Senderos has joined Everton on loan until the end of the season.
Other key players also sidelined include Abou Diaby (5 goals,3 assists), Djourou, Kieran Gibbs, Merida Perez (1 goal) & Robin Van Persie (7 goals,7 assists), however Alex Song (1 goal,1 assist) and Emmanuel Eboue (1 goal,2 assists) should both be available.

Man United will be missing suspended Rio Ferdinand for four matches, while Owen Hargreaves and John O`Shea (1 goal,1 assist) remain out injured.
Defender Nemanja Vidic (1 goal) provides Ferguson with a boost as he should return from injury.

Best odds for Arsenal v Man United are available at:

Arsenal – 2.60 at Bet365 or William Hill
Draw – 3.40 SkyBet
Manchester United – 2.85 Expekt

Premiership injuries / suspensions 11-12 April 2009

Liverpool v Blackburn
Liverpool will be without Hyypia(1gl) & Degen, and a major doubt over Gerrard(6assts,13gls).
Blackburn will once again be without Emerton(2assts,1gl), Reid(1asst),& new injury victim Roberts(2assts,7gls).
The game may come too soon for Pedersen(6assts),Santa Cruz(2assts,4gls) & Grella(1asst).
Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat v Chelsea.
Prediction: Liverpool
 
Chelsea v Bolton
Chelsea will be without Ferreira & Joe Cole(4assts,2gls).
Drogba(2gls) & Bosingwa(3assts,2gls) may have to pass late fitness tests.
Bolton’s O’Brien & Vaz Te are the usual absentees, along with Mark Davies(2assts).
Chelsea had an emphatic win away at Liverpool midweek and their momentum will be too much for Bolton.
Prediction: Chelsea
 
Middlesbrough v Hull
Boro will be without suspended O’Neil(1asst,3gls) for the visit of Hull.
Pogatetz(1gl) & Digard(2assts) are also out through injuries.
Hull will be missing Bullard & Boateng(1asst), and Cousin(4gls) & Gardner are doubtful.
Boro will be nervous at home, and Hull have little to offer, I think both teams will cancel each other out.
Prediction: Draw

Portsmouth v West Brom
Portsmouth are likely to recall Pennant(2assts) for their vital basement six-pointer against The Baggies.
Davis(2assts,1gl) looks set to be sidelined again, and Johnson(3assts,3gls) is suspended.
West Brom may recall Meite.
Portsmouth are not bad at home, and West Brom are woeful away.
Prediction: Portsmouth
 
Sunderland v Man Utd
The Black Cats will be without injured trio Connolly,Anderson & Tainio. McCartney is doubtful.
United will be without Anderson,Evans,Berbatov(8assts,8gls),Brown(1gl) & Hargreaves. Rafael(1gl) & Ferdinand are doubtful.
Even though United have a few injuries, they should still have too much class for Sunderland. The pressure is on them to stay at the top too.
Prediction: Man Utd
 
Tottenham v West Ham
Spurs only appear to have Defoe(1asst,2gls) absent when they entertain The Hammers in this London derby.
West Ham however have many injuries; Spector,Cole,Collison,Behrami,Ashton & Gabbidon are out, and Parker(3assts,1gl) & Kovac are doubtful.
Spurs were unlucky last week,but I think at home they’ll be too strong for understrength West Ham.
Prediction: Tottenham
 
Wigan v Arsenal
Wigan will be missing Cattermole (1asst,1gl) who is suspended.
Zaki(1asst,10gls) is doubtful, but depends on his meeting with manager Bruce today. New signing Won-Hee is out for the rest of the season.
Arsenal are without captain Gallas(2gls),Clichy(1gl) & keeper Almunia.
Eduardo & Van Persie(9assts,9gls) will undergo late fitness tests.
Prediction: Arsenal
 
Stoke v Newcastle
Stoke will be without Sidibe(2assts,3gls), and Diao is doubtful.
Newcastle are without Ameobi(1asst,4gls),Lovenkrands(2gls),Kadar & Gonzalez. They await the fitness of Bassong,Taylor(1asst,3gls),Viduka(1asst) & Barton(1asst,1gl).
Tough one to call, but Stoke with a start.
Prediction: Stoke +0.5
 
