Saturday 12th April 2014
Barclays Premier League
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa (kick off 15:07)
Crystal Palace should be at pretty much full strength as they entertain Aston Villa. Dwight Gayle banged in five goals in his comeback match for the club’s under-21 side midweek but the striker won’t be considered for selection for the Premier League this weekend.
Aston Villa were missing three key players last weekend for various reasons but all three are back in the squad this week: Gabby Agbonlahor, Fabian Delph and Karim El Ahmadi. However, there are a half dozen casualties on the injury list including Christian Benteke, Charles N’Zogbia, Jores Okore and Libor Kozak.
Fulham v Norwich (kick off 15:07)
It looks like Fulham can bring back Dan Burn, Scott Parker and Giorgos Karagounis into the matchday squad as they bid to beat the drop. However, Kostas Mitroglou is out and the Cottagers could certainly do with his goals in this relegation battle. Darren Bent was ineligible to face Aston Villa last weekend so expect him to be restored to the matchday squad.
Norwich, also involved in a relegation scrap, should be able to recall Michael Turner and Leroy Fer for the vital trip to Craven Cottage. It’s being reported that Wes Hoolahan will also be involved while Sebastien Bassong should pass a late fitness test. Elliott Bennett is almost ready for a return to the first team but will instead line out for the under-21s to improve his fitness.
Southampton v Cardiff (kick off 15:07)
Bad news for Southampton this week as it was confirmed that Jay Rodriguez will be out for the next six months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Gaston Ramirez and Artur Boruc are also carrying knocks and will face fitness tests prior to kick off. Maya Yoshida continues to watch from the sidelines due to a long-term knee injury.
Cardiff’s Craig Noone will be out for the remainder of the season due to an abdominal injury while key striker Kenwyne Jones could miss Saturday’s trip to the south coast with kidney bruising. In Friday’s press conference, Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Peter Whittingham would start.
Stoke v Newcastle (kick off 15:07)
Stoke are hopeful of being able to select Charlie Adam despite the midfielder breaking his nose in training during the week. He’ll have to wear a protective mask. Stephen Ireland is available for selection again after an illness but Oussama Assaidi and Robert Huth are occupying the physio’s treatment table.
Newcastle should be able to restore first choice goalkeeper Tim Krul this weekend after he shrugged off a knee injury. Although Loic Remy is back training, he won’t be risked this weekend while long-term absentees remain Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko.
Sunderland v Everton (kick off 15:07)
An ankle injury will keep Steven Fletcher out of the Sunderland fray until next season. The squad are carrying several minor knocks but it’s thought Gus Poyet will have a pretty much full panel to choose from. However, Kieren Westwood is still out with a shoulder injury.
Everton travel with a strong squad – but Leon Osman is a notable absentee. He had to have stitches in an eye wound sustained last weekend. Phil Jagielka will miss out too, but he’ll be back in the squad for the following weekend.
WBA v Tottenham (kick off 15:07)
James Morrison is struggling with an ankle problem and could miss out for West Brom. However, Chris Brunt could be ready to take his place – the captain is fully fit again after some ligament problems. Also fully fit again is Claudio Yacob, meaning Zoltan Gera is the only significant absentee (hamstring).
Spurs have half a dozen first teamers out for the tricky trip to the Hawthorns. Out are Roberto Soldado, Mousa Dembele, Etienne Capoue, Kyle Walker, Erik Lamela and Jan Vertonghen.
Sunday 13th April 2014
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Manchester City (kick off 13:37)
Liverpool can once again call upon Daniel Agger after the defender missed last week’s victory over West Ham. He’ll be facing a difficult task to push Mamadou Sakho out of the starting XI. Otherwise, Liverpool are at full strength apart from the absent Jose Enrique, as the Reds make the final push for their first league title in over 20 years.
Manchester City can put a huge dent in Liveprool’s title aspirations with a win at Anfield and their cause will be helped by the return of top scorer Sergio Aguero. The striker is back after an absence of five games. Yaya Toure has shrugged off a minor knock recieved last week and is available for selection while Matija Nastasic is a definite absentee (knee).
Swansea v Chelsea (kick off 16:07)
Swansea will entertain title challengers Chelsea with a full bill of health on Sunday afternoon as they look to get back to winning ways in style to avoid relegation.
chelsea’s squad will be strengthened by the return of Mohamed Salah and Nemaja Matic after their European exploits on Tuesday. Ramires also returns from a suspension but Eden Hazard will miss out due to a calf injury received midweek. After scoring on Tuesday, Demba Ba is pushing for his first start since October.
