Saturday, April 18
Aston Villa (5) v West Ham (7)
Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor is a major doubt after he suffered a hamstring injury during the 3-3 draw with Everton at Villa Park last weekend. Striker Emile Heskey could return after picking up a hamstring problem when on duty for England against Slovakia three weeks ago.
Midfielder Steve Sidwell and left-back Wilfred Bouma (both ankle) and central defender Carlos Cuellar (back) remain doubtful.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is hopeful midfielder Radoslav Kovac will have recovered from a thigh injury but he is less confident over Scott Parker, who is suffering from a groin injury and was due to have a fitness test today.
Strikers Carlton Cole (groin) and Dean Ashton (ankle), midfielders Valon Behrami, Jack Collison (both knee) and defenders Danny Gabbidon (back/stomach) and Jonathan Spector (concussion) are all unavailable.
Last season: West Ham 2 Aston Villa 2, Aston Villa 1 West Ham 0
Last five league matches: Aston Villa L L L L D; West Ham W D D W L
Top scorers: John Carew & Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) 13; Carlton Cole (West Ham) 11
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
Middlesbrough (19) v Fulham (8)
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones will play despite dislocating his finger last week in the win over Hull.
French midfielder Didier Digard could be involved in the squad after making a quicker than expected return from thigh and knee problems, but skipper Emanuel Pogatetz (knee) remains on the sidelines, while Gary O'Neil completes a two-match ban.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will make late checks on Zoltan Gera (foot) and Toni Kallio (virus) before the match. He has no other fresh injury problems in his squad.
Last season: Middlesbrough 1 Fulham 0, Fulham 1 Middlesbrough 2
Last five league matches: Middlesbrough L D L L W; Fulham L W W L W
Top scorers: Afonso Alves, Marlon King & Tuncay Sanli (Middlesbrough) 7; Andrew Johnson (Fulham) 10
Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
Portsmouth (14) v Bolton (12)
Glen Johnson and Sean Davis are expected to return to Portsmouth's side after suspension and injury, respectively.
The pair are likely to come in for Younes Kaboul and Richard Hughes, while Jermaine Pennant is expected to be fit despite coming off in some discomfort against West Brom.
Bolton defender Danny Shittu is a major doubt after suffering an ankle injury in a collision with Didier Drogba in the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea. Chris Basham may have to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring last week.
Last season: Bolton 0 Portsmouth 1, Portsmouth 3 Bolton 1
Last five league matches: Portsmouth L D W D D; Bolton L L D W L
Top scorers: Peter Crouch (Portsmouth) 16; Kevin Davies (Bolton) 12
Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
Stoke (13) v Blackburn (16)
Stoke striker James Beattie is expected to face Blackburn despite needing 12 stitches to repair a head wound after a challenge by Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong last weekend.
Midfielders Salif Diao (groin), Amdy Faye (back) are again likely absentees, but striker Henri Camara is back in training after an ankle injury and could be on the bench.
El Hadji Diouf and Morten Gamst Pedersen return to the Blackburn side after missing last Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Liverpool with a throat infection and calf injury respectively.
Manager Sam Allardyce, however, remains without Jason Roberts (metatarsal), Roque Santa Cruz, Brett Emerton and Steven Reid (all knee).
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Stoke W L W W D; Blackburn W L D W L
Top scorers: James Beattie (Stoke) 18; Benedict McCarthy (Blackburn) 11
Referee: Howard Webb.
Sunderland (17) v Hull (15)
Kieran Richardson is set to return for Sunderland after recovering from a calf injury.
Dean Whitehead (calf) is also fit but might have to settle for a place on the bench. Steed Malbranque, who was rested against Manchester United, is pushing for a return. George McCartney and David Healy remain sidelined while Andy Reid has recovered from a knock and is available.
Hull are waiting on the fitness of striker Daniel Cousin (back) and winger Bernard Mendy (foot). Cousin has missed the Tigers' last four games while Mendy was forced off at half-time in Saturday's defeat at Middlesbrough. The pair were both due to be assessed during training on Friday.
Captain Ian Ashbee is suspended and George Boateng is likely replace him. Wales international Boaz Myhill could also return in goal at the expense of Matt Duke.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Sunderland D L L L L; Hull W D L D L
Top scorers: Djibril Cisse & Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) 10; Geovanni (Hull) 7
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).
Sunday, April 19
Man City (11) v West Brom (20)
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will monitor the fitness of Shaun Wright-Phillips after the midfielder has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
Nigel de Jong is expected to return to the squad after being ineligible for the UEFA Cup. Richard Dunne is available despite being sent off against Hamburg as his ban only applies to European games.
West Brom defender Shelton Martis is set to miss out with a groin strain. Albion are also again likely to be without striker Roman Bednar.
The Czech Republic international is battling to shake off a hamstring problem. Teenage striker Chris Wood, 17, who made his debut against Portsmouth last weekend, is again set for a place on the bench.
Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Man City W L W L L; West Brom L D D L D
Top scorers: Stephen Ireland & Robinho (Man City) 12; Roman Bednar (West Brom) 6
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire).
Tottenham (9) v Newcastle (18)
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe could make a shock return. He is back in full training after injuring his foot at the end of January and is pushing for a place, even though it was originally thought that the game would come too soon for him.
Roman Pavlyuchenko (back) and Jermaine Jenas (hamstring) are struggling but Wilson Palacios is back from suspension and Alan Hutton (foot) is fit again.
Newcastle manager Alan Shearer will make a series of late decisions. He has asked striker Obafemi Martins (groin) to play through the pain barrier, while defender Steven Taylor (ankle) and midfielder Peter Lovenkrands (chest infection) were due to resume full training today.
Left-back Jose Enrique (knee) remains a doubt, but striker Mark Viduka (Achilles) is included in the squad.
Last season: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 4, Newcastle 3 Tottenham 1
Last five league matches: Tottenham D W W L W; Newcastle L D L L D
Top scorers: Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham) 16; Michael Owen (Newcastle) 10
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
