Premiership Weekend Preview

There are a raft of Sunday games because of yesterday’s UEFA cup action; unsurprisingly its the teams that featured in Europe contesting them, plus the obvious ‘Big Four’ televised game, which sees Chelsea take on Arsenal (at 16.00). Chelsea have a few injuries, with Joe Cole, Drogba, Belletti, Essien and Carvalho all missing (though Alex has been passed fit). Arsenal miss long term absentee Eduardo, who pleasingly made a comeback for the reserves recently, and also Diaby, Toure, Walcott and Eboue.

Scolari has said he is not ruling Arsenal out of the title race – but a defeat at Stamford Bridge would put their challenge to bed once and for all. A win for Arsenal, however, and there may be whispers of a Gunners resurgence…

This game is preceded (at 13.30) by an equally exciting match-up; the Manchester derby. The nouveau riche City, with their excellent home form, play host to the footballing aristocrats from the other side of the City, Utd. Much will hinge of the availability of Robinho for this one – he has been unstoppable at Eastlands, but turned his ankle last weekend and is a doubt.A difficult one to call this; very much the theme of the weekend.

Sunday’s action also includes Pompey v Blackburn, and Spurs v Everton, both at 15.00.

There are still five Saturday 3 o’clocks; Villa v Fulham, a Tyne Tees derby as Newcastle and new not-full-time-but-full-time-to-the-end-of-the-season manager Joe Kinnear visit Boro, and a battle of the promoted sides as Stoke play Hull. Then there are two crucial games at the bottom of the table; Wigan host West Brom, who will be desperate not to be cut adrift, and Sunderland play Bolton at the Stadium of Light.

There is also a Monday night game – which is in fact the only ‘mis-match’ of a top team playing a bottom team (apart from Stoke v ‘Ull…) – as West Ham visit Anfield to take on Liverpool – a wholly less fearsome proposition without the injured Fernando Torres. Robert Green will be hoping for his third consecutive clean sheet in that one – which would be the first such occurrence since May 2003 – and Zola will be hoping for his first consecutive wins.

To get full injury news on all Premiership sides, visit the oft-updated and superbly comprehensive run-down on the invaluabel Fantasy Football Scout’s injury and suspension table.

Finally, you can click here for all the fixtures in all the divisions…