Premier League - Team news: Chelsea unchanged

PA Sport - Sat, 08 May 13:58:00 2010

Champions elect Chelsea will field an unchanged side for their title decider against Wigan at Stamford Bridge.

- 0

All matches kick off at 4pm on Sunday May 9

Arsenal v Fulham

Arsene Wenger is ready to unleash Andrei Arshavin and Robin van Persie from kick-off as Arsenal look to secure third place with victory over Europa League finalists Fulham.

Tomas Rosicky (ankle), Alex Song (knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (groin) have all picked up knocks which will again keep them out, but Gael Clichy could return from his ankle injury.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is set to field a weakened side as he keeps one eye on Wednesday's Europa League final, with the Cottagers having been told that they will not face censure for playing a weakened team after a request to have the match moved forward was rejected.

Damien Duff (leg) and Bobby Zamora (Achilles) are both struggling to get fit in time for Wednesday's match, and will not feature on Sunday.

- - -

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has no new injury worries and could name an unchanged line-up for the sixth consecutive game.

Fabian Delph (knee) and Curtis Davies (ankle) remain on the long-term injury list, while PFA Young Player of the Year James Milner will make his 200th league start in the match.

Blackburn striker Nikola Kalinic will be back in the squad for the match after recovering from a knock, while there could be a first start for 20-year-old midfielder Amine Linganzi.

But there are still doubts over Steven Nzonzi as he recovers from having his wisdom teeth out, and El Hadji Diouf is still trying to shake off a bout of tonsillitis.

- - -

Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City

Midfielder Stuart Holden is hopeful of featuring in Bolton's final Premier League match of the season at home to Birmingham on Sunday.

The US international has recovered from a broken leg sustained in March and could be included by manager Owen Coyle after a week's full training.

Andy O'Brien (thigh) and Chris Basham (knee) could also be involved after injury.

Birmingham are boosted by captain Stephen Carr's return to the squad after suspension.

Carr is set to take over from Stuart Parnaby in what is likely to be the only change to the side that started against Burnley.

Liam Ridgewell will continue in the centre of defence with Scott Dann again missing with a calf strain.

- - -

Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur

Burnley midfielder Chris McCann will be in the squad for the match against Tottenham after finally getting over his knee injuries.

Skipper Clarke Carlisle is again sidelined because of an ankle problem.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp could rest Ledley King after the England defender played twice in a week for only the second time this season during the 1-0 mid-week win over Manchester City that guaranteed a Champions League spot. Sebastien Bassong is likely to come in at centre-back.

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is struggling with a muscle strain and could miss out, while Vedran Corluka, Niko Kranjcar (both ankle), Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (wrist/pelvis) are still ruled out.

- - -

Chelsea v Wigan Athletic

Wigan will be without striker Marcelo Moreno as they look to spoil Chelsea's promotion party at Stamford Bridge.

The on-loan Bolivian forward has picked up an ankle injury and will join Titus Bramble (stress fracture) and Chris Kirkland (hand) in missing out.

Charles N'Zogbia returns from ankle injury, while Paul Scharner will play his final game for the club before leaving on a free transfer.

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has already named his starting line-up and his side will be unchanged from the one that won at Liverpool for their title decider against Wigan.

The Blues remain without midfielder John Obi Mikel, who had minor surgery on a knee injury this week and will also miss the FA Cup final.

Chelsea will also have to do without long-term absentees Michael Essien (knee), right-back Jose Bosingwa (knee) and defender Ricardo Carvalho (ankle).

- - -

Everton v Portsmouth

Everton boss David Moyes remains without the services of John Heitinga, Marouane Fellaini and Dan Gosling for the final match of the season.

And captain Phil Neville will miss the game after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee.

Portsmouth will be missing Richard Hughes for their final Premier League match before relegation.

Jamie O'Hara, Hassan Yebda, Aarona Mokoena and Marc Wilson are all carrying problems and could be rested for next week's FA Cup final.

- - -

Hull City v Liverpool

Hull will welcome back Dean Marney after illness, while Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is likely to start up front as Liverpool visit the KC Stadium.

Manager Iain Dowie is set to hand a home debut in the league to teenager Will Atkinson, who scored in the 2-2 draw at Wigan on Monday night.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could be missing Jamie Carragher after he twisted his ankle during the match against Chelsea last weekend.

Maxi Rodriguez is also a doubt after he picked up a thigh injury in the same game.

- - -

Manchester United v Stoke City

Antonio Valencia will miss Manchester United's must-win match against Stoke on Sunday.

The Ecuadorean winger suffered an ankle injury against Tottenham two weeks ago and has played his last match of the season.

