See which players we think will start for their Premier League clubs this weekend
Football writer Ben Bloom is predicting the line-ups of all 20 Premier League clubs in action this weekend. More starting XIs will be added as managers hold their pre-match press conferences and deliver the latest team news on Friday.
Burnley: There are a fair few unknowns with Burnley’s side this weekend. At the attacking end, Marcus Edwards and Zian Flemming are both touch and go to return after stepping up their training this week. Scott Parker said he will “have to see if they are fully up to speed”. Parker has largely played with three at the back in recent weeks but may well shift to a four-man defensive line here, with a few candidates vying for each position.
See: Burnley team news
Bournemouth: Andoni Iraola has the same players at his disposal for this match after almost two weeks off since their last outing. There do not appear to be too many big selection decisions for the manager to make. Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie could be competing for the same midfield spot, with Eli Junior Kroupi likely to come back into the side. Amine Adli provides another option in attack.
Sunderland: Regis Le Bris will expect a response after losing to League One side Port Vale in the FA Cup last weekend. The manager confirmed Brian Brobbey and Dennis Cirkin “might be available” after training normally this week, but the other occupants of Sunderland’s injury list will remain absent. Eliezer Mayenda has filled in for Brobbey during the latter’s absence, so will likely do so again if required, while Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo are battling for one spot.
See: Sunderland team news
Brighton: Brighton’s main injury headache concerns Kaoru Mitoma, who departed early against Arsenal last time out with an ankle issue. Fabian Hurzeler said scans show no injury so “it’s just a question of pain and if he can handle it”. Lewis Dunk missed that Arsenal match but is now fit, which should mean an immediate return at centre-back. Yasin Ayari came off the bench after injury last time out, but whether he can force his way in ahead of James Milner and Carlos Baleba to accompany Pascal Gross is another matter. Danny Welbeck will hope to displace Georginio Rutter up top.
Watch: Hurzeler’s pre-match press conference
Arsenal v Everton predicted line-ups
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta stated “we have to wait and see” if Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are involved. Both missed the midweek UEFA Champions League draw at Bayer Leverkusen, with Odegaard absent since February’s north London derby. Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori are options if Arteta wants to rotate his full-backs ahead of the return leg. Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke impressed off the bench in Germany and could come into the reckoning here.
See: Arsenal team news
Everton: Everton have no changes to availability for this match, with David Moyes expecting to have Jarrad Branthwaite available despite having to manage the defender carefully on his comeback from a long absence. There is an option to deploy Branthwaite at left-back to counter Arsenal’s set-piece threat. Beto seems to have regained his spot up front ahead of Thierno Barry, while Dwight McNeil has also started in successive victories, so may well keep Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George out again.
See: Everton team news
Chelsea v Newcastle predicted line-ups
Chelsea: Liam Rosenior’s first selection dilemma is in goal. Filip Jorgensen had recently ousted Robert Sanchez, but then made a major mistake in the Champions League defeat at Paris Saint-Germain. Mamadou Sarr or Tosin Adarabioyo could well come into central defence, while a rest for Reece James would come as no surprise, and Alejandro Garnacho may take Pedro Neto’s place. Jamie Gittens is available again.
See: Chelsea team news
Newcastle: Anthony Gordon was not deemed well enough to start against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, but “feels better” now, according to Eddie Howe. Tino Livramento came off the bench in that match and could regain his right-back spot off Kieran Trippier, although much depends on how much Howe has an eye on the Barcelona return leg. Joe Willock may well rotate in for Jacob Ramsey, while Jacob Murphy is an option to replace Anthony Elanga on the right. Neither Nick Woltemade nor Yoane Wissa came off the bench against Barcelona; if Gordon does not make it back, it will be fascinating to see who leads the line.
See: Newcastle team news
West Ham v Man City predicted line-ups
West Ham: West Ham’s big absentee is form man Crysencio Summerville, who picked up a calf issue in the dramatic FA Cup win over Brentford on Monday. Adama Traore might have been an option to replace him, but is a doubt after going off at half-time in that match. That could see Mateus Fernandes fill in on the left, with Pablo Felipe (who returned from injury for that FA Cup fixture) playing behind the striker. Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jean-Clair Todibo will fight for one spot.
See: West Ham team news
Man City: Asked whether Erling Haaland would be fit to play this weekend, Pep Guardiola merely responded: “Yep.” His Man City team were stunned 3-0 by Real Madrid in midweek. Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri were both benched for that match, but will hope to earn starts here. Rayan Cherki is another who could return to the starting line-up, while Omar Marmoush is pushing for a place in Guardiola’s XI.
Watch: Pep Guardiola’s preview
Man Utd v Aston Villa predicted line-ups
Man Utd: Mason Mount is back training, but Michael Carrick said he will have to “see if he is involved” this weekend. The United manager confirmed Mount is the only player to potentially return, suggesting Lisandro Martinez will not be back. Carrick made no mention of Noussair Mazraoui, who limped off against Newcastle last time out, but Diogo Dalot could be restored in his place regardless. Amad Diallo is waiting in the wings if Carrick opts to go without Benjamin Sesko.
See: Man Utd team news
Aston Villa team news to follow
Nottingham Forest v Fulham predicted line-ups
Nottingham Forest: Jair Cunha is a major doubt after lasting just nine minutes in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League defeat against Midtjylland. That leaves Vitor Pereira with a decision on whether to stick with a back three or, seemingly more likely, revert to the defensive four that he switched to at half-time in midweek. Nicolas Dominguez provides an alternative midfield option.
Fulham team news to follow
Liverpool v Spurs predicted line-ups
Liverpool: Liverpool were without Alisson for their Champions League midweek trip to Galatasaray, and Arne Slot said on Friday that he did not yet know if his No 1 would be fit to return this weekend. Federico Chiesa also missed that match due to illness, but is back in training. Florian Wirtz made his first start for almost a month in Turkey. He may be rotated out with an eye on next week’s return leg, with Slot confirming Rio Ngumoha is “definitely an option to start” one of the next few games. Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson could also be used if Slot wants to keep players fresh.
See: Liverpool team news
Spurs: Tottenham’s availability problems somehow only worsen. Micky van de Ven is suspended, while Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha cannot play due to concussion protocol after clashing heads in the Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid. Yves Bissouma is out with a muscle injury, and Conor Gallagher has a fever, but Igor Tudor said the England midfielder “probably will be in”. The Spurs boss also confirmed Guglielmo Vicario will return in goal. Tudor could opt for a four-man defence, but the availability crisis means personnel would change little either way, although there are more options higher up the pitch.
See: Spurs team news
Brentford v Wolves predicted line-ups
Brentford: Brentford have minimal change to their availability from last week, with only Reiss Nelson potentially returning of their absentees. Rico Henry’s injury means either Keane Lewis-Potter or Kristoffer Ajer will fill in at left-back, with captain Nathan Collins seemingly back in favour in central defence.
See: Brentford team news
Wolves: Extraordinarily, given their position in the table, Wolves are bidding for three successive Premier League wins. Rob Edwards said Jose Sa is “still sore” after missing last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Liverpool with an ankle issue, but he is “really hopeful” the goalkeeper will be available. Mateus Mane has looked increasingly in need of a rest, but Wolves have 25 days until their next game, so a long one is incoming.
