Have a go at Bill Edgar's Friday quiz

Saturday February 23

Barclays Premier League

Birmingham City v Arsenal, 12:45

Birmingham will be boosted by the return of joint top scorer Olivier Kapo for the lunchtime visit of Arsene Wenger's side. The former Juventus player missed the 1-1 draw at West Ham a fortnight ago while serving a one game ban for incurring five bookings.

Alex McLeish admits he is still searching for the right combination upfront with Garry O'Connor, Cameron Jerome and Mikael Forssell all in contention to partner James McFadden.

But he will take heart from City's 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium last month as his side search for their first win since Boxing Day.

Birmingham (from): Maik Taylor, Doyle, Kingson, Kelly, Ridgewell, Martin Taylor, Jaidi, Murphy, Queudrue, Larsson, Muamba, Johnson, Nafti, McSheffrey, Kapo, Jerome, O'Connor, Forssell, McFadden, De Ridder, Parnaby, Schmitz.

Arsene Wenger will be able to call on leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor, who has recovered from a stiff neck, and Alexander Hleb for Arsenal's trip to St Andrew's.

Manuel Almunia has recovered from a virus and is included in the squad, leaving Wenger with a choice between the Spaniard and Jens Lehmann.

Kolo Toure (calf) is definitely out, Philippe Senderos should continue at centre-half. Theo Walcott could also start, however, Emmanuel Eboue (suspended), Robin van Persie (thigh), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf) and Johan Djourou (groin) will all miss out.

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb, Adebayor, Eduardo, Lehmann, Bendtner, Denilson, Gilberto, J Hoyte, Traore, Song.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

Arsenal have failed to score in successive games for the first time since April. Birmingham’s only away win in 14 games since August was in North London, v Tottenham.

Fulham v West Ham United, 15:00

Roy Hodgson must decide whether to reintroduce Brian McBride to the starting line-up for the visit of West Ham after the American's two substitute appearances following a long-term knee injury.

Hameur Bouazza's expected return could end Clint Dempsey's hopes of a return to the side and also squeeze out Diomansy Kamara. While Eddie Johnson is pressing for a place after three reserve appearances since his move from Kansas.

Fit-again Aaron Hughes will replace Chris Baird at the back, while Ian Pearce has been loaned for a month to Southampton.

Fulham (from): Niemi; Stalteri, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Murphy, Andreasen, S Davies, Bullard, Bouazza, Nevland, Stefanovic, Kamara, Bocanegra, Volz, McBride, Smertin, Seol, Healy, Keller.

Nolberto Solano, Luis Boa Morte and Mark Noble are all set to return for West Ham's trip to Fulham.The trio missed the Hammers' 1-1 draw with Birmingham a fortnight ago but have benefited from a week off.

Julien Faubert is also be pushing for a start after coming through a full reserve-team game on Monday. Bobby Zamora needs one more reserve match before returning to first-team contention, so youngster Freddie Sears could earn a place on the bench.

Scott Parker (knee) is due to start full training after the weekend, while Craig Bellamy is out for at least six weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery.

West Ham (from): Green, Wright, Neill, Pantsil, Spector, Ferdinand, Upson, Gabbidon, McCartney, Bowyer, Faubert, Ljungberg, Noble, Mullins, Collison, Etherington, Boa Morte, Ashton, Cole, Camara.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

Fulham have won none of their past 14 London derbies and none of their past seven games at home to West Ham.

Liverpool v Middlesbrough, 15:00

Liverpool have defensive problems ahead of their clash with Middlesbrough at Anfield.

Jamie Carragher is ruled out due to a one-match suspension, while new signing Martin Skrtel is unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury.

Daniel Agger has finally been given the go-ahead to start playing again after a length metatarsal injury, but it is unlikely he will start the game.

It means that Sami Hyypia is the only fit central defender, so Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to line-upp alongside the Finn at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Benayoun, Kewell, Crouch, Torres, Kuyt, Alonso, Itandje.

Robert Huth and Tuncay Sanli face late fitness tests ahead of the trip to Liverpool.

The German international defender missed the FA Cup fifth round clash at Sheffield United with a foot problem but could return at Anfield, while Tuncay is back in training after a hamstring problem.