United have no other injury worries ahead of a match which they must win to hang on to any hopes of retaining the title.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis will name an unchanged side from the team that beat Fulham during the week despite captain Abdoulaye Faye having recovered from a thigh problem.

Faye will start on the bench, while upcoming goalkeeper Asmir Begovic will start between the sticks as Thomas Sorensen recovers from a dislocated elbow.

- - -

West Ham United v Manchester City

West Ham have no new worries ahead of their final match of the season at Upton Park.

Jack Collison (knee), Kieron Dyer (hamstring), Zavon Hines (knee) and Herita Ilunga (calf) all remain on the long-term injury list.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will without Gareth Barry after the England midfielder was ruled out for four weeks with ankle ligament damage after a visit to a specialist.

Stephen Ireland (ankle), Shay Given (shoulder) and Joleon Lescott (hamstring) remain on the sidelines for the final match of the season.

- - - -

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sunderland

Wolves welcome back winger Matt Jarvis for their game with Sunderland at Molineux.

Jarvis has been missing for two games with a thigh strain, but returns at the expense of on-loan midfielder Geoffrey Mujangi Bia, who made a first start for Wolves last weekend.

Mick McCarthy will make no other changes to his side, with left-back Stephen Ward still recovering from knee surgery that will sideline him until pre-season training.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will have Alan Hutton back from suspension for the trip to the Midlands, but will be missing David Meyler and Lee Cattermole.

Meyler could be out until the end of 2010 after tearing cruciate ligaments in his right knee, while Cattermole has a dislocated shoulder.

PA Sport

Comment 21 - 40 of 40

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated
  1. With Ancellotti naming Drogba as the nominated penalty­ taker today......with view to him winning the golden­ boot ( how friggin cocky is that) the perfect senario­ would be for a draw and chelski getting a penalty in­ the final minute...Drogba steps up and hits the keeper­ left hand post...ah bliss, sounds familiar as well :-)

    From Rugmeister68, on Mon 10 May 5:41
  2. Oi William comment 58 Stoke didnt exsit at Stamford­ Bridge did they so why are you so up in arms now go­ back to your potters wheel and leave football to the­ bigger boys

    From mrhoppy22, on Mon 10 May 5:10
  3. If it aint broke dont change it.
    Blues champions elect.

    From therealwizzo, on Mon 10 May 4:57
  4. how anyone can say chelsea dont deserve to win the­ premiership this year is beyond me, they have had­ essien out for most of the season, theyve had boswinga­ out for alot of it too, theyve also had injures to­ cech, hilario, a. cole, j. cole, drogba, ballack, deco,­ and carvalho throughout the season not to mention­ several key players going to the african cup of nations­ and still they are sitting at the top of the­ premiership right now and hopefully will be tonight­ too. man utd if were honest have been poor with­ exception to rooney and scholes. i have np admitting­ chelsea where poor the last few seasons, idk why man­ utd fans cant do the same. after all one of your top­ scorers is own goals. its hard to argue man utd wouldnt­ be lucky to win the league

    From DAVID, on Mon 10 May 4:53
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I have all along been praying for Chelsea to loss and­ I'm not about to stop. This seasons title belongs­ to Man-U. We deserve to be and are still the champions­ until ~ 17:45 hrs BST. So for now I can afford to smile­ and we hang on to the title. Come man-U supports ...­ shout out ur voices for our boys ....

    From JOmony, on Mon 10 May 4:05
  6. CMON CHELSEA...... GLASGOW RANGERS F.C til i die

    From marydoll, on Mon 10 May 3:54
  7. i agree that chelsea shouldn't underestimate wigan­ since it's the same team that walloped them 3 to 1.­ Again they came from behind and convincingly beat­ arsenal! moreso, chelsea tends to have problems in­ overcoming teams that're quite physical. A case in­ point is mancity that beat them home and away! so they­ shouldn't take anything for granted and play as if­ they're among the proverbial big 4. lampard and­ drogba should up their game. this includes anelka who­ at times isn't serious at all. the midfield should­ click at all times and terry should rough tackles that­ get him carded at times!

    From paulm, on Mon 10 May 3:54
  8. what i would love is for chelsea to lose BUT for­ neville to kick the ball into nani face and into­ the net to give chelsea the cup .

    From garymurfitt, on Mon 10 May 3:43
  9. comment 66. i didn't know it was ronnie whelans­ daughter. omg !!

    apparently it is our kris commons who­ shes been banging.

