Israel Saria
A look ahead to all the weekend’s fixtures, with a return to former club Tottenham looking unlikely for Manchester United‘s Dimitar Berbatov.
Check out predicted line-ups and players to watch for every match by clicking the links below the picture.
Saturday December 13 (kick-offs at 15:00 UK time unless otherwise stated)
Middlesbrough v Arsenal (12:45)
David Wheater is suspended for the visit of the Gunners, so either Robert Huth or Chris Riggott will return from injury and go straight into the side. Midfielder Gary O’Neil is also out.
Midfielder Samir Nasri (ankle) and defender Kolo Toure (calf) join long-term absentees Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo da Silva on the sidelines, but Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Bacary Sagna should all be fit for Arsenal.
Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers
Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce will miss out through injury, but Austrian Paul Scharner should return to take his place. Latics midfielder Wilson Palacios is suspended. Striker Amr Zaki is in line for a start following his appearance from the bench last week.
No new injury worries for Blackburn boss Paul Ince, with Matt Derbyshire likely to remain preferred to Benni McCarthy up front with Roque Santa Cruz.
Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion
Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon is yet to recover full fitness, so Hungarian Marton Fulop will again deputise for Ricky Sbragia’s side. Captain Dean Whitehead will return to the side, as will Kieran Richardson from suspension. George McCartney is still out injured, so Pascal Chimbonda continues to fill in at left-back.
West Brom will be without striker Ishmael Miller for the rest of the season, so Czech forward Roman Bednar is favourite to line up in his stead.
Rory Delap and Salif Diao will face late fitness tests. Long-throw specialist Delap is suffering from a problem with his arm while fellow midfielder Diao is recovering from a calf injury.
There are no new injury problems for Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, meaning he is expected to name an unchanged side to the one that drew 1-1 with Manchester City last week.
Manchester City v Everton
Striker Daniel Sturridge has a virus, while Micah Richards (ankle), Javier Garrido (achilles) and Gelson Fernandes (hamstring) are all doubts for the match at Eastlands. However, Robinho is set to return.
Victor Anichebe continues as lone striker. This game has come too soon for striker Louis Saha, though right-back Tony Hibbert is expected to be restored to the side.
Fabio Aurelio could recover from a calf problem in time to make the match at Anfield. Striker Fernando Torres and defender Martin Skrtel are still at least a week away from fitness.
Hull defender Andy Dawson is also expected to return to fitness, but may have to be happy with a place on the bench. Manager Phil Brown has said that he will continue to field Marlon King despite the striker being arrested and bailed this week for an alleged assault.
Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers
Gabriel Agbonlahor continues as Villa’s lone frontman as John Carew remains sidelined, while Luke Young looks set to remain at left-back ahead of Nicky Shorey.
Midfielder Tamir Cohen and utility man Joey O’Brien are both recovering from thigh strains, but apart from them Bolton boss Gary Megson has a fit squad.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United (17:30)
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his team’s clash with Manchester United at White Hart Lane. Ledley King appears set to start, with Vedran Corluka‘s showing against West Ham likely to keep him in the side ahead of Darren Bent. Giovani Dos Santos (ankle), Paul Stalteri (ankle) and Alan Hutton (foot) remain on the treatment table.
Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra, who are both serving suspensions, and as a result John O’Shea and Carlos Tevez are likely to start. Dimitar Berbatov (Achilles) and Michael Carrick (thigh) appear set to miss out against their former club, with Ryan Giggs and Anderson the leading contenders to feature in the starting line-up. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start for United.
Sunday December 14
Portsmouth v Newcastle (13:30)
Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the season against West Bromwich Albion last week. Glen Little is expected to take his place. Tony Adams’s team remain without the injured Lassana Diarra (ankle), but John Utaka (ankle) could return to the fold. Richard Hughes may be involved if he can shake off his ankle problem in time.
Visitors Newcastle should start with Danny Guthrie and Nicky Butt in midfield, with both having shaken off minor injury problems. Damien Duff (groin) could also return to the squad, but the Republic of Ireland winger will probably have to make do with a spot on the bench.
Chelsea v West Ham (16:00)
Luiz Felipe Scolari has Joe Cole available again after injury, and the England midfielder is likely to start against his former club at Stamford Bridge. Ricardo Carvalho (knee) remains on the sidelines, so either Alex or Branislav Ivanovic will slot in alongside John Terry at the back. Didier Drogba made a goal-scoring return in the Champions League, but may have to be content with a place on the substitutes’ bench.
West Ham remain without Dean Ashton (ankle) in attack, so Craig Bellamy will be partnered by Carlton Cole. Gianfranco Zola has no fresh injury concerns following last week’s defeat against Tottenham, but may make changes in midfield with David Di Michele pushing for a starting berth.
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