November 22

Chelsea v Newcastle

Frank Lampard (rib) is the latest injury worry for Blues boss Luis Felipe Scolari, who may also have to do without Petr Cech (muscular), Ashley Cole (foot), Alex (thigh), Juliano Belletti (ankle), Ricardo Carvalho (knee). Michael Essien (knee) and Franco Di Santo (hamstring) are definitely out for the league leaders, as is Didier Drogba (suspension). The visitors are still without Steven Taylor who has an abdominal injury, while Joey Barton (knee) is now out for up to two months, joining Xisco (hamstring), Nacho Gonzalez (Achilles) and Alan Smith (foot) and Mark Viduka (Achilles) on the sidelines. Both teams may be beset by injuries, but one of them has more than enough strength in depth to maintain their usual high standards – and it isn’t Newcastle.

Verdict: 3-1

Liverpool v Fulham

The Reds are without skipper Steven Gerrard (groin), but Fernando Torres is expected to return to the starting lineup after his goalscoring exploits for Spain in midweek. Roy Hodgson may be without Seol Ki-Hyeon and Dickson Etuhu (both knee), but the Cottagers remain relatively unscathed by injuries and may field an unchanged side. Even without Gerrard however, manager Rafa Benitez should have enough weapons at his disposal to dispatch a Fulham side whose woeful away form is fast becoming the stuff of legend.

Verdict: 2-0

Man City v Arsenal

Richard Dunne and Gelson Fernandes are back from suspension for the hosts, but the latter has sustained a knock and will be assessed before the match. Goalkeeper Joe Hart misses out with an ankle problem, but Daniel Sturridge, who had a similar complaint, may return. The Gunners will be without Cesc Fabregas due to suspension, while Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) are unavailable and Kolo Toure is doubtful with calf problem. Arsene Wenger’s team appears to be in a fragile state given recent results and the latest example of how not to be a captain by William Gallas, but an inconsistent City side should afford them the opportunity to rebuild some of their shaken confidence.

Verdict: 1-1

Middlesbrough v Bolton

Boro boss Gareth Southgate will have Emanuel Pogatetz (knee) and Mido (groin) both fit again, while Jeremie Aliadiere has recovered from illness, but Chris Riggott (hamstring) is out. The visitors will subject Jamaica’s Ricardo Gardner and Nigeria’s Danny Shittu to late fitness tests as they were on international duty in midweek, and Gary Megson is hoping that Ebi Smolarek and Gretar Steinsson will be back from illness and injury respectively. Neither side has been particularly prolific this season, so a low-scoring game is likely, with the ever-improving hosts maintaining their six-game unbeaten run with a hard-fought win.

Verdict: 1-0

Fit again - Mido

Portsmouth v Hull City

Pompey manager Tony Adams will be without three key men in captain Sol Campbell (toe) and midfielders Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar (both ankle). For the visitors, Daniel Cousin has a knee problem and may be forced to miss out, while Phil Brown will also assess the fitness of the 10 Hull players who featured for their national teams in midweek. The Tigers have found a life in the top flight a good deal tougher in recent weeks, but with the hosts weakened by injuries they should feel confident of not leaving Fratton Park empty-handed.

Verdict: 2-2

Stoke City v West Brom

The Potters will be without leading scorer Ricardo Fuller due to suspension, and Tony Pulis may turn to record signing Dave Kitson – yet to score since joining the club – as the Jamaican’s replacement. James Morrison is out for the Baggies after tearing his medial ligament against Chelsea, which could afford Felipe Teixeira the chance to make his first start of the season. Goals have been hard to come by for both sides following promotion to the top flight, and with Fuller out that trend is likely to hold at the Britannia Stadium.

Verdict: 0-0

Aston Villa v Man Utd

With Carlos Cuellar (thigh) unable to participate for the Villains, Luke Young is set to return to his usual right-back role while Nicky Shorey is restored to left-back. The Red Devils will be without Dimitar Berbatov (hamstring) and Wes Brown (ankle) for the trip to the Midlands, while Rio Ferdinand (back) will undergo a late fitness test. However, Sir Alex Ferguson should be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney from calf injury. Martin O’Neill’s men will be buzzing after last weekend’s impressive victory at Arsenal, but their longstanding struggles against United will continue as they face a more organised and confident opponent than the erratic Gunners.

Verdict: 1-2

November 23

Tottenham v Blackburn

Spurs will be without midfielder Luka Modric (groin) for the next two weeks, but Giovani dos Santos (ankle) is the only other injury-enforced absence faced by Harry Redknapp. Rovers should be have defenders Ryan Nelsen and Martin Olsson back from illness, but Brett Emerton (hamstring) and Vince Grella (calf), David Dunn (Achilles) and Steven Reid (knee) are still unavailable. Having suffered their first loss under Redknapp at Fulham last weekend, the hosts should be able to bounce back against a Blackburn team which has not won since the end of September – although with Gomes still between the posts just about anything is possible.

Verdict: 2-1

Sunderland v West Ham

Black Cats’ boss Roy Keane hopes to have goalkeeper Craig Gordon back from an ankle injury, while full-back George McCartney (foot) is rated at 50-50 for the game against his former club. Keane must also evaluate the fitness of Trinidad and Tobago trio Kenwyne Jones, Dwight Yorke, and Carlos Edwards following their return from international duty. Defender Jonathan Spector could make his season debut for the visitors having recovered from hip surgery, but Diego Tristan faces a late fitness test on a knock sustained in training. The Hammers have struggled mightily in recent weeks, but the hosts haven’t fared much better and are only a point ahead in the table, so a share of the spoils is a reasonable expectation for Gianfranco Zola’s men.

Verdict: 1-1

November 24

Wigan v Everton

The Latics face a number of injury concerns for Monday night’s encounter, with Emile Heskey (hamstring), Amr Zaki (rib and calf), Mario Melchiot (knee) and Jason Koumas (groin) all set for late fitness tests. Steve Bruce is definitely without Emmerson Boyce who is suspended following his controversial sending-off against Newcastle. Toffees midfielders Marouane Fellaini (groin) and Steven Pienaar (knee) will be assessed over the weekend to determine whether they can make the trip to the JJB Stadium. The condition of Zaki and Heskey will obviously affect their outlook significantly, but the home side are in decent form and should be able to claim a point, albeit against a resurgent Everton side which has been outstanding away from home this season.

Verdict: 1-1

Injury concern - Amr Zaki

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