Saturday 03rd May 2014
Barclays Premier League
West Ham v Tottenham (kick off 12:45)
West Ham have lost their last four consecutive league games and will be hoping to stop the rot against London rival Spurs. The Hammers quest to end the season on a high will be helped by having only one player on the treatment table – that player is Marco Borriello, who has managed just two appearances since joining the club on loan in January. Otherwise, Sam Allardyce has a full squad to choose from.
Spurs travel across London without Andros Townsend. He had some ankle surgery this week and will be hobbling about for 10 weeks. Kyle Walker is also out due to a pelvis problem while Jan Vertonghen Etienne Capoue are back training after recent injuries but won’t be involved this weekend.
Aston Villa v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Aston Villa are still understrength with the likes of Christian Benteke, Libor Kozak, Charles N’Zogbia, Gary Gardner and Jores Okore all keeping the physio company. Joe Bennett is carrying an ankle injury which he received last weekend. He’ll be given every opportunity to prove his fitness but it doesn’t look good for the full back.
Steve Bruce nearly has a full squad to choose from for the trip to Villa Park. He’s expected to stick with Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic up front while Allan McGregor and Paul McShane will again miss out on joining up with the matchday squad.
Manchester United v Sunderland (kick off 15:00)
A tight groin could rule Wayne Rooney out of Manchester United’s clash with Sunderland. He’ll face a fitness test, as will fellow striker Robin van Persie, who is making good recovery from a knee injury. Ryan Giggs ruled himself out of the squad while there are doubts about Anders Lindegaard and Rafael being involved.
Sunderland aren’t far off having a full squad available. Long-term absentees remain Keiren Westwood and Steven Fletcher but Carlos Cuellar and Ki Sung-yueng are almost ready for a return to the fray.
Newcastle v Cardiff (kick off 15:00)
Newcastle will again be without striker Papiss Cisse (knee) but fellow striker Luuk de Jong returns to the fray after a minor ankle injury. Hatem Ben Arfa is fit but a rift with manager Alan Pardew means he probably won’t be included in the squad. Ryan Taylor is training again after knee ligament surgery but is lacking fitness.
Cardiff defender Juan Cala is suspended for the vital trip to Tyneside and expect Ben Turner to fill in. Otherwise, the Bluebirds are pretty much at full-strength for their must-win clash.
Stoke v Fulham (kick off 15:00)
Ever-present Ryan Shawcross will miss his first Premier League match of the season for Stoke against Fulham. The Potters captain is banned. Matthew Etherington, who is poised to leave the club during the summer, is back in the squad after a back problem while on-loan winger Oussama Assaidi must face a fitness test on his knee.
Fulham have record signing Kostas Mitroglou back on the team bus for the trip to Stoke after he completed a full week of training this week. However, Steve Sidwell could miss out on the game as the midfielder is struggling with a knee problem.
Swansea v Southampton (kick off 15:00)
Swansea may struggle to break down Southampton in their final home game of the season without injured duo Michu and Angel Rangel. Michu has been carrying an ankle inn ury for some time while a groin strain is hampering Rangel. However, Chico Flores returns from a ban to bolster the defence.
Rickie Lambert is suffering from a buttock injury and coiuld miss out for Southampton. Likewise, Morgan Schneiderlin has a touchy thigh problem and both will face fitness tests. Jay Rodriguez, Gaston Ramirez, Maya Yoshida and Kelvin Davis are all definite absentees.
Everton v Manchester City (kick off 17:30)
Everton should be able to start Phil Jagielka after a 10-week absence due to a hamstring strain. A similar complaint will prevent Sylvain Distin from taking part while Gareth Barry is ineligible to face his parent club. Steven Pienaar remains on the casualty list with a knee problem.
Manchester City can welcome back David Silva to their squad after the playmaker shrugged off a recent ankle injury. A similar ankle problem is keeping Jesus Navas on the sidelines. Matija Nastasic is still working his way back to full fitness (knee) and is the only other absentee.
Sunday 04th May 2014
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v WBA (kick off 13:30)
Arsenal may face West Brom without Bacary Sagna (knee), but definite absentees are Jack Wilshere (foot), Serge Gnabry (knee) and Theo Walcott (knee). Abou Diaby is carrying a groin injury and is not yet ready for action.
West Brom defender Gareth McAuley is back training but not primed for first team action just yet, while fellow defenders Liam Ridgewell and Zoltan Gera remain on the casualty list.
Chelsea v Norwich (kick off 16:00)
Back into Chelsea’s squad come Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel, Nemaja Matic and Mohamed Salah after the club’s midweek Champions League exploits. Ramires is still suspended for the Norwich clash, and Petr Cech is certain to miss out (shoulder). Quartet John Terry, Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o and Oscar are all carrying knocks and will face fitness tests prior to kick off.
Norwich should be able to welcome back Joseph Yobo for the trip to Stamford Bridge following a recent calf injury. Anthony Pilkington will miss out due to a hip complaint for the vital game in determining the Canaries’ Premier League survival.
