Football: Team sheet - Ins and outs and form guide to the holiday weekend's Premiership matches

Barnsley v Derby County

For the bottom club Barnsley the choice is clear: To continue to play attractive football or to put up the shutters, bolster a chronically leaking defence and grind out results to stay in the top flight. Christmas cheer ends here. "We need to sacrifice a bit of football and be more direct," their captain, Neil Redfearn, said. They haven't won in five games but emerged unscathed from the Boxing Day draw at Bolton. Goals have dried up for Derby but the Rams have plenty of players to win the match - their stylish Italians, Stefano Eranio and Francesco Baiano, the pacy Dean Sturridge and the gangly Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope. Their defence, too, is more solid since Igor Stimac's return.

Player to watch: Wanchope, unpredictability an artform.

Prediction: Draw, probably low-scoring.

Blackburn Rovers v Crystal Palace

Injury-hit Crystal Palace, the team that loves to travel, test their absurdly good away form - won five, drawn three - at Ewood Park, where second-placed Blackburn have lost only once this season. The Palace strikers Bruce Dyer and Neil Shipperley were injured and subbed on Friday but Dyer must play on, so short of cover is manager Steve Coppell. Rovers, six points behind the leaders, wait on their goalkeeper Tim Flowers, who missed the draw at Hillsborough. If he fails a late fitness test, Alan Fettis will again deputise. Roy Hodgson, the Rovers manager, has his eyes on "the 60-point barrier, which I think will see us into Europe". They need 20 more points from 18 games.

Player to watch: Kevin Gallacher.

Prediction: A Rovers win to blot Palace's away record.

Coventry City v Manchester United

Without Peter Schmeichel, Teddy Sheringham and Ryan Giggs, the champions Manchester United beat Everton at a canter and should deal as comfortably with Coventry. "I'll have a different team," Alex Ferguson, the United manager, said. "We've got a big programme coming up and it's important to conserve your energy." Which could mean a return for Sheringham and Giggs, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Nicky Butt back on the bench. Gordon Strachan's side, falling faster than pine needles off a dried-out Christmas tree, have lost only once at home this season but have drawn six times in ten starts. United haven't lost at Coventry for nine years and do not look like starting again.

Player to watch: Andy Cole - have boots, will score.

Prediction: Away win, margin depends on United's hunger.

Everton v Bolton Wanderers

It is no longer too early in the season to talk about relegation and this six-pointer will test nerves to the full. For Everton, Duncan Ferguson returns after suspension to bolster a short, lightweight and youthful attack. Problem is, the Goodison midfield tend to loft the ball at the tall Scot from all areas, which is meat and drink to any competent Premiership defence. Slaven Bilic is suspended, Dave Watson was injured at Old Trafford, Gary Speed faces a fitness test. Bolton, who have won only once away from the Reebok Stadium, could be without defenders Mark Fish and Gerry Taggart, both injured on Boxing Day. Defender Neil Cox and forward Arnar Gunnlaugsson could get the call.

Player to watch: Thomas Myhre, safe hands at Goodison.

Prediction: Narrow Everton win.

Leeds United v Aston Villa

Their seven-match unbeaten run emphatically ended at Anfield, Leeds lose Alf-Inge Haland and Gary Kelly to suspension but their young striker Harry Kewell, fit but looking tired after prolonged Australian international duty, is back. Lee Bowyer could fit into Haland's midfield spot. Villa, who ended a four-game losing start to the season by beating Leeds 1-0, thrashed Spurs on Friday. But the gradual return to form of the midfielder Mark Draper could be the best news for Brian Little's side. "We haven't done that badly," Draper said, "but with the players we have here we should be a top-six side." His personal battle with Leeds' David Hopkin could be crucial.

Player to watch: Rod Wallace.

Prediction: Leeds to win by a couple.

Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday

Three defeats in 13 days exposed a lack of depth in Leicester's squad as Fox-hunting, previously a banned Premiership sport, became rife. The leading scorer Ian Marshall is out until the new year so Emile Heskey, who hasn't scored since his three-match ban ended in November, leads the line, partnered by Graham Fenton, Steve Claridge or Tony Cottee. The defender Spencer Prior missed his first game of the season when his wife went into labour on Boxing Day but could be back. Wednesday, the only team to beat Leicester in a nine-match run at the season's start, are without suspended Paolo Di Canio and will look to Benito Carbone to supply the unexpected. A goal, for instance.

Player to watch: Muzzy Izzet, a Fox on the wing.

Prediction: Leicester win.

Newcastle United v Liverpool

Failure to score in five of their six previous games has underlined Newcastle's continuing problems without the long-term absentee Alan Shearer and Liverpool, after three consecutive wins, are unlikely to extend seasonable charity to their former player and manager Kenny Dalglish as he tries to raise the Magpies' moribund form. Ian Rush and Jon Dahl Tomasson started in his attack on Boxing Day; Faustino Asprilla and Temur Ketsbaia finished but the net stayed empty. In goal, Shaka Hislop must continue his good form to keep Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler at bay. But who will be between the posts for Liverpool? The American international Brad Friedel or the incumbent, David James?

Player to watch: Michael Owen.

Prediction: Liverpool's fourth consecutive win.

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

Yes, the second coming of Jurgen Klinsmann from Sampdoria to his home-from-home will boost morale off the pitch. But can he lift the spirits of a clearly demoralised squad on it? The German in the 33 shirt scored 29 goals in 50 games in his previous spell but had both reasonable service and Teddy Sheringham. Will he form a similar partnership with Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Steffen Iversen, anyone? A north London derby is a piquant fixture for his new start and, oddly, the brouhaha takes the pressure off sixth-placed Arsenal, who start as favourites. The Gunners will have a new strike duo too. Ian Wright is suspended so Nicolas Anelka partners Dennis Bergkamp.

Player to watch: Are you serious? OK, Jurgen Klinsmann.

Prediction: Arsenal to win, by more than a goal.

Wimbledon v West Ham United

Harry Redknapp, the West Ham manager, has pondered altering his side's style away from home in a search for an end to preposterous results of 9 defeats in 11 trips. Without the Israeli midfield creator Eyal Berkovitch, injured in Friday's win over Coventry, he has the chance to change but will probably go for a straight swap, inserting Steve Potts and persevering with the 3-5-2 system. The Hammers' leading scorer, John Hartson, hasn't found the net in four games but one man bound to score is the midfielder, Michael Hughes. Unable to claim a regular first-team place, he quit Upton Park for Wimbledon earlier this season. The Dons' Chris Perry and Ceri Hughes return after suspension.

Player to watch: Michael Hughes.

Prediction: Home banker.

Southampton v Chelsea

Tomorrow, 8pm kick-off

Kevin Davies, the Southampton striker, was dropped to substitute for the draw at Crystal Palace but came on for the last 25 minutes and almost won the game for the Saints and should resume his starting role at the expense of Egil Ostenstad for Chelsea's ding-dong at The Dell. Saints are unbeaten in three games. Ruud Gullit's side have looked less than carving- knife sharp of late and the Dutch manager must decide whether to recall Gianfranco Zola to the starting line-up and give the sub's role back to Gianluca Vialli. If so, Carlton Palmer may man-mark Zola. Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair's place is threatened by Steve Clarke.

Player to watch: Gianfranco Zola.

Prediction: Narrow Chelsea win.