Who is Likely to Win The English Premiership?

Barclays Premier League News, Fixtures and Results News

Friday, October 2, 2009

Week 8 premiership fixtures

Michael Owen misses out for Manchester United, Theo Walcott is back in contention for Arsenal, while Javier Mascherano is expected to return for Liverpool against Chelsea.
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* Bolton v Tottenham
* Burnley v Birmingham
* Hull v Wigan
* Wolves v Portsmouth
* Manchester United v Sunderland
* Everton v Stoke
* Arsenal v Blackburn
* West Ham v Fulham
* Chelsea v Liverpool

We have live minute-by-minute text coverage of every Premier League game! Click on the links on the right for predicted line-ups.

Kick-offs 15.00 unless stated.

SATURDAY

Burnley v Birmingham

Birmingham are without striker Christian Benitez who has flown home to Ecuador after his father was involved in a car accident. Stuart Parnaby, Franck Queudrue and James McFadden are expected to shake off injuries.

Burnley have been rocked by the news Jay Rodriguez is unlikely to play again this year on account of a fractured ankle and he joins Martin Paterson and Chris McCann in the treatment room.

Bolton v Tottenham

Bolton will be without Sweden striker Johan Elmander who has picked up a hamstring strain and he joins Sean Davis and Joey O'Brien on the sidelines.

Spurs' injury problems are easing, but Luka Modric and Jonathan Woodgate remain sidelined. Jermain Defoe may figure despite being troubled by a hand problem.

Hull v Wigan

Hull will give a late fitness test to Anthony Gardner who has missed the last four games with a knee injury, while Liam Cooper is a doubt with a hamstring complaint.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is in the enviable position of having a fully-fit squad to select from.

Wolves v Portsmouth

Wolves will be without injured midfielder Segundo Castillo, with Michael Kightly in line to take his place. David Jones has undergone knee surgery and faces two months on the sidelines.

Steve Finnan is in line to make his Portsmouth return after his hamstring problem showed real improvement, but Papa Bouba Diop and Hermann Hreidarsson remain sidelined.

Manchester United v Sunderland (17.30)

The champions will be without striker Michael Owen, but his groin injury is not as bad as had initially been feared. Edwin van der Sar returned to training in midweek but is not yet fit enough for a recall.

Lee Cattermole is in contention after shaking off a heel problem and Phil Bardsley has shaken off a virus, but John Mensah is struggling with a calf injury.

SUNDAY

Arsenal v Blackburn (13.30)

Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner have been included in Arsenal's squad after overcoming injuries, but Eduardo is missing on account of a thigh problem. Manuel Almunia is still not over a chest infection, meaning Vito Mannone will continue in goal.

Blackburn travel to the capital shorn of the services of Vince Grella who misses out after being sent off against Aston Villa.

Everton v Stoke

Joseph Yobo faces a late fitness test on the hamstring injury he picked up on the eve of the Europa League clash with BATE Borisov, while Steve Pienaar is expected to miss out on account of a knee injury he picked up against Portsmouth.

Ricardo Fuller is Stoke's primary injury concern, with a groin problem still causing concern, but James Beattie and Liam Lawrence are expected to shake off knee and back problems respectively.

West Ham v Fulham

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is hopeful defender Brede Hangeland will shake off an ankle knock to feature against West Ham. The Cottagers will be without Damien Duff and Simon Davies.

Valon Behrami and Matthew Upson are set to shake off injuries to feature for The Hammers.

Chelsea v Liverpool (16.00)

Hilario will be thrown in for the visit of Liverpool, with Petr Cech sidelined after his sending off against Wigan.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful Javier Mascherano will shake off the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the midweek loss to Fiorentina