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Skipper Ledley King, hopeful of returning for his first match of the season after knee problems, has been sidelined with a thigh strain. They are also without Benoit Assou-Ekotto,

Gareth Bale, Anthony Gardner and probably Ricardo Rocha and Michael Dawson. Robbie Keane, however, is back after suspension.

Arsenal's only doubt concerns Theo Walcott who has the flu, while Emmanuel Eboue, who was carried off against Chelsea last week with suspected knee ligament damage, is available.

Second-placed Manchester United entertain in-form Everton with the fall-out of their club Christmas party over-shadowing their preparations for the match.

As far as matters on the pitch are concerned, United have no new injury worries with defender Gary Neville, who has been out with a series of injuries since March, hopeful of a return in the New Year.

Everton, who have won 11 of their last 13 matches in all competitions including Thursday's 3-2 UEFA Cup win over AZ Alkmaar, will be without midfielder Leon Osman after he broke a toe against West Ham United last week which will sideline him for up to six weeks.

Dutchman Andy van der Meyde's long-awaited return to the first team has been delayed after he needed 13 stitches in a gashed leg.

Liverpool, who have lost three of their last four matches in the league and League Cup, should have Xabi Alonso back for the visit of Portsmouth, whose 11-match unbeaten league run was ended by Spurs last week.

Peter Crouch, sent-off against Chelsea in the League Cup on Wednesday, starts a three-match ban.

Third-placed Chelsea visit Blackburn Rovers on Sunday with Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack back after injuries but top scorer Didier Drogba again misses out while he recovers from knee surgery.

Skipper John Terry, who broke three bones in his foot against Arsenal last week, is also out.

Reuters