November 15

Bolton v Liverpool

Skipper Kevin Nolan returns from suspension for the Trotters, leaving Ricardo Vaz Te (out for the season with a knee injury) as the home side’s only absentee. Rafa Benitez will be missing defenders Alvaro Arbeloa, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and Martin Skrtel (knee) but is expected to restore most of his top players to the starting lineup after they were rested for the midweek Carling Cup loss to Spurs. Fernando Torres returned from a hamstring problem in that game and should resume his partnership with Robbie Keane, who will be looking to build on his double against West Brom last weekend – his first league goals for the club. Gary Megson’s side have climbed to midtable with two successive victories, but the second-place Reds will bring that brief winning streak to a halt.

Verdict: 1-2

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Manuel Almunia (head) could return for the Gunners, but Emmanuel Eboue (knee) remains unavailable and Robin van Persie is still suspended. For the visitors, Martin O’Neill is hoping to welcome back Stiliyan Petrov (hamstring) and Luke Young (thigh), but John Carew is doubtful with a hip problem. Arsene Wenger’s men will be high on confidence after last week’s win over Manchester United, and a home game against an attack-minded Villa side is the type of game in which they should once again be able to thrive.

Verdict: 3-1

Blackburn v Sunderland

Roque Santa Cruz returns to Premier League action after missing the last three games with a calf problem. However, Rovers boss Paul Ince will be without Benni McCarthy (family bereavement) and Vince Grella (hamstring), while Keith Andrews (knee) is a doubt. Roy Keane may still be without goalkeeper Craig Gordon (ankle) and full-back George McCartney, but may hand striker Kenwyne Jones (knee) only his second league start as the Black Cats look to arrest a run of three defeats on the trot. Unfortunately, taking points away from Ewood Park is a far more difficult proposition with Santa Cruz in the Blackburn lineup.

Verdict: 2-1

Fulham v Tottenham

Roy Hodgson will be hoping to have Seol Ki-Hyeon back from a knee injury, but is expected to field an unchanged side for the fifth successive game. There are far more selection issues facing Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, among them being whether to recall leading scorer Darren Bent or keep faith with the Roman Pavlyuchenko-Frazier Campbell partnership that was so successful in the midweek win over Liverpool. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes should be available after suffering a blow to the head in that game, while full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto returns from suspension. The visitors have been in stellar form since Redknapp took charge last month, but they will be hard pressed to take all three points from a Fulham team that has dropped only five points from a possible 18 at Craven Cottage.

Verdict: 1-1

Fit for Saturday - Heurelho Gomes

Man Utd v Stoke City

With Wayne Rooney likely to feature despite a chest infection, Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to field his strongest available side after resting a number of first-choice players in the midweek Carling Cup game against QPR. The Potters are still without Liam Lawrence (ankle) and Andrew Davies (knee), and Tony Pulis is hoping striker Mamady Sidibe (ankle) will not be joining them on the sidelines. As always, Stoke will present a unique challenge with their physicality and long-throw tactics, but the Red Devils are still smarting from last week’s loss at Arsenal and it’s hard to see them letting the visitors off the hook at Old Trafford.

Verdict: 3-0

Newcastle v Wigan

Defender Steven Taylor is out with a groin injury, joining long-term absentees Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, and Nacho Gonzalez (all Achilles) on the sidelines. For the Latics, striker Emile Heskey (hamstring) has been given a 50-50 chance of making the trip to St James’ Park, but Steve Bruce will be more optimistic of having Chris Kirkland available after the goalkeeper strained his back in the midweek Carling Cup loss to Arsenal. With both teams already embroiled in a relegation dogfight, the game will likely be decided by the odd goal – and with Claudio Caçapa expected to deputise for Taylor, Wigan must fancy their chances of scoring it.

Verdict: 0-1

West Ham v Portsmouth

Gianfranco Zola finally has some good news on the injury front with Valon Behrami (calf) and James Tomkins (knee) returning to action along with top scorer Carlton Cole, who has completed his suspension. However, Diego Tristan has suffered a knock in training and is still unable to make his Hammers debut. Skipper Sol Campbell (toe) could be missing again from the Pompey defence, while John Utaka (virus) is a major doubt. Tony Adams will be hoping his team can claim a second straight away win against the struggling Hammers, but Cole’s return could be just the tonic needed to get the home side back on track.

Verdict: 1-1

Back from suspension - Carlton Cole

West Brom v Chelsea

Defender Abdoulaye Meite (calf) and midfielder James Morrison (back) are expected to be in contention for the hosts, who are seeking their first win in six league games. Continuing a recurring theme, however, Blues boss Luis Felipe Scolari is facing a wave of injuries, with Alex (thigh), Julian Belletti (ankle), Franco Di Santo (hamstring), Ricardo Carvalho (knee), Michael Essien (knee), and Joe Cole (hamstring) all unavailable, although Ashley Cole (calf) and Michael Ballack (foot) should be fit to start on the bench. Given the strength of Chelsea’s squad, that will come as no consolation to Tony Mowbray, whose Baggies side are likely to remain rooted to the foot of the table after the weekend’s matches.

Verdict: 0-2

November 16

Everton v Middlesbrough

David Moyes is hoping to have striker Yakubu (heel) and midfielder Steven Pienaar (ankle) back in contention, while Marouane Fellaini is back from suspension. The visitors are set to name the same eleven which started last weekend’s win at Aston Villa, especially with leading scorer Mido doubtful with a groin problem. Both teams are unbeaten in their last four league matches and are separated by just one point in the table, so a draw looks like as good a bet as any.

Verdict: 1-1

Hull City v Man City

Andy Dawson is set to miss out for the Tigers after sustaining a knock in training; Craig Fagan (broken leg) and Anthony Gardner (thigh) remain unavailable for the home side. Mark Hughes has no new injuries to report for the trip to the KC Stadium, but skipper Richard Dunne and midfielder Gelson Fernandes are both suspended after picking up red cards in Sunday’s loss to Tottenham. The visitors should have midfielder Vincent Kompany (groin) available again, but striker Daniel Sturridge is doubtful with an ankle problem. Sunday’s fixture features two teams who have lost three league games on the trot, and that fact, combined with the positive attitudes, attacking firepower, and defensive frailties of both teams should make for an entertaining encounter.

Verdict: 2-2

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