Man City v Middlesbrough
Shay Given has expressed his excitement at making his debut for City, whilst Downing has said that relegation fears should inspire Middlesbrough who sit joint bottom.
Shaun Wright-Philips is available again after contesting his on-field misconduct against Stoke, Micah Richards plays despite a mid-week arrest, and Didier Digard is back for Middlesbrough.
As Southgate looks to break a 12 match winless run, Mark Hughes expects Boro to sit back and that City will have to use patience to win the three points.
Blackburn v Aston Villa
El-Hadji Diouf could make his debut for Blackburn Rovers today, Santa Cruz is likely to start after acclaiming his contentment at Rovers, and Stiliyan Petrov is expected to start again after his suspension.
Allardyce has commented upon Aston Villa’s intimidating away form (9 out of 12 away games won) and the pace of strikers such as Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
But O’Neill recognises that Blackburn are also an in-form side, despite still accommodating a spot in the bottom three.
Chelsea v Hull
After selling Cudicini Chelsea are down to the third keeper as Peter Cech is out with a back injury whilst new-signing Jimmy Bullard is doubtful for Hull City.
Anthony Gardner, Nick Barmby, Daniel Cousin, Bernard Mendy are all out and manager Phil Brown commented worryingly upon the thinned-out squad.
As well as Cech, Chelsea are without Michael Essien and Joe Cole, but loan-signing Ricardo Quaresma will more than likely make his debut start.
Everton v Bolton
Despite lacking match fitness Jo is expected to make his Everton debut today, whilst co-striker Victor Anichebe remains out of the squad.
Tamir Cohen and Nicky Hunt are both possibilities for Bolton now they have returned to training, whilst Maroune Fellini and Steven Pienaar are doubtful.
Moyes is hoping Everton have recuperated enough after mid-week extra time against Liverpool, but both managers note each other’s recent successes will have buoyed the sides (Bolton’s win against Spurs, Everton’s Merseyside derby success).
Portsmouth v Liverpool
Jermaine Pennant is ineligible, Liverpool miss Steven Gerrard, but the Greek signings Angelos Basinis and Theofanis Gekas could debut today.
Sol Campbell has noted whilst Portsmouth performances have not been up to scratch recently, that they also been unlucky and are expecting to turn things around.
Javier Mascherano expects a physical game where they will be defending long balls to Crouch, and recognises despite their FA Cup exit their side still has much to play for.
Sunderland v Stoke
New signings for Sunderland Tel Ben Haim and Calum Davenport are expected to debut, whilst Cisse, Jones and Tainio are back from fitness.
Rory Delap begins his three-match suspension after his City sending off, but Henri Camara is available to play.
Ricky Sbragia assesses that his team need to stop from giving away set pieces or silly goals to Stoke in order to be successful, and Tony Pulis notes Sunderland’s increased strength since the change in manager and transfer window activity.
West Brom v Newcastle
Tony Mowbray explains that West Brom’s main aim is to try and get out of the bottom three by nicking another win, like they have with Spurs, Man City and Middlesbrough.
Kinnear also talks targets, assessing that the Toon need to eventually reach 38 or 40 points to be safe and hope this game can be another 3 points toward that.
Obefami Martins, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith are all back in training and possibilities to start for Newcastle, but Jonas Gutierrez won’t play due to suspension.
Wigan v Fulham
Charles N’Zogbia will probably make his debut for Wigan, whilst Amr Zaki and Antonio Valencia are expected to start after recovering from injury.
Chris Baird can’t play for Fulham due to tonsillitis, but Oliver Dacourt and Giles Barnes will most likely make their debuts.
Steve Bruce remains confident after a good home form and seven games unbeaten, but Roy Hodgson has explained the importance of their Portsmouth victory and how every Premier league win for them is like getting a trophy.
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