Saturday 16th March 2013
Barclays Premier League
Everton v Manchester City (kick off 12:45)
Everton will be without ‘keeper Tim Howard, who is out with two broken bones in his hand. jan Mucha will deputise. Also out is Phil Jagielka, who requires surgery to repair an ankle cut. A couple of other unnamed players will be assessed on minor knocks while Tony Hibbert is out for the remainder of the season.
Manchester city travel to Goodison Park without influential duo Sergio Aguero and captain Vincent Kompany. Aguero is reportedly back in Argentina getting his knee treated while Kompany is troubled with a calf strain. Micah Richards, Maicon and Jack Rodwell are on the long-term casuaulty list.
Aston Villa v QPR (kick off 15:00)
Aston Villa will host QPR without Darren Bent and Karim El Ahmadi join Chris Herd, Marc Albrighton, Gary Gardner and Richard Dunne on the sidelines. Fabian Delph is banned.
QPR will be recalling Julio Cesar and Adel Taraabt after their recent minor injuries while Armand Traore must pass a fitness test on his calf.
Southampton v Liverpool (kick off 15:00)
Southampton are reporting a fully fit squad ahead of the visit of in-form Liverpool. Danny Fox and Steven Davis, who missed last week’s scoreless draw with Norwich, are back in contention. Vegard Forren is working way back to full fitness after an U-21 outing during the week.
Liverpool hope to have Pepe Reina back in goal for the trip south. Joe allen is carrying a shoulder knock but should be included in the travelling party.
Stoke City v WBA (kick off 15:00)
Stoke are sweating on the fitness of Matthew Etherington ahead of the visit of WBA. The winger is being plagued by a back problem and will face a fitness test. Cameron Jerome is not fully fit and can be expected to be a substitute. Robert Huth is banned so expect Marc Wilson to fill in alongside Ryan Shawcross.
Shane Long is a doubt for WBA with an ankle knock. Steven Reid is also struggling with a groin problem but otherwise WBA are at full strength.
Swansea City v Arsenal (kick off 15:00)
Swansea should be able to recall Leon Britton, who is carrying a hip injury. Luke Moore has a calf strain but should be passed fit. Chico Flores and Kemy Augustien remain on the injury list, while Neil Taylor is getting closer to full fitness.
Arsenal will rest Kieran Gibbs and will be replaced by Nacho Monreal. Wojciech Szczesny and Thomas Vermaelen will be recalled after being rested midweek but keeping the physio busy will be jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski and Bacary Sagna.
Manchester United v Reading (kick off 17:30)
Manchester United will be minus hamstring victim Nani and Phil Jones, who is carrying an ankle injury. A knee complaint is keeping Paul Scholes on the sidelines.
Adam Federici and Jimmy Kebe will be absent for Reading with ankle and groin injuries repsectively. Pavel Pogrebnyak is still banned while Jason Roberts will be out for the remainder of the season with a hip complaint.
Sunday 17th March 2013
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland v Norwich City (kick off 13:30)
Danny Rose must pass a fitness before being included in the Sunderland matchday squad – the fullback’s hamstring is very tight. Connor wickham is back from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday and could be included while James McLean is certain to be involved after recovering from illness. Captain Lee Cattermole is still out with a dodgy knee.
Noriwch’s Anthony Pilkington will be missing due to a hamstring problem while Alex Tettey won’t be back from his knee injury until the end of the month. Andrew Surman is out for the rest of the season (knee).
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham (kick off 15:00)
Spurs will recall Gareth Bale after suspension while Aaron Lennon should also be involved after a recent hamstring niggle. Clint Dempsey has recovered from a calf strain but Younes Kaboul and Sandro are both out with knee injuries.
Fulham midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is out for the season with a knee problem but Steve Sidwell returns after shrugging off a minor knock.
Chelsea v West Ham (kick off 16:00)
It is being reported that Demba Ba could be reinstated in the palce of Fernando Torres for the visit of West Ham on Sunday. Frank Lampard was rested during the week and could also be recalled but Oriol Romeu is definitely out with a knee injury.
West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan is out with a broken toe, and will watch from the stands alongside Mark Noble (arm) and hamstring victim Joe Cole. Matthew Taylor returns following concussion, and George McCartney could also be included in the match day squad having resolved a knee problem.
Wigan Athletic v Newcastle United (kick off 16:00)
Wigan may have to entertain Newcastle without Callum McManaman due to an ankle problem and Ryo Miyaichi is a certain absentee with an ankle ligament injury that requires surgery.
Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa is also facing surgery as his hamstring needs attention. yohan Cabaye suffered a minor knock midweek but is expected to make the matchday squad.