Aston Villa v Everton
Villa are without Heskey(1gl) & Laursen(2assts,1gl), and will await Sidwell(3gls) fitness for the visit of Everton.
Everton will be missing Arteta(6assts,6gls),Anichebe(1asst,1gl) & Yakubu(1asst,4gls).
Keeper Howard,Yobo,Valente & Vaughan should all be fit.
Villa are shaky at the moment, and I think Everton are good for a start.
Prediction: Everton +0.5
 
Man City v Fulham
City have injuries to Kompany(1gl),Bridge & Johnson. Hamann is doubtful.
Fulham look set to have a full squad to pick from.
Fulham’s away form is poor, and Man City have home advantage.
Prediction: Man City

Premiership injuries / suspensions 4-5 April 2009

Blackburn v Tottenham
Blackburn will once again be without Emerton(2assts,1gl), Reid(1asst) & striker Santa Cruz(2assts,4gls).
McCarthy(2assts,7gls) & Grella(1asst) are both doubtful.
Spurs have long-term injuries to strikers Defoe(1asst,2gls) & Darren Bent(2assts,10gls).
Prediction: Tottenham +0.5
 
Arsenal v Man City
Arsenal will be without Van Persie(9assts,9gls) & Eduardo, and Nasri(2assts,6gls) & Vela may also miss out.
Walcott(1asst,1gl) & Adebayor(4assts,8gls) should return. However, Bendtner & Rosicky will also be missing.
Man City could have Sturridge(3assts,3gls) & Benjani(1gl) back in the squad.
Bridge, Ireland(7assts,7gls),Hamann,Petrov & Johnson are likely to be out.
Prediction: Arsenal
 
Bolton v Middlesbrough
O’Brien & Vaz Te are the usual absentees, and Middsbro look likely to be missing Digard(2assts) & Riggott.
Prediction: Draw
 
Hull v Portsmouth
Ashby(1asst,1gl),Bullard & Boateng(1asst) will be out for The Tigers.
Pennant’s(2assts) back for Pompey,but Traore & Bouba Diop continue on the sidelines.
Prediction: Portsmouth
 
Newcastle v Chelsea
Newcastle will be missing Duff(1asst,3gls),Bassong,Taylor(1asst,3gls),Viduka(1asst),Barton(1asst,1gl),Kadar & Gonzalez.
Chelsea also have injuries; Bosingwa(3assts,2gls),Anelka(15gls),Ferreira,Deco(2assts,3gls) & Joe Cole(4assts,2gls) are all out for The Blues.
Shearer may be the new manager, but with no experience & Dowie as his No.2, I can’t see past Chelsea for this one.
Prediction: Chelsea
 
West Brom v Stoke
The Baggies will be without Barnett,Meite,Miller(1asst,3gls) & Clement when they entertain fellow strugglers Stoke.
Stoke will be without Sidibe(2assts,3gls), although Shawcross(1asst,3gls) & Wilkinson may return.
Prediction: Draw
 
West Ham v Sunderland
West Ham will be without a host of players;Cole(3assts,9gls),Nsereko,Collison(3gls),Behrami(1gl),Collins,Ashton & Gabbidon.
Sunderland are without Colgan,Connolly,Anderson & Tainio.
I think Sunderland can hang out for a draw.
Prediction: Sunderland +0.5
 
Fulham v Liverpool
Fulham appear to have no new injuries.
Liverpool will be without Degen & Benayoun(4assts,3gls).
Fulham had a fantastic result against Man Utd, but I can’t see lightning striking twice – away win.
Prediction: Liverpool
 
Everton v Wigan
Everton have Yobo,Arteta(6assts,6gls),Anichebe(1asst,1gl),Yakubu(1asst,4gls) all out.
Cahill(3assts,7gls),Hibbert & Vaughan are all doubtful.
Wigan have problems of their own;Zaki(1asst,10gls) has gone awol, and arguably their 3 best players will be out; Valencia(4assts,3gls),N’Zogbia(1gl) & Sibierski.
Prediction: Everton
 
