Always wary of taking teams backing-up from CL matches. But the win at Roma should prove a huge boost to the Gunners, both for their future CL matches and in the Premiership.
Shaaban will start again, no loss there given Seaman's form, but Cole is in doubt which may cause some reshuffling at the back _ Luzhny and Toure are available and Keown is back in the squad.
Villa have been growing nicely after a shaky start and even finding the net of late. They have been good defensively too - just 13 goals in 15 games - but will miss the suspended Gareth Barry here.
Arsenal will still have memories of the Southampton loss fresh in their minds but with Henry's confidence back. They create an absolute swagger of chances in every Highbury appearance and have won 7 of 8 home matches, netting 19 and conceding just 7 while Villa have scored just once away all season and are yet to win on their travels.
PLAY ARSENAL 0:1 (1 unit)
City will look to improve their defensive problems by getting back Sylvain Distin while Howey and Wiekens could be back too. But after getting up to win the big derby match, Keggy's mob have slumped v Charlton and Boro.
On the other hand, lowly Bolton have raised their spirits with a win over Leeds and a point v Chelsea. They would have been gutted too to concede a last-gasp JFH equaliser last weekend after being the better. Allardyce now has his best line-up out offensively which should trouble City in an almost-derby.
PLAY BOLTON 0:1/2 (1 units) (note - Bolton getting half-goal start)
Boro's away form hasn't been much to get enthused about - just one win (v Spurs) in 7 games. But the Baggies haven't set the world on fire either, winning just twice at the Hawthorns. Their scoring problems continue to hinder them - just 10 goals in 15 matches isn't going to collect you many points _ and now Lee Hughes is under fire, Megson thinks Scott Dobie looks tired and transfers are pending.
Boksic found his scoring touch agains for Boro last week, they just need Maccarone to get his shooting boots back on as they have found other goalgetters this season. Ehiogu talked last weekend about the confidence his side is playing with at present and it shows. A push with a draw means still value here in Boro.
PLAY MIDDLESBROUGH 0:0 (1 unit)
Fulham's home win v Liverpool _ which could be considered a tad fortunate _ was soon negated by the UEFA Cup loss v Hertha Berlin. They've won just once on their travels this season and are still without Saha and Hayles up front, although Legwinski returns in midfield.
Blackburn played some tremendous stuff last week but got no luck whatsoever. Cole and Yorke are under pressure to score with talk of Hakan Sukur coming to Ewood Pk so stakes are high for the strikers. Thompson, Duff and Dunn can give the front two plenty of support while the quick return of Friedel in the net after an operation is a huge boost.
PLAY BLACKBURN 0:1/2 (1 unit)
GL all
Shaaban will start again, no loss there given Seaman's form, but Cole is in doubt which may cause some reshuffling at the back _ Luzhny and Toure are available and Keown is back in the squad.
Villa have been growing nicely after a shaky start and even finding the net of late. They have been good defensively too - just 13 goals in 15 games - but will miss the suspended Gareth Barry here.
Arsenal will still have memories of the Southampton loss fresh in their minds but with Henry's confidence back. They create an absolute swagger of chances in every Highbury appearance and have won 7 of 8 home matches, netting 19 and conceding just 7 while Villa have scored just once away all season and are yet to win on their travels.
PLAY ARSENAL 0:1 (1 unit)
City will look to improve their defensive problems by getting back Sylvain Distin while Howey and Wiekens could be back too. But after getting up to win the big derby match, Keggy's mob have slumped v Charlton and Boro.
On the other hand, lowly Bolton have raised their spirits with a win over Leeds and a point v Chelsea. They would have been gutted too to concede a last-gasp JFH equaliser last weekend after being the better. Allardyce now has his best line-up out offensively which should trouble City in an almost-derby.
PLAY BOLTON 0:1/2 (1 units) (note - Bolton getting half-goal start)
Boro's away form hasn't been much to get enthused about - just one win (v Spurs) in 7 games. But the Baggies haven't set the world on fire either, winning just twice at the Hawthorns. Their scoring problems continue to hinder them - just 10 goals in 15 matches isn't going to collect you many points _ and now Lee Hughes is under fire, Megson thinks Scott Dobie looks tired and transfers are pending.
Boksic found his scoring touch agains for Boro last week, they just need Maccarone to get his shooting boots back on as they have found other goalgetters this season. Ehiogu talked last weekend about the confidence his side is playing with at present and it shows. A push with a draw means still value here in Boro.
PLAY MIDDLESBROUGH 0:0 (1 unit)
Fulham's home win v Liverpool _ which could be considered a tad fortunate _ was soon negated by the UEFA Cup loss v Hertha Berlin. They've won just once on their travels this season and are still without Saha and Hayles up front, although Legwinski returns in midfield.
Blackburn played some tremendous stuff last week but got no luck whatsoever. Cole and Yorke are under pressure to score with talk of Hakan Sukur coming to Ewood Pk so stakes are high for the strikers. Thompson, Duff and Dunn can give the front two plenty of support while the quick return of Friedel in the net after an operation is a huge boost.
PLAY BLACKBURN 0:1/2 (1 unit)
GL all
