| Manchester United | v | Liverpool |
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Park Ji-sung (ankle) is out and Mikael Silvestre will not be considered having only just returned to training after recovering from a broken foot, but they are United's only absentees as they look to consolidate their position at the top of the table. Skipper Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand seem certain to return in defence and Gabriel Heinze could also feature in a much-changed back four, while Ryan Giggs is vying for a starting berth on the left flank.
Rafael Benitez expects captain Steven Gerrard to lead the team out and make his 350th appearance for the Anfield club. Gerrard has recovered from the hamstring injury which ruled him out in midweek against Bordeaux, and Benitez has been given encouragement over the fitness of Robbie Fowler (back) and Daniel Agger (broken hand), who both missed the Champions League trip to France. Agger could well start on the bench, if he can play with a protective cast on his hand, while Fowler is also close to a substitute role. Mohamed Sissoko and Dirk Kuyt are both now considered fit to start the match after ankle injuries restricted them to late involvement only in Bordeaux.
| Blackburn Rovers | v | Bolton Wanderers |
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Blackburn will monitor the fitness of Robbie Savage and David Bentley. Savage took a bang on his back during the UEFA Cup victory against Wisla Krakow in Poland on Thursday while Bentley has complained of a tight hamstring. Blackburn will again be without Steven Reid, who faces a four-month abscence because of a stress fracture in his back, and Ryan Nelsen (hamstring).
After his decisive two-goal strike at Newcastle last weekend, El-Hadji Diouf looks set to start on the left side of a three-pronged attack, with Kevin Davies on the right and Nicolas Anelka in the centre. Long-term injury casualties Ricardo Gardner, Henrik Pedersen and Joey O'Brien are progressing but still not ready to make a comeback.
| Middlesbrough | v | Newcastle United |
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Jonathan Woodgate returns to the squad for the derby against Newcastle after recovering from a thigh problem. However, full-back Tony McMahon broke his leg on reserve team duty last night. Central defender Chris Riggott (ankle) is back in training but is some time away from a return, while striker Malcolm Christie (ankle) is expected to return to full training next week.
Glenn Roeder will make late checks on keeper Steve Harper and midfielder Emre. Harper (groin) and Emre (back) both started Thursday night's 1-0 UEFA Cup victory over Fenerbahce despite carrying injuries, and the Turkish international had to be substituted shortly after half-time. However, reserve keeper Pavel Srnicek is available along with striker Giuseppe Rossi - both were ineligible for the European game - while Celestine Babayaro could come into contention after completing a three-match ban and recovering from a groin problem.
| Tottenham Hotspur | v | West Ham United |
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Tottenham will give a late fitness test to England defender Ledley King, who started the 2-0 UEFA Cup victory over Besiktas after recovering from his knee problem but boss Martin Jol may not risk his captain. Didier Zokora was struck down with fever before the Besiktas match and is unlikely to feature with Tom Huddlestone set to continue deputising in midfield. Mido should be available after missing the last two games with a thigh injury but Teemu Tainio (hernia) and Steed Malbranque (groin) are definitely out.
Argentina striker Carlos Tevez could be back in the side. Tevez, who missed last weekend's defeat to Portsmouth after suffering a knee injury while on international duty, returned to training on Friday. Full-back John Pantsil is fit again after recovering from knee ligament surgery and came through a midweek reserves match unscathed. England international Robert Green could replace Roy Carroll in goal as West Ham seek their first win since the opening day of the season.
Winger Bobby Convey faces a fitness test on a knee injury. Captain Graeme Murty misses out due to a hamstring injury and fellow defender Andre Bikey is suspended following his red card against Chelsea last week. With Murty out, Ulises de la Cruz is likely to get the nod to start ahead of Brynjar Gunnarsson and John Halls at right-back, while striker Dave Kitson is still sidelined by a knee injury.
Arsenal could be without midfielder Freddie Ljungberg for around another month because of his calf problem. Emmanuel Eboue (knee) and Julio Baptista (hamstring) also remain unavailable, but otherwise there are no new injury concerns following the midweek Champions League defeat in Moscow. Manager Arsene Wenger said: 'Freddie had a setback, and will be out for two or three more weeks.' Defender Philippe Senderos and midfielder Mathieu Flamini return to the squad after working on their fitness with the reserves and left-back Gael Clichy is in contention for a start, but Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are some way from a return.
