Saturday 15th March 2014
Barclays Premier League
Hull v Manchester City (kick off 12:45)
Hull strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long were cup-ties last weekend but come back into contention for the visit of Manchester City. Expect them to start up front in place of Matty Fryatt and Sone Aluko. Hull boss Steve Bruce will be hoping his side can take three points as they aim to secure their Premier League status for another year.
Everton v Cardiff (kick off 15:00)
Phil Jagielka has been missing from Everton’s defence for a fortnight now but he’ll be facing a fitness test ahead of the Cardiff clash on his hamstring. He’ll be joined by Steven Pienaar who suffered a knock last weekend. Keeper Tim Howard will regain his place in goal after being rested last weekend.
Cardiff’s Spanish defender Juan Carlos is back in the squad after a stomach bug while centre-back Ben Turner is a major doubt due to a niggly knock.
Fulham v Newcastle United (kick off 15:00)
Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah will have to face a fitness test before he can feature against Newcastle. Georgios Karagounis is a definite absentee with a muscle strain while Scott Parker’s knee is keeping him on the sidelines, but Damien Duff will be out for the rest of the season (knee).
Newcastle must travel to Craven Cottage without top scorer Loic Remy. He’ll be out for three games or so, roughly the same amount of games as full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who’s suffering with a groin problem. Fabricio Coloccini is back in the squad after some time off on compassionate leave, the same reason whhy Hatem Ben Arfa is currently out of the squad. Rob Elliot and Davide Santon are both ruled out with knee problems.
Southampton v Norwich (kick off 15:00)
Jack Cork will miss Southampton’s next few games due to an ankle injury but should be back in early April. Kelvin Davis and Victor Wanyama are both carrying minor knocks and will undergo fitness tests close to kick off.
Norwich are reporting no new injuries ahead of their trip to the south coast but will not be able to call upon Jonas Guttierrez, Michael Turner, Elliott Bennett and Leroy Fer, who are all working their way back to full fitness.
Stoke v West Ham (kick off 15:00)
Stoke will be without the banned Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters. both are serving three match bans. Oussama Assaidi is carrying a knee injury but may be involved but centre back robert Huth is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Andy Carroll has been passed fit to start up front for West Ham but fellow striker Marco Barriello has been ruled out with a calf injury.Joey O’Brien’s shoulder is keeping him on the treatment table while Antonio Nocerino and Pablo Armero, who are both seeking their debuts, could feature.
Sunderland v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
Sunderland are at near full-strength for the visit of Crystal Palace. Wes Brown and Craig Gardner are back in the squad after recent injuries while Jozy Altidore, Valentin Roberge and El-Hadji Ba all return too. Kieren Westwood is Sunderland’s only absentee with a long-term shoulder injury.
Crystal Palace must manage without top scorer Marouane Chamakhw ho is out with a hasmtring strain. Glenn Murray will deputise.
Swansea City v WBA (kick off 15:00)
Swansea could use Michu again after an absence of three months. The striker has been out with an ankle injury. However, Jonjo Shelvey and Kyle Bartley are definitely out with hamstring problems but Michel Vorm is back after an illness. Pablo Hernandez must face a fitness test on a hamstring problem before being cleared to play.
West Brom are struggling with a lengthy injury list. Steven Reid (knee), Claudio Yacob (hamstring) and captain Chris Brunt (knee) are all missing and join Diego Lugano and Billy Jones on the sidelines. Nicolas Anelka begins a five match ban but allegedly announced on Friday night that he would be leaving WBA with immediate effect.
Aston Villa v Chelsea (kick off 17:30)
Aston Villa left back Ryan Bertrand is on loan from Chelsea and is not eligible to face his parent club. Joe Bennett or Antonio Luna will fill in. Long-term injured Jores Okore and Charles N’Zogbia remain out.
Fernando Torres should be declared fit as his groin problem suffered in the warm-up last weekend was not as bad as initially feared. Chelsea defenders David Luiz and Ashley Cole remain on the casualty list.
Sunday 16th March 2014
Barclays Premier League
Manchester United v Liverpool (kick off 13:30)
Nani returns to the Machester United matchday squad after shrugging off a hamstring problem. He could be joined by Javier Hernandez and Jonny Evans who are both ready for a return from thier repsective injuries.
Liverpool welcome back Lucas Leiva into their squad for the important trip to Old Trafford. A knee injury kept the Brazlian out for some time, while a hamstring injury ws keeping Mamadou Sakho out but he too is ready to feature. Raheem Stirling could be involved from the start after impressing in the Reds last match.
Tottenham v Arsenal (kick off 16:00)
Spurs will be facing Arsenal without skipper Michael Dawson, who is carrying a hamstirng injury, while a pelvic problem will prevent Kyle Walker from running out against the Gunners. Danny Rose is getting closer to match fitness and may be handed a starting berth while Mouse Dembele is also available for selection again. However, Etienne Capoue (ankle), Erik Lamela and Vlad Chiriches (both back) all remain sidelined.
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil will be missing for at least three weeks due to a hamstring tear. Wojciech Szczesny is back from a ban, while Nacho Monreal, Yaya Sonogo and Kim Kallstrom could all be involved too. However, Kieran Gibbs (calf) remains a doubt, Aaron Ramsey (thigh) is still a couple of weeks away from full fitness, while Jack Wilshere (foot), Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby (both knee) remain out.
