Saturday

Portsmouth v Blackpool

Deon Burton is set to for his first Portsmouth start for more than a year. The striker is on standby to replace on-loan West Brom striker Jason Roberts after the Baggies refused the Grenada international permission to play. Leam Richardson (hamstring), Steve Davis (thigh) and Matt Blinkhorn (suspension) are all expected to return to the Blackpool squad but midfielder Richie Wellens is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Top scorers: Teddy Sheringham (Portsmouth) 6; Scott Taylor (Blackpool) 21. Match odds: H 1-3; A 7-1; D 3-1. Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).

Preston v Reading

Preston's Paul McKenna is struggling to recover from a hamstring injury, Claude Davis has an ankle ligament problem, Michael Keane is suffering from a groin strain, but Ricardo Fuller is hoping to recover from tonsillitis. Richard Cresswell serves a one-match ban.

Reading manager Steve Coppell has a couple of injury concerns for the FA Cup visit to Preston, but is not saying who they are, although midfielder Andy Hughes (hamstring) is thought to be one. Shaun Goater returns to the squad after injury, but new boy Dave Kitson and loan striker Lloyd Owusu are cup-tied.

Top scorers: Ricardo Fuller (Preston) 14; Nicky Forster (Reading) 11. Match odds: H 4-5 A 11-4 D 23-10. Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

Southampton v Newcastle Utd

(live on BBC 1, 5.35)

Saints striker Marian Pahars is winning his battle to be fit after a thigh strain. Captain Jason Dodd and defender Claus Lundekvam both return after flu but Graeme Le Saux remains sidelined with a foot injury so Danny Higginbotham will again deputise at left back.

Kieron Dyer and Jonathan Woodgate have been included in the Newcastle squad after recovering from stomach and hamstring problems respectively. Full-back Andy Griffin returns to the squad after a ban.

Top scorers: James Beattie (Southampton) 11; Alan Shearer (Newcastle) 16. Match odds: H 6-4 A 13-8 D 19-10. Referee: M Dean (Wirral).

Southend Utd v Scarborough

Southend will be boosted by the return of Mark Gower, Jay Smith and Tes Bramble from suspension. However, David McSweeney serves the second game of a four-match ban.

Scarborough are without key defender Matt Redmile, who was due to serve a one-match ban in the New Year's Day clash with Halifax but the postponement of that game means he now misses out today - Steve Capper and Steve Baker stand by to deputise. Karl Rose (knee) and Mark Quayle (ankle) are expected to start.

Top scorers: Leon Constantine (Southend) 11; Mark Quayle (Scarborough) 11. Match odds: H 8-11 A 16-5 D 9-4. Referee: B Curson (Leicestershire).

Sunderland v Hartlepool

Sunderland will be missing Kevin Kyle (suspension) and Paul Thirlwell (calf injury). Tommy Smith has recovered from an ankle knock and should take his place alongside Marcus Stewart.

Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper is keeping his side a secret. But there could be a surprise inclusion with veteran striker Marco Gabbiadini possibly making the bench after keyhole surgery on his knee.

Top scorers: Kevin Kyle & Marcus Stewart (Sunderland) 9; Paul Robinson (Hartlepool) 9. Match odds: H 4-11 A 7-1 D 11-4. Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).

Swansea v Macclesfield

Swansea winger Brad Maylett and midfielder Leon Britton are expected to be fit despite knocks in the victory over Yeovil on Sunday. Karl Connolly could start after a calf injury.

Macclesfield's Michael Welch and Karl Munroe serve one-match bans and Steve Hitchen is unlikely to feature due to flu. Tommy Widdrington is struggling to recover from a back injury but George Abbey is available following suspension and international commitments with Nigeria.

Top scorers: Lee Trundle (Swansea) 16; Matthew Tipton (Macclesfield) 11. Match odds: H 8-13 A 4-1 D 23-10. Referee: M Warren (W Midlands).

Tottenham v Crystal Palace

Simon Davies has not played since September because of a hip injury but, although he is likely to start on the bench, he is expect to play a part. Spurs are without Dean Richards, who has a calf strain, and Christian Ziege who has been ill for four days this week. Darren Anderton and Jamie Redknapp are sidelined and David Pleat will make a decision this morning on Fredi Kanoute's fitness.

Crystal Palace's on-loan goalkeeper Thomas Myhre will miss out having been refused permission to play by Sunderland. Cedric Berthelin will take his place while defender Darren Powell (thigh) is their only injury.

Top scorers: Frederic Kanoute (Tottenham) 9; Andrew Johnson (Crystal Palace) 15. Match odds: H 8-15 A 9-2 D 12-5. Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).

Tranmere v Bolton Wanderers

Tranmere's delight at Eugene Dadi's return from suspension is tempered by the absence of Sean Connelly (banned).

Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is in the Bolton squad after his loan move from Village United was confirmed yesterday - he is likely to be on the bench with Kevin Poole starting and Jussi Jaaskelainen rested. Ivan Campo, Kevin Davies and Ricardo Gardner are suspended while Ibrahim Ba is unavailable as he has yet to sign a new contract.

Top scorers: Gary Jones (Tranmere) 7; Kevin Davies (Bolton) 5. Match odds: H 7-2 A 4-6 D 23-10. Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

Watford v Chelsea

(live on Sky Sports 2, 12.30)

Watford are without captain Neil Cox due to suspension. Sean Dyche will deputise. Watford have a fully-fit squad now striker Danny Webber is back from an ankle injury.

Claudio Ranieri must decide whether to keep faith with misfiring striker Adrian Mutu, who has suffered an 11-game goal-drought. Hernan Crespo, fit after a virus, or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink are pushing for starts.

Top scorers: Scott Fitzgerald (Watford) 9; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 10. Match odds: H 7-1 A 4-11 D 11-4. Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Wigan v West Ham

Striker Andy Liddell could return to the Wigan squad after a calf strain. Boss Paul Jewell could also bring in midfielder Tony Dinning, who has returned from a loan at Walsall, although he must recover from a muscle strain.

West Ham striker Jermain Defoe will begin a five-match ban but defender Tomas Repka is available for the last time before a suspension. Captain Christian Dailly is again ruled out after being put on medication for pleurisy. Rob Lee is expected back ahead of schedule from a knee injury but is unlikely to be rushed into action.

Top scorers: Nathan Ellington (Wigan) 10; Jermain Defoe (West Ham) 15. Match odds: H 6-4 A 6-4 D 21-10. Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Wimbledon v Stoke City

Long-term injury victims Lionel Morgan (knee), Peter Hawkins (ankle) and Paul Heald (knee) all remain sidelined for Wimbledon.

Stoke have doubts over goalkeeper Ed de Goey and Gerry Taggart, who both limped out of Sunday's win at Burnley. If they miss out Neil Cutler and Kris Commons will fill in. New loan signing Sebastian Svard from Arsenal could yet play a part in the game.

Top scorers: Patrick Agyemang (Wimbledon) 6; Ade Akinbiyi, Carl Asaba & Gifton Noel-Williams (Stoke) 5. Match odds: H 13-8 A 13-10 D 11-5. Referee: I Williamson (Berkshire).

Sunday

Aston Villa v Manchester Utd

Villa manager David O'Leary will have leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel available after the Colombian striker was declared fit following an ankle injury sustained during Sunday's home victory over Fulham. Dion Dublin, left out against the Cottagers because he was tired, could replace Ronny Johnsen in defence.

Defender John O'Shea is out with a hamstring injury. Alex Ferguson may opt to rotate his squad and Kleberson, Diego Forlan and Nicky Butt could all come into contention.

Top scorers: Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa) 13; Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) 17. Match odds: H 4-1 A 8-13 D 23-10. Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

Fulham v Cheltenham

Fulham could give Bobby Petta, the left sided midfielder signed on loan from Celtic until the end of the season, his debut. Sean Davis may also return following a hamstring injury and Mark Pembridge is back in the frame following a calf strain, while striker Luis Boa Morte is available after suspension.

Cheltenham goalkeeper Shane Higgs is facinga race against time having taken a heavy knock on his foot. Steve Book will deputise if Higgs is unavailable. Ben Cleverley injured his ankle in training but is expected to be available. Lee Howells could return to the squad after recovering from a knee problem.

Top scorers: Louis Saha (Fulham) 12; Grant McCann & Bob Taylor (Cheltenham) 8. Match odds: H 1-10 A 16-1 D 11-2. Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Leeds Utd v Arsenal

(live on Sky Sports 1, 4.05)

Leeds caretaker-boss Eddie Gray welcomes back David Batty to the midfield after suspension, but is without Jermaine Pennant as the on-loan winger has not been granted permission to play by the Gunners. Gray has vowed to play his strongest team, which means James Milner could return to the line-up.

Arsenal defender Ashley Cole returns from suspension and is expected to replace Gael Clichy at left-back, while Lauren and Martin Keown will also be hoping for recalls to the defence. Boss Arsene Wenger has no major injury worries, although he must decide whether to rest any first-team players as he did in earlier rounds of the FA Cup last season.

Top scorers: Alan Smith (Leeds) 5; Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 16. Match odds: H 4-1 A 4-7 D 5-2. Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).

Yeovil Town v Liverpool

(live on BBC 1, 1.00 p.m.)

The Glovers are without suspended striker Jake Edwards but are boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Darren Way, who has overcome a stress fracture in his leg.

Michael Owen has been in full training all week and could make his Liverpool comeback but skipper Steven Gerrard (groin) and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (broken finger) are ruled out. Stephane Henchoz is back in the squad and could play in place of inexperienced youngster Jon Otsemobor.

Top scorers: Kevin Gall (Yeovil) 10; Michael Owen (Liverpool) 9. Match odds: H 7-1 A 2-7 D 7-2. Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).