Premiership Team News
Last Updated 11/05
Arsenal
Next Match: Sunderland (A)
Out: Eduardo, Rosicky, Diaby, Sagna, Fabregas
Doubts: Van Persie
Banned: Hleb
Wenger will once again be without Hleb through suspension and with Flamini’s move to Inter sealed for the Summer he is ruled out, despite a return to fitness. That cuts Arsenal’s options and with Van Persie still doubtful with a thigh injury. Wenger has hinted that he is set to hand more of his younger players opportunities in this one, with midfielders Gibbs and Randall set to be included in the squad. My bet is that Traore will get a start on the left with Walcott shifting to the right to replace Eboue.
Predicted Lineup: Fabianski; Toure, Gallas, Song, Clichy; Traore, Walcott, Gilberto, Denilson; Bendtner, Adebayor.
Aston Villa
Next Match: West Ham (A)
Out: Davies, Gardner
Doubts: Maloney
Banned:
O’Neill is set to name an unchanged side as Villa fight for fifth spot. Gardner has been ruled out of this one with his troublesome thigh injury, while Berger has left the club under a cloud after his comments on Barry’s future and the interest from Liverpool. That cuts O’Neill’s options so it’s likely to be same again at Upton Park.
Predicted Lineup: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Young; Agbonlahor, Carew.
Birmingham
Next Match: Blackburn (H)
Out:
Doubts: De Ridder, Taylor, Nafti, Ridgewell, McFadden
Banned:
McLeish is confident that both Nafti and Ridgewell will be available for this crucial clash with Blackburn. Ridgewell picked up an ankle injury at Fulham but is apparently on track to return according to Blues physios. Nafti meanwhile, missed the Fulham game with a thigh strain but should be in contention. McFadden has emerged as a doubt after suffering a reaction to the knee surgery he had last month - McLeish is hoping that he still be able to play through the pain.
Predicted Lineup: Taylor, Kelly, Ridgewell, Jaidi, Murphy; Johnson, Muamba, Kapo, Larsson; McFadden, Forssell.
Blackburn Rovers
Next Match: Birmingham (A)
Out:
Doubts: McCarthy
Banned:
There’s no news of fresh injury concerns for Hughes so Blackburn should field the same eleven that got the three points against Derby last time out. That will mean that the likes of Tugay and Derbyshire will have to settle for places on the bench while McCarthy will be a doubt once again with a hamstring injury.
Predicted Lineup: Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock; Bentley, Reid, Vogel, Pedersen; Roberts, Santa Cruz.
Bolton Wanderers
Next Match: Chelsea (A)
Out: Jaaskelainen, Gardner, Hunt
Doubts: J O’Brien, Campo
Banned:
Megson will give a late fitness test to Campo who is struggling with a calf injury. Joey O’Brien is also a doubt with a hamstring so it seems likely that the Bolton lineup will be unchanged from the one that saw off Sunderland last weekend.
Predicted Lineup: Al Habsi; Steinsson, Cahill, A O’Brien, Samuel; McCann, Nolan, Guthrie, Diouf, Taylor; Davies.
Chelsea
Next Match: Bolton (H)
Out: Anelka
Doubts: Carvalho, Kalou
Banned:
Grant has worries over the fitness of Carvalho after the defender sustained a back injury against Newcastle on Sunday. He is receiving intensive treatment this week and Alex will standby to replace him should he fail to make it. Elsewhere I’d expect Lampard to be recalled to the starting lineup with Obi making way. That will see Essien remain in midfield. Joe Cole is also set for a recall with Anelka unavailable against his former club due to rulings concerning his transfer. Kalou still has problems with his ankle so he may have to make do with a place on teh bench with Malouda starting.
Predicted Lineup: Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Lampard, Essien, Ballack; Malouda, J Cole, Drogba.
Derby
Next Match: Reading (H)
Out: Mills, Davis, Barnes, Stubbs, Leacock, McEveley
Doubts: Jones
Banned:
Derby will hope to have Jones available after he missed the defeat at Blackburn last weekend. Addison is set to start once more with Leacock out with a hernia. Jewell could also drop Todd having announced that he is set to leave the club on a free. Mears could well shift to right-back, allowing Jones to return in a midfield role. McEveley will have a late test on a hamstring injury.
