Saturday 29th March 2014
Barclays Premier League
Manchester United v Aston Villa (kick off 12:45)
In good news for Manchester United, captain Nemanja Vidic returns and will help to shore up the defence, but some heavyweights are missing including Robin van Persie, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans.
Aston Villa will probably be forced to face Manchester United without Karim el Ahmadi. The winger is struggling with a thigh problem and will undergo a fitness test but is not expected to pass. Adreas Weimann suffered a dead leg last weekend but has recovered and is available for selection.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea (kick off 15:00)
Crystal Palace are struggling for firepower ahead of the visit of table toppers Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. Both Maraoune Chamakh and Dwight Gayle are still missing so expect Glenn Murray and Cameron Jerome to be involved up front. In good news, Barry Bannan is back from ill;ness and should be restored to the Palace midfield.
A hamstring problem will keep Samuel Eto’o away from Selhurst Park as the Chelsea look to cement their place at the summit of the Premier League.Willian returns from his one-match ban but Ramires will be missing for two more games through suspension. Ashley Cole is struggling with a knee injury and remins out while Marco van Ginkel continues his rehabilitation from a knee problem.
Southampton v Newcastle (kick off 15:00)
Southampton are attempting to cope with a lengthy injury list with Jay Rodriguez (knee), Morgan Schneiderlin (hip muscles), Victor Wanyama (leg) and Steven Davis (groin) all rated as doubtful. Definite absentees are Nathaniel Clyne (groin), Kelvin Davis (hip) and Maya Yoshida (knee) are definitely absent, with Yoshida’s return date penciled in for late April.
Newcastle keeper Tim Krul is out of the long trip south and faces several weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. Davide Santon has recovered from tonsilitis and is available for selection but Mathieu Debuchy (groin), Sammy Ameobi (ankle) and Loic Remy (calf), remain on the sidelines.
Stoke v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Stoke will be without on-loan winger Oussama Assaidi due to a knee injury and will watch from the sidelines alongside the suspended Jonathan Walters. Stephen Ireland is back in the matchday squad and Erik Pieters is available for selection again after recovering from a minor knock.
Hull keeper Allan McGregor is out for the season (kidney damage) so expect Steve Harper to deputise. Otherwise, Hull have no major concerns.
Swansea v Norwich (kick off 15:00)
Swansea are at virtual full-strength as they welcome Norwich to south Wales. Michu and Wilfried Bony are both back in the squad after minor knocks as Swansea aim to pull even further clear of the relegation zone.
Norwich can call on Michael Turner for the first time since January 1st as the central defender has shaken off a hamstring strain. Jonas Gutierrez also returns to the matchday squad. This game comes too soon for Elliott Bennett – he’s back in training following a recent knee injury but definitely ruled out is Leroy Fer, who is carrying a hamstring injury.
WBA v Cardiff (kick off 15:00)
West Brom will delay naming their starting XI until Victor Anichebe has undergone a fitness test on his hamstring. Gareth McAuley (ankle) should be fit, while Morgan Amalfitano and Diego Lugano (both knee) are back in training and could feature, but Claudio Yacob, Billy Jones (both hamstring) and Chris Brunt (knee) are definite absentees. Jonas Olsson completes a two-match ban.
Cardiff hope winger Craig Noone will be available for the relegation scrap against West Brom after he failed a fitness test last weekend. It is hoped he will be involved this weekend but expect Ole Gunnar Solksjaer to stick with the same starting XI as last week.
Arsenal v Manchester City (kick off 17:30)
Arsenal will again be without centre-half Laurent Kosielny. while Aaron Ramsey is still working his way back to full fitness. Nacho Monreal is back in training following a foot problem but this game comes too soon for the full-back.
Germany international Mesut Ozil (hamstring) remains out, alongside Jack Wilshere (foot), Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby (both knee).
Title chasing Manchester City will be without Sergio Aguero for the trip to London as the striker is carrying a hamstring injury. David SIlva will be okay to play after picking up a minor knock midweek.
Sunday 30th March 2014
Barclays Premier League
Fulham v Everton (kick off 13:30)
Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou will miss the clash with Everton because of a knee problem. Scott Parker is out with a similar complaint but Ashkan Dejagah returns after a minor muscle issue. Damien Duff is out for the rest of the season because of a knee problem.
Everton captain Phil Jagielka will travel with the squad on Sunday but he is carrying a hamstring injury and he will face a fitness test close to kick off. Steven Pienaar remains on the casualty list with a knee cartilage problem.
Liverpool v Tottenham (kick off 16:00)
Liverpool’s push to remain in the title race wuill be helped by the fact that only Jose Enrique is out as Spurs come to Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Brendan Rodgers has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt for Spurs with a gash on his heel. He’ll have to endure a fitness test to see whether his heel can withstand a full 90 minutes. Kyle Walker is carrying a groin strain and will miss out while Erik Lamela, Etienne Capoue and Vlad Chiriches remain absentees.