Man Utd v Aston Villa
Man Utd will be missing Berbatov(8assts,8gls),Brown(1gl),Hargreaves & Rafael(1gl) for Villa’s visit.
Villa will be without Heskey(1gl),Sidwell(3gls) & Laursen(2assts,1gl). The game will come too soon for Bouma.
Man Utd will be spitting chips after two straight losses – a spanking for Villa?
Prediction: Man Utd

Premiership injuries / suspensions 21-22 March 2009

Portsmouth v Everton
Jermaine Pennant(2assts) has been ruled out for Pompey, and joins Bouba Diop & Wilson on the injury list. Keeper Ashdown ia also injured, and doubts over Armand Traore & Thomas.
Everton also have a few injuries; Arteta(6assts,6gls),Hibbert,Anichebe(1asst,1gl) & Yakubu(1asst,4gls). Valente & Vaughan may also miss out.

Blackburn v West Ham
Rovers will be without Santa Cruz(2assts,4gls), Emerton(2assts,1gl) & Reid(1asst), and have doubts over Givet & Grella(1asst).
The Hammers have a host of key players out injured; top scorer Cole(3assts,9gls),Upson(2assts),Collison(3gls),Behrami(1gl),Ashton & Gabbidon. The game may also come too soon for Dyer & Collins.
Blackburn will have no better chance to grab all 3 pts off West Ham.

Fulham v Man Utd
Fulham appear to have no new injury worries
Man Utd will be without Vidic(4gls) who is suspended.
Wes Brown & Hargreaves are the long-term absentees, and the game will probably come too soon for Rafael(1gl) & Neville.

Stoke v Middlesbrough
Stoke have no new injury worries.
Boro will again be without Digard(2assts),Riggott& O’Neil(1asst,2gls), and await the fitness on Hoyte(1asst).

Tottenham v Chelsea
Spurs will be without Defoe(1asst,2gls).
Chelsea will be without Joe Cole(4assts,2gls),Deco(2assts,3gls) & Ferreira.

West Brom v Bolton
Miller(1asst,3gls),Meite,Barnett & Clement continue on the sidelines for The Baggies, and have a doubt over Mulumbu.
Bolton’s trio of absentees Vaz Te,Mark Davies(2assts) & Joey O’Brien(2assts) will again miss the trip to The Hawthorns.

Newcastle v Arsenal
Newcastle’s injury woes take a boost when they welcome back Michael Ï’m not injury prone"Owen(8gls), and Barton(1asst,1gl) is targeting a return soon,but not this game.
However, Kadar,Guthrie (2assts,2gls),Viduka (1asst), Beye (1asst),Xisco & Gonzalez all miss out.Nolan(1asst) returns from suspension.
Arsenal will definitely be without Eduardo & Rosicky. The game looks likely to be too soon for Adebayor(4assts,8gls) & Fabregas(3assts,1gl).

Wigan v Hull
This fixture may sound more like an English Rugby League game, but it’s a big game for both sides.
Wigan will be without the suspended Cattermole(1asst,1gl), and midfielder Sibierski is injured.
Hull, who are still wiping off the phlegm bestowed upon them courtesy of Gunners’ Fabregas, will be missing Bullard & Boateng(1asst) for their visit to the JJB Stadium.

Man City v Sunderland
Man City will again be without De Jong(1asst),Sturridge(3assts,3gls) & Hamann. Major doubts over Bellamy(2gls),Benjani(1gl),Petrov & Johnson. Sunderland are without suspended Richardson(2assts,3gls), along with Connolly and Anderson who are injured.

Liverpool v Aston Villa
Liverpool will be without Benayoun(4assts,3gls),Degen & Agger(2assts) & await the fitness of Alonso(2assts,2gls) when they host Villa.
Aston Villa look set to be without Sidwell(3gls) & Laursen(2assts,1gl) for their tricky fixture against the Reds.

