Barclays Premier League
Saturday 25th October
West Ham v Manchester City (kick off 12:45)
West Ham’s terrific season can continue with the help of James Tomkins and Cheikhou Kouyate, who both return from injury this weekend. Andy Carroll is on the comeback trail but will not feature this week. Remaining on the casualty list are Guy Demel, Joey O’Brien and James Collins.
Manchester City will be without Frank Lampard and Samir Nasri. Lampard is carrying a thigh injury sustained last weekend while Nasri is almost ready to return after groin surgery last month.
Liverpool v Hull (kick off 15:00)
Liverpool are still without injured striker Daniel Sturridge and it is thought that Mario Balotelli will keep his place in the starting XI instead of Rickie Lambert. Adam Lallana could get a starting berth after a positive performance in the Champions League midweek.
Hull’s injury list is lengthening. Goalkeepers Allan McGregor and Steve Harper are both carrying knocks so expect third choice stopper Eldin Jakupovic to be named in the starting XI. Nikica Jelavic (knee) and Michael Dawson (ankle) will be out for four to five weeks. Andy Robertson is out with a minor knock while Tom Huddlestone is also carrying a knock, but will play through the pain barrier.
Southampton v Stoke (kick off 15:00)
Southampton will stick with the same team that beat Sunderland 8-0 last weekend and have no serious injury worries to contend with as they seek to hold on to their Champions League spot in the table.
Stoke’s Glenn Whelan fractured his leg representing the Republic of Ireland last week and is facing six weeks on the sidelines. Full back Phil Bardsley has a back problem and will face a fitness test prior to kick off. However, coming back from injury are Robert Huth and Marco Arnautovic after their recent injuries.
Sunderland v Arsenal (kick off 15:00)
Sunderland could hand a debut to Anthony Reveillere, providing he is granted international clearance in time after spending the last fortnight on trial at the club. However, Sebastien Coates, Billy Jones, Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez are all on the casualty list.
Jack Wilshere is suspended for Arsenal while keeper Wojciech Szczesny returns from a ban of his own. Arsenal’s lengthy injury list consists of Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil, David Ospina, Yaya Sanogo, Abou Diaby, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, while Theo Walcott is almost ready for a return to first team action after a nine-month absence, but not this week.
WBA v Crystal Palace (kick off 15:00)
West Brom can once again call upon keeper Ben Foster. He missed last weekend’s game due to a calf injury but is fit this weekend. Jonas Olsson is out with an Achilles injury, Claudio Yacob is on compassionate leave while Silvestre Varela is recovering from groin surgery.
Crystal Palace must travel to the Hawthorns with the suspended Damien Delaney. James McArthur and Scott Dann will face fitness tests on Saturday morning on hip and knee injuries but are expected to be left out of the matchday squad.
Swansea v Leicester (kick off 17:30)
Swansea will be boosted by the return from suspension of Jonjo Shelvey. He’s likely to replace Tom Carroll in the Swans midfield. However, Swansea must contend with the absence of Leon Britton, Jordi Amat, Dqight Tiendalli, and Jazz Richards.
Leicester should be able to recall Riyad Mahrez after the winger missed out last week due to returning late from international duty. Leicester’s only main definite absentees are Matthew Upson and Zoumana Bakayogo and are otherwise at full strength.
Sunday 26th October
Burnley v Everton (kick off 13:30)
Burnley’s Dean Marney has been missing for the last three games but is almost ready for a return and will face a late fitness test. Steven Reid and Michael Keane have shrugged off their niggles and are available for selection. However, Matthew Taylor is still out with an Achilles problem.
Everton have no new injuries worries and can recall James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Steven Naismith and Leon Osman after their midweek European exploits. The Toffees injured parties remain Kevin Mirallas, John Stones, Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kona.
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle (kick off 13:30)
Spurs will host Newcastle without the banned Federico Fazio but Kyle Walker is a definite absentee after abdominal surgery. Nabil Bentaleb and Kyle Naughton have both been carrying knocks but could return on Sunday – they’ll face fitness tests prior to kick off.
Newcastle will be handing out several fitness assessments on Sunday morning. All carrying minor knocks and could feature are Papiss Cisse, Emmanuel Riviere, Mike Williamson, Paul Dummett, Cheick Tiote and Sammy Ameobi. Ryan Taylor is back after over two years in the injury wilderness but definitely missing out this week will be Rolando Aarons and Siem de Jong.
Manchester United v Chelsea (kick off 16:00)
In the game of the weekend, Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney will miss out due to suspension. Angel di Maria is fit again following a thigh strain but definitely not being considered for selection are Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia, Jesse Lindgard, Michael Carrick and Paddy McNair.
Diego Costa should be available for selection for Chelsea after a hamstring injury and illness, but Loic Remy will definitely miss out. Returning from injury are Andre Schurrle, John Obi Mikel and Ramires. Cesar Azpilicueta is banned.
