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Premier League – Team news: Chelsea unchanged

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

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.

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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

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Written by Israel Saria

For the last 20 years I have been working as a football pundit. This experience has provided me with a very useful insight into football and the opportunity to carry out extensive research into the game including its players, the stadiums, the rules and tactics and I have also been grateful to meet a wide range of people connected to football in the UK, Tanzania, Germany .....

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