Premiership injuries / suspensions 14-16 March 2009

Man Utd v Liverpool
United will be without Brown(1gl),Rafael(1gl),Neville & Hargreaves for their ‘title decider’ against rivals Liverpool.
Liverpool are set to be without Agger(2assts) & Degen.

Arsenal v Blackburn
Arsenal will be without Eduardo, but Adebayor(4assts,8gls),Fabregas(3assts,1gl) & Silvestre(1asst,1gl) could return.
Blackburn will once again be without Emerton(2assts,1gl) & Reid(1asst).

Bolton v Fulham
Bolton’s Vaz Te & O’Brien(2assts) will again be missing for their home clash against Fulham.
Fulham have central defender Hughes out through injury, but Zamora(1asst,2gls) could return for the Cottagers.

Everton v Stoke
Everton are without 6 players;Hibbert,Arteta(6assts,6gls),Anichebe(1asst,1gl),Valente,Yakubu(1asst,4gls) & Vaughan, but I still fancy them against Stoke.
The Potters have no new injury worries. Etherington(2assts) returns from suspension, and Faye(2gls) & Wilkinson are both fully fit.

Hull v Newcastle
Hull have suspended Marney(4assts) out.
Newcastle welcome back leading scorer Owen(8gls), and Butt & Duff(1asst,3gls) are pushing for starts. Nolan(1asst) continues his suspension and is out.

Middlesbrough v Portsmouth
Boro still have Digard(2assts) & Riggott out through injury.
Pompey only have Diop out through a long-term injury.

Sunderland v Wigan
Sunderland will be missing Richardson(2assts,3gls) who is suspended, and Nosworthy is still unfit.
Ferdinand & Tainio are rated doubtful.
Wigan have a doubt over Sibierski, although if he’s not fit new signing Won-Hee Cho could step in. Cattermole(1asst,1gl) is suspended.

Chelsea v Man City
Chelsea will be without long-term absentee Joe Cole(4assts,2gls)
Man City will have to travel without Kompany(1gl),De Jong(1asst) & Bellamy(2gls).
However, Wright-Phillips(3assts,5gls) & Bridge return to play against their former club.

Aston Villa v Tottenham
Villa look set to be without Laursen(2assts,1gl) again
Meanwhile, Spurs will be without Defoe(1asst,2gls) & Hutton.

West Ham v West Brom
West Ham will be without top scorer Carlton Cole(3assts,9gls) suspended, and a total of 8 first-teamers are injured.
West Brom will be without Miller & Clement, and doubts over Bednar(1asst,6gls) & Mulumbu.

Premiership injuries / suspensions 7th March 2009

Sunderland v Tottenham
Sunderland are missing a few players for the visit of Spurs:Connolly,Anderson,McShane,Tainio & Nosworthy. New loan-signing Callum Davenport may get a start since switching from West Ham.
For Spurs, Defoe(4assts,9gls Portsmth&Spurs) and Hutton are both definitely out.

Premiership injuries / suspensions 28 February – 1 March 2009
 
Everton v West Brom
Everton have a few players already ruled out; Arteta(6assts,6gls),Anichebe(1asst,1gl),Valente,Yakubu(1asst,4gls) & Vaughan. Pienaar(2assts) & Osman(3assts,3gls) are both doubtful.
Jose Baxter misses the game due to suspension.
The Baggies also look set to be without injured quartet; Teixeira(1asst),Mulumbu,Greening(1asst,1gl) & Olsson(1gl), along with long-term injuries to Miller & Clement. Donk is doubtful for the trip to Goodison.
 
Arsenal v Fulham
The Gunners will certainly be without Fabregas(3assts,1gl) & Rosicky, along with doubts over Eduardo & Adebayor(4assts,8gls) for their London derby with Fulham.
Fulham look set to name an unchanged line-up with no new injuries, although new signing Dacourt limped off in the midweek FA Cup tie v Swansea.
Fulham defender Pantsil(1asst) is suspended & will miss the trip.
 
