Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic will be fit for the derby at Old Trafford, though David Silva remains a doubt for visitors Man City. Arsenal has concerns over defender Shkodran Mustafi for their trip to Southampton, while Burnley’s Ben Mee is expected to face Watford at Turf Moor.
Here’s our summary of the key team news so far, with an array of big press conferences still to come this afternoon.
Burnley will be without key midfielder Robbie Brady for Watford’s visit on Saturday. The schemer faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines after undergoing an operation on a knee injury sustained in the defeat at Leicester City. Meanwhile, Matt Lowton (knee) remains “touch and go” for the home clash against Watford, though manager Sean Dyche has indicated that Ben Mee has a “strong chance” of being available having suffered a gash to his knee.
For the visitors, Miguel Britos remains a doubt due to a leg problem, with head coach Marco Silva to make a decision on the defender today.
Wayne Hennessey, James Tomkins, Scott Dann and Yohan Cabaye have all returned to training ahead of Crystal Palace’s home encounter against Bournemouth and should be available to return. James McArthur (illness) also has a good chance of being in contention but Joel Ward is a doubt due to a groin problem.
Cherries boss Eddie Howe will be without the suspended Adam Smith for the trip to Selhurst Park, so Steve Cook is expected to return to the back four.
David Wagner will again be without the suspended Rajiv van La Parra for the home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, while Martin Cranie is a slight doubt. The Seagulls have no new injury concerns, though may again rotate at full-back and on the flanks.
Spurs will be without the suspended Davinson Sanchez when they host Stoke City at Wembley Stadium, while Danny Rose is a doubt due to an eye injury sustained in Wednesday’s Champions League tie.
The Potters will turn up without the injured Bruno Martins Indi but Geoff Cameron is available again after returning to full training following a head injury. Jese is ruled out due to personal reasons.
Swansea City defender Federico Fernandez is available for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to the Liberty Stadium, having returned from two weeks’ compassionate leave following the death of his father. But after playing 62 minutes for the U23s yesterday to build up his match fitness, he isn’t expected to replace Mike van der Hoorn.
Gareth Barry will miss the trip to south Wales but Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt look set to return to contention for the Baggies.
Shkodran Mustafi is doubtful for Arsenal’s trip to Southampton due to a small thigh problem, with Per Mertesacker on standby to replace his compatriot.
Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno remains a doubt for Sunday’s Merseyside derby with an ankle injury. Jurgen Klopp will decide on Andrew Robertson or James Milner for the role should the Spaniard miss out. Elsewhere for the Reds, Jordan Henderson will return as skipper having been rested for the 7-0 rout of Spartak Moscow on Wednesday.
Leighton Baines remains a big doubt for the Toffees, having missed the last two matches with a calf injury with Sam Allardyce perhaps set to name an unchanged side following back-to-back wins and clean sheets.
Following the 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in midweek, Jose Mourinho has revealed that Nemanja Matic will start when Manchester United host Manchester City but he will, of course, be without the suspended Paul Pogba. Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini are thought to have a chance of returning to contention, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic should also be back among the substitutes.
David Silva is a minor doubt for the visitors at Old Trafford due to a knock which saw him sit out Tuesday’s Champions League defeat, while Sergio Aguero is expected to get the nod over Gabriel Jesus for the central striker role.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section, together with predicted line-ups ahead of this tomorrow’s 11.30am deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news as the day unfolds.
6 years, 4 months ago2010:.the one year (at least)where messi or ronny didnt deserve the ballon d'or
Its become a bit of a farce now.not those two players fault,they have been the best players overall in the last decade but other deserving players are being overlooked by the voters for what they did in a calender year, wesley schneider being one of them.