With today’s 6.45 pm Fantasy Premier League deadline drawing ever closer, we’ve collated the latest facts and speculation surrounding the midweek teamsheets, while also presenting our predicted line-ups here.
Here’s our summary of the key team news so far…
Brighton have no new injury concerns for tonight’s home encounter against Crystal Palace, with Steve Sidwell remaining their only absentee. Chris Hughton seems likely to recall Jose Izquierdo on the left flank, though, after Solly March was afforded a start at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Christian Benteke will be pushing for his first start since returning from injury for the Eagles. James McArthur made way for the Belgian at the break against Stoke last weekend and could be the man to miss out, with Andros Townsend moving to the left flank. Scott Dann and Julian Speroni dropped to the bench against the Potters and offer alternatives to James Tomkins and Wayne Hennessey.
Ahead of Leicester City’s home meeting with Spurs, Claude Puel has hinted at rotating in order to cope with the schedule. Ben Chilwell, Islam Slimani and Shinji Okazaki will be hoping to come into contention, with Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton the most likely to drop to the bench. Long-term absentees Robert Huth and Matty James are the only players unavailable.
Spurs winger Erik Lamela is available for the King Power Stadium encounter after more than a year out through injury, though minutes from the bench look the likeliest scenario. Rotation at wing-back/full-back could be on the cards, with Danny Rose and Serge Aurier potentially coming in for Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier. Either Moussa Sissoko or Mousa Dembele could be set to replace Harry Winks, who is a doubt due to illness. Son Heung-min also looks likely to be ousted from the starting XI as Mauricio Pochettino freshens up his options.
Troy Deeney returns from a three-match suspension in time for Watford’s home encounter with Man United. Yet the success of a recent move to 3-4-2-1 means he may have to settle for bench-warming duties, with the more mobile Andre Gray leading the line again. Roberto Pereyra and Andre Carrillo offer further options in the final third but the form of Will Hughes suggests he will retain his place alongside Richarlison. In defence, Miguel Britos faces a late assessment, with Sebastian Prodl on standby to replace him.
As it stands, Man United defensive pair Phil Jones and Eric Bailly seem set to remain sidelined for the Vicarage Road trip, though the fit-again Marcos Rojo could come in for Victor Lindelof at centre-half. Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his own comeback with further minutes off the bench against Brighton last weekend, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan also featured as a sub in the Seagulls encounter. They offer alternatives to Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, though it remains to be seen whether Ibrahimovic is fit enough to start should Jose Mourinho look to manage the minutes of Romelu Lukaku. However, reports state that Marouane Fellaini hasn’t travelled with the squad.
Ahead of a visit from Newcastle, West Brom caretaker boss Gary Megson may continue with the 3-5-2 formation that harvested a 1-1 draw at Spurs last Saturday. The likes of Gareth McAuley, James McClean, Hal Robson-Kanu and Grzegorz Krychowiak will all be pushing for starting roles after being named on the bench at Wembley Stadium, though Chris Brunt remains doubtful due to a calf complaint.
The Magpies, meanwhile, head to The Hawthorns without injured trio Jamaal Lascelles, Christian Atsu and Paul Dummett. Mikel Merino will be pushing for a return after signalling his comeback from injury with minutes off the bench last weekend. Up front, Rafa Benitez may well reassess his recent move to 4-4-2 in light of Saturday’s home hammering by Watford. This could allow Ayoze Perez to return in a central support role, with Aleksandar Mitrovic offering an alternative up front.
Arsenal welcome Huddersfield to the Emirates tomorrow evening, with Mesut Ozil facing a late assessment on the illness that forced him to miss the weekend win at Burnley. With Theo Walcott still sidelined with a similar complaint and Alex Iwobi doubtful due to a leg problem, Danny Welbeck could join Alexis Sanchez in the central support role. Jack Wilshere appeared off the bench at Turf Moor but may have to settle for a sub role again. Per Mertesacker offers an alternative in defence should Arsene Wenger wish to rotate.
Rajiv Van la Parra serves the first of a three-match ban for the Terriers’ trip to north London. This could allow Elias Kachunga to be handed a start, while Steve Mounie offers an alternative to Laurent Depoitre up front. David Wagner’s tendency to play with three central midfielders against tougher opponents is likely to continue, while at full-back, both Chris Lowe and Florent Hadergjonaj could come in for Scott Malone and Tommy Smith if Wagner rotates.
Bournemouth will have defender Simon Francis back available for the home clash against Burnley after serving his one-match ban. He could oust Adam Smith at right-back, with Eddie Howe admitting that he faces a selection headache. The Cherries boss could also rotate elsewhere, with Lewis Cook and Benik Afobe the most likely to get the nod. Harry Arter and Callum Wilson could make way, then. Jermain Defoe faces a late assessment but Junior Stanislas is still unavailable.
For the visitors, Chris Wood will push for a recall after returning from injury as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. Ashley Barnes is most likely to drop out, while Scott Arfield could also push for inclusion in a wide role.
After only appearing as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Cesc Fabregas looks certain to return to the starting XI for the visit of Swansea City to Stamford Bridge. David Luiz will also be vying for a start in central defence if Antonio Conte looks to rotate. Andreas Christensen‘s place in the defence will be of particular significance to Fantasy managers, with the Dane having started the last three Gameweek outings.
The Swans will visit Stamford Bridge without Federico Fernandez, who has been given compassionate leave to return to Argentina following the death of his father, while Tammy Abraham is ineligible to face his parent club. Head coach Paul Clement has little options available in those areas, though will likely rotate in midfield.
Leighton Baines looks set to be ruled out of Everton’s home fixture against West Ham United due to a calf injury picked up in the 4-1 defeat to Southampton, while Michael Keane was forced off with a knock in the same match, and is a doubt. Tom Davies is available again after serving a one-match ban, though Oumar Niasse remains suspended.
The Hammers will still be without the injured Chicharito, Michail Antonio and James Collins for the trip to Goodison Park, but Marko Arnautovic (knee) looks set to be available having trained on Monday.
As always, Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet will be keenly anticipated. Gabriel Jesus will be expected to return to the starting XI for Manchester City’s home encounter against Southampton after sitting out the last two outings. And, after starting the last five matches in all competitions, Raheem Sterling looks to be a rotation risk, with Bernardo Silva a possible starter. Guardiola’s options at the back are more limited, though he may consider resting Vincent Kompany with the weekend fixture with West Ham in mind.
For the Saints, Oriol Romeu is available again following the midfielder’s one-match ban, while Mario Lemina may also push for a start after returning from injury as a substitute last weekend. Charlie Austin will be expected to start up front after his brace, though manager Mauricio Pellegrino may opt for the mobility of Shane Long.
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes revealed Ramadan Sobhi is fit for the home clash against Liverpool, but Geoff Cameron remains sidelined. Hughes could consider a start for Peter Crouch against his former club.
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino look set to be handed recalls for the trip to the bet365 Stadium, after surprisingly being left out of the starting XI against Chelsea, but Emre Can (muscle problem) and Dejan Lovren (knock) remain doubts. We may also see rotation at full-back for Liverpool, with Trent Alexander-Arnold a possible starter.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of this tonight’s 6.45pm deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter Account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from today’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.
