Saturday 05th April 2014
Barclays Premier League
Manchester City v Southampton (kick off 12:45)
Manchester City will be without their top scorer Sergio Aguero once again. Although he’s back in training, he’s being targeted for a return the following weekend in the important clash with Liverpool at Anfield. City will also be without defender Matija Nastastic.
Southampton travel north without injured triumverate Nathaniel Clyne, Kelvin Davis and Maya Yoshida. Victor Wanyama is also carrying an injury but will face a fitness test on his leg prior to kick off.
Aston Villa v Fulham (kick off 15:00)
Bad news for Aston Villa ahead of the visit of FUlham is that Belgium striker Christian Benteke will be out for six months with an Achilles tendon injury. Also missing from Villa’s frontline is Gabby Agbonlahor. He’s struggling with a stomach bug. However, Nathan Baker is back from a foot injury, and will be joined in the matchday squad by Karim El Ahmadi after a recent thigh strain.
Fulham should be able to welcome back Scott Parker after a recent minor knee injury. Kostas Mitroglou is still out with a knee problem but should have recovered by next weekend. Defender Fernando Amorebieta is back from a ban.
Cardiff v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
Cardiff will be able to call upon Craig Noone again after the winger has shrugged off a groin strain. It’s being reported that Cardiff will be unchanged from the side which started last week but Noone, and Wilfried Zaha will be hoping to break into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans.
Crystal Palace’s top scorer Marouane Chamakh returns after missing the past four games with a hamstring injury. Palace’s only other injury concern is Dwight Gayle. The striker will miss out this weekend due to an ankle injury.
Hull v Swansea (kick off 15:00)
George Boyd is back from his three-match suspension but keeper Allan McGregor remains on the casualty list with a bruised kidney and broken ribs. Steve Harper will deputise again.
Swansea are reporting no fresh injury worries and there should be a full-strength squad heading to Hull on Saturday. Swansea have been in great form over the past couple of weeks so expect very little personnel change from last week.
Newcastle v Manchester United (kick off 15:00)
Newcastle’s injury list continues to lengthen. Moussa Sissoko is out with a problem hamstring while already on the casualty list are Tim Krul, Mathieu Debuchy and Loic Remy. Sammy Ameobi is back training but his comeback game will be next week.
Manchester United’s squad is returning to full-strength with Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Alex Buttner, Juan Mata and Patrice Evra all included on the team bus. Robin van Persie is still out with a knee injury while there are doubts hanging over Ryan Giggs (hamstring) and Rafael (thigh) – that pair will face fitness tests but are not expected to pass.
Norwich v WBA (kick off 15:00)
Norwich defender Joseph Yobo will undergo a fitness test on his calf but already passed by the physio is Michael Turner after a recent hamstring injury. Long-term absentees Elliott Bennett and Leroy Fer are continuing to work their way back to full fitness.
Saido Berahino has been included in West Brom’s squad despite some unrest in the dressing room last weekend. Jonas Olsson has served his two-match ban but Chris Brunt is a definite absentee (knee). Claudio Yacob, Billy Jones and Victor Anichebe are all nearing match fitness but will be excluded from this game.
Chelsea v Stoke (kick off 17:30)
Chelsea’s squad will be bolstered by the return of Ashley Cole, Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah but Samuel Eto’o is out with a hamstring injury. Ramires is banned for this game and long-term casualty Marco van Ginkel remains out (knee).
Stoke’s Jonathan Walters is back from a suspension but definitely ruled out are Robert Huth and Oussama Assaidi (both knee).
Sunday 06th April 2014
Barclays Premier League
Everton v Arsenal (kick off 13:30)
Everton should have Ross Barkley in their matchday squad for the early Sunday kick off against Arsenal. He has a calf problem but it’s thought he’ll be passed fit. However, Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar will both miss out.
Arsenal welcome back Aaron Ramsey from a thigh injury and he could feature in his first game for the Gunners in 2014. Kieran Gibbs is carrying an ankle knock and may be omitted but Nacho Monreal is okay after a foot injury. Laurent Koscielny and Serge Gnabry are both definte absentees, and will be left in London alongside Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby.
West Ham v Liverpool (kick off 16:00)
West Ham will be buoyed by the return of captain Kevin Nolan for the visit of title challengers Liverpool. He was carrying a minor back muscle problem but has been passed fit. George McCartney is a certain absentee with a hamstring problem, along with Joey O’Brien (shoulder) and Marco Boriello (calf).
Liverpool defender Jose Enrique is out for the remainder of the season (knee) and is boss Brendan Rodgers only major injury concern. Raheem Sterling was used last weekend instead of Joe Allen and will give Rodgers something to think about as he sends his team out to gain another vital three points.
