Sunday, March 17
Demba Ba could return up front for Chelsea in place of Fernando Torres - Ba was ineligible for the Europa League defeat of Steaua Bucharest, when Torres scored the decisive goal, missed a late penalty and suffered a bloody nose. Frank Lampard, who was an unused substitute against the Romanians, could feature against his former club with the midfielder eyeing his 200th Chelsea goal. Long-term injury victim Oriol Romeu (knee) is the only definite absentee.
West Ham look set to be without captain Kevin Nolan, who suffered a broken toe last month and is yet to return to training. Mark Noble (arm) is also absent and Joe Cole (hamstring) a major doubt to face his old club. Matthew Taylor is in contention after recovering from concussion and defender George McCartney could also be involved after three months out with a knee problem.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Chelsea D L W L W; West Ham L W L L W
Top scorers (all competitions): Demba Ba & Juan Mata (Chelsea) 17; Kevin Nolan (West Ham) 6
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
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Sunderland v Norwich (1330)
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will make a late check on full-back Danny Rose, who returned to first-team action as a substitute in the defeat at QPR and reported a little tightness in the hamstring which had sidelined him for the previous two games. Striker Connor Wickham has returned from his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday and winger James McClean, who missed the Loftus Road match through illness, could figure -
but skipper Lee Cattermole (knee) is still sidelined.
Republic of Ireland forward Anthony Pilkington faces two to three weeks out with a hamstring injury and will miss out for Norwich. Midfielder Alex Tettey (knee) is expected to return following the international break at Wigan on March 30 and England goalkeeper John Ruddy will resume full training at the end of this month, while winger Andrew Surman (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Last season: Sunderland 3 Norwich 0, Norwich 2 Sunderland 1
Last five league matches: Sunderland L L L D L; Norwich D D W L D
Top scorers (all competitions): Steven Fletcher (Sunderland) 11; Grant Holt(Norwich) 5
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
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Tottenham forward Gareth Bale returns to the squad after sitting out the trip to Inter Milan due to suspension. Winger Aaron Lennon should return to the starting line-up after he came off the bench in Milan following his recovery from a hamstring injury. Former Fulham forward Clint Dempsey (calf) is expected to be available, but defender Younes Kaboul and midfielder Sandro (both knee) are out.
Fulham boss Martin Jol has an unchanged squad. Steve Sidwell has shaken off a knock but fellow midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is still missing with a knee injury which could rule him out for the rest of the season.
Last season: Tottenham 2 Fulham 0, Fulham 1 Tottenham 3
Last five league matches: Tottenham W W W W L; Fulham W L D W D
Top scorers (all competitions): Gareth Bale (Tottenham) 21; Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham) 10
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).
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Wigan forward Callum McManaman is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the FA Cup win at Everton and is rated doubtful. Winger Ryo Miyaichi has been ruled out for several weeks at least as he requires surgery on damaged ankle ligaments but goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, rested last weekend, is set to return to the starting line-up.
Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa is out - the France international will miss the rest of the season if, as manager Alan Pardew fears, he needs an operation on the hamstring he tore in December. However compatriot Yohan Cabaye has a chance of playing despite limping out of the Europa League victory over Anzhi Makhachkala, while full-back Mathieu Debuchy and striker Yoan Gouffran, who are ineligible in Europe, return to the squad.
Last season: Wigan 4 Newcastle 0, Newcastle 1 Wigan 0
Last five league matches: Wigan D D L W L; Newcastle W L W L W
Top scorers (all competitions): Arouna Kone (Wigan) 10; Papiss Cisse (Newcastle) 7
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
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