Premier League Team News

Arsenal

Next Match: Wigan (A)
Out: Rosicky, Gallas, Almunia, Diaby, Clichy
Doubts: Van Persie, Eduardo
Banned:

8/4 Wenger will be without both Almnuia and Gallas for the trip to Wigan after they sustained injuries in Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Villarreal. Fabianski will start in goal, while Wenger will decide between Djourou and Silvestre for Gallas’ replacement. Song is another option but he seems more likely to start in midfield once more.

9/4 It’s been confirmed that Gallas will miss this game and the rest of the season following the injury sustained against Villarreal on Tuesday. In addition, Almunia will be out for three weeks and Clichy will be sidelined for a fortnight after sustaining a back injury. That should confirm starting roles for Fabianski and Djourou, while Gibbs and Silvestre will fight it out for the left-back role. Elsewhere both Van Persie and Eduardo are due to have fitness tests prior to this game. To my mind they seem unlikely to be risked for this one given that Arsenal face Villarreal on Wednesday. My bet is that either Adebayor or Bendtner will partner Arshavin up front.

Predicted Lineup: Fabianski; Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Gibbs; Denilson, Song, Fabregas, Eboue; Arshavin, Adebayor.

Aston Villa

Next Match: Everton (H)
Out: Laursen, Heskey
Doubts: Bouma
Banned:


Predicted Lineup: Friedel; L Young, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey; Barry, Petrov, A Young, Milner; Agbonlhaor, Carew.

Blackburn Rovers

Next Match: Liverpool (A)
Out: Reid, Emerton, Roberts
Doubts: Santa Cruz, Gamst-Pedersen
Banned:

8/4 Rovers will be without Jason Roberts for 2-3 weeks after he sustained a foot injury against Spurs. With Santa Cruz still a doubt and Derbyshire on loan, Allardyce has real concerns up front. He seems set to turn up at Anfield with a 4-5-1 with McCarthy leading the line and either Dunn or Grella drafted into midfield. Gamst-Pedersen is also a doubt for this one having sustained a calf injury last weekend. Rovers are due to check on him later this week.

Predicted Lineup: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Givet; Warnock, Andrews, Dunn, Diouf, Gamst-Pedersen; McCarthy.

Bolton Wanderers

Next Match: Chelsea (A)
Out: J O’Brien, Vaz Te, M Davies
Doubts:
Banned:


Predicted Lineup: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, A O’Brien, Cahill, Samuel; Muamba, Taylor, McCann, Gardner, K Davies; Elmander.

Chelsea

Next Match: Bolton (H)
Out: J Cole, Ferreira
Doubts: Bosingwa
Banned:

8/4 Chelsea’s lineup for this one will be governed by the side that takes the field against Liverpool on Wednesday and, to a certian extent, the balance of the tie after that 90 minutes. Right now we know that Drogba is set to make a return to action for that game and should therefore be available to Hiddink against Bolton. Bosingwa remains a doubt however after he missed Tuesday’s training session - he may not be risked for this game with the second leg with Liverpool in mind.

Predicted Lineup: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, A Cole; Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Kalou; Anelka.

Everton

Next Match: Aston Villa (A)
Out: Valente, Vaughan, Yakubu, Arteta, Anichebe, Yobo
Doubts: Howard
Banned:


Predicted Lineup: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines; Neville, Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, Fellaini; Jo.


Fulham

Next Match: Man City (A)
Out:
Doubts: Barnes
Banned:


Predicted Lineup: Schwarzer, Paintsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey; Zamora, Johnson.

Hull City

Next Match: Middlesbrough (A)
Out: Bullard, Gardner, Cousin
Doubts: Boateng
Banned:

8/4 Phil Brown may be able to call on George Boateng against his former club. The midfielder has been out for three months but resumed full training on Monday. Brown is hinting that he will hand him a place on the bench.

Predicted Lineup: Duke; Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson; Ashbee, Mendy, Barmby, Geovanni; Manucho, Fagan.