Predicted Lineup: Carroll; Mears, Moore, Addison, McEveley; Jones, Ghaly, Savage, Lewis, Earnshaw, Miller.
Everton
Next Match: Newcastle (H)
Out: Cahill, Arteta
Doubts: Gardner
Banned:
Moyes seems likely to recall Yakubu to his starting lineup after benching him at the Emirates. That’s likely to see a shift to 4-4-2 with Fernandes set to be benched. Alternatively, Fernandes could keep his place with Neville ousting Hibbert at right-back.
Predicted Lineup: Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott; Carsley, Neville, Osman, Pienaar; Johnson, Yakubu.
Fulham
Next Match: Portsmouth (A)
Out: Christanval, Smertin
Doubts: Johnson, Niemi, Kamara
Banned:
Kamara is a slight doubt for Hodgson’s men but he is expected to be fit to take his place in an unchanged lineup as Fulham go for their fourth win in five games. Nevland is standing by to take Kamara’s place should he fail to make it.
Predicted Lineup: Keller, Stalteri, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Bullard, Davies, Murphy, Dempsey; Kamara, McBride.
Liverpool
Next Match: Tottenham (A)
Out: Kewell, Agger, Aurellio
Doubts:
Banned:
Rafa could be set to tinker slightly with his lineup after the win over City last weekend. That could mean a recall for Skrtel with Hyypia dropping to the bench. Insua is set to continue at left-back although Aurelio may return after recovering from a torn abductor muscle. Lucas is set to keep Alonso benched. Crouch could figure but again, he would seem more likely to start on the bench with Torres leading the line once more.
Predicted Lineup: Reina; Finnan, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua; Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt; Torres.
Man City
Next Match: Middlesbrough (A)
Out: Onuoha
Doubts: Bojinov, Richards
Banned:
Sven could be tempted to make a couple of changes after the defeat of Anfield with Castillo in line for a rare start after appearing as sub in that game. Elsewhere though, his options are limited with Richards likely to miss out despite getting close to a return after months on the sidelines. I’d expect the same again from Sven then, for what is looking like his last game in charge of the City side.
Predicted Lineup: Hart; Jihai, Corluka, Dunne, Ball; Elano, Johnson, Petrov, Ireland, Vassell; Benjani.
Man United
Next Match: Wigan (A)
Out: Saha
Doubts: Vidic, Evra, Rooney
Banned: Nani
Vidic is set to make a return to the United defence after missing the West Ham game. Vidic suffered concussion as a result of the clash with Drogba a week earlier and was forced to sit out for 10-days due to FA rulings on such an injury. His return is likely to see Brown shift to right-back with Hargreaves pushing into midfield to replace the suspended Nani. Rooney is likely to figure in some capacity after undergoing a rigorous training session in midweek to test his hip injury - I’d bet that Ferguson keeps him benched and in reserve.
Predicted Lineup:Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Park, Ronaldo; Tevez.
Middlesbrough
Next Match: Man City (H)
Out: Bates, Hines, Mido, O’Neil
Doubts: Huth, Alves
Banned:
Southgate has a slight worry over the fitness of Alves after he picked up an injury in the win over Portsmouth. Aliadiere would be a straight swap if he failed to make it. He could get a start regardless, in a wide right role with Boateng making way, as Southgate aims to end the season in style.
Predicted Lineup: Schwarzer; Young, Riggott, Wheater, Pogatetz; Arca, Boateng, Downing, Rochemback; Alves, Tuncay.
Newcastle
Next Match: Everton (A)
Out: Ramage, Carr, Given, Cacapa, Emre, Barton, Viduka
Doubts:
Banned:
Keegan will be forced into changes with Viduka out with an Achilles injury and Barton unavailable due to his bail conditions. Emre meanwhile has been granted permission to join up with the Turkish squad for their Euro 2008 preparations. The Newcastle boss has hinted that he may given opportunities to new players so I would expect Carroll to get a chance up front ahead of Smith. In midfield meanwhile, Keegan could turn to N’Zogbia or Smith to fill in. He could also give an opportunity to Diatta in central defence.
Predicted Lineup: Harper; Beye, Faye, Taylor, Enrique; Butt, N’Zogbia, Geremi; Martins, Owen, Carroll.
