Saturday 22nd March 2014
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea v Arsenal (kick off 12:45)
Chelsea can welcome back Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah after the pair were ineligible for their European exploits midweek. However, the Blues will be without suspended duo Ramires and Willian, and Ashley Cole will not face his former club due to a knee injury.
Arsenal will be looking to mark manager Arsene Wenger’s 1,000th match in charge with a vital win at Stamford Bridge. tomas Rosicky will undergo a fitness test on a dodgy ankle but Mesut Ozil remains on the casualty list due to a hamstring problem. Aaron Ramsey is still out with a thigh problem while Jack Wilshere (foot), Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby (both knee) remain out.
Cardiff v Liverpool (kick off 15:00)
In what is a must-win match for relegation threatened Cardiff, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pretty much a fully fit squad to call upon.
This is a must-win game for Liverpool too, but for very different reasons. The Reds can rely on Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho as the pair came through last week’s victory at Old Trafford unscathed.
Everton v Swansea (kick off 15:00)
Everton could be without their skipper Phil Jagielka. The defender is carrying a hamstring injury and has been rated as ’50-50′ for the visit of Swansea. Steven Pienaar has a knee cartilage problem and will be out the rest of the month at least.
Swansea star striker Michu made a substitute appearance last week and could be in line for a start at Goodison Park. Jonjo Shelvey has made great progress from a hamstring problem and will feature. Nathan Dyer will also be involved after he recovered from a heel problem.
Hull v WBA (kick off 15:00)
Hull will entertain West Brom without George Boyd. The winger is beginning a three-match suspension as manager Steve Bruce enjoys a week with no new injury worries.
On the other hand, West Brom have quite a lengthy casualty list. Jonas Olsson is the newest member on the list as the defender begins a two-match ban. Chris Brunt is out with a knee problem giving the captaincy to Gareth McAuley. Diego Lugano, Billy Jones, Claudio Yacob and Morgan Amalfitano are all sidelined.
Manchester City v Fulham (kick off 15:00)
Manchester city must manage without top scorer Sergio Aguero and skipper Vincent Kompany. Aguero is struggling with a hamstring strain while Kompany is suspended. Matija Nastasic (knee) is likely to be out at least another fortnight but striker Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) is back in the fray.
Kostas Mitroglou is still out for Fulham with a knee injury while winger Ashkan Dejagah is a definite absentee with a muscle injury. A knee injury is keeping Scott Parker on intimate terms with the physio, while Damien Duff remains a long-term casualty and may not be seen again this season.
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
Newcastle, who will have manager Alan Pardew sitting in the stands, can welcome back attacking pair Sammy Ameobi and hatem Ben Arfa, who have both recovered from niggly injuries. Davide Santon has tonsillitis but has shaken off his recent knee injury. Rob Elliot (knee), Mathieu Debuchy (groin) and Loic Remy (calf) are definitely ruled out.
Crystal Palace could be lacking up front against Newcastle as forwards Maraoune Chamakh and Dwight Gayle are both ruled out with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. Barry Bannon has recovered from an illness and should feature while Danny Gabbidon should get a place on the substitute bench as he works his way back to full fitness.
Norwich v Sunderland (kick off 15:00)
Norwich have a few injuries keeping a few key members of the squad sidelined. Micheal Turner is recovering from a hamstring strain but this game comes too soon for the defender. Jonas Gutierrez played for the Canaries’ U-21 side midweek but is not expected to be involved on Saturday afternoon. Leroy Fer is out with a hamstring strain while Elliott Bennett is back training after seven months out but he won’t feature for a couple of weeks.
Sunderland travel without key striker Steven Fletcher due to an ankle injury. Sunderland’s only other absentee is keeper Keiren Westwood (shoulder).
West Ham v Manchester United (kick off 17:30)
West Ham welcome Manchester United to Upton Park without dislocated shoulder victim Joey O’Brien and calf strain victim Marco Boriello. Joe Cole is ready for a start after recovering from injury.
Manchester United’s title is slipping away fast and the Red Devils will be hoping to gain three points from this trip to London. Their cause will not be helped by the absence of Robin van Persie (knee). The striker is likely to be out for six weeks. Antonio Valencia suffered a black eye midweek and will be assessed prior to kick off, while Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are also facing fitness tests. Nemanja Vidic is suspended.
Sunday 23rd March
Barclays Premier League
Tottenham v Southampton (kick off 13:30)
Spurs will be strengthened by the return of Jan Vertonghen, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mouse Dembele and Younes Kaboul. However, Michael Dawson, Vlad Chiriches, Kyle Walker, Erik Lamela, Etienne Capoue, Paulinho and Hugo Lloris all missed out midweek and are unlikely to feature on Sunday.
Southampton will probably travel up to London without midfielders Morgan Schneiderlin and Guly do Prado. They join fellow midfielders Jack cork and Victor Wanyama on the sidelines leaving the Saints a little light across the middle of the pitch. Kelvin Davis is carrying a minot knock and will face a late fitness test.
Aston Villa v Stoke (kick off 16:00)
Aston Villa can welcome back Ryan Bertran to their matchday squad. Karim El Ahmadi is fit despite picking up a shin injury last weekend.
Stoke winger Oussama Assaidi has shaken off a knee injury and is available for selection. Erik Peters suffered a knock to the leg last weekend and will face a fitness test on Sunday afternoon. Robert Huth (knee) is out for the rest of the season and both Charlie Adam and Jon Walters are suspended. Stephen Ireland is not eligible for this game as a term of his transfer to Stoke from Villa.
