EPL Predictions - Week 14

Arsenal (home vs. Newcastle)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Lehmann - Clichy, Toure, Eboue, Gallas - Hleb, Baptista, Fabregas, Flamini, Van Persie - Henry
Subs: Almunia, Djourou, Senderos, Song, Hoyte, Aliadiere, Walcott, Gilberto Silva (Family Matters), Adebayor
Injured: Lauren, Diaby, Ljungberg (match fitness), Rosicky (match fitness).
Suspended: None

Team News: Wenger is humming and haring over his selections for this weeks Newcastle game, as he feels that both Henry and Gallas are fatigued from long weeks and also the matter of a must win Champions League tie to come on Tuesday. Henry is more likely to start than Gallas, as Newcastle have shown that they pose relatively little attacking threat this season and Senderos could come in for the Frenchman. Henry, on the other hand, is in probability going to play as little of the game as is possible, perhaps 60 minutes, depending on the result at the time but he should start. Baptista, the beast, is inline for his first Premiership start after receiving plaudits from Wenger this week. Van Persie is a hot pick this week having shown excellent form lately but a warning for those who do choose him, five yellows in ten games is not a good statistic.
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Aston Villa (away vs. Wigan)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Sorensen – Bouma, Mellberg, Cahill, Ridgewell - Barry, Osbourne, Petrov, Agbonlahor - Sutton, Angel.
Subs: Taylor, Gardner, Djemba-Djemba, Berger, Whittingham, Samuel, Agathe, Baros, S. Davis.
Injured: Delaney, Moore, Hughes, Laursen.
Suspended: McCann (1 of 1)

Team News: Barry and Agbonlahor are set to start against Wigan after overcoming injuries but key man McCann is suspended after reaching his five card limit. Barry will take McCann’s place but as we have seen in the past few games Villa without McCann aren’t the same side. This will give impetus to a confident Wigan side but we must remember that Villa have only lost once this season so it will certainly be a tight affair.
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Blackburn (home vs. Tottenham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Friedel - Gray, Henchoz, Ooijer, Emerton – Tugay, Bentley, Gamst Pedersen, Savage - Nonda, McCarthy.
Subs: Brown, Todd, Mokoena, Douglas, McEveley, Matteo, Gallagher, Peter, Jeffers.
Injured: Enckelman, Nelsen, Reid, Roberts, Neill.
Suspended: Khizanishvili

Team News: Khizanishvili and Neill have been ruled out of the Tottenham clash due to suspension and injury, respectively. Henchoz should stand in for Khizanishvili after making two recent appearances in the sideGray should automatically step in for Neill. The good news for Sparky Hughes is that Savage has returned from a thigh injury and is expected to play but this fortune is tapered by the news that Pedersen is struggling with a rib injury. If the Norwegian doesn’t make it on to the pitch then I expect Peter Sergio or Mokoena to start with Bentley switching to the left flank, depending on Hughes’ outlook.

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Bolton (away vs. Everton)
Starting XI: (4-3-3) Jaaskelainen - Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Abdoulaye Faye – Campo, Nolan, Speed - Davies, Diouf, Anelka
Subs: Walker, Tal, Fojut, Q. Fortune, Pedersen, Sissons, Smith, Wolfe, Vaz Te, Stelios.
Injured: Gardner, O'Brien.
Suspended: None.

