Barclays Premier League
Saturday May 16th
Southampton v Aston VIlla (kick off 12:45)
Southampton will be pleased to welcome back James Ward-Prowse after suspension. However, Dusan Tadic (groin) and Morgan Schneiderlin (knee) remain on the sidelines. Although Jay Rodriguez is back in full training after over a year out with anterior cruciate ligament damage, he’s not yet 100% fit enough to feature on Saturday.
Nathan Baker is back training at Aston Villa after a spell out with a knee injury but this game comes too soon for him. However, he should be okay to play some part in the FA Cup Final. Ciaran Clark remains out with a knee problem while Libor Kozak is out with a broken leg and a back problem.
Burnley v Stoke (kick off 15:00)
Sam Vokes is back in the Burnley squad for their final home game of the season. He has missed the last three games with a thigh problem but is fit to face Stoke. Long-term absentees remain Kevin Long and Dean Marney (both knee) and neither will be seen again until next season.
Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross underwent surgery on a minor knee problem and is likely to miss out on the trip to Burnley this Saturday. However, Marc Wilson is back after a ban while it is expected that Asmir Begovic will play in goal instead of Jack Butland.
QPR v Newcastle (kick off 15:00)
QPR will once again take to the field without Sandro – the midfielder is experiencing work visa issues. Rangers will also be without Adel Taatabt and Armand Traore as the pair are struggling for 100% fitness.
Newcastle have Daryl Janmaat back on the team bus after a ban but Mike Williamson is serving a suspension of his own. Papiss Cisse and Rolando Aarons have been passed fit after their recent injuries but Siem de Jong and Adam Armstrong have been added to a casualty list already containing the names of Rob Elliot, Steven Taylor, Cheick Tiote and Massadio Haidara.
Tottenham v Hull (kick off 15:00)
The White Hart Lane faithful will not see Vlad Chiriches and Emmanuel Adebayor on the field on Saturday as Spurs entertain Hull. Adebayor is sick, while Chiriches is suspended. However, Danny Rose is back in the fold after a groin problem, but occupying the physio’s table are Kyle Walker (foot) and Ben Davies (shoulder).
Hull may be able to recall Nikica Jelavic to their starting line-up as he has been declared 100% fit after recent injury. David Meyler may join him in the starting XI but definitely missing out will be Mohamed Diame and Gaston Ramirez, who will both be missing for the remainder of the season.
Sunderland v Leicester (kick off 15:00)
Sunderland will face Leicester without Jordi Gomez after the midfielder fractured his kneecap. He’ll be on the sidelines alongside Wes Brown who has encountered a setback on his road back from a knee injury. Jack Rodwell is also out (hamstring) but John O’Shea is available for selection after shaking off a knee injury. Emanuele Giaccherini is back in the squad for the first time since February after recovering fully from an ankle injury.
Leicester’s Matty James suffered cruciate knee ligament injury last week and won’t be seen again until 2016. He ill have surgery on Tuesday. Andy King is back after a hamstring strain but David Nugent has been ruled out with a calf injury.
West Ham v Everton (kick off 15:00)
It is being reported that West Ham will give Alex Song a start against Everton on Saturday afternoon after the midfielder proved his fitness in a substitute appearance last weekend. However, remaining on the long-term absentee list are Andy Carroll (knee) and Diafro Sakho (thigh).
Everton full-back Leighton Baines is out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury which required surgery this week. Expect Luke Garbutt to deputise. Steven Pienaar is out for the fifth game on the bounce with a muscle problem so Everton will probably be unchanged from last week. Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson and Tony Hibbert are the long-term casualties.
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (kick off 17:30)
Steven Gerrard will play alongside Jordan Henderson in Liverpool’s midfield for the final time at Anfield before his switch to play soccer in the USA. The Reds are unchanged from last weekend with Mario Balotelli and Mamadou Sakho both added to the squad.
Crystal Palace are at full strength for their trip to Anfield but boss Alan Pardew hinted that he may give several youngsters some vital Premier League experience.
Sunday May 17th
Swansea v Manchester City (kick off 13:30)
Swansea are being reported as ready to give Bafetimbo Gomis a start against Manchester City on Sunday after his explosive burst as a substitute against Arsenal last Monday. There are several players in the Swans squad carrying minor knocks and all will be given maximum time to recover. Angel Rangel is suffering with a hamstring strain so expect Jazz Richards to replace him.
Manchester City welcome back Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure into their squad after occupying sub spots last weekend. Samir Nasri remains City’s main absentee with a groin strain.
Manchester United v Arsenal (kick off 16:00)
Wayne Rooney will not feature at Old Trafford again this season after being ruled out with a dead leg. Michael Carrick (calf), Luke Shaw (head), and Andreas Pereira (international duty) are unavailable while Jonny Evans will face a fitness test on a minor knock.
A knee injury will keep former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck at home instead of leading Arsenal’s line. Aaron Ramsey is back in training after a leg injury and he has been passed fit to feature. However, Mikel Arteta (ankle), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring) and Mathieu Debuchy (hamstring) will all definitely miss out.
