Premier League Injuries: Berba blow to Fulham hopes

Dimitar Berbatov has picked up a hamstring strain

Dimitar Berbatov, Emmerson Boyce and Kieran Gibbs will all be big misses for their clubs this weekend in the Premier League...

Kieran Gibbs - Arsenal v Stoke (Saturday, 15:00)
With Arsenal trailing 1-0 to Liverpool on Wednesday during another first-half slumber at the Emirates, the last thing Gunners fans would have wished to see was Gibbs departing on 37 minutes. The young left back picked up a thigh strain and will now be out for around three weeks. As well as losing their first-choice man, it was Gibbs' replacement, the widely ridiculed Andre Santos, which had Gunners' fans grumbling. When Gibbs was missing through injury earlier in the season, Santos' mini run in the side coincided with three losses out of the next four he featured in, which promptly led Arsene Wenger to move Thomas Vermaelen to left back. Although Wenger may be tempted to throw in new arrival Nacho Monreal from Malaga, Arsenal's defence will be vulnerable against this physical Stoke outfit.
Recommended Bet: Back Arsenal to fail to keep a clean sheet @ 1.794/5  

Emmerson Boyce - Wigan v Southampton (Saturday, 15:00)
Wigan's ever-reliable Barbadian international has played in every one of the Latics' 24 Premier League games this season. However, now the versatile defender is set to miss a string of matches having picked up a hamstring injury during Wigan's 2-2 draw with Stoke on Tuesday. With his side currently following the by-now-familiar pattern of relegation scrapping, losing a player of Boyce's vast experience and tenacity is a damaging blow to Roberto Martinez. The impact of the loss is deepened further by the fact that Wigan are without Ivan Ramis for the rest of the campaign, meaning that 20-year-old Spaniard Roman Golobart will probably be in line for his home Premier League debut.
Recommended Bet: Back Southampton to score two or more goals @ 2.915/8 

Dimitar Berbatov - Fulham v Manchester United (Saturday, 17:30, ESPN)
Fulham were given a real bashing at Old Trafford in the FA Cup as they were swallowed up by a red tide, losing 4-1 and it could have been worse. At least Martin Jol's side got back to winning ways in the Premier League though, with Wednesday's midweek triumph over West Ham. However, the relief was also tempered by the news that star man Dimitar Berbatov has been afflicted by the hamstring curse and will almost certainly miss the visit of his former side at least. Against the league leaders, most opponents need their top players fit just to stand a chance and, without Berba - their top scorer in the league with eight goals this season - Fulham's attack lacks a focal point.  
Recommended Bet: Back Manchester United to win to nil @ 3.613/5