Barclays Premier League
Saturday 17th January
Aston Villa v Liverpool (kick off 15:00)
Aston Villa could give new signing Carles Gil his Premier League debut against Liverpool. Fabian Delph is also added to the match day sqaud after completing a three match ban but Ciaran Clark must sit this one out (suspended). Villa’s long-term casualties remain Libor Kozak (leg), Philippe Senderos (thigh) and Ron Vlaar (knee).
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s tight hamstring problem has eased and he could be included in the team. Adam Lallana is also in line to feature after recovering from a thigh injury. Raheem Sterling is back on contention after being rested, while Jordan Ibe was recalled from a loan spell at Derby and will travel with the team for this game.
Burnley v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
Burnley will be sweating in hope that Kieren Trippier and Jason Shackell will be able to shrug off hamstring and calf problems repsectively, in time for Saturday’s kick off with Crystal Palace. Long-term absentees remain Kevin Long (knee), Stephen Ward (ankle) and Matt Taylor (Achilles).
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has a selection dilemma up front. He could hand a debut to new loan signing Yaya Sanogo, or fit-again Marouane Chamakh. Also in the sqaud is James McArthur who has recovered fully from a foot injury. Otherwise, Pardew has no fresh injury concerns.
Leicester v Stoke (kick off 15:00)
Leicester will be hoping the paperwork can be completed in time to give new recruit Andrej Kramaric his debut – he is awaiting international clearance to take up employment with the Foxes. Matty James is banned for this game and will watch from the stands alongsides Kasper Schmeichel, Matt Upson and Jeff Schlupp. Riyad Mahrez is away on international duty but Danny Drinkwater is back after a recent groin problem. However, Dean Hammond and Esteban Cambiasso will have fitness assessments prior to kick off on thier injuries.
Stoke should have Steven Nzonzi back in the fray for the trip to Filbert Street after a groin issue but Erik Pieters is a doubt with a groin strain. Victor Moses has fully shaken off a thigh injury and could get a start, but Mame Biram Diouf is away on international duty.
QPR v Manchester United (kick off 15:00)
QPR midfielder Nico Kranjcar is available for selection after shrugging off a minor thigh injury. However, Armand Traore is out with a toe injury and will watch from the stands alongside fellow crocked stars Sandro (knee) and Yun Suk-Young (ankle). Expect Adel Taraabt to be involved after featuring last weekend.
Manchester United should be able to field Robin van Persie. The forward has been diagnosed with a minor ankle problem that should be cleared up in time to make this game. Radamel Falcao and James Wilson are standing by just in case. Ashley Young is out with a hamstring strain and coming back into the fray are Rafael and Marcos Rojo after their respective injuries.
Swansea v Chelsea (kick off 15:00)
Swansea are Wilfried Bony-less for the visit of Chelsea. Bafetimbi Gomis has been told by Gerry Monk that he is the main goalgetter in the team. He’ll lead the line and will be supported by Nelson Oliveira. Jonjo Shelvey is absent serving the final instalment of his four-match ban and Ki Sung-yeung is representing his country. Coming back into the matchday squad is Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jefferson Montero.
Chelsea may opt to recall keeper Thibaut Courtois. He injured a finger on January 1st but appears to be ready for his comeback. Cesar Azpilicueta will stay at home nursing a groin strain but should be back next weekend.
Tottenham v Sunderland (kick off 15:00)
Spurs will recall several first teamers for the visit of Sunderland on Saturday. Emmanuel Adebayor will come back in for his first game since November, and he’ll be joined by Haryy Kane, Federico Fazio, Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris, who were all rested midweek. Definitely not involved this weekend are Erik Lamela and Ryan Mason, while Nabil Bentaleb is on international duty.
Jermain Defoe’s first task in Sunderland colours could be to score against his former club Spurs. The striker is in line to make his Black Cats debut this weekend, and he’s joined on the team bus by fit-again Steven Fletcher. Liam Bridcutt is suspended, Lee Cattermole is nursing a groin strain and Anthony Reveillere is still out with an Achilles problem.
Newcastle v Southampton (kick off 17:30)
Newcastle caretaker boss John Carver will be hoping his task of taking on in-form Southampton will be made slightly easier with the return of Mehdi Abeid, Siem de Jong, Gabriel Obertan and Rolando Aarons – all four will be facing fitness tests but the outcome is not bright for them. Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse are away at the African Nations Cup while long-term absentees at the club are Jonas Gutierrez (testicular cancer), Rob Elliot (thigh), Jak Alnwick (shoulder), Steven Taylor (Achilles), Ryan Taylor (knee) and Adam Armstrong (foot).
Southampton are missing several first-teamers. Maya Yoshida, Sadio Mane and Emmanuel Mayuka are all away on international duty, while Victor Wanyama, Morgan Schneiderlin and Toby Alderweireld have all been ruled out of the long trip north with various injuries. They join Sam Gallagher and Jay Rodriguez on the treatment table.
Sunday 18th January
West Ham v Hull (kick off 13:30)
West Ham should have defensive duo Winston Reid and Guy Demel back in the fray after their recent injury woes. Definitely not involved on Sunday will be Diafra Sakho (back) and Cheikhou Kouyate, who is enjoying international action.
Hull could have strikers Sone Aluko and Gaston Ramirez both back in the squad for Sunday. The pair will face late fitness tests. Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez are both injured and will make way for the pair. Remaining on the casualty list are Andy Robertson, Liam Rosenior and Mohamed Diame.
Manchester City v Arsenal (kick off 16:00)
Manchester City will face Arsenal on Sunday without Samir Nasri. The playmaker has succumbed to a calf strain. The only other absentee is Yaya Toure, who is away on international duty. Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko are all included in the matchday sqaud.
