Premier League Injuries: Lallana a big blow for Saints

Adam Lallana, Hatem Ben Arfa and Michael Carrick will all be big misses for their club's this weekend...

 

Adam Lallana - Southampton v Sunderland (Saturday 15:00)

Since breaking early season records for defensive generosity the Saints have managed to tighten up shop, keeping two clean sheets in their last six and only conceding a  goal per game in the other four.  Given this new found resoluteness results have improved dramatically, seeing a transformation from relegation certainties to potential  table-climbers as they welcome Sunderland, just a point and a place above them in 16th. However, Saints do rely heavily on a small nucleus of star performers, led by their  skipper Adam Lallana, who is so often the catalyst for their swift attacking moves. Unfortunately for Nigel Adkins the midfielder limped off with a knee injury in their 1-0 win  over Reading and without him the Saints' attacking prowess will suffer.

Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.99

 

Hatem Ben Arfa - Newcastle v QPR (Saturday 15:00)

Newcastle's mounting catalogue of woes gained another unwelcome entry this week when it was revealed Hatem Ben Arfa will miss the festive programme at least with a  hamstring injury. The influential Frenchman hobbled off shortly after scoring in the Magpies 2-1 defeat to Fulham a fortnight ago but until now the extent of his injury had not  been revealed. Given Newcastle's woeful recent form Alan Pardew can ill-afford to be without another of his most creative players, especially given Ben Arfa's compatriot  Yohan Cabaye  is also sidelined with a long term problem. Against the champions in their last match the creative limitations of a midfield missing the French duo were  exposed and apart from Demba Ba, it's difficult to see where goals may come from.

Recommended Bet: Back QPR to win @ 3.85  

 

Michael Carrick - Swansea v Manchester United (Sunday 13:30)

Sir Alex Ferguson will doubtless be urging his players to focus on consolidating their lead at the top of the Premier League while all the paper-talk naturally surrounds  Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League homecoming against Real Madrid in February. One player who has helped United reach the summit is their largely unsung midfielder  Michael Carrick. Like Ben Arfa, Carrick has been hit with the curse of the Christmas hamstring - being withdrawn at half-time against Sunderland -  as a precautionary  measure to ensure he at least takes some part in the mad rush of festive fixtures. In a line-up which is frequently tinkered with Carrick has been a virtual ever-present in the  Premier League, starting 16 out of United's 17 games, which outlines the faith the manager places in him. As well as his comprehensive range of passing he also offers  protection to a defence which has been uncomfortably porous this term. The ex-West Ham man is a major doubt for this game at least.

Recommended Bet: Back Man United -1 @ 2.72

 

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