Ahead of the final round of matches over the busy festive period, we’ve collated the latest news from all 20 clubs, with predicted starting line-ups found in our team news section.
Slaven Bilic may be able to call upon Dimitri Payet for the first time since Gameweek 12, with the midfielder returning to training this week. The mercurial playmaker seems unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting XI, with a cameo off the bench looking more likely. Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini look set to be handed starts in the early kick-off against Liverpool, having impressed off the bench against Southampton, while Aaron Cresswell is expected to return at left-back. Jordan Henderson is Jurgen Klopp’s main injury concern, after the midfielder was forced off against Sunderland with a heel injury. Lucas Leiva is on standby should the Reds’ skipper be ruled out. Daniel Sturridge may also be able to feature at Upton Park, although Christian Benteke will be expected to retain his starting spot having scored back-to-back winning goals.
Arsene Wenger has hinted at rotation ahead of the home encounter against Newcastle, with the likes of Per Mertesacker, Hector Bellerin, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud potentially handed a rest. Mathieu Flamini could be fit to return to the starting XI, though, having missed out against Bournemouth due to an ankle problem. Rob Elliot could miss out again for Newcastle due to a stomach bug, so Karl Darlow appears likely to continue in goal. Vurnon Anita is out with a muscle injury: Cheick Tiote is expected to deputise in central midfield.
Jamie Vardy has been given the all-clear by Claudio Ranieri ahead of the home clash against Bournemouth, with the forward having struggled with illness at the start of the week. Eddie Howe could hand a recall to Junior Stanislas after the midfielder completed 45 minutes off the bench against Arsenal on Monday. Marc Pugh could be the one to make way.
Michael Carrick and Memphis Depay will be hoping for recalls when Man United host Swansea, but with Louis van Gaal declaring himself fairly happy with his side’s performance against Chelsea, he could name a similar starting XI. Swansea caretaker manager Alan Curtis could hand a recall to winger Wayne Routledge, who has returned to training after missing the goalless draw against Crystal Palace due to a minor niggle. Federico Fernandez may also be fit to return having missed out against the Eagles due to a foot problem. Angel Rangel, Andre Ayew, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Leon Britton also look set to come back into the starting XI having been rested on Monday.
Alex Neil has no fresh injury concerns, and following the 2-0 victory against Aston Villa, isn’t expected to make many changes against Southampton. Ronald Koeman will again be without Cedric Soares and Graziano Pelle as the Saints travel to Carrow Road. The Dutch boss is also without the suspended Oriol Romeu, so Jordy Clasie looks set to earn a recall.
Sam Allardyce is likely to be without Jack Rodwell for the crucial home clash against Aston Villa, with Sebastian Coates also a doubt having been forced off in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. Steven Fletcher was rested against the Reds in readiness for the visit of Villa to the Stadium of Light, and appears likely to return to the starting XI. Big Sam could risk John O’Shea after the Republic of Ireland international missed Wednesday night’s match with a calf problem. Duncan Watmore also looks poised to earn a start, allowing Adam Johnson to shift to the number ten role as Allardyce reverts to a 4-2-3-1. Remi Garde will be without suspended pair Ashley Westwood and Jordan Ayew, so Rudy Gestede appears likely to start as the central striker for the Villans, while Jordan Veretout may perhaps have to drop into a deeper midfield role, possibly handing Jack Grealish a return to the starting XI.
Jonas Olsson and Victor Anichebe are doubts ahead of the home clash against Stoke, so Tony Pulis may revert back to a four-man defence having played with three at the back against Newcastle should Olsson be ruled out. Rickie Lambert looks the obvious contender to start should Anichebe fail to recover, with Saido Berahino out of favour. Mark Hughes revealed Marko Arnautovic was close to missing the match against Everton on Monday due to some tightness in his hamstring, but Hughes reported a clean bill of health heading into the Hawthorns clash, with fatigue the only a slight concern.
Quique Sanchez Flores will be without the suspended Nathan Ake against Man City, so Allan Nyom should return after being rested against Tottenham, with Ikechi Anya possibly shifting over to left-back. Gael Clichy is a doubt for Man City due to a minor niggle, so Aleksandar Kolarov may keep his starting spot at left-back. Manuel Pellegrini does have Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna available though, with rotation still a possibility in the full-back positions.
Alan Pardew looks set to hand a recall to Damian Delaney for the home encounter against Chelsea after the centre-back was rested against Swansea. Brede Hangeland appears likely to drop out of the starting XI, then. Yohan Cabaye is suspended, so Joe Ledley, Jordon Mutch or Lee Chung-yong could step in for the Frenchman. Gary Cahill and Loic Remy are doubts for Chelsea, but Guus Hiddink will be able to call upon Diego Costa, who returns from a one-match suspension. The striker should return to the starting XI then, with Pedro or Oscar perhaps making way.
Everton will be without James McCarthy for the home clash against Tottenham, with the midfielder suffering a recurrence of a groin injury against Stoke on Monday. Tom Cleverly also a doubt after picking up an Achilles injury against the Potters, with Muhamed Besic on standby to slot in. Leighton Baines was rested last time out, but should return in place of Brendan Galloway at left-back. Moussa Dembele is out for Spurs with an ankle injury, so Dele Alli could drop to a deeper midfield role then, with Son Heung-min perhaps being rewarded for his winning goal on Monday with a starting berth. Kyle Walker is expected to return at right-back after Kieran Trippier was handed a wing-back role at Vicarage Road.