David Wheater is available, but will miss Wednesday night's FA Cup replay through suspension. Lee Cattermole (knee) and Chris Riggott (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Grounds, Pogatetz, Huth, Wheater, Arca, Rochemback, Boateng, O'Neil, Downing, Tuncay, Johnson, Aliadiere, Alves, Mido, Lee.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

On Friday Middlesbrough can celebrate an anniversary of a leading trophy for the first time – four years after their only triumph, in the League Cup, on February 29, 2004.

Newcastle United v Manchester United, 17:15

Kevin Keegan will be without Stephen Carr and Emre for Saturday's clash with Manchester United.

The Irishman is out with a hamstring problem, while the Turkey international has a calf strain.

Obafemi Martins, who returned from the African Cup of Nations with an ankle injury, will miss out once again, although Charles N'Zogbia is available after serving a one-match ban and Shay Given has also returned to training from a groin problem.

Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Forster, Beye, N'Zogbia, Enrique, Cacapa, Taylor, Faye, Edgar, Butt, Smith, Milner, Duff, Barton, LuaLua, Owen, Viduka, Ameobi, Carroll.

Ryan Giggs is expected to recover from a knock in time for Manchester United's trip to St James' Park.

The Welsh winger suffered the slight injury in midweek during the 1-1 draw against Lyons in midweek. Sir Alex Ferguson may decide to freshen things up with Carlos Tevez pushing for a place in the starting line-up after scoring the equaliser in France.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Hargreaves, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Kuszczak, Saha, Carrick, Nani, O'Shea, Fletcher, Park, Simpson.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

The Premier League’s North East sides (Middlesbrough 12th, Newcastle 13th, Sunderland 14th) are together in the table; also the Mersey clubs (Everton 4th, Liverpool 5th).

Portsmouth v Sunderland, 15:00

Jermain Defoe, who was cup-tied for last Sunday's victory over Preston North End, will return to league action against Sunderland at Fratton Park. Defoe is almost certain to take the place of Kanu alongside either Milan Baros or John Utaka.

David James is expected to shrug off a stomach bug and maintain his ever-present league record but Pedro Mendes will miss out after a minor operation on a foot and Noe Pamarot is recovering from damaged knee ligaments. David Nugent is still under treatment following a hernia operation.

Portsmouth (from): James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Diop, Muntari, Diarra, Kranjcar, Utaka, Defoe, Baros, Kanu, Davis, Hughes, Aubey, Lauren, Ashdown (gk).

Andy Reid is expected to play a more substantial role at Fratton Park. The 25-year-old midfielder, a £4million January signing from Charlton, has worked hard on his fitness in the two weeks since making his debut as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Wigan.

Grant Leadbitter is also in contention after his recovery from a broken toe and Dwight Yorke has shaken off a calf problem, but Liam Miller (calf), Kieran Richardson (hamstring), Danny Higginbotham (broken toe), Carlos Edwards (broken leg) and Ross Wallace (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Ward, Bardsley, McShane, Evans, Collins, Harte, Whitehead, Etuhu, Reid, Leadbitter, O'Donovan, Jones, Waghorn, Murphy, Stokes, Chopra, Prica.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

Fratton Park has had the fewest league goals in the Premier League despite producing the highest-scoring top-flight game for 20 years (7-4 win v Reading).

Wigan Athletic v Derby County, 15:00

Wigan expect Emile Heskey, the England striker, to be fit to lead the attack despite recent back trouble. Heskey has endured an injury-hit campaign but manager Steve Bruce has been happy with the forward's progress since Wigan's last outing a fortnight ago.

Ryan Taylor has been ruled out with a rib injury but new signing Erik Edman could come into contention.

The Sweden defender hasn't played since his January move from Rennes because of a calf injury but will be assessed after a 45-minute run-out in the reserves on Thursday.

Wigan (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Koumas, Boyce, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Palacios, Brown, Olembe, Heskey, Bent, King, Granqvist, Bramble, Agahowa, Edman, Figueroa, Sibierski, Skoko, Pollitt.

Jay McEveley is poised to return to the side for Saturday's clash with Wigan after a seven-week lay-off with a knee injury.

Robbie Savage will play after recovering from a severely bruised foot sustained a fortnight ago in the 3-0 home defeat to Spurs, while on-loan Hossam Ghaly is again available after being ineligible to face his former club.

