Premiership Preview (02-04/12/06)

Pompey welcome Villa to Fratton Park on Saturday in a match we need to be looking to win to remain in the higher reaches for our latest Barclays Premiership match, what about the others…

Saturday, 02/11/06
Arsenal v Tottenham, 12:45
Thierry Henry (neck) is still being troubled while Philippe Senderos is suspended. Freddie Ljungberg, Gael Clichy and Cesc Fabregas are set to return though

Ledley King (virus) should be fit and Jermaine Jenas (calf) is ready to return but Mido (groin), Paul Stalteri and Anthony Gardner (both knee) are out while Hossam Ghaly is suspended.

Blackburn v Fulham, 15:00
Lucas Neill (hamstring strain) returns but Zurab Khizanishvili and Francis Jeffers are both doubts while Tugay is suspended.

Ian Pearce looks set to return after suspension at the expense of Phillippe Christanval but Tomasz Radzinski needs a fitness check after a head on crash into the advertising hoardings in midweek.

Middlesbrough v Man Utd, 17:15
Injury-prone Malcolm Christie (groin strain) is a doubt again after scoring his first boro goal in almost two-years last weekend, his previous goal came against us at Fratton! Mark Viduka (broken toe) may have recovered sufficiently to make the bench.

Rio Ferdinand (ankle knock) should be fit. Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Louis Saha should all return, along with Nemanja Vidic who missed midweek with a facial injury.

Reading v Bolton, 15:00
Glen Little (hamstring) needs a late fitness test but Steve Sidwell (hip) is likely to be fit. Dave Kitson and Bobby Convey remain unavailable.

Ricardo Gardner (knee) may return after seven month out. Kevin Nolan (hand injury) looks certain to play but Quinton Fortune (Achilles) is set to miss out again.

Sheff Utd v Charlton, 15:00
Sheffield United's second relegation six pointer in a week sees them likely to be without Claude Davis (knee) while Derek Geary needs a late fitness test. Mikele Leigertwood and Chris Morgan are also doubts. Definitely out are Michael Tonge and Chris Armstrong.

Souleymane Diawara (hamstring) is in contention but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (thigh) and Jerome Thomas (knee) miss out.

Wigan v Liverpool, 15:00
Emile Heskey (calf strain) is fully fit so should start against a former club. Arjan de Zeeuw (toe) is a doubt. Gary Teale and Antonio Valencia are both certainly ruled out.

Craig Bellamy could return after being cleared of assault charges during the week while Xabi Alonso (hamstring) did return to training this week so could also return.

Sunday, 03/11/06
Everton v West Ham, 16:00
Tim Howard returns having been ineligible in midweek when Everton lost to United. Andrew Johnson (hamstring) is again doubtful while Tim Cahill (knee injury) will remain sidelined for sometime yet.

James Collins, Tyrone Mears and John Pantsil are all in contention after recovering from injuries but Danny Gabbidon (hamstring) misses out after picking up his injury last weekend.

Monday, 04/11/06
Man City v Watford, 20:00
DaMarcus Beasley is pushing for a recall but City are expected to retain the side that won in midweek.

Hameur Bouazza (ankle) and Ashley Young (flu) should be fit to return but Clarke Carlisle (thigh) Ben Foster and long-term injury victim Marlon King (both knee) are all still missing.

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