Arsenal (2nd) v Sunderland (3rd)Arsenal strikers Dennis Bergkamp and Sylvain Wiltord are still out of action and boss Arsene Wenger also has defensive worries, with Oleg Luzhny (broken rib), David Seaman (ankle) and Martin Keown (hamstring) injured. Latvian Igor Stepanovs could again partner Tony Adams in central defence, while midfielder Lauren (knee) is also absent.

Sunderland recall Slovakia international Stanislav Varga to central defence for only his fourth start in the Premiership after missing three months with a badly gashed leg. He replaces record signing Emerson Thome, who is suspended for one game. Kevin Kilbane is set to miss out again with Don Hutchison continuing in a wide position.

Last season: Arsenal 4 Sunderland 1, Sunderland 0 Arsenal 0 Last five league matches: Arsenal W W D L W, Sunderland W W L W W Top scorers: Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 14; Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 10 Match odds: H 4-11 A 7-1 D 11-4 Referee: G Barber (Tring)

Ipswich (5th) v Tottenham (11th)

Ipswich have a doubt about midfielder Jim Magilton (knee) who has missed training since the defeat at Manchester United on December 23rd. Alun Armstrong is expected to shake off a knock to his knee and keep his place in Town's attack.

Tim Sherwood (knee), Stephen Carr (groin) and Les Ferdinand (head) are doubtful for Spurs, while out-of-sorts Ukrainian striker Sergei Rebrov faces the axe. He could be replaced by Gary Doherty.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Ipswich L W W L D, Tottenham L D D D L Top scorers: Marcus Stewart (Ipswich) 12; Steve Ferguson (Tottenham) 9 Match odds: H 10-11 A 12-5 D 9-4 Referee: M Messias (York)

Man City (17th) v Charlton (13th)

Striker Darren Huckerby is expected to be on the bench for City following his £2.5 million move from Leeds. Paul Dickov and Shaun Goater are likely to start up front as Paulo Wanchope is suspended. Jeff Whitley and Mark Kennedy are out with knee injuries.

Charlton are likely to have South African duo Mark Fish and Shaun Bartlett back from a groin strain and sore hamstring respectively. Bartlett's fellow forward Matt Svensson is extremely doubtful with a back problem that has kept him out of training this week.

Last season: No corresponding fixture Last five league matches: Man City L W D L D, Charlton L D L W L Top scorers: Paulo Wanchope (Man City) 10; Sean Bartlett (Charlton) 11 Match odds: H 4-5 A 11-4 D 23-10 Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucester)

Middlesbrough (19th) v Coventry (18th)

Middlesbrough could recall Colombian international striker Hamilton Ricard after a three-match ban and he may play alongside Alen Boksic if the Croatian international recovers from a heavy cold. Midfield player Robbie Mustoe (virus) faces a fitness test but central defender Steve Vickers is out with a calf injury.

Coventry's Bosnian centre-back Mo Konjic (back injury) is doubtful. If he cannot play, manager Gordon Strachan is expected to field the line-up which finished the victory at Everton on St Stephen's Day, with Marc Edworthy at right-back.

Last season: Coventry 2 Middlesbrough 1, Middlesbrough 2 Coventry 0 Last five league matches: Middlesbrough L L W D W, Coventry L W L D W Top scorers: Alen Boksic (Middlesbrough) 6; John Aloisi (Coventry) 6 Match odds: H 4-6 A 10-3 D 12-5 Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)

Newcastle (7th) v Man Utd (1st)

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson has been handed a series of injury boosts. Alan Shearer (knee), Rob Lee and Carl Cort (both hamstring) and Kevin Gallacher (calf) are all out, but 'keeper Shay Given has shaken off the thigh injury which kept him out of the 21 victory over Leeds on Tuesday, while Warren Barton (groin) and Kieron Dyer and Clarence Acuna (both calf) have recovered from their knocks.

Dwight Yorke returns to the Manchester United squad after being suspended for the last three games following his sending-off in the Worthington Cup defeat by Sunderland on November 28. United have only one selection doubt with Denis Irwin nursing an ankle injury but he could be included in the squad if he has responded to treatment.

Last season: Newcastle 3 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 5 Newcastle 1 Last five league matches: Newcastle D L W L W, Man Utd W D L W W Top scorers: Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 7; Teddy Sheringham (Man Utd) 15 Match odds: H 3-1 A 8-11 D 12-5 Referee: M Riley (Leeds)

Southampton (14th) v Derby (16th)

Midfielders Hassan Kachloul and Kevin Gibbens are in contention for recalls after both players missed Wednesday's 2-0 win against Tottenham with one-match bans. Matthew Oakley is still struggling with a back injury and Chris Marsden misses out with a groin injury.

Derby will be without Darryl Powell and the Rams' skipper is likely to be sidelined for a fortnight with a hamstring strain. Seth Johnson will move into midfield, with Danny Higginbotham taking over at left wingback. Striker Dean Sturridge is back in an 18-man squad after Lee Morris damaged an ankle in training this week and midfielder Stefano Eranio is also included after he was rested for the St Stephen's Day game at Maine Road.

Last season: Derby 2 Southampton 0, Southampton 3 Derby 3 Last five league matches: Southampton L W L D W, Derby W L W W D Top scorers: James Beattie (Southampton) 9; Malcolm Christie (Derby) 8 Match odds: H 10-11 A 12-5 D 9-4 Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay)

West Ham (8th) v Chelsea (10th)

West Ham manager Harry Redknapp is set to keep the same squad on duty against Charlton on St Stephen's Day. Davor Suker is still missing with a hip problem and Igor Stimac is another week away from returning from a calf problem.

Defender Marcel Desailly is ruled out for Chelsea due to a one-match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards. Chelsea are hoping new signing Jesper Gronkjaer will be able to join the squad, even though the winger is still short of match fitness after injury. Graeme Le Saux and Albert Ferrer are both close to comebacks from ankle injuries, but the icy conditions should ensure both of them, as well as Celestine Babayaro (hamstring), do not return at Upton Park.

Last season: West Ham 0 Chelsea 0, Chelsea 0 West Ham 0 Last five league matches: West Ham W D D L W, Chelsea W W L W D Top scorers: Paolo di Canio (West Ham) 9; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 13 Match odds: H 6-5 A 9-5 D 11-5 Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood)

Odds supplied courtesy of William Hill