Saturday 18th January 2014
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland v Southampton (kick off 12:45)
Sunderland welcome Southampton to the Stadium of Light in great form having won all three of their last three games. To further boost their morale, they have no fresh injury concerns but striker Ji Dong-won has left the club for pastures new in Germany.Carlos Cuellar is still out with a hip injury and will resume training the week after next. Keiren Westwood is nursing his shoulder after surgery on it and will not be back training until next week at the earliest.
southampton make the arduous trip north without Victor Wanyama, who is out with a calf strain. Calum Chambers has an illness but should have made a full recovery. Dani Osvaldo is banned.
Arsenal v Fulham (kick off 15:00)
Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky had surgery on a broken nose and will be able to face Fulham albeit behind a protective mask. A foot injury is acasting doubt over Nacho Monreal’s participation in the clash, but definite absentees are Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Thoams Vermaelen. Nicklas Bendtner is nearing a return following an ankle injury, while the long-term absentees remain Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott and Yaya Sanongo.
Fulham may travel across London to face Arsenal without Fernando Amorebieta due to a knee problem, but Brede Hangeland could come back into the fray following a lengthy absence due to a back injury. Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg is a doubt with an ankle problem.
Crystal Palace v Stoke (kick off 15:00)
On-loan striker Cameron Jerome won’t be allowed to face his parent club for Crystal Palace. They’ll also have to face Stoke without Kagisho Dikgacoi, Jerome Thomas, Yannick Bolasie, Jack Hunt, Glenn Murray and Paddy McCarthy.
Kenwyne Jones will not be considered for selection for Stoke after some behind-the-scenes antics last week. However, his place in the squad could go to new loan recruit John Guidetti. Oussama Assaidi is back in the squad after not being allowed face parent club Liverpool last week while Jack Butland will remain in goal.
Manchester City v Cardiff (kick off 15:00)
Manchester City will field a stronger team on Saturday than faced Blackburn in the cup midweek with several first teamers who were rested coming back into the fray. However, Samir Nasri is still out with a knee problem, but Stevan Jovetic and Jack Rodwell are inching closer to full fitness.
Cardiff will make the daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium without Andrew Taylor and Jordan Mutch, who are both injured. Craig Bellamy should get a starting berth with new signings Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Mats Moller Daehli eager to make their debuts.
Norwich v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Jonas Gutierrez could make his Norwich debut on Saturday, while also coming into the reckoning are Alex Tettey and Anthony Pilkington, who return after long lay-offs. Already on the injury list are Michael Turner, Jonny Howson and Elliott Bennett.
Hull could have a brand new strike force on show in the shape of Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic – both having signed for the club this week. Paul McShane, Sone Aluko and Robbie Bradyare all on the casualty list while Gedo’s loan spell has finished and he has left the club.
West Ham v Newcastle (kick off 15:00)
Expect Andy Carroll to retain his place on the West Ham bench ahead of the visit of Newcastle to Upton Park. The England striker made a sub appearance midweek and is still building up his fitness. Guy Demel and Winston Reid have been ruled out of this clash, and James Tomkins and Kevin Nolan are both suspended.
Newcastle’s Mathieu Debuchy is banned and Fabricio Coloccini is still being plagued by a knee problem. Jonas Gutierrez has the club until the end of the season to join Norwich.
Liverpool v Aston Villa (kick off 17:30)
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge could be handed a starting berth after impressing at Stoke last weekend. Joe Allen and Mamadou Sakho are also back in contention but Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique and Jon Flanagan are all on the treatment table.
Aston Villa could field two new signings in the shape of Grant Holt and Ryan Bertrand. However, Nathan Baker is a definite absentee.
Sunday 19th January 2014
Barclays Premier League
Swansea v Tottenham (kick off 13:30)
Swansea are struggling with injuries with Jonathan de Guzman, Jose Canas, Nathan Dyer, Pablo Hernandez, Michel Vorm and Michu all residing on the treatment table. However, in good news, Dwight Tiendalli and Roland Lamah return from injury.
Sandro has been missing for Spurs for a month but it’s thought he could be fit enough to feature on Sunday. Andros Townsend could also make a return but definitely ruled out are Jan Vertonghen, younes Kaboul and Paulinho.
Chelsea v Manchester United (kick off 16:00)
Frank Lampard could make his Chelsea return after a calf problem but Branislav Ivanovic has been ruled out with a knee problem. New signing Nemanja Matic has been included in the squad but will not start.
Manchester United again travel without Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney. Rooney is struggling with a groin problem while van Persie will return to training next week after six weeks on the sidelines with a thigh strain.
