Arsenal (4) v Blackburn (3)

French midfielder Patrick Vieira is back in the Arsenal squad after four games out injured, but may not be risked. Steve Bould has cleared a three-match ban and is available again, but might only make the bench as Tony Adams and Martin Keown hit top form in last week's 1-0 win at Newcastle.

Teenage striker James Beattie could make his first start of the season for Blackburn and his second in all, having scored 15 goals in the reserves. Damian Duff is out with a thigh injury, while Swedish striker Martin Dahlin is struggling with injury and Chris Sutton is serving a one-match suspension.

Last season: Arsenal 1-1 Blackburn, Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal.

Last five League matches: Arsenal LWLLW, Blackburn DWWLW.

Top scorers: Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal) 12; Chris Sutton (Blackburn) 12.

Match odds: H 4-5 A 3-1 D 9-4.

Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).

Barnsley (20) v Newcastle (9)

Peter Markstedt returns for Barnsley after missing Monday's 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday with a neck injury. Arjan de Zeeuw, who has a damaged groin, is still doubtful, but South African international Eric Tinkler is back in contention after playing for his country against Brazil last Sunday.

Newcastle's Italian Under-21 defender, Alessandro Pistone, is doubtful after injuring his back in Wednesday's Champions' League victory over Dinamo Kiev. His place is likely to taken by John Beresford, who has recovered from a thigh strain. Warren Barton (thigh), Steve Howey (blistered feet) and Ian Rush (knee) should all be available as well.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five League matches: Barnsley DLWLL, Newcastle DWWLL.

Top scorers: Neil Redfearn (Barnsley) 7; John Barnes, Faustino Asprilla (Newcastle) 6.

Match odds: H 3-1 A 4-5 D 9-4.

Referee: P E Alcock (Redhill).

Chelsea (2) v Leeds (5)

Tore Andre Flo keeps his place in the Chelsea attack after his first hat-trick in English football at Tottenham last week. He partners Gianfranco Zola, with Mark Hughes beginning a three-match ban. Nigerian Celestine Babayaro is a big doubt with a foot injury, although Steve Clarke is available, and both Andy Myers and Danny Granville came through a reserve outing unscathed.

Jimmy Hasselbaink could be pushed by Derek Lilley for a place in the Leeds forward line, with Harry Kewell on duty for Australia in Saudi Arabia. Skipper David Hopkin returns from a three-match suspension to boost the midfield.

Last season: Chelsea 0-0 Leeds, Leeds 2-0 Chelsea.

Last five League matches: Chelsea WLWWW, Leeds WWWWD.

Top scorers: Gianluca Vialli (Chelsea) 10; Rod Wallace (Leeds) 10.

Match odds: H 4-6 A 7-2 D 12-5.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).

Coventry (16) v Tottenham (18) SCOTLAND skipper Gary McAllister returns to the Coventry midfield after missing last weekend's match at Aston Villa with a twisted knee. Striker Darren Huckerby is under treatment for an ankle injury, so Welsh international Simon Haworth stands by. Willie Boland and Paul Williams are both banned.

Spurs are without central defenders Sol Campbell (shoulder injury), John Scales (depresssed fracture of the cheekbone) and Ramon Vega (suspended). Injury-plagued Darren Anderton is pushing for a starting place, while Andy Sinton and Jose Domingues are fit again.

Last season: Coventry 1-2 Tottenham, Tottenham 1-2 Coventry.

Last five League matches: Coventry WDLLL, Tottenham LLLWL.

Top scorers: Dion Dublin (Coventry) 8; David Ginola (Tottenham) 5.

Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 9-4.

Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).

Crystal Palace (14) v Liverpool (8)

Palace will give key trio Bruce Dyer, Attilio Lombardo and Andy Roberts as long as possible to prove their fitness after injury. Dyer and Roberts have both missed the last two games, while Italian Lombardo has not played since November 8th due to a damaged hamstring.

