Premiership fixtures preview

Arsenal will be without Martin Keown (hamstring), injured against Coventry two weeks ago. Ian Wright and David Seaman are also both still injured. The 21-year old midfielder Stephen Hughes is likely to keep his place in the side, with David Platt remaining on the substitutes' bench, despite having recovered from injury. Gilles Grimandi, impressive in the 2-1 Coca-Cola cup first-leg win against Chelsea on Wednesday, retains the right-back place as Lee Dixon (hamstring) is still recovering. Patrick Vieira starts a two-match suspension.

Southampton manager Dave Jones will have to wait until the last moment before being able to decide on the fitness of England under-21 international Kevin Davies, who is still recovering from the ankle injury he suffered after scoring in Saints' 1-0 win over Manchester United 12 days ago. Carlton Palmer and Francis Benali start suspensions. Lee Todd will replace Benali providing he recovers from a shin injury, while Matthew Oakley is hopeful of shaking off a calf injury in time to play. Saints are unbeaten in six Premiership games.

Arsenal v Southampton

Bergkamp 14 Leading scorer Davies 12

Last season: 3-1

Bolton v Coventry

Blake 10 Leading scorer Dublin 13

Last season: No fixture

Bolton manager Colin Todd has recalled John Sheridan to his squad for the first time this season as the player has recovered from a knee injury. Defender Chris Fairclough is also recalled after a calf injury but Northern Ireland international centre-back Gerry Taggart will be in plaster for 10 days after damaging his ankle ligaments. Gudni Bergsson and Alan Thompson are still serving suspensions.

Coventry goalkeeper Magnus Hedman has recovered from a shoulder injury and will play. The 24-year-old Swede, who is keeping veteran Steve Ogrizovic out of the side, damaged a shoulder in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Derby last week but came through a training session with no problems. Ogrizovic is struggling with a finger injury so Scott Howie, on loan from Motherwell, stands by to take his place on the bench. Paul Telfer is Coventry's other doubt. The Scottish midfielder has a foot injury and will face a late fitness test. Paul Williams is suspended while Gary McAllister is still out with a knee injury.

Chelsea v Barnsley

Vialli 14 Leading scorer Fjortoft 12

Last season: No fixture

Frank Leboeuf returns for Chelsea after midweek friendly international duty. Leboeuf will replace player-manager Ruud Gullit as the Blues seek to improve the form that has seen just two wins in nine matches. Roberto Di Matteo is suspended, while Gullit will give a late fitness test to Dennis Wise, who has an injured toe. Bernard Lambourde stands by to deputise. Luca Vialli is likely to have to be content with a place on the bench again, despite having scored four goals in the 6-0 win at Oakwell at the start of the season.

Barnsley strikers Ashley Ward and Jan Age Fjortoft are likely to start up front. Fjortoft was cup-tied for last week's FA Cup fourth round draw at Tottenham. Ward had been considered for compassionate leave following the birth of his baby girl in the early hours of Thursday morning, but will probably play. Defender Peter Markstedt (neck), South African international midfielder Eric Tinkler (thigh) and left wing-back Darren Barnard (ankle) are all doubtful. Barnsley have secured seven points from a possible 12 in their past four Premiership games.

Dyer 7 Leading scorer Hasselbaink 11

Last season: No fixture

Crystal Palace v Leeds

Swedish international Tomas Brolin will have a point to prove at Selhurst Park when his new club Crystal Palace take on Leeds, the side which unceremoniously dumped him earlier in the season. Palace will be hoping that Italian striker Michele Padovano, as well as Neil Emblen and Simon Rodger, will be back from injury. But Attilio Lombardo and Paul Warhurst are both definitely out. Steve Coppell may be able to recall a nearly fit Neil Shipperley after injury, although the former England Under-21 international will find it hard to displace Bruce Dyer after last week's FA Cup hat-trick.

Alfie Haland (foot) and Lucas Radebe (back) are both likely to to have recovered and be able to start for Leeds, who are also expected to include former Palace employees Nigel Martyn and David Hopkin. Scottish midfielder Hopkin secured the Eagles promotion via the First Division Wembley play- offs final with his last-minute winning goal against Sheffield United last summer. Leeds have not won in the Premiership for five games, but Palace have yet to win a Premiership match at home.

Derby v Tottenham

Baiano 12 Leading scorer Ginola 7

Last season: 4-2

Dean Sturridge will lead Derby County's attack today, having recovered from the thigh strain which kept him out of last Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup exit at Coventry. Manager Jim Smith is not expected to make any other changes, which will mean Christian Dailly may have to wait for a return to the starting line-up. Dailly marked his rapid recovery from a broken jaw by coming on as a substitute at Highfield Road and he looks likely to continue on the bench today.

Tottenham's David Howells has recovered from a stomach virus that kept him out of last week's FA Cup fourth round tie with Barnsley and is added to the squad. Darren Anderton and Chris Armstrong both played in the reserves in midweek but are several games away from match fitness. Les Ferdinand also played, and scored, for the reserves and should play more than the hour he was allowed against Barnsley. Espen Bardsen retains his place in goal despite the signing of Frode Grodas from Chelsea to provide cover in the absence of England goalkeeper Ian Walker out with a shoulder injury.

