Today

Aston Villa (6) v Leicester (11)

Villa are without Welsh international full back Mark Delaney, who is serving a one-match ban after being sent off in the FA Cup semi-final victory over Bolton. Leicester's Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon will be back from suspension while Steve Guppy faces a race against time to be fit after being substituted against Tottenham on Wednesday with a back and hamstring injury. Matt Elliott is expected to continue up front.

Last season: Leicester 2 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 1 Leicester 1

Last five league matches: Aston Villa L W W W W, Leicester W L D W L

Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Aston Villa) 14; Tony Cottee (Leicester) 10

Match odds: H 4-7 A 4-1 D 5-2

Referee: G Barber (Tring)

Chelsea (5) v Middlesbrough (13)

Chelsea are without defenders Celestine Babayaro and Albert Ferrer and striker George Weah. Babayaro and Weah are away on international duty with Nigeria and Liberia respectively, while Ferrer is ruled out through an ankle injury sustained in the midweek Champions League defeat by Barcelona. Middlesbrough midfielder Paul Gascoigne returns for the first time since breaking his arm on February 14th. Defender Colin Cooper is also back from a shin injury while midfielder Neil Maddison has recovered from a hamstring strain, but Gary Pallister is still out with a back problem.

Last season: Middlesbrough 0 Chelsea 0, Chelsea 2 Middlesbrough 0

Last five league matches: Chelsea D D W W L, Middlesbrough D W W L L

Top scorers: Tore Andre Flo (Chelsea) 19; Hamilton Ricard (Middlesbrough) 13

Match odds: H 1-3 A 7-1 D 3-1

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield)

Sheff Wed (18) v Sunderland (7)

Northern Ireland defender Ian Nolan returns to the Sheffield Wednesday squad after missing the victory over Chelsea because of a hamstring injury. Caretaker manager Peter Shreeves may be tempted to field the same side as Steve Haslam was outstanding last weekend.

Sunderland await fitness checks on Alex Rae and Nicky Summerbee. Midfielder Rae has a thigh strain and winger Summerbee, who has struggled to hold his place in the starting line-up in recent matches, picked up a knock in a midweek reserve game. New signing Milton Nunez is available again after being away on international duty with Honduras and Paul Butler has recovered from a hamstring injury.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Sheff Wed L L L W W, Sunderland D W W W L

Top scorers: Gilles De Bilde (Sheff Wed) 9; Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 27

Match odds: H Evs A 2-1 D 12-5

Referee: M Reed (Birmingham)

Southampton (15) v Man Utd (1)

Denis Irwin is out, recovering from a hamstring strain picked up in the midweek Champions League defeat by Real Madrid. Mark Bosnich is still under treatment for a groin injury, so Raimond van der Gouw is set to continue in goal. Long-time absentee Ronny Johnsen could make the squad and Phil Neville or Mickael Silvestre will replace Irwin at left back. Southampton welcome back Moroccan international Hassan Kachloul, the midfielder having recovered from a hamstring strain. Defender Jason Dodd and Latvian striker Marian Pahars have overcome a 'flu virus while French full back Patrick Colleter is available again following a four-match ban. James Beattie (ankle) and Matthew Le Tissier (hernia) are extremely doubtful.

Last season: Man Utd 2 Southampton 1, Southampton 0 Man Utd 3

Last five league matches: Southampton W D L W W, Man Utd W W W W W

Top scorers: Marian Pahars (Southampton) 12; Andy Cole (Man Utd) 22

Match odds: H 9-2 A 8-15 D 12-5

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe)

Tottenham (10) v Wimbledon (17)

Tottenham are expected to name an unchanged team with assistant manager Stewart Houston - in charge while George Graham is on sick leave - naming the same squad who were on duty at Leicester on Wednesday.

Wimbledon manager Egil Olsen may bring back Ben Thatcher, the subject of a bid from Spurs, after an ankle injury. Jason Euell returns from suspension while Carl Cort is expected to start despite missing training this week. Club captain Robbie Earle is likely to miss the rest of the season after having blood transfusions following an incident in a reserves game when he was kicked in the stomach.

Last season: Tottenham 0 Wimbledon 0, Wimbledon 3 Tottenham 1

Last five league matches: Tottenham D L L L W, Wimbledon L L L L

Top scorers: Steffen Iversen (Tottenham) 18; Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 17

Match odds: H 8-11 A 13-5 D 11-4

Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)

West Ham (8) v Coventry (14)

West Ham starlet Joe Cole will miss the rest of the season after suffering a hairline fracture of his right leg against Derby last weekend, but Craig Forrest, Neil Ruddock, Steve Potts, Freddie Kanoute and Igor Stimac have all recovered from knocks. Steve Lomas is absent with a virus and Marc-Vivien Foe is away on international duty with Cameroon.

Coventry will be without their Moroccan midfielders Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo as both are on international duty. Young midfielder Barry Quinn is likely to come back into contention for a place in the starting line-up with Steve Froggatt pushing forward into his preferred wide midfield role as Chippo's replacement.

Last season: West Ham 2 Coventry 0, Coventry 0 West Ham 0

Last five league matches: West Ham D W L W W, Coventry W L L L W

Top scorers: Paulo Wanchope (West Ham) 16; Robbie Keane (Coventry) 18

Match odds: H 1-2 A 9-2 D 13-5

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay)

Sunday

Newcastle (12) v Leeds (4)

Newcastle goalkeepers Shay Given and Steve Harper are both struggling with ankle and knee injuries respectively, and Duncan Ferguson, Temuri Ketsbaia, Nikos Dabizas (all knee), Kevin Gallacher (thigh), Paul Robinson (hamstring) and Alain Goma (groin) are all out, while Nolberto Solano is on World Cup duty with Peru. Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gavilan is set for his first start, while Spanish defender Marcelino is also back in contention.

Leeds manager David O'Leary is likely to give Gary Kelly a late fitness test on a groin injury as the club look to bounce back from their UEFA Cup defeat by Galatasaray.

Last season: Leeds 0 Newcastle 1, Newcastle 0 Leeds 3

Last five league matches: Newcastle W L W L L, Leeds W L L L L

Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 30; Michael Bridges (Leeds) 17

Match odds: H 5-4 A 8-5 D 12-5

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-hill)

Watford (20) v Arsenal (3)

Watford manager Graham Taylor expects to name an unchanged side. Allan Smart is suffering from swelling to the knee, but is expected to play before having an operation during the close season, but Nordin Wooter is doubtful despite returning to training this week.

Arsenal captain Tony Adams and midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg are out, Emmanuel Petit is a major doubt with knee trouble and Kanu has flown to Nigeria to play a World Cup qualifier.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Watford W D L D L, Arsenal L W W W W

Top scorers: Allan Smart (Watford) 5; Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 22

Match odds: H 6-1 A 2-5 D 11-4

Referee: R Harris (Oxford)