Blackburn (9) v Man City (11)
Damien Duff's hamstring problem will keep him out of the Blackburn squad, while hopes that Hakan Sukur might be on the bench for the first time after his broken leg have also come to nothing - but the duo should be fit for Rovers' next match, the visit of Arsenal on March 15.
Sylvain Distin looks certain to replace Richard Dunne in the City defence after last week's home mauling by Arsenal when Dunne was blamed for the first three Gunners' goals. Kevin Horlock could return at the expense of Djamel Belmadi, but goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel (calf) is a doubt and Jon Macken (hamstring), Paulo Wanchope (shoulder) and Danny Tiatto (stomach) are all out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Blackburn D L L W W, Man City L W L D L
Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (Blackburn) 12; Nicolas Anelka (Man City) 12
Match odds: H 10-11 A 5-2 D 11-5
Referee: S Dunn (Avon).
Fulham (15) v Sunderland (20)
Fulham striker Steve Marlet (knee) and winger Luis Boa Morte (ankle) are sidelined while midfielder Sean Davis (groin) and centre-back Alain Goma (hamstring) are struggling and midfielder John Collins has irritated muscles in his right side.
Marcus Stewart comes into contention for a return to the Sunderland attack after playing the full 90 minutes of Thursday's reserve defeat at Birmingham. Matthew Piper and Sean Thornton are expected to challenge David Bellion for the wide right midfield position and Talal el Karkouri will continue to partner Jody Craddock in central defence and keep Phil Babb on the bench.
Last season: Sunderland 1 Fulham 1, Fulham 2 Sunderland 0
Last five league matches: Fulham L L W W D, Sunderland L L L L L
Top scorers: Steed Malbranque (Fulham) 13; Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 9
Match odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2
Referee: E Wolstenholme (Lancashire).
Middlesbrough (13) v Everton (5)
Strikers Michael Ricketts and Malcolm Christie and defender Chris Riggott all make their home debuts for Boro. Brazilian midfield star Juninho and central defender Ugo Ehiogu have recovered from injury and are included in the squad - both could be on the substitutes' bench.
Everton striker Kevin Campbell is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after playing well as a second half substitute against Southampton last week. Tomasz Radzinski looks certain to start with USA striker Brian McBride and Wayne Rooney both likely to be on the bench.
Last season: Middlesbrough 1 Everton 0, Everton 2 Middlesbrough 0
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough D L L D W, Everton W W W L W
Top scorers: Massimo Maccarone (Middlesbrough) 6; Tomasz Radzinski (Everton) 11
Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 11-5
Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).
Newcastle (3) v Chelsea (4)
Jonathan Woodgate is in line to make his Newcastle debut after recovering from a thigh injury, but Laurent Robert is suspended and Jermaine Jenas (Achilles) and Carl Cort (ankle) are out. However, Hugo Viana is included in the squad, as is striker Craig Bellamy after completing his European ban.
Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is without Marcel Desailly (bruised hip), Emmanuel Petit (groin), Graeme Le Saux (thigh) and Ed de Goey (calf).
Last season: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 2, Chelsea 1 Newcastle 1
Last five league matches: Newcastle W W W D W, Chelsea L W D W L
Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 21; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea) 13
Match odds: H 1-1 A 11-5 D 11-5
Referee: J Winter (Cleveland).
Southampton (10) v West Brom (19)
England defender Wayne Bridge returns to the Saints squad after six weeks out with a torn calf muscle, but Danny Higginbotham should keep his place at left-back. Midfielder David Prutton should make his home debut in place of the injured Rory Delap, but strikers Agustin Delgado and Marian Pahars are both out.
Lee Hughes is set to continue his partnership with Danny Dichio up front for West Brom even though he missed a series of chances in the defeat to West Ham. Jason Roberts is still suspended while Andy Johnson (toe) is ruled out.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Southampton L W L L L, West Brom L W D L L
Top scorers: James Beattie (Southampton) 18; Daniele Dichio (West Brom) 7
Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 12-5
Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).
West Ham (18) v Tottenham (8)
West Ham's Italian striker Paolo di Canio has been ruled out with gastritis. Midfielder Joe Cole returns after his one-match ban but French striker Fredi Kanoute misses out as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension.
Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle is still faced with a striker shortage, with Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane out with a knee injury and Steffen Iversen nursing a back problem. However midfielder Gus Poyet came through training and looks set to shake off an ankle injury in time to play.
Last season: Tottenham 1 West Ham 1, West Ham 0 Tottenham 1
Last five league matches: West Ham L W L L W, Tottenham W L D W D
Top scorers: Jermain Defoe (West Ham) 9; Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham) 10
Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10
Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).
Arsenal (1) v Charlton (6)
Patrick Vieira and Lauren are suspended, as is Ashley Cole - who is sidelined for six weeks anyway after a hernia operation. Giovanni van Bronckhorst is set to play at left-back, but Kanu (thigh) and Oleg Luzhny (calf) face fitness tests, although Gunners boss Arsene Wenger may resist the temptation to restore Fredrik Ljungberg to the starting line-up after a persistent Achilles injury.
Alan Curbishley is giving youth an opportunity by bringing two teenagers from his under-18 team into the Charlton squad. Osei Sankofa and Lloyd Sam were members of Charlton's FA Youth Cup team which reached the last four of the competition last year and have featured for the reserves this season. Mark Fish and Paul Konchesky are both back from suspension and Richard Rufus is now match fit again, giving Curbishley a selection poser.
Last season: Charlton 0 Arsenal 3, Arsenal 2 Charlton 4
Last five league matches: Arsenal W D W D W, Charlton W W W W W
Top scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 25; Jason Euell (Charlton) 10
Match odds: H 3-10 A 15-2 D 16-5
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).