Barclays Premier League
Saturday 8th November
Liverpool v Chelsea (kick off 12:45)
After fielding a weakened side in the Champions League midweek, Liverpool are expected to recall the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday. However, with Mario Balotelli coming under criticism recently for his performances, Fabio Borini, who impressed midweek, could hold on to his spot.
Chelsea will give a start to striker Diego Costa, despite the Spain international carrying a long-term hamstring problem. Loic Remy and John Obi Mikel are back in the matchday squad after recent minor knocks while Cesar Azpilicueta has completed a suspension.
Burnley v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Burnley can welcome back Steven Reid after a recent groin injury. Matt Taylor is back in training following an Achilles problem but this game comes too soon for him, while Sam Vokes continues his rehab from a knee injury.
Hull’s injured parties remain the same meaning Allan McGregor, Steve Harper, Micheal Dawson, Alex Bruce, Robert Snodgrass and Nikica Jelavic will all miss out on the trip to Burnley. Eldin Jakupovic will continue in goal while Gaston Ramirez returns to the squad after being ineligible to play last weekend.
Manchester United v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is facing a defensive crisis. Among those nursing injuries are Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans. Expect Michael Carrick to fill in at centre back alongside either Paddy McNairor Tyler Blackett. Rafael is carrying a hamstring strain and will face a fitness test but definitely missing will be Radamel Falcao (leg).
Crystal Palace will be skipper-less for the trip to Old Trafford. Mile Jedinak is serving a one-match ban, and will watch from afar alongside Wilfried Zaha, who is on loan at Palace from Manchester United. Damien Delaney is back in the matchday squad following illness.
Southampton v Leicester (kick off 15:00)
Southampton have been pretty much injury-free this season and that has seen the Saints climb to a second second in the table. Boss Ronald Koeman has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of Leicester on Saturday with duo James Ward-Prowse (foot) and Jay Rodriguez (knee) sitting it out. Sadio Mane impressed as a substitute last weekend and could get a starting berth.
Leonardo Ulloa is set to return to the Leicester starting XI after fully recovering from a groin strain. Matthew Upson is still nursing a foot injury and again misses out.
West Ham v Aston Villa (kick off 15:00)
West Ham will be boosted by the return of Diafra Sakho as the Hammers entertain Aston Villa. He’s shrugged off a shoulder injury while Andy Carroll is also in contention again after competing without complications in a friendly midweek following a lengthy absence. Winston Reid suffered a dead leg last weekend but should be okay to play but Guy Demel remains on the treatment table with a dodgy thigh.
ASton Villa’s Christian Benteke is banned for three matches after being sent off last weekend, and he’ll likely be replaced by Gabrial Agbonlahor, who is coming back from injury. Philippe Senderos is making a comeback from injury too, and he’s been included in the matchday squad. Remaining on the absentee list are Fabian Delph (shoulder) and Alan Hutton (ankle).
QPR v Manchester City (kick off 17:30)
Queens Park Rangers will be buoyed by the return of a trio of stars. Joey Barton, Nedum Onouha and Jordon Mutch all come back into the fray following their recent injuries. However, Rio Ferdinand is beginning a three-match suspension following comments made on Twitter. Alejandro Faurlin remains a long-term casualty with a cruciate ligament injury.
A calf injury will keep Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany out of action against QPR. Frank Lampard is back in contention after recovering from a thigh problem but definite absentees are David Silva (knee) and Aleksandar Kolarov (calf).
Sunday 9th November
Sunderland v Everton (kick off 13:30)
Jack Rodwell has made good progress from a minor knock and should be fit to feature for Sunderland against his former club Everton. Lee Cattermole is banned while Patrick van Aanholt will be missing with a dislocated shoulder. Expect Wes Brown to fill in at the back.
The Everton physio will put Seamus Coleman and Gareth Barry through their paces in order to prove their fitness. However, definitely absent will be Kevin Mirallas (hamstring), Bryan Oviedo, Arouna Kone (both match fitness), Antolin Alcaraz (shoulder) and John Stones (ankle)
Tottenham v Stoke (kick off 13:30)
The Spurs physio will be putting both Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor through fitness tests on Sunday morning. Both were complaing of tight hamstrings on Thursday and weren’t risked in the Europa League. Kyle Walker (abdomen) and Nabil Bentaleb (ankle) continue to occupy the casualty list.
Stoke should have a quartet of injured players jostling for starting berths. Peter Crouch, Phil Bardsley, Marc Muniesa and Marko Arnautovic are all fit enough to feature at White Hart Lane. However, definitely not making the trip will be Dionatan Teixeira (broken foot), Robert Huth (calf), Glenn Whelan (broken leg) and Peter Odemwingie (knee).
WBA v Newcastle (kick off 13:30)
West Brom will be missing Achilles victim Jonas Olsson and Silvestre Varela, who is still recovering from a groin operation. Craig Gardner is suspended for this game, while Brown Ideye, who was omitted from the squad last week, should be recalled.
Newcastle midfielder Gabriel Obertan teared a thigh muscle and faces up to two months on the sidelines. Rolando Aarons is also out with a minor knock, while Papiss Cisse may not be involved after complications following his surgery on a fractured kneecap. Definite absentees are Cheick Tiote (calf) and Mike WIlliamson (muscle strain).
Swansea v Arsenal (kick off 16:00)
Swansea’s Jonjo Shelvey is suspended for the second time this season so expect Tom Carroll to fill in. Jordi Amat and Leon Britton are back in the matchday squad following recent injuries but may only get seats on the bench.
Arsenal have a lengthy injury list to contend with but are boosted by the return of Jack Wilshere from illness. Mikel Arteta has been added to the Gunners’ casualty list with a hamstring problem but Theo Walcott is fit to start. On the Gunners’ physio table are Laurent Koscielny (Achilles), Mesut Ozil (knee), Olivier Giroud (foot), Yaya Sanogo (hamstring), Mathieu Debuchy (ankle), David Ospina (thigh) and Abou Diaby (calf).