Chelsea v Wigan
The Blues will be without long-term absentee Joe Cole(4assts,2gls) & Essien. Carvalho(1asst,1gl) may also miss out. Drogba(1gl) refound his scoring touch against Juventus midweek.
Bosingwa(3assts,2gls) is suspended.
Wigan will again be without influential players Mido(1gl) & Valencia(4assts,3gls) for their tricky trip to Stamford Bridge.
Ben Watson is suspended for Wigan
 
Middlesbrough v Liverpool
Boro will be without Digard(2assts),Riggott & Andrew Taylor when they entertain Liverpool. Fresh from their midweek FA Cup triumph over West Ham, Middbro will be hoping to transfer their momentum in the league.
Liverpool will be missing Degen and possibly Torres(2assts,8gls) after he limped off with an ankle injury against Real Madrid.
 
Hull v Blackburn
The Tigers are without Fagan(2assts,2gls),Boateng(1asst) & new signing Bullard for their important clash against Blackburn.
Rovers will travel again without long-term casualties Emerton(2assts,1gl) & Steven Reid(1asst) as they look to bounce back from their FA Cup defeat against Championship side Coventry.
 
West Ham v Man City
The Hammers entertain Man City without Gabbidon,Ashton(2gls),Dyer & Boa Morte(2assts).
Man City continue to have injuries, and will be without Gelson(1gl),Sturridge(3assts,3gls),Hamann,Benjani(1gl),Petrov & Johnson.
 
Bolton v Newcastle
Bolton are without O’Brien & Vaz Te, and their clash with Newcastle may be too soon for Hunt & Cohen also.
Newcastle’s injury woes continue as 8 players are set to be missing for their vital game at the Reebok. Top scorer Owen(8gls) is making progress, but this game will come too soon for him.
The Toon will also be without midfielder Nolan(1asst) after last week’s infamous tackle on Anichebe.
 
Aston Villa v Stoke City
Villa will be without Laursen(2assts,1gl),Reo-Coker(1gl) & Bouma is also rated doubtful.
Stoke are without loan-signing Stephen Kelly,top scorer Fuller(1asst,6gls) & Cort may also miss out.
Delap(3assts,2gls) & Etherington(2assts) are both suspended.

Premiership injuries / suspensions 14 Feb 2009
 
Portsmouth v Man City
Pompey have Pennant (1asst), Traore, Wilson & Kaboul (1asst) back in contention for starts.
However, Bouba Diop & Hughes are still out.
Man City’s Shaun Wright-Phillips (3assts,4gls) starts a 3 match ban, and Dunne (1gl) is also suspended.
City also have Sturridge (3assts,3gls), Bojinov, Petrov & Benjani (1gl) out injured.

Premiership Injuries/Suspensions – weekend 7-8 february 2009
 
Man City v Middlesbrough
City are still without Hamann, Benjani (1Gl), Petrov, Johnson, Bojinov & doubt over Sturridge (3 assts,3gls)
Richard Dunne (1gl) suspended for 1 more match.
Wright-Phillips (3assts,4gls) has been cleared by the FA to face Boro.
Boro continue without Aliadiere (1asst,2gls).
 
Blackburn v Aston Villa
Rovers remain without long-term casualties Emerton (2assts,1gl) & Reid (1asst)
Villa have Harewood & Laursen (2assts,1gl) out & doubts over Reo-Coker (1gl) with hamstring injury
Carew (2assts,5gls) should make his long-awaited return to the team after netting midweek against Doncaster in the FA Cup.
 
Chelsea v Hull
Joe Cole (4assts,2gls) & Essien are out, and Carvalho (1asst,1gl) is also likely to miss the home tie against Hull.
The Tigers have suffered a setback ahead of their visit to Stamford Bridge; Cousin (4gls) has been ruled out for 3 weeks, along with new signing Bullard, Boateng (1asst) & Gardner all absent.
 
Everton v Bolton
Everton are without Saha (1 asst,3gls),Yakubu (1 asst,4gls) & Vaughan.
Anichebe (1asst,1gl) will be hoping for a recall after being left out midweek against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Bolton continue to have doubts over Elmander (5gls), N Hunt, Cohen & O’Brien (2 assts) along with McCann (ankle) & Vaz Te (knee 5 months).
Kevin Davies (2assts,9gls) is in good form and is set to lead the line.
 
