Saturday 1st February 2014
Barclays Premier League
Newcastle United v Sunderland (12.45)
New Newcastle loan recruit Luuk de Jong will be thrown into the deep end on Saturday for the Derby clash with Sunderland. However, he likely to fill a space on the bench as he works his way towards full fitness.Both Papiss Cisse and Yoan Gouffran are doubts while Fabricio Coloccini is still out with a knee injury.
Sunderland’s new signing from Brighton Liam Bridcutt may get his debut and if Ignacio Scocco’s international clearance is processed in time, he’ll feature too. Skipper Lee Cattermole is out with a calf injury, while striker Steven Fletcher is struggling with an Achilles problem.
West Ham v Swansea (kick off 12:45)
West Ham’s new loan recruits Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello could both feature as both have proved their fitness. Fellow new recruit Abdul Razak is not in contention and Joey O’Brien (shoulder) is also ruled out, with George McCartney a potential replacement at full-back after recovering from a neck injury.
Swansea have virtually a full bill of health ahead of their trip to West Ham. However, Michel Vorm, Michu and Jose Canas are continuing their recoveries from various niggling injuries and should be available for selection next week.
Cardiff v Norwich (kick off 15:00)
Cardiff have strengthened their squad considerably in the transfer window and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could hand debuts to Fabio, Wilfried Zaha and Kenwyne Jones on Saturday. Skipper Mark Hudson is ruled out by a hamstring problem, but Jordon Mutch and Kevin Theophile-Catherine should be able to take a seat on the bench.
Noriwch’s Bradley Johnson is available for selection after his recent red card was quashed. Jonas Gutierrez is in line to make his Norwich debut after signing on loan last week, while fellow new recruit Joseph Yobo is waiting for a valid work permit. Elliott Bennett is still out with a major knee problem, while Michael Turner and Jonny Howson remain out for the next few weeks.
Everton v Aston Villa (kick off 15:00)
Romelu Lukaku is out for several weeks forcing Roberto Martinez to shuffle his Everton pack.New signing Lacina Traore is still more than a week away from being match ready meaning Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas are the likely starters up front. Gerard Deulofeu, Seamus coleman and Sylvain Distin are all on the sidelines.
Gabriel Agbonlahor will have a fitness test prior to kick off. The Aston Villa forward has a foot problem but should be okay to feature against Everton. There are a couple of other minor niggles in the squad but don’t expect many changes from the side which faced West Brom midweek.
Fulham v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
Fulham are hoping that new signing Lewis Holtby will receive clearance in time to feature against Southampton. His loan papers may not have been registered in time. John Arne Riise and Fernando Amorebieta will probably not feature while another new signing, Kostas Mitroglou, was signed after the deadline.
Rickie Lambert will give Southampton a boost by declaring himself fit for the trip to Craven Cottage.He was suffering with a hamstring problem which has now cleared up, and Victor Wanyama could also return. He fractured his leg but is now on the brink of a first team return. Ankle ligament injuries are keeping Dejan Lovren and Gaston Ramirez in the company of the club physio.
Hull v Tottenham (kick off 15:00)
Hull’s regular keeper Allan McGregor is banned so expect Steve Harper to start in goal. Robbie Brady is almost fully recovered from a groin injury and is available for selection. The same can be said for Maynor Figueroa while new signings Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long will make their home debuts. Stephen Quinn is the most likely deputy in midfield for Jake Livermore while this game comes too soon for Sone Aluko (Achilles).
Spurs can welcome back Jan Vertonghen, Younes Kaboul and Paulinho for the trip to Hull. Danny Rose’s recent red card was rescinded, while Erik Lamela, Sandro and Andros Townsend are all definite absentees.
Stoke v Manchester United (kick off 15:00)
Stoke’s Steven Nzonzi is banned for the visit of Manchester United. Peter Odemwingie and John Guidetti are in line for their home debuts.
Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney both made satisfactory returns from injury midweek but may not both be risked at Stoke. Marouane Fellaini is nearing a first team return while captain Nemanja Vidic is still banned.
Sunday 2nd February 2014
Barclays Premier League
WBA v Liverpool (kick off 13:30)
Nicolas Anelka will not face former club Liverpool. He has seven stitches in his knee following a clash in West Brom’s match midweek. He’ll be watching from the sidelines alongside Stephane Sessegnon (groin).
Liverpool will have Joe Allen back in their travelling squad afer a hamstring problem. However, Daniel Agger, Mamadou Sakho, Jose Enrique, Glen Johnson and Lucas Leiva are all unavailable due to injury.
Arsenal v Crystal Palace (kick off 16:00)
Mathieu Flamini is banned for Arsenal but Tomas Rosicky is available again after surgery on a broken nose. Jack Wilshere (ankle), Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Yaya Sanogo (back), Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott are all out.
New Crystal Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey will go straight in the travelling squad while Jonny Parr will be assessed close to kick off after a recent concussion. Midfielders Jerome Thomas and Kagisho Dikgacoi (calf) are still recovering, while forward Glenn Murray (knee) remains out.
