Saturday 19th January 2013
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Norwich City (kick off 15:00)
Daniel Sturridge will be disappointed if he does not start for Liverpool after the transfer window signing bagged two goals in two games since joining from Chelsea. Jose Enrique will miss out with a hamstring problem, so expect Glen Johnson to fulfill the left-back role. Joe Allen was a bit disappointing last weekend and could be replaced by Jordan Henderson.
Norwich can recall Jonny Howson after illness, and he’ll be joined in the matchday squad by Andrew Surman, who’s shaken off a knee injury. Grant Holt is fully fit after the striker made a substitute appearance last week. Definite absentees are Steven Whittaker (hip) and Steve Morison (knee).
Manchester City v Fulham (kick off 15:00)
Manchester City can recall Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri as they look to close the gap on Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. Jack Rodwell is also available for selection after he recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in October. Vincent Kompany is available after his red card last weekend was rescinded. Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure and Abdul Razak are on international duty and Micah Richards and Maicon are both ruled out with injuries.
Dimitar Berbatov will start for fulham after the striker was rested for the midweek FA Cup game. Definitely out will be Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Mahamadou Diarra (knee) but back for the trip to the champions is Steve Sidwell.
Newcastle United v Reading (kick off 15:00)
Newcastle will welcome back Steven Taylor and he will be a much-needed addition to the Magpie’s defence. Shola Ameobi is back from a ban but Hatem Ben Arfa is injured. Despite Fabricio Coloccini being shrouded in transfer speculation, it is expected he will start for Newcastle.
Reading will give a debut to Stephen Kelly at right-back. New signing from Crawley Hope Akpan could also make his first start for Reading but certain absentees are Jason Roberts and Alex McCarthy. Mikele Leigertwood returns from a minor knock.
Swansea City v Stoke City (kick off 15:00)
Swansea must face Stoke without influential midfielder Kemy Augustien, who could be out until late February with an ankle injury. Danny Graham is the subject of some intense transfer speculation but is expected to turn out for Swansea on Saturday. New loan signing Roland Lamah should make his debut.
Stoke will have Ryan Shotton back (hamstring) but will force Andy Wilkinson to prove his fitness before kick off on a back problem. Asmir Begovic and Charlie Adam should be recalled after being rested, along with rumoured Swansea target Kenwyne Jones. Jermaine Pennant is back at the club after his loan spell at Wolves but will not feature in this game while Marc Wilson won’t be considered despite being back in training after breaking his leg in October. Rory Delap is out with a calf injury.
West Ham v QPR (kick off 15:00)
West Ham will have Joey O’Brien back in their team so the first time since January 1st. James Collins will face a fitness test on his hamstring, while Joe Cole and Mark Noble are in contention for starting berths. Wellington Paulista, a new signing, will need more time to settle in before making his debut while Modibo Maiga is away on international duty. Andy Carroll and George McCartney are both still out with knee injuries.
QPR will give a Premier League debut to Loic Remy and will be joined in the matchday squad by Junior Hoilett. However, Esteban Granero and Armand Traore are both rated as doubtful. Definite casualties are Jose Bosingwa, Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora, while Samba Diakite is on international duty.
Wigan Athletic v Sunderland (kick off 15:00)
A couple of defensive issues are worrying Wigan manager Roberto Martinez. Antolin Alcaraz, Ivan Ramis and Adrian Lopez are all unavailable for the visit of Sunderland with injuries. They join Ben Watson, Albert Crusat and Ryo Miyaichi on the sidelines. However, new signings Roger Espinoza and Angelo Henriquez are both ready to impress if called upon.
sunderland should have John O’Shea and Steven Fletcher in the matchday squad. both have shaken off minor ailments. Kadar Mangane and Alfred N’Diaye are both back in contention after not being eligible midweek while Lee Cattermole is not expected to be passed fit by the club physio.
WBA v Aston Villa (kick off 17:30)
WBA boast a pretty good home record and but could be without Claudio Yacob, Shane Long and Marc-Antoine Fortune for the visit of Aston Villa. All three will face fitness tests. Definitely not in contention to face Villa is Steven Reid, who has a bone fracture in his leg.
Aston Villa welcome back skipper Ron Vlaar after nearly two months on the sidelines with a calf strain. Joe Bennett has recovered from flu but out with foot injuries are Marc Albrighton and Chris Herd. Darren Bent will undergo a fitness test on his knee.
Sunday 20th January 2013
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea v Arsenal (kick off 13:30)
John Terry is in line to start his first Premier League game since November as his rehabilitation from a knee injury ends. John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses are away on national service while Oriol Romeu is a long-term casualty with a knee injury.
Laurent Koscielny is back from a ban while Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky are both out with calf injuries. Gervinho is away on international duty.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester Utd (kick off 16:00)
Scott Parker may boss the Spurs midfield for the first time this season on Sunday. In bad news for Spurs, Sandro has been ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament trouble. Parker will replace him. Emmanuel Adebayor is away at the African Cup of Nations while injured duo Younes Kaboul and William Gallas are out.
A hamstring strain will keep Jonny Evans out of the Manchester United travelling party, otherwise a full strength Red Devils’ side is expected to be fielded.
