EPL Predictions - Week 5

Arsenal ( away vs. Man Utd)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Lehmann - Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Gallas - Baptista, Gilberto Silva, Fabregas, Rosicky, Ljungberg - Adebayor

Subs: Almunia, Flamini, Hoyte, Cygan, Traore, Hleb, Song, Diaby, Aliadiere, Walcott, van Persie, Henry
Injured: Senderos, Clichy, Lauren, Diaby
Suspended: None

Team News: Thierry Henry has only a 10 to 15% chance to play at Manchester United on Sunday, according to Arsène Wenger and van Persie will underwent a late scan and will more than likely miss out too. With only one experienced striker available Wenger may adopt his Champions League 4-5-1 formation with Adebayor leading the attack. Luckily, defender Toure is fit to start and Ljungberg should come back into contention after being rested against Hamburg. Arsenal haven’t scored in four years at Old Trafford and without Henry and van Persie the odds are certainly against them but Wenger will throw Brazilian Baptista into the ring for the big clash probably at the expense of Hleb.
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Aston Villa (away vs. Watford)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Sorensen - Mellberg, Ridgewell, Laursen, Barry - S. Davis, McCann, Petrov – Agbonlahor, Moore Angel.
Subs: Taylor, Bouma, Delaney, Gardner, Berger, Djemba-Djemba, Hendrie, Whittingham, Baros
Injured: Cahill, Hughes, Samuel, Hendrie.
Suspended: None

Team News: Martin O’Neill welcomes back Bouma into the squad after the Dutchman came through a reserves match in order to participate against Watford but he is not match-fit so Barry should continue on at left-back. Defenders Hughes and Samuel are still sidelined with injury so Mellberg will continue on the right with Laursen starting alongside Ridgewell. Striker Baros managed ten minutes in the last game but it may not be enough to gain a spot in the XI.
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Blackburn (home vs. Man City)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Friedel - Neill, T, Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Emerton – Tugay, Bentley, Savage, Gamst Pedersen - Nonda, McCarthy.
Subs: Enckelman, Brown, Todd, Mokoena, Douglas, McEveley, Matteo, Gallagher, Peter
Injured: Nelsen, Gray, Reid, Henchoz
Suspended: None

Team News: Blackburn should return to a regular 4-4-2 formation after deploying a 4-1-4-1 against Salzburg on Thursday. Manager Mark Hughes was impressed by Tugay’s display against the Austrian’s in midweek and he should certainly add extra protection for the Lancashire club. Reid is out with a back injury and Jeffers returns from after a reprieve from a three-match suspension for a red card in a reserve game. Michael Gray has returned to the squad post Wayne Rooney punch-up but Ooijer and Khizanishvili should continue at the back.
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Bolton (home vs. Middlesbrough)
Starting XI: (4-1-2-3) Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Q. Fortune – Campo - Nolan, Speed - Stelios, Diouf, Anelka
Subs: Walker, Tal, Fojut, H. Pedersen, Abdoulaye Faye, Sissons, Smith, Wolfe, Vaz Te
Injured: Gardner, Davies, O'Brien
Suspended: None

Team News: Bolton have a 100% home record, while Boro’ don’t have an away win to their name but Anelka and his attack will have a hard task against new boys Woodgate and Huth at The Reebook. Greek international Stelios has shaken off a groin problem and is available for selection with Faye being the player who could make way for his return. Kevin Davies (cheekbone), Henrik Pedersen (Achilles), Joey O'Brien (knee) and Ricardo Gardner (knee) are all long-term casualties and will definitely miss the match.
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Charlton ( home vs. Portsmouth)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carson - Young, Kishishev, El Karkouri, A Faye, - Ambrose, Hughes, Rommedahl Holland - D. Bent, Hasselbaink
Subs: Myhre, Sam, Walton, M Bent, Lisbie, Pouso.
Injured: Gibbs, Thomas, Walker, Sorondo, A. Reid, D. Traore, Diawarra, J. Fortune.
Suspended: Hreidarrson.

