All the weekend’s Premiership stats, forecasts and team news

Saturday September 29

Bolton (2) v Sunderland (10)

DANISH midfielder Per Frandsen returns to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury. Scotland central defender Colin Hendry is still suspended but former Gillingham midfielder Nicky Southall could return after a hamstring injury.

Sunderland welcome back goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who has recovered from a broken nose, but are without full-back Bernt Haas, who is ruled out by a hamstring strain. Stanislav Varga stands by to make his first Premiership appearance of the season with Darren Williams switching to fill the vacancy at right-back. George McCartney is also added to the squad.

Last five league matches: Bolton WDLDD, Sunderland DWDLD

Top scorers: Michael Ricketts (Bolton) 5, Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) 4

Match odds: H 6-5 A 9-5 D 11-5

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).

Charlton (16) v Leicester (19)

CHARLTON midfielder Mark Kinsella will start after proving his fitness after a double hernia, while fellow midfielder Claus Jensen could figure after playing the first half of a midweek reserve match but John Salako and Clive Mendonca are still sidelined by knee problems.

Under-pressure Leicester boss Peter Taylor has injury doubts over Gary Rowett (knee), Matt Elliott (ankle) and Dean Sturridge (hamstring), who picked up knocks in the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on Wednesday but is hopeful at least two of the trio will be available.

Last five league matches: Charlton LWDLD, Leicester DWLDL

Top scorers: Sean Bartlett, Steve Brown, John Fortune, Jonatan Johansson, Paul Konchesky & Kevin Lisbie (Charlton) all, Dean Sturridge (Leicester) 3

Match odds: H 5-6 A 11-4 D 11-5

Ref: M Dean (The Wirral).

Derby (18) v Arsenal (3)

CAPTAIN Craig Burley is out with a virus. The Scottish international missed his team’s 3-0 thrashing at Leeds last week with a hamstring strain. Darryl Powell will regain the armband as his side attempt to prevent a third consecutive defeat.

Goalkeeper Richard Wright makes his debut with David Seaman being rested due to sore shoulder. Centre backs Tony Adams and Sol Campbell are also still out.

Last five league matches: Derby LDDLL, Arsenal LWDWD

Top scorers: Deon Burton & Fabrizio Ravanelli (Derby) both 3, Thierry Henry (Arsenal) 6

Match odds: H 3-1 A 4-5 D 21-10

Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).

Everton (12) v West Ham (15)

TOMASZ RADZINSKI is in line for his full Everton debut against West Ham after recovering from a hamstring problem and a groin injury but Duncan Ferguson is struggling with a hamstring problem and Scot Gemmill and Mark Pembridge are unlikely to be fit. Dave Unsworth and Alessandro Pistone are in the reckoning again.

Tomas Repka misses the trip to Everton through suspension, with Rigobert Song in line to replace the recent £5million signing from Fiorentina. Joe Cole, troubled by deep bruising of a bone in his foot all season, has an outside chance of being included, although manager Glenn Roeder has ruled him out of involvement with England next week.

Last five league matches: Everton DWLLL, West Ham LDDLW

Top Scorers: Kevin Campbell & Duncan Ferguson (Everton) both 3, Paolo Di Canio (West Ham) 2

Match odds: H 10-11 A 12-5 D 9-4

Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).

Middlesbrough (13) v Southampton (20)

MANAGER Steve McClaren will make one change at least with Australian international goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer set to return after a one-match suspension.

Striker Marian Pahars missed training yesterday with a stomach upset but is expected to take his place in Southampton’s attack. Tahar El Khalej continues in the centre of defence but captain Jason Dodd is still a fortnight away from returning from a knee injury and striker Danny Rodrigues is out with a long-term leg problem.

Last five league matches: Middlesbrough LLWWD, Southampton LLLWL

Top scorers: Alen Boksic, Colin Cooper, Brian Deane, Jonathan Greening, Paul Ince, Allan Johnston, David Murphy, Szilard Nemeth, Robbie Stockdale, Mark Wilson (Middlesbrough) all 1. Marian Pahars & Anders Svensson (Southampton) both 2

Match odds: H 8-11 A 16-5 D 9-4

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).

