Arsenal (2) v Blackburn (7)
Patrick Vieira will start his two-match ban for insulting referee Andy D'Urso tomorrow after Arsenal decided not to appeal against his punishment. Dennis Bergkamp faces a fitness test on an Achilles problem. Ray Parlour, Martin Keown and Giovanni van Bronckhorst are still injured, while Arsene Wenger must decide whether to hand Robert Pires his first starting role since March in his comeback from knee surgery.
Blackburn will again be without midfielder Damien Duff and striker Andy Cole, who are both still troubled by hamstring injuries. Manager Graeme Souness is not short of options up front, however - with Dwight Yorke, Egil Ostenstad, Corrado Grabbi and Matt Jansen all battling for places.
Last season: Blackburn 2 Arsenal 3, Arsenal 3 Blackburn 3
Last five league matches: Arsenal W W W W L Blackburn D W W L W
Top scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 8 David Dunn (Blackburn) 4
Match odds: H 2-7 A 7-1 D 7-2
Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).
Birmingham (13) v Man City (18)
Injury-hit Birmingham are boosted by the return of central defender Darren Purse and midfielder Aliou Cisse. The duo missed last weekend's 1-1 draw at West Brom because they were serving one-match bans. Australian midfielder Danny Tiatto is back in the City squad after serving his three-match ban, while Danish defender Niclas Jensen looks set to recover from the groin injury which has troubled him this week.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Birmingham W L L W D Man City D D L L L
Top scorers: Stern John (Birmingham) 6 Nicolas Anelka (Man City) 4
Match odds: H 11-10 A 2-1 D 11-5
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
Chelsea (6) v West Brom (17)
Chelsea welcome back Danish midfielder Jesper Gronkjaer after he missed the 3-0 win at Manchester City for personal reasons, but Celestine Babayaro is not 100% fit and joins Mario Stanic, Boudewijn Zenden, Ed de Goey, Mark Bosnich and Carlton Cole on the injury list. West Brom captain Derek McInnes is set to make his comeback from an ankle injury. The Scottish international midfielder missed last weekend's 1-1 draw with Birmingham after damaging an ankle in training but has made a swifter recovery than expected. Scott Dobie is challenging Lee Hughes to partner Jason Roberts up front.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Chelsea W D L L W West Brom W L L L D
Top scorers: Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea) 8 Jason Roberts (West Brom) 3
Match odds: H 1-3 A 7-1 D 3-1
Referee: S Dunn (Avon).
Liverpool (1) v Tottenham (3)
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard could be back from a hip injury and French midfielder Bruno Cheyrou (thigh) and Emile Heskey (groin) should also be fit. Les Ferdinand returns to the Tottenham squad following his back injury but the forward is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench as Robbie Keane and Teddy Sheringham continue to shine. Defender Anthony Gardner also returns after a month out with a groin injury, but Mauricio Taricco (groin) and Ben Thatcher (back) are again ruled out.
Last season: Tottenham 1 Liverpool 0, Liverpool 1 Tottenham 0
Last five league matches: Liverpool W W W W W Tottenham W L L W W
Top scorers: Michael Owen (Liverpool) 8 Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham) 4
Match odds: H 1-2 A 5-1 D 12-5
Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
Man Utd (4) v Aston Villa (15)
Rio Ferdinand is back in the United side following knee surgery, but top scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy (hamstring) and Nicky Butt (ankle) are out. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also expected to start after a slight training knock. Villa central defender Ronny Johnsen is facing a race to be fit to play against his former club. The Norwegian international, who left United as a free agent at the end of last season, has a thigh strain.
Last season: Man Utd 1 Aston Villa 0, Aston Villa 1 Man Utd 1
Last five league matches: Man Utd L W W W D Aston Villa L W L D L
Top scorers: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) 9 Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 3
Match odds: H 3-10 A 7-1 D 10-3
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
Middlesbrough (5) v Leeds (10)
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren will make late decisions on striker Alen Boksic (bruised foot), midfielder George Boateng (ankle) and full-back Robbie Stockdale (heel). But Jonathan Greening and Ugo Ehiogu are expected to shake off a dead leg and bruised knee respectively. Alan Smith is battling to be fit after suffering a deep cut in his leg, but Michael Bridges and Robbie Fowler are available. Captain Dominic Matteo could miss out again following a knee operation, with Swede Teddy Lucic ready to deputise again. Eirik Bakke and Lucas Radebe face late fitness tests.
Last season: Leeds 1 Middlesbrough 0, Middlesbrough 2 Leeds 2
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough L W W W L Leeds W L L D L
Top scorers: Massimo Maccarone (Middlesborough) 4 Harry Kewell (Leeds) 3 Mark Viduka (Leeds) 3
Match odds: H 6-5 A 9-5 D 11-5
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
Newcastle (11) v Charlton (16)
Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy is out after suffering a recurrence of his knee injury. Midfielder Kieron Dyer is included in a 21-man squad, and Lomana LuaLua is selected despite a worry over a knee injury. Strikers Carl Cort and Michael Chopra will provide the back-up, while defender Nikos Dabizas is free of suspension and goalkeeper Shay Given is expected to return. Charlton manager Alan Curbishley is awaiting a late check on defender Paul Konchesky. But midfielder Robbie Mustoe, who has been receiving treatment on his hip, is expected to be fit.
Last season: Newcastle 3 Charlton 0, Charlton 1 Newcastle 1
Last five league matches: Newcastle L W W W L Charlton L D L L W
Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 8 Jason Euell (Charlton) 2 Claus Jensen (Charlton) 2
Match odds: H 1-2 A 5-1 D 12-5
Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).
Southampton (12) v Fulham (8)
Latvian striker Marian Pahars is back in contention for Southampton following suspension, and defender Claus Lundekvam hopes to recover from a dead leg. Ecuador striker Agustin Delgado could be involved for the first time this season after a long-term calf problem. Fulham striker Facundo Sava is out with a calf injury. Midfielder Sean Davis could be out until December with his broken toe, while Louis Saha has a stubborn hamstring strain. Alain Goma faces a fitness test, and defender Martin Djetou is standing by for his full debut.
Last season: Southampton 1 Fulham 1, Fulham 2 Southampton 1
Last five league matches: Southampton L D D W W Fulham D L W D L
Top scorers: Brett Ormerod (Southampton) 5 Junichi Inamoto (Fulham) 6
Match odds: H 13-10 A 7-4 D 21-10
Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)
West Ham (14) v Everton (9)
Freddie Kanoute is again ruled out with a groin injury, but club captain Steve Lomas has recovered from the stomach virus which ruled him out of Wednesday's win at Fulham. David Moyes is likely to start teenage sensation Wayne Rooney on the bench at Upton Park. Moyes has Alessandro Pistone, Scot Gemmill and Steve Watson available after injury, the trio having come through a reserve match unscathed earlier in the week.
Last season: West Ham 1 Everton 0, Everton 5 West Ham 0
Last five league matches: West Ham D W L W W Everton W L W L W
Top scorers: Paolo di Canio (West Ham) 3 Kevin Campbell (Everton) 6
Match odds: H 11-10 A 2-1 D 11-5
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)