Liverpool

Next Match: Blackburn (H)
Out: Degen
Doubts: Gerrard, Torres
Banned:

9/4 Benitez will surely be tempted to rotate his side with Tuesday’s Champions League second leg looming. While it’s difficult to predict Rafa’s lineup, the likes of Hyypia, Insua, Mascherano, Babel and Benayoun will surely all be in contention for starting roles.

9/4 Gerrard has emerged as a doubt for this one as concerns grew surrounding the possibility that he may have suffered a recurrance of a groin injury sustained earlier in the season. Gerrard was due a scan earlier today. Torres could also be classed as a major doubt following Rafa’s comments that he still lacked fitness following the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday. There’s every chance that both Gerrard and Torres could be rested for this one then.

Predicted Lineup: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Insua; Lucas, Alonso, Benayoun, Babel, Kuyt; Torres.

Man City

Next Match: Fulham (H)
Out: Johnson
Doubts: Bridge, Petrov, Hamann, Kompany
Banned:

8/4 City’s lineup for this one will be greatly decided by the side that takes the field in Thursday’s UEFA Cup tie with Hamburg. Hughes is hopeful that both Ireland and Bridge will be available after recent injuries. Kompany (injured) and De Jong (cup-tied) are set to miss that game but could make returns here. Benjani and Petrov could also figure after making returns for the reserves this week. A place on the bench for both seems likley.

Predicted Lineup: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Bridge; De Jong, Zabaleta, Ireland, Wright-Phillips; Robinho, Bellamy.

Man United

Next Match: Sunderland (A)
Out: Hargreaves, Rafael, Brown, Barbatov, Anderson, Ferdinand, Evans
Doubts:
Banned:

8/4 Ferguson has ruled out both Ferdinand and Evans for this one. Ferdinand is still struggling with a groin injury, while Evans picked up a knock against Porto on Tuesday and has been ruled out. That’s likely to see Neville keep his place at right-back, with O’Shea set to partner Vidic in the centre.

9/4 Ferguson left the likes of Giggs, Nani, Tevez and Neville on the bench for the Porto game on Tuesday so all four seem likely to figure in some capacity for the trip to Sunderland. Neville looks assured of his start given the injuries to Ferdinand and Evans.

9/4 Rooney has emerged as a doubt for this one having reportedly sustained a rib injury in Tuesday’s Champions League tie. His absence will likely see Giggs or Ronaldo up front with Tevez.

Predicted Lineup: Van der Sar; Neville, O’Shea, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Nani, Ronaldo; Tevez.

Middlesbrough

Next Match: Hull (H)
Out: Digard, Pogatetz
Doubts: Johnson
Banned: O’Neill

8/4 Southgate will be without O’Neil in midfied as he is now serving a two-match ban for picking up his tenth booking of the season at Bolton last weekend. Pogatetz is also ruled out after he sustained a knee injury at the Reebok. Taylor is set to step in at left-back then. There is better news for Boro, with both Riggott and Johnson on target to return to the squad for this one.

Predicted Lineup: Jones; Hoyte, Wheater, Huth, Taylor; Shawky, Bates, Downing, Aliadiere, Tuncay; Alves.

Newcastle

Next Match: Stoke (A)
Out: Gonzalez, Barton, Viduka, Ameobi, Lovenkrands
Doubts: S Taylor, Bassong, Guthrie
Banned:

8/4 Newcastle are set to be boosted by the availability of Bassong after he shook off a groin injury that kept him out of last weekend’s defeat to Chelsea. His return could threaten Coloccini’s starting role with the Argentinian at fault for Chelsea’s opener. Steven Taylor could also make a return after missing the weekend game with an ankle injury. He could replace Ryan Taylor at right-back or swap places with Beye in the centre.