Sunderland v Stoke
Sunderland look set to be without top scorer Cisse (9gls), McShane, Tainio, Nosworthy, Gordon & Ward when they welcome Stoke to the Stadium of Light.
Stoke also have injury worries with a doubt over Higginbotham (2assts,1gl) along with Wilkinson, Diao, Cort & Sidibe (1asst,3gls) all out.
 
West Brom v Newcastle
The Baggies have a host of players out; Miller (1 asst,3gls), Clement & Greening (1 asst,1gl) are definitely out, along with Beattie (1gl), Valero (1asst) & Simpson (1gl), and there are doubts over Moore (1gl), Barnett, Olsson (1gl).
Brunt (1asst,3gls) and Morrison (3assts,3gls) are in good form though & will look to supply Bednar (1asst,6gls) & new signing Fortune (1asst,1gl) up front.
Newcastle also have many injuries; Martins (2 assts,6gls),Owen (8 gls),Barton (1asst,1gl), Kadar, Guthrie (2assts,2gls), Cacapa (1asst), Viduka (1asst), Beye (1asst) & Gonzalez all miss out.
Guiterrez (3assts) is suspended for 1 match.
N’Zogbia & Given lave left the club to Wigan and Man City respectively.
West Brom will fancy this one at home.

Wigan v Fulham
The Latics could be without top scorer Zaki (1asst,10gls) & Valencia (4assts,3gls hamstring).
N’Zogbia (1asst,1gl for Newcastle) is set to make his debut, and Mido (1gl) will be hoping to add to his tally.
The Cottagers appear to have no fresh injuries, with Kamara 2 weeks away from recovery.
 
Portsmouth v Liverpool
Thomas, Hughes, Bouba Diop,Wilson will miss the game. Kranjcar (3 assts,1gl) & Campbell are fighting to be fit.
New Greek signings Basinas & Gekas could feature but Pennant (1asst) is ineligible.
The Reds title challenge has taken a knock with captain and top scorer Gerrard (5assts,9gls) out for 3 weeks after he limped off against Everton in the week. Degen is a long-term absentee.
Lucas (1asst) is suspended & will miss the trip to Fratton Park.
 
Tottenham v Arsenal
Spurs will be without in-form striker Defoe (4assts,9gls season total so far) for 3 weeks, along with O’Hara (1gl), King (1gl) & Hutton. Keeper Gomes is also struggling to be fit ahead of their Noth London derby against Arsenal.
David Bentley (2assts,1gl) is suspended for 1 match.
The Gunners will still be without Rosicky(hamstring 5 weeks), Walcott(shoulder 2 weeks),Fabregas(knee ligaments 2 months) & Silvestre (1asst,1gl).
 
West Ham v Man Utd
The Hammers will be without Kieron Dyer, Ashton (2gls) & Gabbidon when they host leaders Man Utd at Upton Park.
Man Utd also have players missing; Rooney (4 assts,6gls), Nani (2 assts,1gl) & Evra (2 assts) are close to returning, but this game will be too soon.Rafael, Anderson, Evans & Hargreaves are definitely out.

Premiership Teams – Injuries/Suspensions – weekend 31 january – 1 february 2009
 

Stoke v Man City
Stoke only have Mamady Sidibe (1 Assts,3Gls) as a doubt for their match against Man City.
Meanwhile, City are still without Hamann, Benjani (1Gl), Petrov, Johnson & Bojinov.
Ireland (6 assts,7gls) is back, pulling the strings in midfield & with the constant threat of Robinho (4 assts,11gls), Wright-Phillips (3 assts,4gls) & new-signing Bellamy (scored on debut), Man City should have enough quality to put Stoke to bed.
 
