Saturday 02nd April 2011
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United v Manchester United 12:45
This Saturday lunchtime kick off is being billed as a must-win game for both clubs at opposite ends of the table.
West Ham must make do without Junior Stanislas (hernia) and Jack Collinson (knee). However, the positives are that Scott Parker looks to have shrugged off shoulder and calf problems picked up while on international duty and should be joined in the starting XI by Frederic Piquionne and Robbie Keane.
Manchester United have the longest injury list of all the Premier League clubs this weekend. Owen Hargreaves is the latest to succumb – it’s his shoulder this time and he could be out for the remainder of the season. Darren Fletcher has a virus and is 50/50 while Ji-sung Park may be able to face a fitness test on his hamstring to determine if he can play. However, definitely out are John O’Shea (hamstring), Nemanja Vidic (calf), Rafael (hamstring), Anderson (knee), and Rio Ferdinand (calf). Suspended for United are Paul Scholes and Jonny Evans.
Birmingham City v Bolton Wanderers 15:00
Good news for Birmingham as Nikola Zigic, Lee Bowyer and Alexsander Hleb all return to the match day squad. Zigic played for Serbia midweek, Bowyer has overcome his hamstring problem and while Hleb may need a painkilling injection in his knee, he should feature. Martin Jiranek is a doubt with a toe problem.
Bolton have a problem in midfield. Out are Stuart Holden (knee ligaments) and Mark Davies (ankle). Also out are Zat Knight (knee), Sean Davis (also knee) and Sam Ricketts (AChilles). Tamir Cohen and Fabrice Muamba are limbering up in anticipation of starting for the Trotters.
Everton v Aston Villa 15:00
Seamus Coleman is a doubt for Everton with a sprained ankle but he may have recovered enough to feature. Jack Rodwell is also a doubt. Definitely out are Mikel Arteta (hamstring) and Marouane Fellaini (ankle). Louis Saha’s ankle is keeping him on the treatment table.
Aston Villa’s defence is in line for a boost with the return of Richard Dunne and James Collins. Kyle Walker is a doubt with a hip problem and Ciaran Clark is suspended.
Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00
Newcastle’s influential hard-hitting midfielder Cheick Tiote is suspended for the visit of Wolves while striker Leon Best is still struggling with an ankle knock. Joey Barton returns from a thigh problem but Jose Enrique (hamstring) and Stephen Ireland (thigh) probably won’t make this game. Ryan Taylor is banned. Dan Gosling (knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) are all long-term absentees.
wolves suffered a big blow this week when Kevin Doyle was stretchered off while playing for the Republic of Ireland.He’ll be out for some time with knee ligament damage. Ronald Zubar (back), Michael Mancienne (knee), Steven Mouyokolo (knee), Steven Hunt (calf strain) and Adlene Guedioura (broken leg) are all injured too.
Stoke City v Chelsea 15:00
Stoke striker John Carew has missed the last two games with a back complaint but could be in contention to play against Chelsea. He’ll take part in a late fitness test.
Thomas Sorensen is also suffering with his back. Mamady Sidibe and Abdoulaye Faye are both likely to miss out.
chelsea will be pretty much at full strength as Fernando Torres aims to score his first Chelsea goal. Doubts hover over Alex and Yossi Benayoun’s participation but both are close to full fitness.
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool 15:00
It’s the clash of the managers here: former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson up against his old club, now coached by legend Kenny Dalglish.
West Brom have two injury concerns – Graeme Dorrans has a sprained ankle and Pablo Ibanez has a hamstring complaint.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has resumed training following a groin problem and should take his place in his customary attacking midfield role. Also fit is Luiz Suarez, who should partner Andy Carroll up front. Fabio Aurelio and Jonjo Shelvey remain on the treatment table.
Wigan Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur 15:00
Wigan have no injuries concerns ahead of the visit of Spurs.
At the other end of the spectrum, Spurs have a lot of problems, particularly in defence. Out are William Gallas (knee), Ledley King (groin), Jonathan Woodgate (calf). Also missing are Wilson Palacios (knee), Gareth Bale (hamstring), Younis Kaboul (knee) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle).
Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers 17:30
Arsenal are approaching full-strength with CEsc Fabregas, Alex Song, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby all returning to the first team. Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and AAron Ramsey all face fitness tests. Keeping the physio busy are Denilson, Johann Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen, Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny.
Back for Blackburn Rovers is Christopher Samba after his recent back injury, who joins fellow defender Phil Jones on the coach to the Emirates. Gael Givet is suspended and Vince Grella is a long-term casualty.
Sunday 03rd April 2011
Barclays Premier League
Fulham v Blackpool 13:30
Steve Sidwell returns to the Fulham side just in time for the visit of Blackpool. DJ Campbell is still suspended. Aaron Hughes is out with a shoulder injury and a back complaint is causing Diomansy Kamara all sorts of problems. Philippe Senderos is out with a calf injury.
Blackpool will have to manage without the services of Paul Rachubka and Matty Gilks but Billy Clarke played for the reserves midweek and could be on the bench.
Manchester City v Sunderland 16:00
A must-win game for Manchester city’s Champions League aspirations. Carlos Tevez could return as could Pablo Zabaleta. Problematic striker Mario Balotelli could feature but Shay Given (shoulder), Kolo Toure (banned), Micah Richards (hamstring) and Jerome Boateng (knee) all miss out.
Sunderland will give a late fitness test to Phil Bardsley and John Mensah is available to play after having his recent red card rescinded. Sulley Muntari and Kieran Richardson could play, but defintely out are Craig Gordon , David Meyler and Michael Turner (all knee).
