Premier League Injuries: Chelsea's Cech out challenge

9Feb 2013

England - Premier League

Michael Lintorn ponders defensive worries at Chelsea and Arsenal, and Jermain Defoe's absence for Tottenham...

Jermain Defoe - Tottenham v Newcastle (Saturday, 12:45, Sky Sports 2)

Tottenham have known all week that they wouldn't have Defoe at their disposal following his early exit from last week's victory at West Brom with torn ankle ligaments, however the problem has been exacerbated by Emmanuel Adebayor's late return from the African Cup of Nations. Though Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that he intends to include the Togo striker in his squad, he concedes that he isn't fully fit so could start on the bench. The Plan B in that scenario is to try Gareth Bale down the middle and, with three goals in three starts for club and country, it isn't a bad alternative.

Recommended Bet: Back Gareth Bale to score @ 2.88

Petr Cech - Chelsea v Wigan (Saturday, 15:00)

Ross Turnbull hasn't looked assured when called upon this season, which is probably why Chelsea made a January play for Jack Butland and are being linked with a summer move for Asmir Begovic. They are already defensively fragile, conceding seven in three games, so news that Cech broke his little finger in last week's 3-2 defeat to Newcastle is alarming. The injury ruled him out of Czech Republic's friendly with Turkey and is expected to prevent him from facing Wigan, who have netted in seven straight away games. The Blues have won just one of their last five without him.

Recommended Bet: Back Chelsea not to keep a clean sheet @ 1.7

Laurent Koscielny - Sunderland v Arsenal (Saturday, 15:00)

Arsenal have kept just two clean sheets in 17 away matches since the 2-0 win at Liverpool that saw their Steve Bould-briefed rearguard lauded as one of the division's finest. More defensive difficulties are likely at the Stadium of Light because, having been forced to cope without Thomas Vermaelen against Stoke last week, they have since seen Laurent Koscielny return from France with an injury. If both miss out, it would necessitate either a first league outing in 13 months for unpopular Sebastien Squillaci, a start for the inexperienced Ignasi Miquel or playing someone like Abou Diaby or Bacary Sagna out of position.

Recommended Bet: Both teams to score @ 1.81