npower Championship statistics

Saturday December 17

Blackpool (8) v Watford (18)

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has no new injury problems. Defender Alex Baptiste remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Elliot Grandin is set for a reserve appearance before returning to the first-team picture a following foot operation. Grandin's absence means Ludovic Sylvestre is set to continue in midfield. Keith Southern remains out having undergone surgery to remove a testicular tumour.

Watford boss Sean Dyche is likely to name an unchanged starting line-up. Defender Lloyd Doyley continues to be eased back in following his lengthy absence with a thigh injury and could return to the bench at Bloomfield Road. Long-term absentees Martin Taylor (dislocated collarbone) and Stephen McGinn (knee) remain out.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Blackpool D D L W D; Watford W D D W D
Top scorers: Kevin Phillips (Blackpool) 7; Marvin Sordell (Watford) 7
Match odds: H 19-20 A 14-5 D 5-2
Referee: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).

Brighton (7) v Burnley (15)

Ryan Harley (hamstring) has been declared fit for Brighton. The midfielder has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury but has trained all week and will be added to the squad. Full-back Marcos Painter looks set to miss out again with his hamstring problem and striker Will Hoskins remains a doubt with a knee injury. Spaniard Vicente Rodriguez has suffered another setback in his bid to shake off a persistent thigh problem and will not play. Fellow midfielder Gary Dicker is still recovering from the broken leg he suffered in October and defender Tommy Elphick is out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury which required a second operation.

Burnley manager Eddie Howe has no new injury worries and an embarrassment of attacking riches ahead of the long weekend trip to the south coast. Martin Paterson and Charlie Austin are pushing for starts having made their comebacks from the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth last Saturday following respective thigh and shoulder problems. In the duo's absence, top scorer Jay Rodriguez and on-loan Wolves striker Sam Vokes have formed an impressive partnership up front and Howe welcomes his imminent selection headache. Fellow forward Danny Ings (knee) and goalkeeper Brian Jensen (groin) remain on the sidelines.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Brighton L W W W L; Burnley L W W W L
Top scorers (all competitions): Ashley Barnes & Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton) 7; Jay Rodriguez (Burnley) 11
Match odds: H 5-4 A 11-5 D 23-10
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).

Bristol City (21) v Nottm Forest (22)

Bristol City manager Derek McInnes is likely to be without Ryan McGivern and Neil Kilkenny, who suffered thigh and ankle problems respectively during the 2-1 defeat at Derby last weekend. On-loan Stephen Pearson is available to McInnes on Saturday after being barred from playing against his parent club Derby, while Lewin Nyatanga is set to deputise for McGivern. Jamie McAllister could offer an option on the left of defence for City, after both he and striker Jon Stead got through a reserve-team clash with Exeter in midweek unscathed.

Central defender Wes Morgan is a major doubt for Forest, although the extent of the knee and ankle injuries he sustained during the home defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend have yet to be determined. Joel Lynch would be the obvious replacement for Morgan, but he has missed the last two matches with a groin problem. Midfielder Guy Moussi, who filled in for Morgan after he was forced off 20 minutes into the Palace game, must serve a one-match suspension after he collected his fifth yellow card of the season against the London club.

Last season: Bristol City 2 Nottm Forest 3, Nottm Forest 1 Bristol City 0
Last five league matches: Bristol City W W D L L; Nottm Forest W L L L L
Top scorers (all competitions): Nicky Maynard (Bristol City) 7; Robbie Findley (Nottm Forest) 5
Match odds: H 7-5 A 2-1 D 11-5
Referee: Brendan Malone (Wiltshire).

Cardiff (3) v Middlesbrough (4)

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay is hoping he will be able to call upon midfield duo Aron Gunnarsson (dead leg) and Stephen McPhail (knee) after the pair missed the goalless draw at Millwall. However, centre-back Anthony Gerrard is struggling with a hamstring complaint suffered in the 1-0 victory over Birmingham on December 4 and is unlikely to take part. That paves the way for captain Mark Hudson and Ben Turner to continue their partnership at the heart of defence. Striker Rudy Gestede came back into the Bluebirds' matchday squad at the New Den after six weeks out with a hamstring problem, but will have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray will be without defender Tony McMahon for the trip to Wales after the 25-year-old was booked for the fifth time this season in last weekend's 1-0 home win over Brighton. Marvin Emnes limped out of the Brighton game with a hamstring problem, while Morocco international Marouane Zemmama was also forced off with a hip injury. Both will be given until the last moment to prove their fitness.

Last season: Cardiff 0 Middlesbrough 3, Middlesbrough 1 Cardiff 0
Last five league matches: Cardiff W D W W D; Middlesbrough D D L W W
Top scorers (all competitions): Peter Whittingham (Cardiff) 8; Marvin Emnes (Middlesbrough) 10
Match odds: H 23-20 A 5-2 D 9-4
Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Doncaster (23) v Leicester (9)

Veteran centre-back Lamine Diatta is in line to make his Doncaster debut after the 36-year-old Senegal international penned a two-month contract at the Keepmoat Stadium last week. Other defensive reinforcements could come in the form of George Friend, who has featured from the bench in the past two matches after recovering from a foot injury, and Richard Naylor, who is on the mend from suffering an infection in his broken finger. El-Hadji Diouf and Pascal Chimbonda are suffering from respective hamstring and hip problems and are targeting a post-Christmas return.