    From DAVE, on Mon 10 May 3:32
  10. I think this is a good season for Man Utd even after we­ loss ronaldo and tevez and pretty much all of the back­ 4 we still manage to push the title till the last game.­ dont think Wigan will win the game though (being­ realistic here) but i still hope for a last twist to­ our favour after a weird season (being a true man utd­ supporter)

    From ReD, on Mon 10 May 3:31
  11. "Wigan will be without striker Marcelo Moreno as­ they look to spoil Chelsea's promotion party at­ Stamford Bridge"??? Promotion Party??? :-)

    From ItzJustMe, on Mon 10 May 3:25
  12. Whatever happens at Stamford Bridge later today I am­ sure Wigan will put up more of a fight than the­ miserable, pathetic performance of Liverpool last week.­ What a shame that the once proud club of Bill Shankly­ has degenerated to this. They should hang their heads­ in shame - management, players and fans.

    From chriscunningham92, on Mon 10 May 3:16
  13. Not one for gossip but apparently Gerrards poor season­ has been down to more personal problems, apprently his­ missus has been having an affair and he's got­ Ronnie Whelan's 16 year old daughter pregnant, what­ with his court appearance the guys a walking­ nightmare....lets hope it costs him his world cup place

    From Rugmeister68, on Mon 10 May 3:01
  14. Wigan to score first but Chelsea go on to win the game­ and the league. Utd to thrash Stoke...just for fun! ­ good season, as a UTD fan got to say that after losing­ Ronaldo and Tevez I saw this season as one for­ restructure...after losing all defenders for 10 games­ or more to have a chance of the title on the final day­ is a great effort....just shows really that UTD's­ failures have cost the league and no other team really­ upped there game to win­ it..........................we'll be back next year­ as ever, can't ever imagine coming 7th though :-)

    From Rugmeister68, on Mon 10 May 2:47
  15. Good luck to Chelsea today...I just wanna see Sir AF­ with his face like an ar.se. TOON fan

    From GRAEME, on Mon 10 May 1:58
  16. This has nowt to do with football but it made me laugh­ so here it is. Its very true

    A little boy goes to his­
    dad and asks, 'What is Politics?'

    Dad says,­ 'Well son, let
    me try to explain it this way:

    I­ am the head of the
    family, so call me The Prime­ Minister.

    Your mother is the
    administrator of the­ money, so we call her the Government.

    We are here to­ take care
    of your needs, so we will call you the­ People.

    The nanny, we will
    consider her the Working­ Class.

    And your baby brother,
    we will call him the­ Future.

    Now think about that and
    see if it makes­ sense.'

    So the little boy goes
    off to bed­ thinking about what Dad has said.

    Later that night,­ he
    hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to­ check on him.

    He finds that the baby
    has severely­ soiled his nappy.

    So the little boy goes
    to his­ parent's room and finds his mother asleep.

    Not­ wanting to wake her,
    he goes to the nanny's room.­ Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and­ sees his father in bed with the nanny..

    He gives up­ and goes back to bed.

    The next morning, the
    little­ boy say's to his father, 'Dad, I think I­ understand the concept of politics now. '

    The­ father says, 'Good, son, tell me in your own words­ what you think politics is all
    about.'

    The­ little boy replies, 'The Prime Minister is screwing­ the Working Class while the
    Government is sound­ asleep. The People are being ignored and
    the Future is­ in deep s.h.i.t.'

    From Newco has em reeling, on Mon 10 May 1:52
  17. Wigan may spoil the party. Remember they were the­ first­ to defeat Chelsea this season. Chelsea need to­ be extra­ cautious.

    From flex, on Mon 10 May 1:28
  18. go the chelasea and win it just like tha glasgow­ rangers

    From shallgers, on Mon 10 May 0:52
  19. all the man scums fans with comments here moaning about­ the refs helping chelsea...how many years have the refs­ been helping mancvheater united anyway everytime they­ were in the verge of defeat from weaker teams.how many­ times did the referees didnt give a goal when clearly­ the ball went inside the line of man cheater­ united's goal.how many times did the referee give­ an extraordinary 5 minutes of extra time when united­ was a goal down..dont whine man scums this is the­ season that you were lucky and the other teams are­ catchin up with the big four.proves your all beatable­ after all

    From theonebehindthewheel, on Mon 10 May 0:13
  20. i agree with those who think MU do not deserve the­ league.. they are no longer playing attractive­ football..they are too dependent on Wayne Rooney..­ however, the same goes to Chelsea.. they also lost more­ matches than before.. luck plays its part in the­ title-decider matches tonight. I should say the best­ team wins, but the truth is, the luckiest team will win­ the league..and congratulation to them

    From Neil, on Mon 10 May 0:06
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account