Saturday, December 13

Burnley (4) v Southampton (21)

Burnley manager Owen Coyle will check on Michael Duff and Chris McCann. Duff suffered a calf strain in the warm-up before the win at Sheffield United, while McCann has missed the past two games due to illness and will also be assessed before kick-off.

Saints will check on Morgan Schneiderlin (hamstring) and Olly Lancashire (knee). Midfielder Anthony Pulis could be involved after recovering from a broken foot, while captain Michael Svensson is expected to miss out again with an Achilles problem. Winger Lee Holmes is still building up his fitness after knee trouble.

Last season: Southampton 0 Burnley 1, Burnley 2 Southampton 3

Last five league matches: Burnley D L W W D; Southampton W D D D L

Top scorers: Martin Paterson (Burnley) 12; David McGoldrick (Southampton) 7

Match odds: H 8-13 A 7-2 D 5-2

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Crystal Palace (8) v Doncaster (22)

On-loan striker Craig Beattie has been recalled by West Brom, while Ben Watson (groin) and John Oster (calf) will need late checks. Alan Lee came through a midweek reserve game but James Scowcroft (hamstring) needs to do the same and Lee Hills (knee), Carl Fletcher (back) and Neil Danns (ankle) are sidelined.

Rovers are without James Coppinger (ankle) and captain Brian Stock (calf) but Richie Wellens is likely to be restored to the starting line-up after illness. Gordon Greer was set to resume light training following a groin injection but is unlikely to be involved. Striker James Hayter (knee ligaments) is working on his fitness while Sean McDaid will undergo an operation to strengthen his patella tendon next week.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Crystal Palace W W D W W; Doncaster D D D W L

Top scorers: Shefki Kuqi & Ben Watson (Crystal Palace) 5; Steve Brooker (Doncaster) 4

Match odds: H 4-6 A 10-3 D 12-5

Referee: Andy Hall (W Midlands).

Ipswich (11) v Cardiff (6)

Ipswich defender Alex Bruce starts a four-match ban after an appeal to overturn the red card he received against Bristol City in midweek failed today - Richard Naylor is the most likely candidate to partner captain Gareth McAuley. Moritz Volz should recover from a dead leg and fellow defender Ben Thatcher is available after a stomach bug, meaning young defender Tommy Smith (ankle) is the only long-term absentee.

Cardiff are waiting on the results of a scan to determine whether Jay Bothroyd (knee ligament) will be fit. Ross McCormack is out for three weeks with a hamstring problem, left-back Tony Capaldi (knee) continues to build up his match fitness but is not yet ready, while midfielder Peter Whittingham (ankle) remains sidelined. Midfielder Stephen McPhail returns from a two-match ban.

Last season: Ipswich 1 Cardiff 1, Cardiff 1 Ipswich 0

Last five league matches: Ipswich W L D L W; Cardiff L D D W D

Top scorers: Pablo Counago (Ipswich) 6; Ross McCormack (Cardiff) 14

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

Referee: K Woolmer (Kettering).

Nottm Forest (23) v Blackpool (16)

Lewis McGugan has a thigh problem but should be available for Forest. Defender Julian Bennett will continue to push for a return to the side having missed 10 games with a broken collarbone.

Pool are without suspended midfielder Lee Hendrie and defender Ian Evatt. David Vaughan has recovered from a calf strain, while on-loan Derby striker Liam Dickinson is expected to shake off a bout of flu.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Nottm Forest L D W D L; Blackpool L L W W L

Top scorers: Robert Earnshaw (Nottm Forest) 6; Liam Dickinson (Blackpool) 10

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

Referee: Pat Miller (Bedfordshire).

Plymouth (13) v QPR (9)

Argyle boss Paul Sturrock is waiting on the fitness of an unnamed player before selecting his side. Centre-back Krisztian Timar is fit after suffering a grazed forehead, with skipper Karl Duguid (calf) and striker Emile Mpenza (hamstring) the only definite absentees.

Matthew Connolly and Dexter Blackstock are close to returning to the QPR squad after back injuries, but Argentinian midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma is still struggling with a knock and striker Rowan Vine (leg) and midfielder Akos Buzsaky (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Last season: Plymouth 2 QPR 1, QPR 0 Plymouth 2

Last five league matches: Plymouth W D L L L; QPR L W D W L

Top scorers: Paul Gallagher (Plymouth) 7; Dexter Blackstock (QPR) 9

Match odds: H 7-5 A 8-5 D 21-10

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Preston (7) v Birmingham (2)

Striker Neil Mellor only managed 45 minutes of Preston's 2-0 defeat at Cardiff last weekend following a recurrence of a hip injury first picked up in the recent home win against Bristol City. Right-back Billy Jones (calf) could be replaced by on-loan Blackburn defender Eddie Nolan.

Liam Ridgewell and Franck Queudrue have shaken off illness in time to boost Birmingham's defensive ranks. David Murphy (groin) is also pushing for a return, while Sebastian Larsson has an outside chance of making it as he recovers from a similar injury. James McFadden (groin), Gary McSheffrey (knee), Garry O'Connor (groin) and Stephen Kelly (thigh) and Jordon Mutch (foot) are set to miss out.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Preston W D W L W; Birmingham W W D W W

Top scorers: Neil Mellor (Preston) 8; Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) 10

Match odds: H 6-4 A 6-4 D 21-10

Referee: Clive Oliver (Northumberland).

