Kyle Walker is a concern for Manchester City ahead of a home clash with Chelsea, but wide man Raheem Sterling may yet make a return. Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines return for Everton’s trip to Burnley, while Spurs have worries in central defence as Huddersfield Town make their way to Wembley Stadium.
Here’s our summary of the team news so far, with the majority of the big-name press conferences still to come later today.
Pep Guardiola confirmed in his midweek press conference he is optimistic that Raheem Sterling could return in time to face Chelsea on Sunday. The winger missed last night’s win over Arsenal – the first time he has failed to play a part in a league match since Gameweek 9.
Kyle Walker will need to be assessed ahead of City’s home encounter against Chelsea after picking up a calf complaint against the Gunners, though his manager is confident that the right-back will be available.
As City hold an emphatic first-leg advantage heading into the midweek Champions League encounter with FC Basel, rotation looking very unlikely against the defending champions, with the likes of the fit-again Gabriel Jesus expected to start against the Swiss outfit.
Tiemoue Bakayoko, David Luiz and Ross Barkley all remain doubtful for the Blues, but Cesc Fabregas may push for a recall. Antonio Conte could revert to a “false 9” formation after utilising the fit-again Alvaro Morata as the lone striker in last week’s defeat to Man United.
Everton have been handed a significant boost at the back for their trip to Burnley. Earlier this morning, Sam Allardyce Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are all available for the Turf Moor visit.
Clarets manager Sean Dyche revealed that both James Tarkowski and Chris Wood are in contention to return against Everton, but Scott Arfield (calf) is expected to remain sidelined.
Leicester City forward Shinji Okazaki will have a fitness test today ahead of the home meeting with Bournemouth. The Japanese international returned to training this week following a knee injury.
Jordon Ibe is available to return for the Cherries after stepping up his fitness with a run-out for the reserves earlier this week. Meanwhile, the likes of Adam Smith and Jermain Defoe could also push for recalls after impressing off the bench against Newcastle last Saturday.
Steven Davis and Shane Long remain doubtful for Southampton’s crucial home fixture against Stoke City. Manolo Gabbiadini could push for a recall after scoring the equaliser in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
As for the Potters, both Ryan Shawcross and Peter Crouch are back in contention to face Saints after the pair returned to training on Thursday.
Jan Vertonghen remains doubtful ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s home clash against Huddersfield Town due to an ankle injury, while Toby Alderweireld is set to miss out once again. Serge Aurier is suspended for the midweek Champions League clash with Juventus and is therefore expected to get the nod ahead of Kieran Trippier for the right-back berth.
The likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen were rested from the midweek FA Cup win over Rochdale and are set to return to the teamsheet.
David Wagner has revealed that Aaron Mooy remains out for the trip to Wembley, but Philip Billing is available again after recovering from illness.
Leon Britton could be back in the Swansea City squad for the home encounter against West Ham United, while Andre Ayew may be handed the first start of his second spell at the Liberty Stadium.
Hammers boss David Moyes stated there are no serious injury concerns ahead of the trip to south Wales, so Patrice Evra may be fit to start following a gash to his shin.
Watford head coach Javi Gracia will be without the injured Gerard Deulofeu for the home meeting with West Bromwich Albion, but Will Hughes returned to full training this week and is available for selection.
Earlier this morning, Alan Pardew confirmed he will make changes for the Vicarage Road clash in light of a poor performance against Huddersfield last weekend. Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) is sidelined for the next two league matches but Chris Brunt and Jake Livermore will push for recalls.
Georginio Wijnaldum remains a doubt ahead of Liverpool’s home fixture against Newcastle United due to illness. Jordan Henderson will be seeking a recall after being benched in last week’s win over West Ham. Similar to Man City, the Reds are expected to remain at full-strength, given that they hold a 5-0 lead over midweek European visitors Porto.
As for the Magpies, Jonjo Shelvey is a doubt due to a knee problem, while Dwight Gayle may need assessment after suffering from hamstring tightness against the Cherries.
Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Chris Hughton may consider naming an unchanged starting XI for the visit of Arsenal to the Amex.
Jack Wilshere is a doubt for the Gunners after missing the 3-0 defeat to Manchester last night due to an ankle problem. Nacho Monreal (back) looks set to miss out again, but the likes of Mohamed Elneny and Alex Iwobi could come into contention after a dire display against Man City last night.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has revealed that Jeffrey Schlupp and Martin Kelly have both returned to training this week ahead of Monday’s meeting with Manchester United. James Tomkins is available, having recovered from cramp, but on-loan defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah is ineligible to face his parent club.
Meanwhile, Phil Jones remains doubtful for the trip to Selhurst Park, while Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo are expected to miss out once again. Jesse Lingard could come back into the XI after netting the winner on his introduction from the bench against Chelsea last time out.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of tomorrow’s 11.30am deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from Friday’s press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.
