(Current league positions in brackets)

Sunday

Man Utd (1) v Fulham (10)

Michael Carrick returns to the Manchester United squad after missing Wednesday's hammering of AC Milan through suspension but is set to replace Paul Scholes. Ryan Giggs (broken arm) is still a week away from a return, while Ritchie De Laet is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury playing for the reserves.

Fulham forward Clint Dempsey (knee) could be in line to make his first start for two months after he came off the bench against Juventus in the Europa League. Captain Danny Murphy faces a fitness test on a groin injury while Nicky Shorey, who was cup tied for the Juventus match, could replace Paul Konchesky at left-back.

Last season: Fulham 2 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 3 Fulham 0

Last five league matches: Man Utd W D L W W; Fulham W D W W D

Top scorers (all competitions): Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) 30; Bobby Zamora (Fulham) 15

Referee: Mike Jones (Chester).

Sunderland (13) v Man City (5)

Sunderland will be without suspended skipper Lorik Cana as he has picked up his 10 bookings and sits out two games. Lee Cattermole is battling to shake off a hamstring problem, while Kieran Richardson (calf) and Jordan Henderson (ankle) are doubtful. Andy Reid (hamstring) will not make the game, but David Meyler is available again after completing a three-match ban.

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure (knee) is pushing for a place in the starting line-up. Toure had to settle for a place on the bench in the victory over Chelsea in the club's last outing. Emmanuel Adebayor is absent through suspension while Martin Petrov is injured.

Last season: Man City 1 Sunderland 0, Sunderland 0 Man City 3

Last five league matches: Sunderland D D L D W; Man City L W D D W

Top scorers (all competitions): Darren Bent (Sunderland) 19; Carlos Tevez (Man City) 21

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Monday

Liverpool (6) v Portsmouth (20)

Midfielder Yossi Benayoun (ankle) will face a late fitness test. Fellow midfielder Maxi Rodriguez returns to the squad having been ineligible for the Europa League. Defenders Martin Skrtel (broken foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are still out injured.

Portsmouth welcome defender Ricardo Rocha back from a two-game ban. Right-back Anthony Vanden Borre (hamstring) is back in training while Aaron Mokoena, who was an unused substitute against Birmingham on Tuesday, is also available after a knee problem. Hassan Yebda and Kevin-Prince Boateng are away receiving treatment on knee and ankle injuries respectively, while John Utaka is doubtful with a sore groin.

Last season: Portsmouth 2 Liverpool 3, Liverpool 1 Portsmouth 0

Last five league matches: Liverpool W L D W L; Portsmouth L D L W L

Top scorers (all competitions): Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 13; Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) 10

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).