Tottenham (11) v Man Utd (4)

DEAN RICHARDS will make his debut in the centre of defence. Glenn Hoddle is still without a number of key players through injury. With central defenders Gary Doherty, Goran Bunjevcic and Anthony Gardner still injured, Richards will slot in alongside Ledley King and possibly Chris Perry if Hoddle decides to revert to three at the back.

Ronny Johnsen is expected to continue alongside Laurent Blanc in central defence for United in the absence of Wes Brown who has a hamstring strain, while Nicky Butt is the likely replacement for captain Roy Keane, who starts a three-match ban this weekend after being sent off at Newcastle two weeks ago. Ferguson will also check on the fitness of David Beckham, who has been troubled by a groin injury since the 5-1 win over Germany last month.

Last five league matches: Tottenham LWLWL, Man Utd DDWLW

Top scorers: Teddy Sheringham & Christian Ziege (Tottenham) both 3, David Beckham & Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) 4

Match odds: H 11-5 A Evs D 11-5

Ref: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

Sunday September 30

Aston Villa (6) v Blackburn (9)

SWEDISH defender Olof Mellberg is out after being carried off with a knee injury in last night’s UEFA Cup tie against Varteks.

David Dunn is poised to make his first appearance since damaging his medial knee ligaments on the opening day of the season. The England Under-21 midfielder has declared himself fit.

Last five league matches: Aston Villa DDWDW, Blackburn WLDDW

Top scorers: Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa) 5, Matt Jansen (Blackburn) 2

Match odds: H 8-11 A 10-3 D 11-5

Ref: P Durkin (Dorset)

Fulham (14) v Chelsea (7)

LEFT-BACK Jon Harley faces a race against time to prove his fitness. He returned to training this week after suffering a groin strain as the Cottagers squeezed past Third Division Rochdale in the Worthington Cup a fortnight ago. Sylvain Legwinski suffered a knee injury in the 0-0 draw at Leicester and is likely to be out of action for another 10 days. Alain Goma’s hip problem is expected to keep him in the treatment room for another week.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is set to return after missing last night’s UEFA Cup trip to Bulgaria through suspension. The Dutchman is likely to replace Gianfranco Zola or Eidur Gudjohnsen. Frank Lampard starts a ban following his red card at Tottenham a fortnight ago, so Boudewijn Zenden will probably be promoted from the bench.

Last five league matches: Fulham WDDLD, Chelsea DWDWD

Top scorers: Louis Saha (Fulham) 3, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) 6

Match odds: H 13-8 A 6-4 D 19-10

Ref: G Poll (Tring).

Ipswich (17) v Leeds (1)

IPSWICH are sweating on the fitness of Titus Bramble and Martijn Reuser. Bramble (Achilles tendon) and Reuser (thigh) were ruled out of last night’s UEFA Cup victory over Torpedo Moscow.

Lee Bowyer will return to the starting line-up after finally completing a European suspension when he missed the 3-0 second-leg victory over Portuguese side Maritimo in the first round of the UEFA Cup, Eirik Bakke is likely to make way. Manager David O’Leary is still without striker Alan Smith, the 20-year-old unlikely to return for another couple of weeks due to an ankle ligament injury.

Last five league matches: Ipswich WLDDL, Leeds WDDWW

Top scorers: Finidi George (Ipswich)2, Harry Kewell (Leeds) 2

Match odds: H 11-5 A 11-10 D 2-1

Ref: A D’Urso (Billericay).

Newcastle (5) v Liverpool (8)

NEWCASTLE midfielder Gary Speed will undergo a late fitness test, having not played since tearing a hamstring against Sunderland on August 26. Aaron Hughes and Wayne Quinn will again be missing with hamstring strains, while Warren Barton’s hip injury will keep him out.

Steven Gerrard steps down again for Liverpool to serve the second match of his three-game domestic ban, a suspension that does not count in Europe. Midfielders in line for the call include Gary McAllister, Danny Murphy, Jamie Redknapp or Igor Biscan.

Last five league matches: Newcastle D W W L W, Liverpool W L L W W

Top scorers: Craig Bellamy & Nolberto Solano (Newcastle) both 5, Michael Owen (Liverpool) 9

Match odds: H 7-4 A 13-10 D 21-10

Ref: G Barber (Tring).