SOCCER:A look at the weekend's matches

Tottenham Hotspur (6)

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Liverpool (9)

RAFAEL van der Vaart has been rated only “50-50” to return for Tottenham with an ankle knock, while Jermaine Jenas (calf) is a doubt. Michael Dawson (ligament damage) is back in training, but Giovani dos Santos (groin) looks to be out, while Ledley King (groin), Jamie O’Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are out.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is set to return after a hamstring injury. Captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring) is definitely out.

Last season: Liverpool 2, Tottenham 0; Tottenham 2, Liverpool 1. Last five league matches: Tottenham LLDWW; Liverpool WWDLW. Top scorers (all competitions): Gareth Bale (Tottenham) 9; Steven Gerrard David Ngog (Liverpool) 7. Match odds: H 21-20 A 13-5 D 12-5. Referee: Martin Atkinson.

Bolton Wanderers (5)

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Blackpool (12)

BOLTON manager Owen Coyle could be tempted to name an unchanged side as Sam Ricketts and Matt Taylor look set to retain their places ahead of Gretar Steinsson and Martin Petrov.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway will make one enforced change as striker Marlon Harewood is sidelined with a torn hamstring. Harewood suffered the setback in training this week after scoring in the win over Wolves at the weekend. Ludovic Sylvestre is doubtful with a hamstring strain, as is Chris Basham with a knee problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Bolton LWDWW; Blackpool WDLDW. Top scorers (all competitions): Johan Elmander (Bolton) 8; Marlon Harewood (Blackpool) 5. Match odds: H 8-13 A 4-1 D 16-5 Referee: Mike Dean.

Manchester United (2)

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Blackburn Rovers (11)

CENTRAL defensive duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will return for Manchester United after both were rested against Rangers in midweek. Darren Fletcher (ankle) is definitely out and Paul Scholes (groin) is doubtful.

Morten Gamst Pedersen and Blackburn team-mate Brett Emerton have hamstring injuries and will be assessed, along with Steven Nzonzi and Benjani Mwaruwari, whose hamstring problems have kept them sidelined recently.

Last season: Blackburn 0, Man Utd 0; Man Utd 2, Blackburn 0. Last five league matches: Man Utd WWDDW; Blackburn LWWLW. Top scorers (all competitions): Dimitar Berbatov Javier Hernandez (Man Utd) 7; Mame Biram Diouf Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn) 4. Match odds: H 2-7 A 9-1 D 9-2. Referee: Lee Probert.

West Ham United (20)

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Wigan Athletic (18)

WEST Ham will check on the fitness of Scott Parker (virus), Kieron Dyer (hamstring) and Valon Behrami (hip). Zavon Hines (knee) is fit again, but Mark Noble (hip) is out. Manuel Da Costa (ankle), Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Jack Collison (knee) and Junior Stanislas (groin) remain out.

Wigan pair Hugo Rodallega and Antolin Alcaraz are suspended after being sent off at Manchester United last week. Defender Gary Caldwell has a chance of returning from a thigh injury .

Last season: West Ham 3, Wigan 2; Wigan 1, West Ham 0. Last five league matches: West Ham LDDDL; Wigan LLDWL. Top scorers (all competitions): Scott Parker Frederic Piquionne (West Ham) 5; Charles N’Zogbia Hugo Rodallega (Wigan) 4. Match odds: H 10-11 A 3-1 D 5-2 Referee: Mark Halsey.

Newcastle United (10)

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Chelsea (1)

NEWCASTLE manager Chris Hughton will be without suspended Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Joey Barton, but Cheik Tiote is back after a ban. Steve Harper (shoulder) and Leon Best (ankle) are closing in on returns, but Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments), Dan Gosling (knee) and Hatem Ben Arfa remain on the sidelines.

John Terry will miss the match against Newcastle with a nerve problem in his leg. Frank Lampard is out with a groin problem. Michael Essien is suspended.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Newcastle WWLDL; Chelsea WLWLL. Top scorers (all competitions): Andy Carroll (Newcastle) 8; Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) 10. Match odds: H 9-2 A 4-6 D 13-5. Referee: Andre Marriner.

