Premier League Injuries: West Brom to bear the Brunt

Chris Brunt is set to miss the trip to St Mary's

Chris Brunt, Victor Anichebe and Adel Taarabt will all be big misses for their clubs this weekend...

Chris Brunt - Southampton v West Brom (Saturday, 15:00)
West Brom's captain fantastic has been a near ever present during the Baggies' best season in the Premier League to date. Unfortunately for Steve Clarke and the rest of the squad, the Northern Irishman is now set to miss at least this game at St Mary's after picking up a knee injury. Although Brunt has only returned two goals from his 29 appearances, he's a tidy player who keeps things ticking in the West Brom engine room and has the ability to play right across the midfield. His trusty left foot is often a provider of offensive threat and he's racked up three direct Premier League assists this campaign. On a bad run of four winless games, the Baggies are sure to miss him when they visit a buoyant Southampton on a six-game unbeaten streak.
Best Bet: Back Southampton to win @ 1.8910/11

Victor Anichebe - Everton v Fulham (Saturday, 15:00)
Everton's strapping Nigerian front man has finally started to fulfil some promise at Goodison Park this season. At 25-years-old, something has clicked for Anichebe after many campaigns on the fringes of the first team, often blighted by injury. He's scored eight goals in all competitions for David Moyes' European football seekers, with four of his six Premier League goals arriving in winning causes, highlighting his newfound importance to the Merseysiders' ambitions. Now however, the curse of the hamstring has struck once again. Anichebe hobbled off in last week's loss at Sunderland and is a major doubt ahead of this match. His absence will require others to step up and, after bagging two in the reverse fixture, Marouane Fellaini may well be advanced forward.
Recommended Bet: Back Marouane Fellaini to score @ 3.1511/5

Adel Taarabt - Reading v QPR (Sunday, 13:30, Sky Sports 1)
Even though QPR's Moroccan puts the capital M in mercurial, he does at least possess one of those lockers out of which he can pull something match-winning. Match-winning is of course something that QPR have not been doing all season. When you survey all the damning statistics, the two that count after all is said and done are goals for and against. QPR simply haven't scored enough goals to be anywhere other than in the bottom three this season and look destined to pay the ultimate price. On Sunday, they face Reading, almost condemned themselves, but with only one recognised striker in Loic Remy as Andy Johnson isn't in their 25-man squad, Bobby Zamora is suspended and, in all likelihood, Taarabt will also be unavailable.
Recommended Bet: Back Reading to win @ 2.6413/8