November 1

Everton v Fulham

The only team in the league yet to win at home this season, Everton host Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff with Lars Jacobsen – still out with a dislocated shoulder – their only concern. The visiting Cottagers will be without Seol Ki-Hyeon (knee), who joins Dickson Etuhu (thigh), Andranik Temymourian, and Diomansy Kamara (both knee) on the sidelines. Andrew Johnson returns to the club which sold him in the summer having opened his account for Fulham with a midweek double against Wigan, but Fulham’s away form – one point from four games – is hardly encouraging even given the Toffees struggles at Goodison Park.

Verdict: 2-1

Chelsea v Sunderland

Another day, another injury for Luis Felipe Scolari, who lost Ricardo Carvalho to thigh injury against Hull City in midweek. Joe Cole is also doubtful after injuring his ankle in the same game, while Didier Drogba (knee), Michael Ballack (foot), and Michael Essien (knee) remain out of action. Roy Keane has far fewer worries, although keepers Craig Gordon (ankle) and Darren Ward (back) are doubtful. The Mackems are expected to restore Kenwyne Jones to the starting lineup following the striker’s return from a knee injury last weekend, but expect a backlash from the Blues after Liverpool ended their 86-game home unbeaten run on Sunday.

Verdict: 2-0

Man Utd v Hull City

There will be no rest for the weary as far as surprise package Hull City are concerned, as they follow a humbling home defeat to Chelsea with a visit to the champions. Michael Carrick is vying for a start after returning from a foot problem in midweek, but fellow midfielders Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves are still unavailable with knee injuries, and defender Wes Brown (ankle) also misses out. Tigers boss Phil Brown has no new injury worries but skipper Ian Ashbee will miss the trip to Old Trafford through suspension due to yellow card accumulation. The visitors have yet to lose away from home this season, but with Sir Alex Ferguson’s team rounding into form with four wins in their last five league games, that streak will almost certainly come to an end.

Verdict: 4-1

Pushing for a start - Michael Carrick

Middlesbrough v West Ham

Mohamed Shawky (thigh) and Robert Huth (ankle) are both out for the hosts, but Gareth Southgate, may be able to call upon striker Mido (groin) and defender Justin Hoyte (hip) for Saturday’s encounter. Valon Behrami (calf) has joined the Hammers’ lengthy injury list, and fellow midfielder Scott Parker is struggling with a similar problem, but defenders Lucas Neill (virus) and James Tomkins (knee) should come back into contention. Gianfranco Zola will also be missing top scorer Carlton Cole through suspension, which only increases the likelihood that the visitors will see their run of successive league defeats stretched to five against an improving Boro side.

Verdict: 2-1

Portsmouth v Wigan

Tony Adams is expected to restore top scorer Jermain Defoe to the starting lineup after dropping the striker for tactical reasons in the midweek loss at Liverpool. However, the fitness of defenders Glen Johnson (groin) and Sol Campbell (hamstring) is still in doubt. Wigan manager Steve Bruce has a fully-fit squad to choose from, but a four-game losing streak may prompt him to make changes. As in nearly all of Wigan’s matches, the game should be a tight one, but given Pompey’s excellent home form it’s hard to see them dropping points at Fratton Park for the second game in a row.

Verdict: 1-0

Stoke City v Arsenal

Potters boss Tony Pulis continues to enjoy relative good fortune with regards to injuries, as Andrew Davies (knee) and Liam Lawrence (ankle) remain his only casualties. For the visitors, skipper William Gallas misses out with a hamstring problem, while utility man Emmanuel Eboue (knee) is a doubt. The hosts have emerged victorious in each of their last two home games and will certainly trouble the height-challenged Gunners with their long-throw tactics, but the form of strikers Robin van Persie and Emanuel Adebayor should be enough for Arsene Wenger’s men to claim all three points at the Britannia Stadium.

Verdict: 3-1

West Brom v Blackburn

Tony Mowbray may have midfielder Kim Do-Heon back sooner than expected, as the Baggies midfielder has already returned to training after recovering from a knee injury. The news is not so good for Rovers boss Paul Ince, with injury-plagued striker Roque Santa Cruz missing the trip to the Hawthorns with a calf tear; midfielder Vince Grella (hamstring) and defender (concussion) are both doubtful. Both teams have had difficulties finding the net this season, but the absence of Santa Cruz should give the home side the edge on Saturday.

Verdict: 1-0

Tottenham v Liverpool

Buoyed by a first win of the season against Bolton followed by a thrilling derby draw at Arsenal in midweek, Spurs are hoping for more good news in the return of skipper Ledley King, who was rested on Wednesday. Harry Redknapp’s only definite absentee is defender Michael Dawson, still suspended after his red card against Stoke last week Sunday. Reds striker Robbie Keane (groin) has been declared fit to face his former club, but Rafa Benitez is not expected to risk Keane’s strike partner Fernando Torres, who is still in light training following a hamstring injury. Still, the Reds have defeated the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Portsmouth without the prolific Spaniard, and should be more than capable of maintaining their lead at the top of the table with maximum points at White Hart Lane.

Verdict: 1-2

Set for White Hart Lane return - Robbie Keane

November 2

Bolton v Man City

Under-fire Trotters manager Gary Megson has a virtually clean bill of health for Sunday’s North West derby, with striker Ricardo Vaz Te (knee) the only absentee. Pablo Zabaleta returns from suspension for the visitors and should reclaim his place at right-back, but striker Daniel Sturridge (ankle) is unlikely to make the trip to the Reebok and may be replaced by Jo, who has recovered from tonsillitis. City’s inconsistency at the back will keep the home side in the game, but the firepower available to Mark Hughes – particularly in the shape of Sunday hat-trick hero Robinho – should prove the difference.

Verdict: 2-3

November 3

Newcastle v Aston Villa

The Magpies may be boosted by the return of captain and leading scorer Michael Owen (groin), who is back in training along with midfielder Nicky Butt (ankle). Joe Kinnear’s team is slowly returning to full health, but Mark Viduka and Alan Smith are still sidelined with Achilles problems. The visitors will give midfielder Stilian Petrov a late fitness test, with Steve Sidwell on standby to replace him – although Martin O’Neill could also revert to a 4-4-2 and restore striker John Carew to the starting lineup. The Villains have won three of their last four away games (a 2-0 loss at Chelsea being the only setback over that period) and should continue in that vein against a Newcastle team which still looks decidedly nervous at St James Park despite claiming a win and a draw in the last two home games.

Verdict: 1-2

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