Team News: Earlier this week, summer signings Souleymane Diawara, Andy Reid (both hamstring) and Djimi Traore (leg fracture) were all ruled out of this Saturday's home clash with Portsmouth after the extent of their injuries sustained in last weekend's Chelsea defeat were assessed. Kishishev will jump in at right-back and Amdy Faye will plug the gap in defence.
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Chelsea ( home vs. Liverpool)
Starting XI: (4-1-3-2) Cech - Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Terry, A. Cole – Essien - Lampard, Ballack, Robben - Shevchenko, Drogba.
Subs: Hilario, Cudicini, Diarra, Ferreira, Bridge, Mancienne, Geremi, Mikel, Wright-Phillips, Makelele, Kalou.
Injured: J. Cole.
Suspended: None

Team News: Dutchman Arjen Robben is back and according to Mourinho should start against Liverpool this weekend; “I like to play with people wide. I think Robben played a very good game against Man City and after that we were waiting for more but the next game against Middlesbrough, he was injured in the warm-up. After that, I was four consecutive matches without him. I like to play with people wide so I need him back. Again we don’t have both Robben and Cole at the same time. But we have one of them.” With Robben added to the XI it is likely that Makelele will be rested, as has been the case in most of this seasons games. In defence Cole looks set to keep his right-back position with Bridge due to sit out on the bench.
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Everton ( home vs. Wigan)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Howard - Naysmith, Lescott, Yobo, Hibbert - P. Neville, Cahill, Carsley, Arteta, Osman – Johnson.
Subs: Wright, Valente, Weir, van der Meyde, Anichebe, Pistone, Vaughan, Beattie.
Injured: McFadden, Stubbs
Suspended: None

Team News: Everton should remain unchanged from the team that beat Liverpool last week with Cahill set to start behind Johnson in attack.
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Fulham ( away vs. Tottenham)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Niemi - Queudrue, Bocanegra, Pearce, Rosenior - Radzinski, Knight, M. Brown, Boa Morte, John - McBride
Subs: Crossley, N. Jensen, C. Jensen, Zakuani, Timlin, Runstrom, Helguson, Pembridge, Milsom.
Injured: Bullard, Routledge (unavailable – loan deal), Elliott, Diop, Elrich.
Suspended: None

Team News: Coleman will be without Bullard, Diop and Christanval who are all injured, while Routledge will also be missing due to the terms of his loan deal. This leaves a gap in the midfield so Radzinski should come in on the right and Coleman may return to a 4-5-1 formation with Collins John used in midfield. The Fulham manager has said that Claus Jensen is available but he is uncertain over his match-fitness and is more likely to use a defender in midfield instead. This means that Bocanegra could come in at centre-back while Knight could be pushed into midfield.
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Liverpool ( away vs. Chelsea)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Reina - Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Warnock- Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Zenden - Kuyt, Bellamy
Subs: Dudek, Pennant, Aurelio, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Sinama-Pongolle, Garcia, Fowler, Crouch
Injured: Kewell, Riise, Paletta
Suspended: None

Team News: Benitez could make a few changes from the side that drew with PSV in midweek. There hasn’t been much team news available ahead of the clash but Riise is definitely out so with Aurelio not exactly playing to a top level Warnock could be given a chance. Gerrard has played on the right on several occasions against Chelsea and should do so again with Zenden on the left. Zenden isn’t an orthodox winger but he certainly has more bite than Garcia, Pennant or Gonzalez. Aurelio could possibly slot into left midfield also.
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Man City ( away vs. Blackburn)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Weaver - Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan - Sinclair, Barton, Reyna, Hamann -Dickov, Corradi
Subs: Weaver, Miller, Ireland, Sturridge, Beasley, Samaras
Injured: Vassell, Isaksson, Sun Jihai, Onuoha
Unavailable: None
Suspended: Dabo (suspended), Thatcher

Team News: Hamann is set for his debut against Blackburn replacing the suspended Dabo. Vassell is injured so Dickov and Corradi should start upfront. New signing Beasley should start on the bench and Pearce has hinted that youngsters such as Sturridge will get their chance soon. There is a slight possibility that Trabelsi could replace Richards at right-back after the England U-21 verbally abused his manager after being substituted against Reading on Monday.
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Man Utd (home vs. Arsenal)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Van der Sar - R. Ferdinand, W. Brown, Silvestre, G. Neville - Fletcher, Carrick, Ronaldo, Scholes - Saha, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, Evra, Vidic, Richardson, Smith, Miller, O'Shea
Injured: Heinze, Park, Giggs
Suspended: None

Team News: Midfielders Giggs and Park are unavailable for this fixture after picking up injuries but Ronaldo returns after sitting out the European game through suspension. It is more than likely that Fletcher will start on the right while Ronaldo will play on the left as Ferguson has showed in the past that he prefers the Scotsman over Richardson. Saha and Rooney continue upfront.
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Middlesbrough ( away vs. Bolton)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Schwarzer – Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor,– J. Euell, Rochemback, Mendieta, Cattermole, Morrison – Yakubu
Subs: Turnbull, McMahon, Huth, Parnaby, Bates, Johnson, Parlour, Christie, Maccarone, Viduka
Injured: Ehiogu, Arca, Riggott, Downing
Suspended: Boateng