Shearer watched Carroll score twice for the reserves on Monday and he is set for a place on the bench at the very least here. He could well start for Martins up front if Shearer looks to add some height to his side to cope with Stoke’s set-plays. Guthrie took a knock in that reserve outing but is likely to shake that off to be in contention here. Lovenkrands is also out having spent time in hospital following a back injury sustained in the Chelsea game.

Predicted Lineup: Harper, S Taylor, Beye, Bassong, Enrique; Butt, Nolan, Gutierrez, R Taylor; Carroll, Owen.

Portsmouth

Next Match: West Brom (H)
Out: Traore, Diop
Doubts: Davis
Banned: Johnson

8/4 Paul Hart will be without the services of Glenn Johnson after his red card against Hull. Pennant, on the bench in that game, is due to start on the right of midfield then with Kaboul extending his run at right-back. Elsewhere, Davis could come back in contention after missing the trip to Hull with a knee injury. Hughes would make way if he should be available.

9/4 It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Davis will return from his gashed knee and make this game. Davis is due to have his stitches removed on Friday so this match is likely to come too soon for him. Hughes is set for another start in midfield then.

Predicted Lineup: James; Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson; Mullins, Hughes, Kranjcar, Pennant, Nugent; Crouch.

Stoke City

Next Match: Newcastle (H)
Out: Cort, Sidibe
Doubts: Diao, Higginbotham
Banned:

8/4 Higginbotham is an early doubt for this one having twisted his back muscles in the win over West Brom last time out. Pugh will stand by to replace him at left-back should he fail to make it. Pulis is also monitoring the fitness of midfielders Diao and Amdy Faye going into this game. Their absence would likely see Etherington continue on the left with Delap remaining in a central midfield role.

Predicted Lineup: Sorensen; Wilkinson, Ab Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham; Whelan, Delap, Lawrence, Etherington; Beattie, Fuller.

Sunderland

Next Match: Man United (H)
Out:
Doubts: Tainio, McCartney
Banned:

9/4 Sbragia could be boosted by the return of Tainio for the visit of United. The midfielder’s knee injury has cleared up and he could come into contention for a starting role. Elsewhere Jones and Edwards are likely to be recalled after being rested to the bench at West Ham with jet-lag. The defence could face a reshuffle it McCartney recovers from injury to take his place at left-back. That would likely see Collins move back to a central defensive role. If not then Sbragia will choose from Ben-Haim, Davenport and Nosworthy to partner Ferdinand.

Predicted Lineup: Gordon; Bardsley, Ferdinand, Ben Haim, Collins; Whitehead, Richardson, Leadbitter, Malbranque; Cisse, Jones.

Tottenham

Next Match: West Ham (H)
Out: Defoe
Doubts:
Banned: Palacios

8/4 Spurs will be without Palacios in midfield after he picked up a red for two bookings at Blackburn last weekend. Redknapp seems likely to recall Zokora to a central midfield role to cover, although O’Hara and Huddlestone are options.

Predicted Lineup: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto; Zokora, Jenas, Lennon; Modric; Keane, Bent.

West Brom

Next Match: Portsmouth (A)
Out: Clement, Miller, Barnett
Doubts: Meite
Banned:


Predicted Lineup: Carson; Zuiverloon, Olsson, Meite, Robinson; Valero, Greening, Morrison, Brunt; Simpson, Fortune.

West Ham

Next Match: Tottenaham (A)
Out: Gabbidon, Ashton, Behrami, Collison, Cole, Spector
Doubts: Parker, Kovac
Banned:

8/4 The Hammers will be without Spector for this one after he sustained a head injury against Sunderland that will keep him out for two weeks. Zola will hope to have both Parker and Kovac back in contention to help cushion that blow.

Predicted Lineup: Green, Neill, Upson, Tompkins, Ilunga; Parker, Kovac, Noble, Boa Morte; Di Michele, Tristan.

Wigan

Next Match: Arsenal (H)
Out: Zaki
Doubts:
Banned: Cattermole


Predicted Lineup: Kirkland; Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa; Brown, Scharner, Valencia, N’Zogbia; Rodallega, Mido.