Aston Villa (13)

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Arsenal (3)

ASTON Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is battling to be fit having missed training through illness. Fellow striker John Carew is available after a four-game absence due to a calf problem. Defender James Collins returns after a calf injury.

Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) will miss out for Arsenal. Gael Clichy is expected to have overcome a back problem but Emmanuel Eboue is out with a knee ligament strain. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (elbow) may return, but Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Abou Diaby (ankle) remain out.

Last season: Aston Villa 0, Arsenal 0; Arsenal 3, Aston Villa 0. Last five league matches: Aston Villa DDWDL; Arsenal WLWWL. Top scorers (all competitions): Stewart Downing (Aston Villa) 5; Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal) 9. Match odds: H 5-2 A 21-20 D 12-5. Referee: Mark Clattenburg.

Fulham (17)

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Birmingham City (15)

Fulham striker Andy Johnson (hamstring) is a doubt for the visit of his former club Birmingham while Moussa Dembele (ankle) and Bobby Zamora (leg) are also out . Rafik Halliche (thigh), Fredrik Stoor (groin), and Philippe Senderos (Achilles) are also unavailable.

Birmingham midfielder Craig Gardner’s ankle problem is improving although he is not ready to return at Craven Cottage. Striker James McFadden remains City’s only long-term absentee with his knee ligament injury.

Last season: Fulham 2, Birmingham 1; Birmingham 1, Fulham 0. Last five league matches: Fulham WDLDL; Birmingham DDLDW. Top scorers (all competitions): Clint Dempsey (Fulham) 5; Craig Gardner (Birmingham) 4. Match odds: H 21-20 A 14-5 D 9-4. Referee: Howard Webb.

Wolverhampton (19)

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Sunderland (7)

WOLVES defender Steven Mouyokolo is struggling with a back injury and they will be without captain Karl Henry after he suffered a knee injury. Dave Edwards is also out with a thigh complaint. Christophe Berra is suspended, but Ronald Zubar has recovered from an ankle injury.

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble underwent surgery on a damaged knee cartilage yesterday, while fellow centre-back Michael Turner is out for with a knee ligament injury. Striker Asamoah Gyan has returned to training after a thigh strain.

Last season: Wolves 2, Sunderland 1; Sunderland 5, Wolves 2. Last five league matches: Wolves WLLLL; Sunderland LWDWD. Top scorers (all competitions): Steven Fletcher (Wolves) 4; Darren Bent (Sunderland) 8. Match odds: H 8-5 A 7-4 D 11-5. Referee: Michael Jones.

Stoke City (8)

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Manchester City (4)

STOKE will give a late fitness test to Jermaine Pennant after he came off with a hamstring problem only 11 minutes into last Saturday’s 3-0 win at West Brom. Defender Andy Wilkinson (sore knee) could also miss out but striker Jon Walters (groin) should be fit to play.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will be without the suspended Pablo Zabaleta, so Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng could both be recalled. Mario Balotelli is available after his three-match ban.

Last season: Stoke 1, Man City 1; Man City 2, Stoke 0. Last five league matches: Stoke LLWWW; Man City LWDDW. Top scorers (all competitions): Kenwyne Jones (Stoke) 6; Carlos Tevez (Man City) 9. Match odds: H 12-5 A 6-5 D 11-5. Referee: Peter Walton.

Everton (14)

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West Brom (16)

EVERTON forward Victor Anichebe could be back in contention having not made a senior appearance all season due to a knee injury suffered in pre-season. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is suspended. Leon Osman (ankle) and Ross Barkley (broken leg) are the other major absentees.

West Brom are waiting on Chris Brunt, who is a doubt due to the groin injury. However, James Morrison (back) and Steven Reid (Achilles) are expected to be fit.

Last season: No corresponding fixture. Last five league matches: Everton WDDLD; West Brom LLDLL. Top scorers (all competitions): Tim Cahill (Everton) 7; Peter Odemwingie (West Brom) 4. Match odds: H 8-13 A 4-1 D 3-1. Referee: Lee Mason.