Eurosport – Sat, 01 Mar 00:00:00 2008
Team news for all this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, with Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner set to replace the injured Eduardo at the Emirates.
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- Arsenal v Aston Villa
- Fulham v Manchester United
- West Ham v Chelsea
- Newcastle v Blackburn
- Birmingham v Tottenham
- Derby v Sunderland
- Middlesbrough v Reading
- Manchester City v Wigan
- Bolton v Liverpool
- Everton v Portsmouth
Click on the links below the photo to see predicted line-ups or read on for more details.
(Kick-offs 1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Denmark international Bendtner is expected to line up alongside Emmanuel Adebayor as the Gunners attempt to put memories of Eduardo’s horrific break behind them. Abou Diaby is fit again after shaking off a calf knock but Kolo Toure is out with an injured knee and Emmanuel Eboue is suspended. Olof Mellberg has returned to training for Villa after an ankle problem and Patrick Berger (hamstring) could feature on the bench.
Striker Jari Litmanen is back in full training following a heart scare that saw him return to Finland last week, but he will not be involved against the champions. Leon Andreassen is suspended but Hameur Bouazza returns to contention from a shoulder injury. For United, Ryan Giggs is a major doubt with a calf strain and will not be risked with one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League outing against Lyon. Nemanja Vidic (calf) and Patrice Evra (virus) are both fit and are likely to play some part at Craven Cottage.
West Ham v Chelsea
Bobby Zamora is a doubt for the Hammers with a knee injury while Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington (both groin) are still out. Henri Camara is a contender to start and may get the nod to start alongside Dean Ashton up front, although it is too early for Scott Parker (knee) to return to action. Chelsea have no new injury worries as they look to bounce back from the disappointment of defeat in the Carling Cup final.
Newcastle v Blackburn
Obafemi Martins has been passed fit following an ankle injury and is in the squad, although Emre (calf) and Mark Viduka (calf and hamstring) are both out. Shay Given (groin) and Stephen Carr (hamstring) are also sidelined. Blackburn midfielder David Dunn (calf) is a doubt ahead of the trip to St James’ Park while Ryan Nelsen remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Dutchman Andre Ooijer could return though to bolster Rovers’ back line.
Birmingham v Tottenham
Martin Taylor begins a ban for his red card against Arsenal last weekend so Radhi Jaidi is set to take his place at the back. Olivier Kapo is definitely out with a hamstring problem, with Gary McSheffrey expected to replace him, while Cameron Jerome is facing a late fitness test. Spurs have problems in defence with Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King both doubtful and Michael Dawson definitely out with a hamstring injury.
Derby v Sunderland
Rams midfielder Giles Barnes has been ruled out with a knee injury he sustained in training while Claude Davis, Tyrone Mears and Dean Leacock are also out injured. Robbie Savage could lose his place in midfield after a poor performance last week. Sunderland boss Roy Keane will be without the suspended Danny Collins, who likely to be replaced by Danny Higginbotham. Liam Miller could feature despite being transfer listed but Kieran Richardson is 50-50 and unlikely to be risked. Carlos Edwards (broken leg) and Ross Wallace (knee) remain sidelined.
Boro welcome back David Wheater from suspension, but there are doubts over Afonso Alves (head) and Fabio Rochemback (calf). Mohamed Shawky (hamstring), Lee Cattermole and Matthew Bates (knee) and Andrew Taylor all remain on the treatment table. Reading manager Steve Coppell has promised changes, so Khalifa Cisse and Ibrahima Sonko could be replaced by Ivar Ingimarsson and Andre Bikey at the back. Jimmy Kebe is in line to make his first start but Michael Duberry (knee), Brynjar Gunnarsson (groin) and Glen Little (heel) are all out.
Manchester City v Wigan (17:15)
In the late kick-off, Vedran Corluka and Elano are poised for returns as Micah Richards (knee) is injured and Martin Petrov is suspended. Wigan has a near full strength squad to choose from with Ryan Taylor the only absentee with a rib injury.
Sunday
Bolton v Liverpool (1330)
Bolton boss Gary Megson has a nearly fully squad to pick from. Danny Guthrie is his only absentee as the on-loan midfielder is unable to play against his parent club. Jamie Carragher is set to return to the Liverpool line-up following a ban to make his 350th league appearance for the club. Dan Agger has recovered from a metatarsal problem but is unlikely to be risked and Andriy Voronin finds himself in a similar situation after having shaken off an ankle injury.
Everton v Portsmouth (1600)
Mikel Arteta is likely to sit out Portsmouth’s visit to Goodison Park. The Spaniard has a groin problem. But fellow midfielder Lee Carsley is available as his upcoming suspension does not start until Monday. Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has a wealth of attacking options to choose from with Jermain Defoe, Nwankwo Kanu, Milan Baros and winger John Utaka all available. But David Nugent – who was placed on the transfer list earlier in the week – is still out with a groin injury. Midfielder Pedro Mendes is still out after a minor foot operation.
