We’ll have to wait until Wednesday for Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford and the return of Luis Suarez/demise of David Moyes. 11 games tonight though, including…
ASTON VILLA v TOTTENHAM
Christian Benteke will definitely miss out for the home side after injuring his hip at the weekend, so Libor Kozak should deputise. Gabby Agbonlahor, Fabian Delph, Ashley Westwood, Antonio Luna and Ciaran Clark are doubtful too and may be rested with one eye on Saturday’s league match against Man City.
AVB will rotate too and Vlad Chiriches is in line for his debut. Jermain Defoe has a groin strain and might not make it, but there should be plenty of fringe players involved in what is Spurs’ 3rd game in 6 days.
MAN CITY v Wigan
Wigan have also had to contend with 3 games in 6 days, and it’s only 2 days since City thumped United in the league, so both sides are likely to ring the changes for this re-run of last seasons FA Cup final. Micah Richards was an unused substiture at the weekend and could make his firt appearance of the season for the home side. David Silva, Gael Clichy and Jck Rodwell are all carrying knocks and will definitely miss out. Wigan, meanwhile are without Grant Holt, Gary Caldwell, Ivan Ramis and Ali Al Habsi.
SOUTHAMPTON v Bristol City
Mauricio Pochettino will give many of the players involved in Saturday’s win over Liverpool a well earned rest. Gaston Ramirez, Jack Cork, Steven Davis, Kelvin Davis and Maya Yoshida are likely to make rare starts but back-up left-back Danny Fox is absent. This is City’s 3rd game in 8 days so they’re likely to make changes too.
SUNDERLAND v Peterborough
Kevin Ball takes charge of the home side for the first time since Paolo Di Canio’s sacking. Peterborough may be 2 divisions below the Black Cats but they’ve started the season in great form and have been scoring goals for fun. There may well be a giant-killing on the cards…
Who Ball will pick is anyone’s guess but Steven Fletcher is definitely out after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder at the weekend, we know that much. Nathaniel Knight-Percival and Mark Little are suspended for the visitors and Danny Kearns is an injury doubt.
Swindon v CHELSEA
Cesar Azpilicueta, Ryan Bertrand, David Luiz, Michael Essien and Juan Mata are all set to step up from football’s most over-stocked subs bench and start in this one. The latter’s performance will be the main focus of attention of course after being repeatedly snubbed and publicly criticised by Jose Mourinho this season. Can he play his way in to the manager’s thoughts?
An already sizeable task will be made even trickier for Swindon thanks to the absence of Ryan Mason, Ryan Harley and Alex Pritchard. Probably best they don’t rotate too much, this isn’t one for the stiffs.
WEST HAM v CARDIFF
The 2nd of tonight’s 3 all-Premiership ties and both sides will be looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats at the weekend. The Hammers will have to make do without Joe Cole, Mark Noble and Stewart Downing as well as Andy Carroll (obviously). Cardiff could hand a first start to Peter Odemwingie but Andreas Cornelius is still unavailable with an ankle injury.
FULHAM v EVERTON
Contrasting starts in the league for these two, and Fulham will be hoping to kick-start their campaign with a win here. Everton are in good form though so it won’t be easy. The home side are still without Maarten Stekelenburg but Dimitar Berbatov, Aaron Hughes and Bryan Ruiz could return from injury. The Toffees could welcome back Darron Gibson and Arouna Kone but Antolin Alcaraz, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar are unlikely to be risked.
Also tonight:
Burnley v Notts Forest
Hull v Huddersfield
Leicester v Derby
Watford v Norwich
Predictions?
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