Sunderland v Bolton
Bottom club Sunderland are seven points adrift of Bolton who are one place off the relegation zone. Sunderland go intothe game having lost their last four matches, while Bolton have not won away for eight games.
The corresponding fixture last October ended in a 1-1 draw.
Jason McAteer, who played under McCarthy for the Republic of Ireland believes theBlack Cats can get themselves out of trouble.
“There are a lot of positives for tomorrow,” he said.
“We have a new pitch, a new manager and the crowd will be upbeat. Also the players will be desperate to show what they can do.
“If we can get a win the whole thing will gain momentum. We will give it out best shot and I am sure the crowd will.”
Bolton striker Henrik Pedersen is expected to be fit after a shoulder injury and defender Simon Charlton should play despite not training this week due to a kneeproblem.
Boss Sam Allardyce is not expecting an easy match.
“The game will be like a cup-tie,” he said.
“It will be high tempo with no space given by either side.”
West Brom v Chelsea
West Brom are alsodesperate for a win, as they lie second from bottom. Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly has launched an attack on his teammates, admitting Chelsea will not win the title until they learn how to perform consistently.
“The period since Christmas has been catastrophic. It has been terrible, terrible, terrible,” said Desailly.
Desailly is fit again after a hip injury. But west Brom are still missing midfielder Michael Appleton
Everton v West Ham
Everton are without midfielder Tobias Linderoth, with a pulled hamstring but striker Duncan Ferguson, who has not played a game all season, may be on the bench fo the home side.
West Ham have Lee Bowyer suspended and Paolo Di Canio is in Italy receiving treatment for an injured knee.
Elsewhere, leaders Arsenal will look to bounce back from midweek disappointment against Roma when they travel to Blackburn, but striker Thierry Henry has complained of tiredness.
Second placed Manchester United are away at Aston Villa in a Saturday lunchtime showdown.
Sat Mar 15 2003 (kick off 15.00 unless stated)
Blackburn v Arsenal
Everton v West Ham Utd
Leeds v Middlesbrough
Sun Mar 16 2003
Tottenham v Liverpool (15.00)