Team News: The big debate this week is over the starting status of Israeli international Idan Tal. The midfielder was impressive against Sheffield United last week and is in contention to keep his spot although, I feel that Big Sam will prefer to recall Ivan Campo to add more defensive strength, as was lacking at the end of last weekend’s game. Meite and Faye were left exposed at times last week and Campo will cover for them, especially when up against the runs of Johnson for Everton. BUT Tal is a possibility still. Nolan’s Mrs, Hayley, could do all Tal fans a favour by giving birth on Saturday morning, which would see both Campo and Tal start – therefore Nolan too is a doub. Hunt should return to the side after Pedersen’s brief spell at left-back.
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Charlton (away vs. Reading)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Carson - Young, Fortune, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson - Holland, A. Reid, Rommedahl, Hughes, Ambrose - D. Bent
Subs: Myhre, Sam, Ashton, M Bent, Pouso, Thomas, Hasselbaink, Kishishev, Gibbs, Walker, Sorondo, D. Traore.
Injured: Lisbie, Diawara
Suspended: A Faye

Team News: And so begins the start of a new era and who knows what Les Reed has up his sleeve for Reading. I think against on organised and tough Reading side Les won’t be tinkering too much, or be it so at his own peril. Faye is suspended so Hughes should come in to bolster the midfield along with Rommedahl who has returned from a spell on the sidelines. The big worry for Charlton is the absence of the injured Diawara. Charlton look vulnerable without two of their best defensive central men.
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Chelsea (home vs. West Ham)
Starting XI: (4-1-3-2) Cudicini - Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, A. Cole – Makelele – Lampard, Essien, Ballack - Shevchenko, Drogba.
Subs: Hilario, Hedman, Diarra, Bridge, Ferreira, Robben, Mancienne, Boulahrouz, Mikel, Wright-Phillips, Kalou, J. Cole
Injured: Cech
Suspended: None

Team News: After most of his players being involved with midweek internationals and a Champions League came to come, Mourinho could venture into the tinkering mode against West Ham but with Man Utd setting a trial blaze in a charge for the Premiership title, the “special one” shouldn’t make too many alterations to the side that mauled Watford last weekend. Makelele’s old bones could be given a breather (btw have you seen his Mrs? The one in the M&S lingerie advert – corr blimey!) with Essien playing in a holding role. Mourinho has used a diamond formation in the last two games and it has worked to good affect with the full-backs pushing forward in wingback type roles. If Makelele isn’t too tired from his midweek "encounter" in Paris, and we aren’t taking about Greece here (well maybe some was used..), then Mourinho will stick to that formation with Robben left sitting on the bench.
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Everton (home vs.Bolton)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Howard – Stubbs Lescott, Yobo, P. Neville - Davies, Carsley, Arteta, Osman, - Beattie, Johnson.
Subs: Turner, Anichebe, Weir, Vaughan, Valente, van der Meyde, Vidarsson, Hughes.
Injured: Pistone, Naysmith, Hibbert, Wright, Boyle, Cahill
Suspended: McFadden (2 0f 2)

Team News: The absence of Cahill with a knee injury will open the door to Beattie, who will be asked to partner Johnson upfront and add some strength and aerial prowess against the Bolton side. McFadden is suspended, while Valente and Van der Meyde are both in contention after recovering from injuries.
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Fulham (away vs. Man City)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Niemi - Queudrue, Knight, Pearce, Rosenior – Bocanegra, C. Jensen, Volz , Diop, Boa Morte - McBride
Subs: Crossley, N. Jensen, Zakuani, Timlin, Runstrom, John, Milsom, Routledge, Helguson, Christanval, Pembridge, Radzinski
Injured: Bullard, Elliott, Elrich, M. Brown.
Suspended: None

Team News: Radzinksi is set to be rested after a gruelling midweek fixture for Canada so Coleman will recall Diop to bolster his side. Fulham have notched up eight goals away from home the season, which is in total only behind Man Utd and Chelsea so far. I think Fulham have a good chance of breaking City’s cleansheet record at the Blue Camp on Saturday. Jensen hasn’t played out of his skin but is still getting good fantasy points, a sure sign of a good fantasy player.
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Liverpool (away vs. Middlesbrough)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Reina - Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise - Gerrard, Alonso, Zenden, Pennant – Kuyt, Crouch
Subs: Dudek, Warnock, Agger, Garcia, Aurelio, Paletta, Fowler, Gonzalez, Bellamy
Injured: Kewell, Sissoko
Suspended: None