Liverpool will be without German striker Karlheinz Riedle, who has been suffering from 'flu all week. Paul Ince, now clear of a three-match suspension, has a groin strain and a decision will be made on his fitness nearer kick-off.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five League matches: Crystal Palace DWLLD, Liverpool DWLWL.

Top scorers: Neil Shipperley (Crystal Palace) 5; Robbie Fowler (Liverpool) 9.

Match odds: H 2-1 A 11-10 D 9-4.

Referee: N S Barry (Scunthorpe).

Everton (19) v Wimbledon (10)

Everton will be without suspended duo Slaven Bilic and Duncan Ferguson. Manager Howard Kendall has named teenage striker Danny Cadamarteri in the starting line-up to play alongside Nick Barmby, while Carl Tiler continues in defence. Teenagers Phil Jevons and Francis Jeffers will be on the bench.

Wimbledon will be without the suspended Ceri Hughes and Chris Perry, and with Scottish defender Brian McAllister injured, Joe Kinnear will be forced to reshuffle his pack. Nigerian striker Efan Ekoku is set to return after being out for a month with ankle ligament trouble.

Last season: Everton 1-3 Wimbledon, Wimbledon 4-0 Everton.

Last five League matches: Everton LLLLD, Wimbledon LWLLW.

Top scorers: Gary Speed, Danny Cadamarteri (Everton) 5; Carl Cort (Wimbledon) 6.

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

Referee: G R Ashby (Worcester).

Southampton (17) v Leicester (6)

Southampton boss Dave Jones is expected to name an unchanged side, although Egil Ostenstad is pushing for a starting role up front as Southampton bid to end a run of four successive defeats.

Emile Heskey returns from a three-match suspension to bolster Leicester's strike-force, while Steve Guppy and Steve Walsh have recovered from illness after missing last week's draw against Crystal Palace. All three are expected to be recalled, with Steve Claridge, Rob Ullathorne and Stuart Campbell likely to be relegated to the bench.

Last season: Southampton 2-2 Leicester, Leicester 2-1 Southampton.

Last five League matches: Southampton WWLLL, Leicester DLDWD.

Top scorers: Kevin Davies (Southampton) 10; Ian Marshall (Leicester) 7.

Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 9-4.

Referee: S J Lodge (Barnsley).

West Ham (11) v Sheff Wed (13)

West Ham striker Paul Kitson is set to start his first game for nearly three months, having fully recovered from a groin injury. Midfielder John Moncur has had 'flu all week and may be ruled out, while Craig Forrest is poised to replace neck-injury victim Ludek Miklosko in goal.

Sheffield Wednesday are likely to announce an unchanged line-up following Monday's Yorkshire derby victory at home to Barnsley. The only switch could be the return of Jon Newsome if he has recovered from a groin strain. New signing Niclas Alexandersson, a £750,000 buy from IFK Gothenburg, is likely to be on the bench.

Last season: West Ham 5-1 Sheff Wed, Sheff Wed 0-0 West Ham.

Last five League matches: West Ham LLWWL, Sheff Wed LWWWW.

Top scorers: John Hartson (West Ham) 17; Paolo Di Canio (Sheff Wed) 9.

Match odds: H 5-6 A 13-5 D 12-5.

Referee: M A Riley (Leeds).

Tomorrow Bolton (15) v Derby (7)

Bolton have doubts over Keith Branagan (groin) and Gerry Taggart (groin). Gavin Ward will replace Branagan if he fails to recover from the injury he sustained at Blackburn last week, but manager Colin Todd will stick with the central defensive partnership of Mark Fish and Andy Todd even if Taggart is fit.

Stefano Eranio has recovered from a head injury and is expected to start for Derby. Croatian Igor Stimac, who returned from injury against the Hammers, skippers the side.

Last season: No corresponding fixtures.

Last five League matches: Bolton LDWWL, Derby WLWLW.

Top scorers: Nathan Blake (Bolton) 8; Paulo Wanchope (Derby) 10.

Match odds: H 11-8 A 6-4 D 12-5.

Referee: U D Rennie (Sheffield).

Odds supplied by William Hill