Paul Gallagher will be available for Leicester, having been forced off midway through the second half of the 1-1 draw with Peterborough last weekend after jarring the ankle he damaged at Barnsley in September. Captain Matt Mills will complete a two-match suspension and Republic of Ireland international Sean St Ledger is again in contention to replace him, with Aleksandar Tunchev another option for manager Nigel Pearson.

Last season: Doncaster 1 Leicester 1, Leicester 5 Doncaster 1
Last five league matches: Doncaster L D L W L; Leicester W D W L D
Top scorers: Billy Sharp (Doncaster) 7; David Nugent & Paul Gallagher (Leicester) 6
Match odds: H 3-1 A 19-20 D 12-5
Referee: Darren Sheldrake (Surrey).

Hull (5) v Millwall (19)

Hull's teenage winger Robbie Brady will return to the squad following suspension after he missed the last three matches. Another winger, Richard Garcia, played the last 10 minutes in last week's win at Coventry following his recovery from a knee injury. Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana remains sidelined following his long-term knee injury but is expected to return to contention after the Christmas fixture programme. Winger Martin Pusic is still out with a hip problem while striker Jay Simpson, currently on loan at Millwall, will not play against his parent club.

Lions top scorer Darius Henderson replaced Simpson at half-time against Cardiff last weekend and is in line to start, with winger James Henry set to continue in an unfamiliar role behind the lone frontman. Millwall are still without goalkeeper David Forde due to a thigh injury but he could be available for the visit of Portsmouth on Boxing Day. Tamika Mkandawire (knee) and Therry Racon (ankle) are still on the sidelines while fellow midfielder Josh Wright will play for the reserves on Monday after recovering from a back problem.

Last season: Hull 0 Millwall 1, Millwall 4 Hull 0
Last five league matches: Hull L L W W W; Millwall L D W L D
Top scorers (all competitions): Matt Fryatt (Hull) 8; Darius Henderson (Millwall) 9
Match odds: H 1-1 A 14-5 D 12-5
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire).

Ipswich (20) v Derby (14)

Ipswich will be without goalkeeper David Stockdale after he was recalled from his season-long loan by parent club Fulham after their number one Mark Schwarzer was ruled out for up to six weeks with a spinal injury. With Town keeper Richard Wright having not fully recovered from a shoulder/chest problem, Arran Lee-Barrett will line up between the sticks against the Rams. Midfielder Grant Leadbitter has missed Ipswich's last three games with a groin injury but trained on Tuesday and Wednesday this week and will come into contention should he not suffer any ill-effects. Centre-back Ivar Ingimarsson (broken nose) will again sit out, although it is unlikely he would have started with manager Paul Jewell set to keep changes to a minimum.

Theo Robinson is expected to return to the Derby squad despite an injury scare this week. County's leading scorer is on his way back from a hamstring injury after missing four first-team games. The six-goal striker started the Derbyshire Senior Cup tie against Belper Town on Tuesday night and was substituted in the 23rd minute following a knock on the hip. Robinson did not train the following day but manager Nigel Clough thinks he should be fit. With on-loan striker Tamas Priskin ineligible against his parent club, Robinson's availability will add to Clough`s options in attack with teenager Callum Ball pushing for his first start of the season. Ball came off the bench and scored the winner in the home win against Bristol City last weekend.

Last season: Derby 1 Ipswich 2, Ipswich 0 Derby 2
Last five league matches: Ipswich L L L L W; Derby L L L D W
Top scorers: Keith Andrews (Ipswich) 8; Theo Robinson (Derby) 6
Match odds: H 6-5 A 21-10 D 5-2
Referee: David Webb (County Durham).

Leeds (6) v Reading (10)

Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan will return to the starting line-up for the first time since fracturing a finger during the 3-0 win at Doncaster in October. Skipper Jonny Howson is expected to be sidelined for up to three months with a knee injury. Leading goalscorer Ross McCormack and Michael Brown are pushing for returns to the starting line-up, as is Finnish midfielder Mika Vayrynen.

Reading will closely monitor winger Jimmy Kebe's leg injury. The Mali international suffered the knock in the tackle which saw West Ham's Jack Collison sent off in the Royals' 3-0 victory over the Hammers last weekend. Meanwhile, forward Noel Hunt and goalkeeper Adam Federici are both expected to be available for selection for manager Brian McDermott, despite having sustained minor knocks in the same fixture. Midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson continues to recuperate from the calf injury he suffered in a reserve-team match. Young striker Nicholas Bignall remains sidelined as he recovers from the knee surgery which cut short his loan spell at Wycombe.