Team News: Wins away from home, zero; goals scored away from home, one. Liverpool and away form don’t go hand in hand too well but they have had to play Bolton Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and a Merseyside derby with Everton so things can only get better. Sissoko remains on the sideline so Gerrard will play a more central role. Can Kuyt keep up his excellent fantasy average?
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Man City (home vs. Fulham)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Weaver - Richards, Dunne, Distin, Thatcher - Sinclair, Reyna, Barton, Trabelsi, - Dickov, Samaras
Subs: Hart, Ireland, Jordan, Onuoha, Mills, Johnson, Hamann, Vassell, Corradi, Miller.
Injured: Isaksson, Sun Jihai, Dabo, Beasley.
Suspended: None

Team News: As always Pearcey gives absolutely zilch away in regards to team information this week, cheers mate! But it is known that Sinclair has an injury worry. If the 33-year old is unavailable then Miller and Vassell will battle it out to start on the wing. Isaksson, Dabo and Hamann have all returned from injury but are lacking fitness.
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Man Utd (away vs. Sheffield United)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Van der Sar - R. Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, G. Neville - Giggs, Carrick, Ronaldo, Scholes - Saha, Rooney.
Subs: Kuszczak, W. Brown, Heinze, Richardson, Fletcher Smith, O’Shea.
Injured: Park, Solskjaer, Silvestre
Suspended: None

Team News: Giggs is Fergies only major worry against Sheffield United this weekend. Ronaldo and Gary Neville have overcome injury problems.
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Middlesbrough (home vs. Liverpool)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Schwarzer – Davies, Taylor, Pogatetz, Woodgate – Morrison, Rochemback, Downing, Boateng, Cattermole – Yakubu.
Subs: Turnbull, Parnaby, Bates, Mendieta, Huth, Johnson, Arca, Maccarone, Graham, J. Euell.
Injured: Ehiogu, Riggott, Parlour, Viduka, Christie
Suspended: None

Team News: Taylor, Cattermole and Downing are all rated as doubtful for this game due to slight knocks or injuries.
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Newcastle (away vs. Arsenal)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Given – Taylor, Ramage, Bramble, Moore – N’Zogbia, Parker, Solano, Duff, Butt – Ameobi
Subs: Harper, Srnicek, Babayaro, O’Brien, Bernard, Carr, Milner, Luque, Sibierski, Dyer, Martins.
Injured: Owen, Krul,
Suspended: Emre

Team News: Carr is rated as a major doubt for the Arsenal clash, as is Bramble, and defensive injuries is the last thing you want going into this game. Emre is suspended after picking up five yellows, which means that N’Zogbia should take his place. The little bit of good news for Roeder is that Given returns in between the sticks. Given was unbeatable at times last season and Roeder will be hoping for that on Saturday.
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Porstmouth (home vs. Watford)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) James – Pamarot, Primus, Campbell, Stefanovic - M. Taylor, Thompson, Mendes, Davis – LuaLua, Kanu
Subs: Kiely, Jordan, Douala, Hughes, O’Brien, Cole, Krancjar, Koroman, Fernandes.
Injured: Johnson, O’Neill, Bejani
Suspended: None

Team News: Johnson, O’Neill and Benjani are all out so Pamarot, Thompson and LuaLua should all start against Watford. O’Neill picked up a dead leg last time out against Fulham so Thompson will be handed a rare start on the right handside. LuaLua and Kanu are set to continue their exciting partnership from last week. The pair failed to score but only due to Niemi’s heroics, they were electric otherwise and look fair picks.
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Reading (home vs. The Charlatans)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Hahnemann – Murty, Sonko, Ingmarrson, Shorey – Little, Harper, Sidwell, Hunt – Doyle, Seol
Subs: Stack, De la Cruz, Sodje, Oster, Gunnarsson, Lita, Osano, Cox.
Injured: Brown, Kitson, Mate, Convey, Halls.
Suspended: None