Portsmouth
Next Match: Fulham (H)
Out: Primus, Pamarot,
Doubts: Utaka, James, Nugent, Mendes, Campbell
Banned:
Redknapp has promised a full strength side for the visit of relegation-threatened Fulham. His options could be limited by injuries however with Nugent and Campbell the latest casualties. Nugent missed a midweek reserve game with a groin problem while Campbell is also a doubt with more knee troubles. The likes of Muntari and Utaka have returned to training and Mendes is also due back after a recent hip injury. All three could therefore figure but it looks unlikely that Harry would risk them. Pamarot also returned to training after missing 3-months with a knee injury and could figure if Harry looks to rest Campbell.
David James has declared himself fit for the Wembley final and is pushing for a recall in this one. It’s doubtful as to whether Harry will risk him however.
Predicted Lineup: Ashdown; Johnson, Distin, Pamarot, Hreidarsson; Bouba-Diop, Diarra, Mvuemba, Kranjcar; Baros, Defoe.
Reading
Next Match: Derby (A)
Out:
Doubts: Gunnarsson, Kebe, Little, Bikey
Banned: Fae, Sonko
Coppell is hoping that Little recovers from a calf injury to play some part in this one. He is currently rated as 50-50 and could well play a role from the bench with Reading desperately needing to create chances to grab the three points that could rescue their Premiership status. Coppell has already indicated that Matejovsky .will make a return to the starting lineup - he’s likely to come in for Bikey. He picked up a knock against Spurs and was subbed just after the hour mark.
Predicted Lineup: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey; Harper, Hunt, Matejovsky, Doyle; Kitson, Lita.
Sunderland
Next Match: Arsenal (H)
Out: Etuhu, Bardsley
Doubts: Wallace, Murphy
Banned:
Keane will give a late fitness test to Murphy who is struggling with a hamstring problem. Wallace could figure after several reserve runouts but it looks unlikely. Leadbitter, Yorke and O’Donovan could all figure though as Keane shakes things up after the disappointment at the Reebok last time out.
Predicted Lineup: Gordon, Higginbotham, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins; Whitehead, Leadbitter, Richardson, Reid; Chopra, Jones.
Tottenham
Next Match: Liverpool (H)
Out: Assou-Ekotto, Bale, King
Doubts: Lennon, Robinson
Banned:
Ramos has confirmed that Berbatov is fit for the visit of Liverpool. The striker missed the trip to Reading with a calf injury but is back in training and should start what looks likely to be his farewell game for Spurs. Lennon is set to remain sidelined with a knee injury so Huddlestone should retain his place in midfield. Robinson has aggravated his old ankle injury and looks likely to miss out with Cerny also set to play his final game or Spurs.
Predicted Lineup: Cerny; Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate, Gilberto; Zokora, Malbranque, Jenas, Huddlestone; Berbatov, Keane.
West Ham
Next Match: Aston Villa (H)
Out: Quashie, Dyer, Collins, Bellamy, Bowyer, Ethrington, Gabbidon, Ljungberg
Doubts: Ferdinand, Spector, Upson, Ashton, Faubert
Banned:
West Ham could have both Ferdinand and Upson back in their defence for the final game. Both are being tipped to make it by Hammers staff so Tomkins and Pantsil could well drop to the bench with Neill reverting to his familiar right-back role. Elsewhere, Curbishley could well start with Solano having switched him for Boa Morte just after half-time against United. Ashton has a slight groin injury after his acrobatic goal at Old Trafford but he should be fit to lead the line with Zamora, although both Sears and Cole will challenge for starts.
Predicted Lineup: Green; Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney; Mullins, Parker, Noble, Solano; Zamora, Ashton.
Wigan
Next Match: Man United (H)
Out: Edman, Melchiot, Kilbane
Doubts: Heskey
Banned:
Wigan seem set to field the same lineup that took all three points at Villa Park. That will see Bramble keep his place in the centre of defence, with Boyce at right-back. Kilbane will be rested after suffering a back injury for several weeks. Taylor is set to come in at left-back. Heskey is a slight doubt as always but is expected to make it, as always.
Predicted Lineup: Kirkland; Boyce, Scharner, Bramble, Taylor; Brown, Palacios, Koumas, Valencia; Bent, Heskey.


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