Liverpool v Blackburn

Fowler 13 Leading scorer Gallacher 16

Last season: 0-0

Jamie Carragher stands by to step into Jamie Redknapp's midfield role for Liverpool today. Carragher is expected take his place on the pitch alongside Paul Ince following Redknapp's cartilage operation this week. Liverpool's only other doubt is defender Dominic Matteo, who picked up a slight leg injury in the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday, but he should be fit to retain his place. Liverpool will move into second place behind Manchester United if they win today.

Blackburn winger Stuart Ripley and midfielder Lars Bohinen have both passed fitness tests, so manager Roy Hodgson could well decide to keep faith with the team who started the FA Cup fourth-round 3-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday. Ripley has made a remarkable recovery from the knee injury he picked up at Hillsborough, while Bohinen has shrugged off a troublesome calf strain that has kept him out of contention him of late. Left-back Gary Croft is also back in contention, but midfielder Garry Flitcroft remains suspended.

Man Utd v Leicester

Cole 20 Leading scorer Marshall 8

Last season: 3-1

Manchester United have added Teddy Sheringham to the squad for today after his recovery from a calf injury. Nicky Butt returns after recovering from a virus and Gary Pallister is back after being rested. Manager Alex Ferguson said: "The League is the most important thing on the domestic scene and hopefully we can make sure we don't lose our lead at the top." Despite a five point lead at the top of the Premiership, United will be hoping not to slip up again, as they did in their last match, losing 1-0 at Southampton 12 days ago and passing up the chance to take an eight point lead in the process.

Leicester manager Martin O' Neill will not be able to name his squad until just before the match, as he waits for information about the fitness of Spencer Prior (groin) and Muzzy Izzet (toe), who both face late tests. Ian Marshall is still troubled with a groin problem but will take a pain- killing injection to play. Leicester's Premiership form has dipped lately, and their last five games have finished in three draws and two defeats.

Di Canio 10 Leading scorer Cort 6

Last season: 3-1

Sheff Wed v Wimbledon

England defender Andy Hinchcliffe should make his Sheffield Wednesday debut following his pounds 3m move from Everton yesterday. Wednesday manager Ron Atkinson will also welcome the return from injury of striker Andy Booth and Swedish international midfielder Niclas Alexandersson. Paolo Di Canio sits out the game due to a one-match ban while midfielder Graham Hyde completes a two-match suspension. Defender Dejan Stefanovic is also out due to a hamstring injury.

Joe Kinnear faces a familiar headache with nine first-team players on the injury list. Welsh international midfielder Ceri Hughes will be out for six to eight weeks with the torn hamstring which saw him taken off on a stretcher at Huddersfield in the FA Cup. Robbie Earle (knee), Neal Ardley (dead leg), Efan Ekoku (ankle ligaments) and Jason Euell (dislocated shoulder) are all doubts. England Under-21 defender Ben Thatcher is also out through injury. Vinnie Jones remains suspended but striker Carl Leaburn is available after being cup tied.

West Ham v Everton

Hartson 19 Leading scorer Ferguson, Speed 7

Last season: 2-2

Trevor Sinclair is expected to make his debut for West Ham at home after completing his pounds 3.5m move from QPR. The former England Under- 21 winger could partner John Hartson in attack, as Samassi Abou starts a two-match ban and Paul Kitson is still struggling with a groin injury. Sinclair moved to Upton Park in exchange for Iain Dowie, Keith Rowland and pounds 2m, and is looking to rediscover the form which earned him a call to the full England squad a couple of seasons ago.

Everton are without Craig Short (hamstring) while a late decision will be made on Dave Watson, who has just returned to training after a cartilage operation. Carl Tiler is suspended and Claus Thomsen is away with Denmark on international duty. Gary Speed will be disciplined by Everton after he refused to travel with the team to London. West Ham have taken 27 points out of a possible 30 at home and conceded just six goals while Everton have won just twice away this season in the Premiership.

Tomorrow

Aston Villa v Newcastle

Yorke 8 Leading scorer Barnes 7

Last season: 2-2

Brian Little's main selection problem is whether to recall his transfer-listed striker Savo Milosevic back into the squad. Milosevic was dropped for the FA Cup win over West Brom after being put up for sale. Milosevic is due back from international duty with Yugoslavia, however, and could be named among the substitutes. Villa hope Dwight Yorke will be able to play, as they wait for written confirmation from the Trinidad and Tobago FA that he can stay in England rather than fly out to America to play in the Gold Cup tournament. Riccardo Scimeca is standing by for a recall if Steve Staunton (knee) fails to recover.

Kenny Dalglish takes a full strength squad, including his two new signings, to Villa Park. The Newcastle manager has pounds 3m striker Andreas Andersson and pounds 1.5m full-back Andrew Griffin available, while central defender Darren Peacock is also back after serving a two-match suspension. The best Andersson can expect is probably a place on the United bench although Griffin may have a chance to make his League debut. Newcastle have lost five of their last six Premiership matches.