Team News: Southgate is without suspended captain Boateng and in the past this has translated its self badly on the pitch for the Teesiders. When Boateng was on the sidelines for an extended period last year Boro’ went into freefall. Rochemback is expected to take up the mantle of defensive midfielder, while Huth will more than likely start on the bench due to a lack of match-fitness.
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Newcastle ( away vs. West Ham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Given – Carr, Ramage, Moore, Babayaro – N’Zogbia, Parker, Emre, Duff – Martins, Ameobi
Subs: Harper, Bramble, O’Brien, Luque, Butt, Milner
Injured: Owen, Dyer, Solano, Taylor
Suspended: None

Team News: Defender Babayaro, who has missed the last two games, should return to the team after being passed fit for the West Ham game. Bramble picked up an injury against Tallinn in midweek but will undergo a late fitness test but Taylor is certainly missing so Ramage could start at the back alongside Australia’s finest Moore. Roeder is also without Solano for this game.
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Porstmouth ( away vs. Charlton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) James – Primus, Campbell, Johnson, Stefanovic – O’Neill, Davis, Mendes, M. Taylor – Benjani, LuaLua
Subs: Ashdown, Kiely, Jordan, Pamarot, Krancjar, Thompson, Songo’o, Hughes, O’Brien, Duffy, Kanu.
Injured: Mornar
Suspended: None

Team News: Stefanovic has been passed for the Charlton game, while LuaLua could start ahead of kanu after appearing in last weeks win over Wigan. O'Neill has also come through a late fitness test.
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Reading ( away vs. Sheffield United)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Hahnemann – Murty, Sonko, Ingmarrson, Shorey – Seol, Harper, Sidwell, Convey – Doyle, Lita
Subs: Stack, Hunt, Oster, Halls, Gunnarsson, Long, Little, Osano, Cox.
Injured: Brown, Kitson, Sodje
Suspended: None

Team News: Reading have a full -strength squad ahead of the Sheffield clash.
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Sheffield Utd (home vs. Reading)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kenny - Sommeil, Jagielka, Morgan, Unsworth – Ifill, Tonge, Armstrong – Hulse, Nade.
Subs: Bennett, Kozluk, Lucketti, Bromby, Gillespie, Davis, Leigertwood, Wright, Geary, A. Quinn, S. Quinn, Li Tie, Akinbiyi.
Injured: Kabba, Short, Montgomery, Shipperley, Webber
Suspended: None

Team News: There is a slight doubt over the fitness of Michael Tonge but he looks more than likely to play against Reading. Can Sheffield score a goal?
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Tottenham (home vs. Fulham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Robinson – Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto – Huddlestone, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas – Keane, Mido
Subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Lee, Davenport, Davids, Barnard, Murphy, Ghaly Defoe, Berbatov.
Injured: Malbranque, Lennon,
Suspended: None

Team News: Lennon is absent with an injury, while Berbatov is a slight doubt along with Murphy and Ghaly.
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Watford (home vs. Aston Villa)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Foster – Stewart, Shittu, Mackay, Doyley – Young, Francis, Mahon, Smith – Henderson, King
Subs: Lee, Mariappa, Stewart, Jarrett, Spring, Bangura, Bouazza, McNamee,Chambers, Priskin.
Injured: Carlisle, Powell
Suspended:

Team News: Chris Powell will be out for the next three weeks so Stewart has come in to replace him. The rest of the team will remain unchanged.
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West Ham (home vs. Newcastle)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Carroll – Mears, A. Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky – Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Etherington, Mascherano – Zamora, Tevez.
Subs: Green, Spector, Walker, Collins, Mullins, Sheringham, Reid, Dailly
Injured: McCartney, Ashton, Paintsil, Harewood
Suspended: Newton

Team News: Mears should come in to replace Paintsil at left-back and Mascherano should continue to cover infront of the back four. Coach Pardew may decide to rest Tevez and give Marlon Harewood another crac of the whip against a ropey Newcastle defence.
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Wigan (away vs. Everton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kirkland – Baines, De Zeeuw, Hall, Boyce – Kilbane, Landzaat, Scharner, Valencia – Heskey, Camara
Subs: Pollitt, Kavanagh, Connolly, Teale, Jackson, Johansson, Skoko, Todorov
Injured: Taylor, McCulloch
Suspended: None

Team News: Camara is a big doubt for Wigan this weekend and Todorov could get his debut. One man who will certainly receive his debut is Kilbane who will come against his former team.

Note: Those denoted in red indicates doubts