SATURDAY
Arsenal will be without suspended midfielder Jack Wilshere but Wojciech Szczesny is close to a comeback from his ankle problem and could be included in the squad. Midfielders Aaron Ramsey (groin) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hip) face fitness tests.
Leon Osman will be looking to impress after earning his first international call-up for England while Sunderland striker Louis Saha is expected to feature against his former club.
Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici is in line for a recall. The Australia international is likely to return with first-choice Alex McCarthy being ruled out for a number of weeks after suffering a shoulder injury in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at QPR. Norwich defender Russell Martin’s back injury will continue to be assessed
SOUTHAMPTON v SWANSEA CITY – 3pm
Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc is back in contention after an alleged incident in their last home game with Tottenham. The Polish keeper missed Monday’s defeat at West Brom after allegations he threw a bottle at home fans and swore at them, but manager Nigel Adkins says he is in his thoughts once more following the conclusion of a thorough investigation.
Stoke will be without midfielder Rory Delap and striker Michael Owen, while QPR are awaiting news on whether captain Park Ji-sung has shaken off a troublesome knee injury.
WIGAN ATHLETIC v WEST BROM – 3pm
Midfielder James McArthur is rated as only 50-50 to play for Wigan due to a dead leg, while West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is on stand-by to play his first senior game for the club in 21 months if number one Ben Foster fails to recover from a recurring groin problem.
ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER UNITED – 5.30pm
United have lost Nani to a hamstring injury for 10 weeks and are waiting to see if Chris Smalling needs to step in for the injured Jonny Evans. Villa remain without record signing Darren Bent.
SUNDAY
MANCHESTER CITY v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – 1.30pm
Andre Villas-Boas must decide whether to stick with Hugo Lloris or recall Brad Friedel in goal and Emmanuel Adebayor could make his first league start of the season at his former club.
NEWCASTLE UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED – 3pm
Newcastle will be without suspended duo Cheick Tiote and Fabricio Coloccini. West Ham will hope Andy Carroll scores his first goal for the club against his former employers.
Liverpool rested Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard, amongst other senior players, for their defeat to Anzhi. Chelsea welcome John Terry back from his four-game ban.
