PREVIEW: WEEKEND ENGLISH ACTION Alan Tong - Friday, October 30, 2009
Brad Friedel will become the first player to play 200 successive Premier League games, having passed the previous high of 167 last season, when he faces fellow American Tim Howard at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Everton - Aston Villa
Tim Howard and Brad Friedel will hope to be the difference for their team, while Brad Guzan will watch his mentor's historic achievement from the bench after his midweek heroics in the Carling Cup.
Friedel will be at center stage with his 200th consecutive Premier League appearance, a Cal Ripken-esque streak which has stretched across two clubs and is unlikely to be matched anytime in the near future.
The Toffees have been suffering with a horrific injury list, but should see the return of Leighton Baines, Leon Osman, Joseph Yobo and Steven Pienaar this week. Phil Neville, James Vaughan, Victor Anichebe, Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta are still out with knee injuries.
Curtis Davies stays on the injured list for Villa due to a dislocated shoulder, and is unlikely to play before January. England international Stewart Downing has still not played since being signed in the transfer window due to an ankle injury, and is unlikely to feature until December.
Fulham - Liverpool
Clint Dempsey will start full of confidence for the Cottagers after his goal last weekend, and Eddie Johnson will also hope to get off the bench for some playing time.
Andy Johnson, Dickson Etuhu and Simon Davies should be available for the hosts after injury. David Stockdale and Danny Murphy are unavailable due to knee injuries, and Finnish goalkeeper Toni Kallio has Achilles Tendinopathy.
The Reds will be hoping for the return of influential midfielder Steven Gerrard, Andrea Dossena and Martin Kelly. Alberto Riera will miss the game with a hamstring injury and Soterios Kyrgiakos has a knee injury.
Burnley - Hull City
Even though Jozy Altidore and Head Coach Phil Brown appear to have resolved their differences, the likelihood is that the forward will be on the bench on Saturday.
The Tigers will be without goalie Boaz Myhill who has a leg injury, and Ian Ashbee with a PCL tear. Midfielder Jimmy Bullard is nearing fitness after a long-term knee injury, and should play a part on Saturday.
The Clarets are missing Kevin McDonald, Martin Paterson and Chris McCann with knee injuries. Brian Jensen and Jay Rodriguez are both carrying ankle injuries, and will not be available.
Sunderland - West Ham United
Jonathan Spector will hope to retain his place in the starting eleven as the Hammers travel to the Stadium of Light to face the Black Cats.
The Londoners will be not be able to call upon the services of Dean Ashton, Calum Davenport and Luis Boa Morte who have long-term injuries. Kieron Dyer will be hoping to play a part as he recovers from a hamstring injury, as will Danny Gabbidon who has been missing with a calf strain.
Midfielder Lee Cattermole injured his MCL last weekend, and will not appear for the Wearsiders before January at the earliest, and Scott Parker will be unavailable due to suspension. Ghana international John Mensah is approaching full recovery from a calf muscle strain, and he should appear at some time in the game.
Milton Keynes Dons - Bristol Rovers
Jemal Johnson should start for the Dons as they face their West Country promotion challengers.
Team Captain for the hosts, Dean Lewington, will start a two game suspension for using abusive language to an Official, and Danny Woodards will not play due to an ankle injury,
Danny Coles will be unavailable for the Pirates after injuring a knee last weekend. Chris Lines was injured on Tuesday, and David Pipe is suspended for two games.
Wycombe Wanderers - Walsall
Jon-Paul Pittman is fit again after missing the last game with a groin strain, and will be hoping to return to scoring action against Walsall after netting in his last appearance.
Head Coach Gary Waddock will be happy to see Pittman, Tommy Doherty and Matt Bloomfield returning from injury to bolster the team's chances of moving away from the relegation places in the standings.
The Chairboys will definitely be without forward Stuart Beavon, who underwent surgery on a groin injury this week, and also lose Marlon Pack who returns to Portsmouth after a loan period.
Walsall have fitness doubts concerning defender Jamie Vincent with a calf injury and forward Sam Parkin with back spasms. In addition, they will be hoping that Steve Jones can recover from a virus that prevented him from playing in their 2-1 loss at Colchester last week.
Morecambe - Lincoln City
Eric Lichaj will get more playing time as he starts for the Imps at Christie Park.
New loan-signing Sergio Torres, who joined this week from Peterborough United will boost the City midfield. They will hope that striker Paul Conner can play some part after recovering from injury.
Michael Twiss, Andy Parrish and Danny Adams were in a car that crashed on the way to last week's game against Northampton Town. Adams was able to play, but the others were unable to. Head Coach Sammy McIlroy will be hoping to have all three fit this week.
Notes
Marcus Hahnemann will be substitute for Wolverhampton Wanderers when they visit Stoke City.
Mike Grella will be hoping to make an impact from the bench as Leeds United play Yeovil Town.
Frank Simek will be hoping to make the bench for Sheffield Wednesday against Bristol City.
Ian Joyce will watch from the sidelines as Southend host Gillingham.
Jay DeMerit is out injured when Watford travel to West Brom.
Zak Whitbread is out injured and will not welcome Colchester to Millwall.
Seb Harris will be on the bench when Torqauy host Northampton Town
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