Paul Jewell remains without Claude Davis and Tyrone Mears due to long-term injuries, while Darren Moore is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

Derby (from): Carroll, Leacock, Moore, Todd, Stubbs, McEveley, Lewis, Edworthy, Savage, Fagan, Pearson, Jones, Miller, Earnshaw, Ghaly, Villa, Robert, Price, Barnes, Sterjovski.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

Paul Jewell, the Derby manager, has been the longest-serving of Wigan’s 39 managers, leading them for six years until last summer.

Sunday February 24

Barclays Premier League

Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers, 15:00

Blackburn will, once again, be without Andre Ooijer and Ryan Nelsen for their clash with Bolton.

Ooijer has not yet recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the defeat by Arsenal a fortnight ago, while Nelsen remains on the sidelines with his own hamstring problem.

Rovers are boosted by the return of Christopher Samba, who has served a two-match ban after picking up 10 yellow cards.David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen also come back into the reckoning after suspension.

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Rigters, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Tugay, Dunn, Pedersen, Reid, Mokoena, Bentley, Roberts, Berner, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Kane, Nolan, Derbyshire, Brown.

Gary Megson is expected to freshen up his side for the short trip to face Blackburn on Sunday after their UEFA Cup exploits against Atletico Madrid.

Wanderers caused a shock by claiming a goalless draw in the Spanish capital to seal a 1-0 aggregate win and with two games in four days Megson may feel the need to rest some tired legs.

Gretar Steinsson and Tamir Cohen were cup-tied against Atletico but are now available, while Ricardo Gardner and Heidar Helguson are fighting to be fit after missing out yesterday.

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, A O'Brien, Cahill, Meite, Guthrie, J O'Brien, Steinsson, Gardner, Stelios, Nolan, Campo, Cohen, Taylor, Diouf, Davies, Helguson, Samuel, McCann, Al Habsi, Alonso, Teymourian.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

The sides’ past 13 meetings have produced no home wins. Morten Gamst Pedersen, of Blackburn, has not scored in 36 league games after four goals in his previous four.

Reading v Aston Villa, 12:30

Steve Coppell is able to recall defenders Ivar Ingimarsson (ban) and Andre Bikey (international duty) for the visit of Aston Villa.

Emerse Fae is also back from the African Cup of Nations, and Bobby Convey is available again on Sunday following treatment overseas on his rebuilt knee. Michael Duberry (knee) is back in training but will not feature - while Brynjar Gunnarsson (groin) and Glen Little (heel) remain sidelined.

Reading (from): Hahnemann, Federici, Murty, de la Cruz, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Cisse, Sonko, Bikey, Shorey, Golbourne, Oster, Harper, Fae, Matejovsky, Hunt, Convey, Kebe, Doyle, Kitson, Lita, Long.

Gabriel Agbonlahor is winning his battle to be fit for the clash with Reading. Agbonlahor was forced to pull out of the England squad against Switzerland and also missed Villa's 4-1 win over Newcastle with a hamstring injury.

While Martin O'Neill has to decide whether to persevere with Olof Mellberg and Stiliyan Petrov, who were both substituted at half-time against Kevin Keegan's side.

Aston Villa (from): Carson, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Knight, Bouma, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Berger, Maloney, Carew, Maloney, Agbonlahor, Osbourne, Routledge.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

Last season Reading finished with five points more than Villa in the Premier League but this term Villa have doubled Reading’s tally (44-22).

Carling Cup final

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea, 15:00

Paul Robinson, the England goalkeeper, is expected to keep his place in the Tottenham line-up after an impressive display in the 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague on Thursday night.

Ledley King (knee) is back in training but Michael Dawson and Kevin-Prince Boateng have been struggling with a hamstring complaints. Pascal Chimbonda (knee) should be fit while Alan Hutton is available after missing out on UEFA Cup action during the week, while Gilberto (calf), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Gareth Bale (foot) are out.

Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Hutton, Chimbonda, Lee, Gunter, Dawson, King, Woodgate, Rocha, Kaboul, Tainio, O'Hara, Huddlestone, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Lennon, Boateng, Taarabt, Bent, Keane, Berbatov.

Avram Grant has some difficult selection decisions to make ahead of the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

The 52-year-old Israeli will have a full squad to choose from and must decide whether to reinstate John Terry and Frank Lampard to his starting line-up.