Team News: Murty has shaken off a shine injury picked up in training and is set to start. The rest of the Reading team remains unchanged.
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Sheffield Utd (home vs.Man Utd)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kenny - Geary, Morgan, Jagielka, Bromby – Gillespie, Montgomery, Leigertwood, A. Quinn, Kazim-Richards - Hulse.
Subs: Bennett, Kozluk, Lucketti, Davis, Unsworth, S. Quinn, Li Tie, Akinbiyi, Short, Wright, Shipperley, Webber.
Injured: Armstrong, Tonge, Bromby, Kabba.
Suspended: None

Team News: Davis is rated as a major doubt ahead of the visit of Man Utd today but Kenny should remain in goal even after having his eyebrow bitten earlier in the week… I think he will be biting the pillow on Saturday as Rooney and Co. “put him under pressure”. Sheffield will obviously try to kick the holy be-Jesus out of Man Utd on Saturday so I expect a few goals but also a few casualties.
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Tottenham (away vs. Blackburn)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Robinson – Lee, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto – Murphy, Zokora, Ghaly, Jenas – Berbatov, Keane.
Subs: Cerny, Malbranque, Huddlestone, Ziegler, Barnard, Mido, Barnard, Defoe, Stalteri, Gardner.
Injured: Tainio, Chimbonda, Davenport, Jenas, Lennon.
Suspended: None

Team News: Everyone’s favourite Egyptian since Boutros Ghaly (no relation) should start for Spurs today, as Lennon is out with knee injury. Chimbonda is still sidelined (speaking of which I heard a Spurs song last week which uses the My Sharona song but replaces Sharona with Chimbonda – classic). Davids should get a rare outing this week because Jenas is also injured – lucky Edgar!
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Watford (away vs. Portsmouth)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Foster – Stewart, Shittu, Doyley, DeMerit – Bouazza, Francis, Mahon, Smith – Young, Henderson.
Subs: Lee, Mariappa, Mackay, Powell, Jarrett, Spring, Bangura, McNamee, Priskin.
Injured: Carlisle, King
Suspended: None

Team News: Watford have been the easiest team to predict this year. Pretty solid team, week-in-week-out.
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West Ham (away vs. Chelsea)
Starting XI: (4-5-1) Green – Spector, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky – Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Etherington, Mullins, Bowyer – Harewood
Subs: Kiraly, Mears, Cole, Dailly, McCartney, Paintsil, Sheringham, Mascherano, Reid, Tevez, Zamora.
Injured: Ashton, Collins, Caroll, Walker.
Suspended: Newton.
Team News: Ferdinand returns from injury this week to face Chelsea, which is lucky as Collins is now on the injury list. Zamora is also back and in contention for a starting spot. Reo-Coker has shaken off an injury which forced him to miss the England U21. Still no place for the Argentine duo, who will be looking on from the sidelines in game where, to be honest, they are probably the only two in West Ham side who could probably match the Chelsea players for skill. Kabor Kiraly also steps into the West Ham squad on a two week loan.
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Wigan (home vs. Aston Villa)
Starting XI: (4-4-2) Kirkland – Baines, De Zeeuw, Webster, Boyce – Kilbane, Landzaat, Scharner, Valencia – McCulloch, Camara
Subs: Filan, Wright, Jackson, Johansson, Todorov, Coterill, Hall, Skoko, McMillan, Heskey.
Injured: Taylor, Teale
Suspended: None

Team News: Baines is a worry this week having picked up a knock, while Coterill returns to the bench in place of Valencia. There is some uncertainty about the back line this week with Baines, as I mentioned previously, carrying a knock and the news that De Zeeuw is having painkilling injections. Jackson didn’t help either coming on last week to score a goal and give Jewell options…

Note: Those denoted in red indicates doubts