The team news section has been updated with all the latest news leaking from around the Premiership grounds. Expect much much more on Friday as the pre-match conferences chuck up some extra info. For now however, lets look at the significant known knowns and the known unknowns. Or something…
Starting with Arsenal and both Nasri and Toure have been ruled out by Wenger so we can expect starts for Djourou and possibly Eboue, although I’d expect Diaby to get a start out wide. Fabregas, Clichy, Adebayor and Van Persie all had knocks but should recover. Sagna is a worry with flu though.
Boro’s defence is ravaged by injury with both Hoyte and Taylor major doubts. Pogatetz is struggling but should start. Wheater is suspended so we could see both Riggott and Huth make early returns from injury. There could be goals for Arsenal here.
No Carew for Villa but Milner should recover from flu to figure. Bolton are likely to be unchanged.
City have a whole host of significant injuries but all the noises suggest that Robinho and Richards will make the clash with Everton. I’m not so sure about Garrido though. Everton will give a fitness test to Saha but I imagine he’ll miss out with Anichebe starting up front again.
Berbatov and Carrick could miss the return to their former club. Both missed the Champions League in midweek. Rooney and Evra both miss out through suspension of course – expect starts for O’Shea and Tevez. King looks likely to star for Spurs in that one.
Kaboul is out for Pompey, Utaka and Traore remain doubts. Hughes should recover to take Diop’s place in midfield. He is banned for collecting five yellows. Guthrie, Butt and Duff should make returns for Newcastle.
Delap is a doubt for Stoke, while Shawcross and Kitson will have fitness tests. Expect Fulham to be unchanged. Again.
Wigan have major doubts over Boyce who has a hamstring. They will hope that Scharner overcomes a groin injury to replace him. Palacios is suspended. Expect Zaki to start for Camara up front.
That’s it for now. For full details, zip over to the team news and keep ’em peeled for updates on Friday.