Barclays Premier League
Saturday 20th December
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (kick off 12:45)
Manchester City are in a strange position in that they’ll be missing their captain Vincent Kompany and all their recognised strikers. Kompany is suffering with a hamstring strain while Sergio Aguero (knee), Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) and Edin Dzeko (calf) have all been ruled out. Expect Jose Angel Pozo to get the nod up front supported by Samir Nasri or David Silva.
Crystal Palace have a forward problem of their own with Maraoune Chamkh out with a hamstring strain. Adrian Mariappa is back after a knee problem but Joe Ledley’s hip wis keeping him far from the action.
Aston Villa v Manchester United (kick off 15:00)
Aston Villa have three players suspended for the visit of in-form Manchester United. Tom Cleverley, Alan Hutton and Kieran Richardson are all serving bans while on the injury list are Ashley Westwood (knee), Joe Cole (hamstring), Philippe Senderos (calf) and Nathan Baker (knee). Recent injury victims Ron Vlaar and Fabian Delph are both available for selection.
Manchester United travel with the ill Marouane Fellaini. Radamel Falcao is nearing full fitness and may claim a seat on the bench, while Angel di Maria is in a similar position. However, certain to feature are Luke Shaw (ankle), midfielder Daley Blind (knee) and centre-backs Chris Smalling (groin) and Marcos Rojo (thigh).
Hull v Swansea (kick off 15:00)
Hull will entertain Swansea without crocked trio Michael Dawson (hamstring tear), Tom Huddlestone (banned) and Mohamed Diame (knee). On-loan Hatem Ben Arfa is on his way out of the club and will not feature again for the Tigers while Robert Snodgrass is a long-term casualty.
Swansea are reporting a fully fit squad for the trip to Hull with keeper Lukasz Fabianski back a ban. Also coming back is Federico Fernandez, who has shaken off a calf problem.
QPR v WBA (kick off 15:00)
QPR can welcome back top scorer Charlie Austin to their starting XI once again as the striker has completed his ban. Steven Caulker is also back in the matchday squad after recovering from a head injury sustained at the club Christmas party. Mauricio Isla is back in his native Chile to witness the birth of his child while the long-term casulty list contains the names of Sandro and Alejandro Faurlin.
West Brom skipper Chris Brunt is back after recent hamstring problem but Victor Anichebe is a major doubt with a groin strain. Georgios Samaras has spent the week in Greece for personal reasons and therefore hasn’t trained. He may be left on the bench at best while Jonas Olsson is out after a recent Achilles operation.
Southampton v Everton (kick off 15:00)
The Southampton has been hit with several absentees ahead of their clash with Everton. Amongst those sidelined are Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Dusan Tadic, Florin Gardos, Jake Hesketh, Jay Rodriguez, Sam Gallagher and Jack Cork. Graziano Pelle and Steven Davis will face fitness tests on minor problems while Harrison Reed could make his Premier League debut. Several of the Saints’ U-21 squad have been called up to strengthen the matchday squad.
Everton striker Kevin Mirallas will be absent for the trip to the south coast with ankle ligament damage. Leon Osman is not likely to make the trip either with some ankle problems while Darron Gibson and James McCarthy will face late tests on knee and hamstring problems respectively. However, Gareth Barry returns from a suspension.
Tottenham v Burnley (kick off 15:00)
Emmanuel Adebayor has return to Spurs after a spell of compassionate leave but is lacking fitness so will be confined to the substitute bench. Otherwise, Spurs are reporting no other major absentees so are at pretty much full strength.
Burnley striker Sam Vokes is back training after a lengthy absence but this game comes too soon for him. Ben Mee has fully recovered from an illness while definitely missing out will be Michael Duff, Matt Taylor, and Stephen Ward.
West Ham v Leicester (kick off 15:00)
An Achilles problem will likely keep Mark Noble from featuring in West Ham’s clash with Leicester, though the midfielder should be back for the first game after Christmas. It is being reported that Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho will lead the Hammers’ line.
Leicester face West Ham without keeper Kasper Schmeichel after he broke a metatarsal last week. David Nugent is back after a calf problem but this game comes too soon for Matt Upson as he works his way back to full fitness following a serious foot injury.
Sunday 21st December
Newcastle v Sunderland (kick off 13:30)
Jak Alnwick has fully recovered from a shoulder knock to take his place between the Newcastle sticks on Sunday. Tim Krul is still out with an ankle injury, and will watch from the stands alongside Rob Elliot (thigh). Rated doubtful for the derby are Papiss Cisse (virus), Cheick Tiote and Sammy Ameobi and all three will face fitness tests on various ailments. Darly Janmaat returns from a ban.
Sunderland’s Italy international Emanuele Giaccherini could make the fray after a recent ankle injury and will face a late fitness test. However, definitely missing out will be Billy Jones (hamstring) and Patrick van Aanholt (dislocated shoulder).
Liverpool v Arsenal (kick off 16:00)
Liverpool will definitely be without the injured Glen Johnson, and could also face the Gunners without Dejan Lovren. The centre back is carrying a groin strain. Mario Balotelli is suspended for this game and Joe Allen is likely to be included in the matchday squad.
Arsenal again travel with a lengthy casualty list to contend with. Laurent Koscielny (calf), Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), David Ospina (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (thigh) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are all definitely ruled out but Calum Chambers returns from a ban. Facing fitness tests on Sunday morning are Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nacho Monreal.
