Jose Mourinho has given Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers an early heads-up by confirming he plans to heavily rotate at home to Watford for Sunday’s finale.
Meanwhile, big-hitters such as Raheem Sterling, Alexandre Lacazette and Eden Hazard will all be pushing for teamsheet returns after starting just one match apiece in Double Gameweek 37.
Here’s our summary of the team news so far ahead of Gameweek 38, with all the big-name press conferences still to come later this today.
After securing the Golden Glove with an eighteenth clean sheet of the season against West Ham last night, David De Gea – the second most popular player in FPL (45.3%) – is one of a number of players set to be handed the day off against Watford on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho’s post-match comments highlighted seven players who are set to face the Hornets:
“It is normal that Michael Carrick is captain at Old Trafford for the last game of his career. David De Gea will be rested, so it gives a chance for Sergio Romero to play. I can make changes.
Marcus and Anthony played against Brighton. Today it was for Alexis and [Jesse] Lingard to play and Sunday is again for Martial and Rashford. I also play Blind, Bailly and Mata. I have every player apart from] Fellaini and Lukaku available”.
After making eight changes last night, Mourinho could also now grant the likes of Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba the day off with one eye on the upcoming FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Hornets head coach Javi Gracia could hand a start to Gerard Deulofeu for the trip to Old Trafford, with the Spaniard having appeared as a substitute in each of the last two matches. Andre Gray may drop to the bench, with the Hornets likely to return to a lone striker formation.
After rotating against Brighton in midweek, Pep Guardiola is expected to hand recalls to several of his star men away to Southampton. Raheem Sterling – the second most sold midfielder in Gameweek 38 – looks poised for a start at St Mary’s, as does the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Fabian Delph, Nicolas Otamendi and Ederson.
Southampton welcome back Maya Yoshida for the champions’ visit following the defender’s one-match ban but Jan Bednarek is a doubt after suffering a head injury in the 1-0 win over Swansea City. Mario Lemina (hamstring) also remains doubtful for Saints.
Burnley forwards Chris Wood (gashed foot) and Ashley Barnes (shoulder) are both doubts for the home encounter with Bournemouth, so Sam Vokes could earn a recall up front. Tom Heaton may start at the expense of Nick Pope in goal, but Ben Mee is likely to remain out with a shin injury.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe confirmed that Adam Smith, Harry Arter and Junior Stanislas will all miss out once again for the Cherries, while late decisions will be made on a couple of unnamed players who are carrying knocks.
Joel Ward will be assessed ahead of Crystal Palace’s home clash against West Bromwich Albion after being forced off with an ankle knock in the 2-1 win over Stoke City. Aaron Wan-Bissaka may earn a recall at right-back for the Eagles, though Roy Hodgson may decide against making other alterations in their final home match of 2017/18.
Baggies interim manager Darren Moore has no fresh injury concerns for the trip to Selhurst Park, with James Morrison and Gareth Barry the only absentees.
Having sealed their top-flight survival with draws at Man City and Chelsea, David Wagner could hand recalls to Florent Hadergjonaj, Alex Pritchard and Steve Mounie for the home fixture against Arsenal. The Terriers managed has rolled out a 5-3-1-1 set up in recent matches to get his side over the line but could revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 set-up with the pressure finally off.
As for the Gunners, Arsene Wenger will be without the suspended Konstantinos Mavropanos for his final match in charge while Mesut Ozil is unlikely to feature due to an ongoing back problem. The likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, Jack Wilshere and Alexandre Lacazette may all return against the Terriers.
Although his side need just one point to confirm a top-four finish, Jurgen Klopp is expected to name a strong side against Brighton & Hove Albion as he looks to build up form ahead of the UEFA Champions League final with Real Madrid, which takes place 13 days later. So Jordan Henderson should return in central midfield, seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold move to his more familiar position at right-back. Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are set to lead the line once again.
Seagulls boss Chris Hughton could consider handing recalls to Glenn Murray and Jurgen Locadia for the trip to Anfield, with changes appearing less likely elsewhere in the starting XI.
Rafa Benitez will be without Kenedy for the home fixture against Chelsea, with the on-loan midfielder ineligible to face his parent club. So Jacob Murphy looks set to earn a recall out wide, but striker Islam Slimani is still suspended.
Thibaut Courtois will be assessed ahead of the trip to St James’ Park after missing the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield with a back problem. Willy Caballero will be on standby to continue in goal, while Victor Moses, Gary Cahill, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud could all earn recalls.
Mauricio Pochettino has a number of injury concerns ahead of the home encounter against Leicester City, with Serge Aurier (hamstring), Eric Dier (illness), Mousa Dembele (ankle), Kieran Trippier (knee) and Victor Wanyama (thigh) all doubtful.
Similarly, the Foxes also have a number of worries for the trip to Wembley, with Kasper Schmeichel, Shinji Okazaki, Ben Chilwell, Daniel Amartey and Wilfred Ndidi all doubts, while Marc Albrighton is suspended.
Mike van der Hoorn remains a doubt for Swansea City’s home fixture against Stoke City due to a groin injury, but Carlos Carvalhal could hand a recall to Tammy Abraham up front as his side look to upset the odds and clinch their survival.
As for the Potters, Paul Lambert may hand starts to Tyrese Campbell and Ramadan Sobhi after Stoke’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed last weekend.
If David Moyes looks to freshen up his side for the home clash against Everton following last night’s goalless draw with Man United, Andy Carroll could be considered for a starting spot. Chicharito may miss a third successive match due to a knee injury.
Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney are doubts for the Toffees, while in the last match of the season, Sam Allardyce could decide to hand opportunities to the likes of Ramiro Funes Mori, Oumar Niasse and Davy Klaassen.
All this and more has now been updated in the Team News section ahead of Sunday’s 2.00pm deadline. Keep an eye on our official Twitter account for breaking news – as the day unfolds, we will issue updates from today’s remaining press conferences and refresh our Team News tab accordingly to keep you informed.