Both England stars were omitted from the side which stumbled to a goalless draw against Olympiacos in Athens on Tuesday night.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Terry, Alex, Ben-Haim, Carvalho, A Cole, Bridge, Sidwell, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Malouda, Wright-Phillips, Drogba, Anelka, J Cole, Pizarro, Shevchenko, Kalou, Obi, Makelele.

Bill Edgar's statistics:

- This competition has suddenly become the preserve of the big clubs. The past three winners have also finished in the top two in the league that season (Chelsea 2005, 2007; Manchester United 2006) but only one of the previous 20 winners did so (United, 1992).

- The first London derby in a League Cup final did not arrive until the competition’s 47th season – Chelsea v Arsenal last year – but 12 months later here is another one. It is the third successive derby in the final – Manchester United played Wigan Athletic in 2006.

- After tomorrow, Chelsea will have played in the first FA Cup and League Cup finals at the new Wembley (2007 and 2008) as well as the last FA Cup Final at the old Wembley (2000) and the last League Cup final before the move to the new Wembley (2007). Their Stamford Bridge ground staged the last FA Cup Final before the move to the old Wembley (1922).

- Tottenham have won 78% of the finals they have played (in the FA Cup, League Cup and three main European competitions) and Chelsea 75% (Tottenham 14 of 18; Chelsea 12 of 16).

- Tottenham lost the last League Cup final to be played on February 24 (Blackburn Rovers won 2-1 in 2002). All the other 46 finals have been played later in the season.

- Even if Tottenham and Chelsea had lost their semi-finals, they would still have met in North London this weekend. They were due to play a Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane.

- Chelsea have not lost in open play in this competition since December 2003, when Aston Villa beat them 2-1 at Villa Park in a quarter-final. They won the trophy in 2004-05 and 2006-07 and were beaten on penalties by Charlton Athletic in the season between those triumphs.

- Chelsea are aiming to become the first side to retain the League Cup since Nottingham Forest in 1990 (the same year that the European Cup/Champions League was retained for the last time, by AC Milan).

- Chelsea have won 149 more points than Tottenham in the Premier League since Roman Abramovich bought the West London club in the summer of 2003, at a rate of 32 points more per season.

- Tottenham have won just two of their past 40 meetings with Chelsea in all competitions.

- Chelsea’s only win by more than one goal in their past ten league games came against Tottenham.

- Chelsea hope to become the first club to record three successive triumphs in the two main domestic trophies (League Cup in February 2007, FA Cup in May 2007, League Cup in February 2008).

- The clubs both had a Czech goalkeeper in the second leg of their semi-finals: Petr Cech (Chelsea) and Radek Cerny (Tottenham). Six of the 16 Czechs to have played in the Premier League have been goalkeepers: also Jan Lastuvka, Ludek Miklosko, Pavel Srnicek, Jan Stejskal.

Monday February 25

Barclays Premier League

Manchester City v Everton, 20:00

Sven-Goran Eriksson has close to a full-strength squad to choose from for Monday's clash with Everton.

Elano and Vedran Corluka are also available again after missing City's derby win at Manchester United two weeks ago, through suspension. Michael Johnson is also back in contention after returning to training following a two-month lay-off with an abdominal injury.

His return means summer signing Valeri Bojinov, who underwent a knee operation earlier in the season, is now City's only absentee - but he too is now back in training.

Manchester City (from): Hart, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ball, Vassell, Ireland, Hamann, Jihai, Elano, Corluka, Fernandes, Petrov, Garrido, Benjani, Caicedo, Geovanni, Johnson, Mpenza, Sturridge, Etuhu, Isaksson.

Joseph Yobo will return to Everton's squad for the clash with Manchester City at Eastlands on Monday having been left out of the UEFA Cup triumph over Brann Bergen.

Yobo was on two bookings in Europe and another caution would have ruled him out of the next tie. He also had flu, and David Moyes opted not to take any risks with the Nigerian defender.

Mikel Arteta is struggling with a slight groin injury that kept him out of the first-leg against Bergen last week but did not stop him completing the 6-1 victory over the Norwegians this week.

Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Jagielka, Yobo, Lescott, Valente, Baines, Arteta, Carsley, Osman, Cahill, Fernandes, Pienaar, Johnson, Yakubu, Anichebe, Vaughan, Wessels.

Bill Edgar's statistic:

These are the only Premier League sides not given a penalty this season. Richard Dunne, the City defender, has recorded the league’s most blocks and the most clearances.