Last season: Leeds 0 Reading 0, Reading 0 Leeds 0
Last five league matches: Leeds W L W W D; Reading L W W L W
Top scorers (all competitions): Ross McCormack (Leeds) 11; Adam Le Fondre & Simon Church (Reading) 5
Match odds: H 13-10 A 21-10 D 23-10
Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear).

Peterborough (17) v Coventry (24)

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson expects injury doubts Craig Alcock, Lee Frecklington and Paul Taylor to be fit after all three were nursing knocks this week following the 1-1 draw against Leicester. However, captain Grant McCann faces between six and 10 weeks on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury at the King Power Stadium. Ryan Tunnicliffe, Danny Kearns and Joe Newell could come into the reckoning to replace McCann. Ferguson has confirmed that Joe Lewis will continue in goal after being recalled in favour of Paul Jones for the past two matches. On-loan Manchester United defender Scott Wootton is fit again after a knee injury and is pushing for a place in the squad.

Coventry will be without Sammy Clingan (fractured toe) and Cody McDonald (knee). McDonald was making his first start in five matches alongside Lukas Jutkiewicz against Hull last weekend but Clive Platt is now likely to be restored to the attack. Left-back Chris Hussey has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury but should be okay, while fellow defender Richard Wood is also fit having been forced off against Hull suffering with cramp.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Peterborough D D L L D; Coventry L D L L L
Top scorers (all competitions): Grant McCann (Peterborough) 8; Lukas Jutkiewicz (Coventry) 8
Match odds: H 8-11 A 7-2 D 5-2
Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).

West Ham (2) v Barnsley (12)

West Ham are without a host of key players, with Jack Collison and Joey O'Brien suspended after they were sent off during last week's 3-0 defeat at Reading and Guy Demel is out after being carried off with a thigh injury. Midfielder Matt Taylor remains a doubt with a calf problem and defender Winston Reid (shoulder), wide men David Bentley (knee) and Gary O'Neil (ankle) and striker Sam Baldock (hamstring) are still on the sidelines. Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury is fit again after eight weeks out with a knee injury and could come in for Collison in midfield. Winger Julien Faubert is likely to drop to right-back in the absence of O'Brien and Demel.

Barnsley defender Jay McEveley (thigh) has only an outside chance of returning to play any part at West Ham having missed his side's last two matches. Manager Keith Hill has no new injury or suspension problems and is not expected to make many unforced changes.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: West Ham W W W L L; Barnsley W W W W L
Top scorers (all competitions): Carlton Cole (West Ham) 7; Craig Davies (Barnsley) 8
Match odds: H 6-10 A 4-1 D 16-5
Referee: Scott Mathieson (Cheshire).

Sunday December 18

Portsmouth (16) v Southampton (1)

Portsmouth expect to welcome back skipper Liam Lawrence after damaging ankle ligaments six weeks ago. Lawrence resumed full training at the end of last week and, barring any late setbacks, will be back in the squad to face the leaders at Fratton Park. Pompey are also hopeful striker Luke Varney (knee) will be fit and he will be given a late check. Defender Tal Ben Haim and forward Kanu will push for spots on the bench after missing out at Burnley.

Southampton are battling to get goalkeeper Kelvin Davis fit. His run of 88 consecutive league appearances came to an end last weekend when he was ruled out of the visit of Blackpool with a calf injury. The 35-year-old was badly missed as stand-in Bartosz Bialkowski's mistake gifted Blackpool a goal in the 2-2 draw which halted Saints' 21-game home winning streak. Midfielder Richard Chaplow remains a doubt with a knee injury while defenders Radhi Jaidi (knee) and Dan Seaborne (head) and striker David Connolly (groin) are still on the sidelines.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Portsmouth W L D W W; Southampton W L W L D
Top scorers (all competitions): Luke Varney & David Norris (Portsmouth) 5; Rickie Lambert (Southampton) 16
Match odds: H 23-10 A 23-20 D 12-5
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Monday December 19

Crystal Palace (11) v Birmingham (13)

Teenage Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is suspended after his fifth booking of the season against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Darren Ambrose was an unused substitute at Forest and could replace Zaha in the starting line-up. Centre-half Dekel Keinan has had injections to speed up his recovery from a twisted ankle but is unlikely to be ready, and full-back Dean Moxey remains a doubt with the knee injury he suffered at Manchester United in the Carling Cup last month. Defender Lee Hills (knee) and midfield duo Jonathan Williams (broken leg) and Alex Marrow (ankle) are long-term absentees for the Eagles.

Birmingham midfielder Jordon Mutch is pushing for a starting place against Palace having made his first appearance in four months in midweek. Mutch came on for the last 10 minutes of the club's final Europa League group match against NK Maribor and the 20-year-old will definitely be in contention for a start as Chris Hughton looks to freshen up his squad after the bittersweet 1-0 victory on Thursday.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Last five league matches: Crystal Palace L D D L W; Birmingham W D L L W
Top scorers (all competitions): Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace) 6; Chris Wood (Birmingham) 11
Match odds: H 9-5 A 13-8 D 21-10
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).