Reading (3) v Norwich (20)

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici will start in place of first-choice Marcus Hahnemann (calf). Winger Jimmy Kebe will sit out the second of his three-match suspension but defender Andre Bikey returns after a three-game ban while club captain Graeme Murty remains out with his calf problem.

City's on-loan striker Leroy Lita is ineligible to face his parent club, Antoine Sibierski (foot) is still out, while centre-half Dejan Stefanovic (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Reading L D W W W; Norwich W L L W L

Top scorers: Kevin Doyle (Reading) 15; Leroy Lita (Norwich) 6

Match odds: H 4-9 A 5-1 D 11-4

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Sheff Wed (10) v Bristol City (15)

Wednesday will be without Frank Simek (hamstring) and Etienne Esajas (possible fractured toe), winger Wade Small (eye) is doubtful, but on-loan Stoke defender Lewis Buxton is expected to return to the squad following illness. Jermaine Johnson (knee), Akpo Sodje (knee) and Richard Hinds (leg) remain sidelined.

Defender Jamie McAllister (toe) and midfielder Lee Johnson (ankle) are in City's squad and striker Nicky Maynard is also available despite being carried off on a stretcher at Ipswich - but dead legs keep out striker Dele Adebola and skipper Louis Carey. John Akinde and Lee Trundle compete for a place in attack.

Last season: Bristol City 2 Sheff Wed 1, Sheff Wed 0 Bristol City 1

Last five league matches: Sheff Wed L W W D W; Bristol City L D L D L

Top scorers: Marcus Tudgay (Sheff Wed) 7; Nicky Maynard (Bristol City) 4

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

Referee: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).

Swansea (12) v Sheff Utd (5)

Swansea boss Roberto Martinez is set to monitor the fitness of Leon Britton (shin) and Mark Gower (calf). Gorka Pintado will play despite imminent hernia surgery. Darren Pratley returns from suspension but Ferrie Bodde, Marcos Painter (both cruciate knee ligament) and defender Fede Bessone (hamstring) are all out.

Billy Sharp returns to United's squad after a foot problem but manager Kevin Blackwell is still waiting on Gary Speed, sidelined for three matches with a back problem.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Swansea L D D D D; Sheff Utd W L D L W

Top scorers: Jordi Gomez (Swansea) 8; James Beattie (Sheff Utd) 10

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

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

Watford (19) v Coventry (14)

Hornets captain Jay DeMerit is likely to miss out with a groin injury, while on-loan Southampton striker Grzegorz Rasiak joins Gareth Williams (knee) and Mart Poom (shoulder) on the sidelines.

Coventry will hand a late fitness test to Guillaume Beuzelin (knee) but Aron Gunnarsson is almost certain to continue in central midfield alongside Jay Tabb. Right-back Stephen Wright is also nursing a knee injury and is almost certain to miss out again, so boss Chris Coleman is likely to name an unchanged side.

Last season: Watford 2 Coventry 1, Coventry 0 Watford 3

Last five league matches: Watford W D D L W; Coventry W D L D W

Top scorers: Tommy Smith (Watford) 11; Clinton Morrison (Coventry) 7

Match odds: H 21-20 A 21-20 D 11-5

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).

Wolves (1) v Barnsley (17)

Chris Iwelumo is battling to recover from an ankle injury, while goalkeeper Carl Ikeme finally looks to have overcome a hip problem. Centre-back Jody Craddock (broken toe) came through another 90 minutes in a midweek training match but knee injuries keep out goalkeeper Matt Murray and defender George Elokobi.

Barnsley midfielder Anderson De Silva (ankle) needs a late test but defender Rob Kozluk (thigh) and winger Martin Devaney (ankle) are still out and midfielder Diego Leon (hamstring) continues to struggle. Jon Macken, on-loan Jamie Cureton, Kayode Odejayi and Michael Coulson are all vying for starting places up front in the absence of Iain Hume (fractured skull) but Darren Moore (groin) is not ready to return.

Last season: Barnsley 1 Wolves 0, Wolves 1 Barnsley 0

Last five league matches: Wolves W W D L W; Barnsley L W L L D

Top scorers: Chris Iwelumo (Wolves) 15; Jonathan Macken (Barnsley) 6

Match odds: H 4-9 A 5-1 D 11-4

Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Monday, December 15

Charlton (24) v Derby (18)

The Addicks' on-loan full-back Jay McEveley would have played against his parent club had he not picked up a knock in the home defeat to Coventry. Midfielder Jose Semedo took the role against the Sky Blues but looked uncomfortable.

Ruben Zadkovich is expecting to start in Derby's midfield after partnering Miles Addison at Wolves, with Paul Green expected to be sidelined for up to a month with two broken fingers.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Charlton L L D L L; Derby L D L L L

Top scorers: Andy Gray (Charlton) 6; Nathan Ellington (Derby) 7

Match odds: H 5-4 A 7-4 D 11-5

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex).