Barclays Premier League briefing

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Team news and statistics for the weekend's action in the Barclays Premier League.
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(Current league positions in brackets)

Saturday, October 18

Arsenal (8) v Hull (11)

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta is expected back in the squad following a calf problem. Defender Calum Chambers is suspended, while Laurent Koscielny (Achilles) and midfielder Mesut Ozil (knee) are also out. Forward Theo Walcott (knee) and midfield pair Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are stepping up their rehabilitation along with strikers Yaya Sanogo (hamstring) and Olivier Giroud (fractured foot), but full-back Mathieu Debuchy (ankle) is a long-term absentee.

Mohamed Diame will be assessed by Hull following a long journey back from international duty with Senegal. Sone Aluko also had a quick turnaround from Nigeria, but manager Steve Bruce has no new injuries to add to Robert Snodgrass (knee) and Allan McGregor (shoulder).

Last season: Hull 0 Arsenal 3, Arsenal 2 Hull 0

Last five league matches: Arsenal D D W D L; Hull L D D L W

Top Scorers: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) 5; Nikica Jelavic (Hull) 4

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire)

Verdict: Arsenal 2 Hull 2

Burnley (19) v West Ham (7)

Striker Danny Ings (hamstring), midfielders Nathaniel Chalobah (throat) and Dave Jones (thigh) and defenders Kieran Trippier (ankle) and Michael Keane (hamstring) should all be fit enough to be included in the Burnley squad. Matthew Taylor needs an Achilles operation and the West Ham game is also likely to come too soon for fellow midfielders Dean Marney (hamstring) and Steven Reid (groin).

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to have midfielder Mark Noble fit and available following a calf injury. Enner Valencia may also be involved despite travelling to play for Ecuador, but Guy Demel (thigh), Andy Carroll (ankle), Joey O'Brien (knee), Cheikhou Kouyate and James Collins (both groin) all remain sidelined for the Hammers.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Burnley D D D L D; West Ham L D W L W

Top scorers: Michael Kightly 1, Ross Wallace & Scott Arfield (Burnley) 1; Diafra Sakho (West Ham) 5

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Verdict: Burnley 0 West Ham 2

Crystal Palace (15) v Chelsea (1)

Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann has been ruled out with a knee injury, otherwise manager Neil Warnock has a fully fit squad to select from.

Diego Costa is among a number of injury concerns for Chelsea. Costa, who has been troubled by a hamstring problem in recent weeks has an undisclosed problem, while Ramires (groin) and Didier Drogba (ankle) are also doubtful. Andre Schurrle (illness) and John Obi Mikel (undisclosed) are to be assessed.

Last season: Crystal Palace 1 Chelsea 0, Chelsea 2 Crystal Palace 1

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

Top scorers: Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace) 5; Diego Costa (Chelsea) 9

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

Verdict: Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 2

Everton (17) v Aston Villa (10)

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has to decide whether Ross Barkley (knee) is fit enough to make his first appearance of the season. Martinez is also hopeful over defender Seamus Coleman (thigh) and midfielders Steven Pienaar (hip) and James McCarthy (thigh), but Kevin Mirallas (hamstring) is still out while defender John Stones is recovering from knee surgery.

Aston Villa are set to be without England midfielder Fabian Delph due to a shoulder injury. Defender Philippe Senderos (thigh) is also set to miss out, though captain Ron Vlaar is fit after troublesome calf problems.

Last season: Everton 2 Aston Villa 1, Aston Villa 0 Everton 2

Last five league matches: Everton L W L D L; Aston Villa W W L L L

Top scorers: Steven Naismith (Everton) 4; Gabriel Agbonlahor 2 & Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa) 2

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

Verdict: Everton 1 Aston Villa 2

Man City (2) v Tottenham Hotspur (6)

Eliaquim Mangala is set to miss out for Manchester City with a thigh injury. All the other City players are fit apart from Samir Nasri, who is still recovering from groin surgery.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness following a thigh injury. Belgium midfielder Nacer Chadli (hip) will also undergo a late fitness test, while striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Nabil Bentaleb will be assessed on their returns from international duty. Defenders Kyle Naughton (ankle) and Kyle Walker (abdominal surgery) remain out.

Last season: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Man City 5, Man City 6 Tottenham Hotspur 0

Last five league matches: Man City L D D W W; Tottenham Hotspur L D L D W

Top scorers: Sergio Aguero (Man City) 6; Harry Kane & Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur) 4