Premier League Fixtures 12th December Part 1

Birmingham City v West Ham United
West Ham team-mates Danny Gabbidon and Jack Collison are fine as far as I know. Matthew Upson isn’t expected to be fit so Danny is almost certain to play. Jack too has been a regular starter – and a regular goalscorer too. So West Ham should play him, they need all the goalscorers they can get.

Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City
Craig Bellamy apparently had mild swine flu last week but he’s expected to play for Manchester City. Brave man. Sam Ricketts has spent the last two weeks on the bench for Bolton but his absence hasn’t really helped them. Could he be one of the “three or four players” who according to Gary Megson “aren’t playing like I know they can”? It’s true Sam doesn’t play as well for Bolton as he does for Wales but isn’t that more to do with his team-mates?

Burnley v Fulham
Simon Davies has calf problems and perhaps ankle problems as well so he won’t be in Fulham’s squad.

Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
Hull struggled without Boaz Myhill last week so a recall isn’t impossible. But replacement Matt Duke has mostly done well. Jason Brown will be Blackburn’s substitute goalkeeper.

Manchester United v Aston Villa
Ryan Giggs was rested in the Champions’ League but he is expected to return to Man Utd’s side for this match. James Collins is back in training and is in Aston Villa’s squad but he probably won’t start.