Barclays Premier League
Saturday 13th December
Burnley v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
Burnley’s Wales striker Sam Vokes is still carrying a knee problem and won’t be considered for selection this weekend despite playing a full 90 minutes for the development squad midweek. He joins Michael Duff (calf), Stephen Ward (ankle) and Matt Taylor (Achilles) on the sidelines.
Southampton can once again call upon the services of Toby Alderweireld and James Ward-Prowse. Both are fit again after shrugging off their repsective injuries. However, the Saints will travel without influential duo Morgan Schneiderlin (groin) and Jay Rodriguez (knee).
Chelsea v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Chelsea keeper Thibault Courtois has suffered a minor injury forcing him to sit this one out – Petr Cech will deputise, making his first appearance of the season. Cesc Fabregas is suspended for this one, and expect those rested midweek to all return to the Blue starting XI.
Hull are thought to be considering recalling Curtis Davies after the club captain was dropped for the last two matches. Gaston Ramirez returns from a ban but it is being reported that Hatem Ben Arfa will not feature.
Crystal Palace v Stoke (kick off 15:00)
Damien Delaney is in line to return to the Crystal Palace starting XI after fully recovering from a calf injury. Meanwhile, Jason Puncheon will be hoping he has recovered from an illness, but Joe Ledley (hip) and Adrian Mariappa (knee) are both definite absentees.
Stoke defender Marc Muniesa is carrying a hamstring injury and he is a major doubt. Expect him to be replaced by either Marc Wilson or Robert Huth, who are both returning from injury. Jonathan Walters has a niggly knee problem but it is thought he will feature. However, definitely ruled out are injured quartet Steve Sidwell, Peter Odemwingie, Victor Moses and Dionatan Teixeira.
Leicester v Manchester City (kick off 15:00)
Leicester will be without broken metatarsal victim Kasper Schmeichel for the six weeks. Expect Ben Hamer to deputise but it is thought the club will sign a replacement when the transfer window opens. Wes Morgan is back from a ban, while Ritchie De Laet has recovered from illness. Matt Upson is nearly ready to resume first team training after a long lay off with a foot injury. Dean Hammond is back training after a calf problem but this game comes too soon for him. However, Leonardo Ulloa is back to bolster the squad after a leg injury.
Vincent Kompany is set to return to skipper the Manchester City side travelling to Leicester on Saturday after successfully overcoming a hamstring strain. Yaya Toure will also return after a European ban, and David Silva is also hoping to shrug off a knee problem in time. Sergio Aguero is on the long-term casualty list after damaging his knee last weekend.
Sunderland v West Ham (kick off 15:00)
Steven Fletcher has been working hard to get back to full fitness after a back injury but he is ready to take a starting berth against West Ham on Saturday afternoon.Also coming back into the fray is Sebastien Coates after being ineligible last weekend, but definitely missing out for the Black Cats are Emanuele Giaccherini (ankle) and Billy Jones (hamstring).
West Ham will travel without their Premier League record appearance holder Mark Noble. The midfielder is bogged down with a troublesome Achilles. However, up front, Sam Allardyce has plenty of fit forwards to choose from. He must decide which of Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho, Carlton Cole or Mauro Zarate should feature.
WBA v Aston Villa (kick off 15:00)
West Brom skipper Chris Brunt has failed to shake off a hamstring strain sustained last weekend and he’ll be omitted from the matchday squad to face Aston Villa. Saido Berahino will be recalled to the starting XI after being dropped last week while Claudio Yacob is back from ban. Jonas Olsson has had an operation on his Achilles and will miss out for some time.
Aston Villa should be able to call upon Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph for the short trip to the Hawthorns. Both have recovered from calf and shoulder injuries respectively. A bruised foot means Tom Cleverley may not be involved but Andi Weimiann returns from a ban. On the absentee list are Ashley Westwood, Philippe Senderos, Nathan Baker and Joe Cole.
Arsenal v Newcastle (kick off 17:30)
Aaron Ramsey’s hamstring is causing the midfielder hassle, and he’ll miss the visit of Newcastle on Saturday evening. He is the latest name to be added to a lengthy casualty list at the Emirates which includes Laurent Koscielny (calf), Nacho Monreal (ankle), Calum Chambers (suspended), Mikel Arteta (calf), Theo Walcott (groin), Mesut Ozil (knee), goalkeeper David Ospina (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf) and Jack Wilshere.
Newcastle travel in high spirits after last weekend’s victory over Chelsea and they should be able to keep Fabricio Coloccini in the team. He’s carrying a hamstring injury but will be given every chance of proving his fitness. Daryl Janmaat has recovered from a minor injury but Moussa Sissoko and Steven Taylor will miss out due to suspension. Rolando Aarons is out until January with a hamstring strain.
Sunday 14th December
Manchester United v Liverpool (kick off 13:30)
A hamstring problem will keep Angel di Maria out of the Manchester United squad that faces Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. However, both Phil Jones and Rafael return after recent injuries. However, on the casualty list this weekend are Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Chris Smalling.
Liverpool could call upon Mario Balotelli for the vital trip to Old Trafford. The striker is back in training and will be given every chance to prove his fitness on Sunday morning. Adam Lallana will be involved despite cracking two ribs a fortnight ago while Kolo Toure will also be in the matchday squad after recovering from a groin strain.
Swansea v Tottenham (kick off 16:00)
Swansea will be without suspended goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski – he’ll be replaced by German Gerhard Tremmel, who’ll be making his Premier League debut. Neil Taylor returns from a ban while Federico Fernandez is available for selection once again after recovering from a calf injury which kept him on the sidelines for six weeks.
Spurs travel to Wales without striker Emmanuel Adebayor – he’s returned to Togo for personal reasons on Thursday and has not returned. Any first teamers rested midweek will return to the fray while Eric Dier will also return after a minor toe injury.
