Premier League Injuries: Bale and Lennon big misses for Spurs

 

Gareth Bale, Matija Nastasic and Ciaran Clark will all be big misses for their clubs this weekend...

 

Ciaran Clark - Stoke v Aston Villa (Saturday, 15:00)

So precarious is Aston Villa's current position in the relegation places that they can ill afford to be without any if their first-choice starters at present. Even though Irish international Clark is still tender in years at just 23, he is still one of the more senior figures among this over youthful Villa side - making 34 appearances for his club this season. Most tellingly, Clark's recently rekindled partnership at centre back with Ron Vlaar, himself returning from a lengthy injury, produced Villa's first successive league wins of the entire season. His replacement Nathan Baker is prone to a mistake, as we have already seen against both Reading and Liverpool.

Recommended Bet: Back Stoke to win @ 2.14

 

Gareth Bale - Tottenham v Everton (Sunday, 14:05, ESPN)

A thoroughly testing night for Tottenham fans against Basel on Thursday turned into a nightmare in the dying seconds when Gareth Bale's right ankle buckled underneath him in an innocuous looking incident. They received good news today after a scan showed the Welshman should only be out for two weeks, but he will be a big miss for the game against fellow European challengers. With the battle for Champions League places blazing and an extremely tricky quarter-final second leg still to play, the timing couldn't be worse. With Aaron Lennon injured as well, Tottenham's goal threat is severely dampened, especially as Bale is responsible for eight of Spurs' last 13 league goals.

Best Bet: Lay Tottenham to score two or more goals @ 2.4

 

Matija Nastasic - Man City v Man United (Monday, 20:00, Sky Sports 1)

Man City's young defender has surely been one of the finds of the season. The 20-year-old Serbian has been so assured at the back for the champions and has not only displaced England defender Joleon Lescott, but he's started each of Serbia's World Cup qualifiers. Nastasic has made 18 Premier League appearances for Roberto Mancini's side so far but picked up an injury playing for his country in the last international break that renders him a derby doubt. Man United managed to score three goals in the reverse league fixture and, although City kept a clean sheet at home to Newcastle on Saturday, the last time the Serbian missed an away match, City let in three against Southampton.

Recommended Bet: Back Man United to score two or more goals @ 2.1

 

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