Premier League Injuries: Nolan's toe nullifies West Ham

 

Kevin Nolan, Maynor Figueroa and Bacary Sagna will all be big losses for their respective clubs this weekend...

 

Kevin Nolan - Stoke v West Ham (Saturday, 15:00)

West Ham's scouse skipper limped off just 36 minutes into Monday night's defeat to Tottenham and scans have since revealed Nolan faces a spell on the sidelines after  suffering a broken toe. With the Hammers scratching around desperately for points at present and in danger of sliding further away from the mid-table security that  they worked so hard to forge earlier in the season, this makes for grave news indeed. As well as being captain, Nolan represents the Londoners' top scorer with just  six Premier League goals, putting into context the Irons' troubles in finding the net regularly. A return of just three goals in their last seven Premier League away  games suggests nervous times ahead for Sam Allardyce's side.

Recommended Bet: Back Stoke to win to nil @ 2.82  

 

Maynor Figueroa - Wigan v Liverpool (Saturday, 17:30, ESPN)

Wigan's Honduran left back has been a near ever-present for Roberto Martinez during this campaign, missing just one Premier League game so far, during this defensive- injury-blighted season for Wigan. The Latics have been without Antolin Alcaraz for the majority and then, after impressing so much in his debut season, Ivan Ramis was  also forced out for the remainder with knee trouble. While Figueroa's ankle knock is not serious, Martinez will not want to change a defensive unit which just produced  only their fourth Premier League clean sheet of the season against Reading. Next up is a Liverpool side who beat them 3-0 at Anfield and has now scored an average of  two goals-per-game in their last four away trips in the league.

Recommended Bet: Back Liverpool to score two or more goals @ 1.89

 

Bacary Sagna - Tottenham v Arsenal (Sunday, 16:00, Sky Sports 1)

In case you missed it, there is the small matter of a north London derby to sort out this Sunday. Fifth-placed Arsenal actually arrive in slightly the better form than  their third-place enemy, with four wins from their last five league outings, compared to three in six for Spurs, though an injury to Sagna is not welcome news for the  visiting Gunners. While the Frenchman, like most of the personnel in Arsenal's ever-changing backline, has not been at his best this campaign, he's started in three  out of four of his side's recent league wins and would certainly be first choice to play at right back at White Hart Lane. Instead, in his absence, the likelihood is  Arsene Wenger will be forced to play either the inexperienced Carl Jenkinson there or compatriot Laurent Koscielny out of position. Neither option is desirable with a  certain Gareth Bale likely to be marauding down that flank.

Recommended Bet: Back Gareth Bale to score @ 2.4

 

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