Arsenal v West Ham
The Gunners are without Rosicky(hamstring 6 weeks), Walcott(shoulder 3 weeks) & long-term absentee Fabregas(knee ligaments 3 months) for their London derby with West Ham.
Van Persie (7 assts,9gls), Adebayor (4 assts,8gls) & Bendtner (2 assts,3gls) will be looking to get Arsenal back on track.
Hammers manager Zola should be able to name an unchanged side that beat Hull in midweek, with Di Michele (2 assts,4gls) & Cole (3 assts,8gls) the main threats in what promises to be an intriguing tie.
Gabbidon & Ashton (2gls) remain on the sidelines for West Ham.
 
Aston Villa v Wigan
John Carew (2 assts,5gls) & Bouma are doubts for Villa, along with Laursen who’s expected to be out for another 7 weeks with a knee injury (2 assts,1gl). However, new signing Heskey made an instant impact on his debut, scoring against Portsmouth midweek. A fit Ashley Young will be crucial if Villa are to take the 3 points.
Play-maker Valencia (4 assts,3gls) seems to be the only injury concern for Steve Bruce’s men, as they continue their current good form in the league.
 
Bolton v Tottenham
Bolton have doubts over Elmander (5gls), N Hunt, Cohen & O’Brien (2 assts) along with McCann (ankle) & Vaz Te (knee 5 months).
Tottenham will be without Hutton (metatarsal fracture), O’Hara (1gl) & have doubts over Gomes & Ledley King (1gl).
However Modric (2 assts,1gl) is starting to gel, and Defoe (1 asst, 2 gls) is on red-hot form since returning to Spurs.
 
Fulham v Portsmouth
Roy Hodgson will only be without Kamara for their home tie against struggling Pompey. However, Murphy (3 assts,2gls) & new signing Zoltan Gera will be trying deperately to fill the hole that Jimmy Bullard left when he signed for Hull.
Thomas, Hughes, Bouba Diop & Campbell look likely to miss the trip to Craven Cottage. Kranjcar (3 assts,1gl) could be doubtful as Tony Adam’s men attempt to halt their slide down the table.
 
Hull v West Brom
George Boateng (1 asst) remains sidelined with a ligament tear, as Hull take on West Brom desperate to pick up some points. This will be a golden chance for Hull as West Brom have 7 players looking likely to be out.
Miller (1 asst,3gls), Clement & Greening (1 asst,1gl) are definitely out, and there are doubts over Moore (1gl), Barnett, Olsson (1gl) & Meite.
 
 
Man Utd v Everton
Man Utd have 9 players on the injury table; Rooney (4 assts,6gls), Nani (2 assts,1gl) & Evra (2 assts) are close to returning, but this game will be too soon.Rafael, Anderson, Evans & Hargreaves are definitely out, with no dates for a return for Fabio & Welbeck.
Everton have a doubt over Arteta (hip, 6 assts,5gls), Saha (1 asst,3gls) & Valente. Yakubu (1 asst,4gls) & Vaughan remain out.
 
Middlesbrough v Blackburn
Walker & Aliadiere (1 asst,2gls) are still out with ankle injuries, while Hoyte (1 asst) is doubtful.
Blackburn will be buoyed by their dramatic come back against Bolton (2-0 down to draw 2-2), and only Reid (1 asst) remains sidelined for a further 5 months.
Blackburn will fancy this fixture to gain a much needed 3 points.
 
Newcastle v Sunderland
Newcastle’s injury woes continue with 12 players now sidelined, including Martins (2 assts,6gls) & Owen (8 gls), and N’Zogbia (hurt pride) after manager Kinnear mispronounced the player’s name!
I can’t see where goals are likely to come from for Newcastle & Sunderland could well take the honours in the Tyneside derby.
The Black Cats are still without Ward (back injury), Nosworthy, McCartney & Gordon. Kieran Richardson (2 assts,2gls) is struggling to be fit for this vital clash.
 
Liverpool v Chelsea
Benitez has no fresh injury worries ahead of their home tie with second placed Chelsea. However, the pressure is mounting at Anfield & it will be interesting how Liverpool handle this one.
I fancy Chelsea for this one – even though they’re missing 3 key players; Carvalho (1 asst,1gl), Joe Cole (4 assts,2gls) & Essien.
However, Anelka (14gls) scores goals in important matches & Lampard (5 assts,9gls) is in top form at the moment.