The question on 50% of Fantasy Premier League managers’ lips failed to get answered in Maurizio Sarri’s all-too-brief post-Europa League press conference on Thursday evening, with Eden Hazard not mentioned in the Chelsea coach’s comments.
Hazard was ruled out of the match against BATE Borisov last night, with Sarri having this to say in the pre-match presser on Wednesday evening:
He has a back problem. We are trying to solve the problem for Sunday [against Burnley].
While we haven’t heard either way regarding Hazard’s availability, the small doubt over his involvement at Turf Moor might be enough to persuade those who were considering captaining the Belgian midfielder to think again.
Another stand-out captaincy candidate this weekend is Mohamed Salah, whose Liverpool side take on Cardiff City.
Jurgen Klopp has only Naby Keita (thigh) and Jordan Henderson (hamstring) – plus long-term injury victim Alex Oxlade Chamberlain – unavailable to him for the visit of the Bluebirds, who have doubts over star man Josh Murphy and Harry Arter (both knocks).
Klopp was asked about his use of the 4-2-3-1 formation in midweek, a system that allows Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Xherdan Shaqiri to play together in attack, and had this to say on whether he would use the tactics again this weekend:
I don’t know what you can expect; I don’t want to tell you what you should expect.
But it was good, it looked good, to be honest. I thought it made sense to do it like this. It was not because of injuries, but it was the right thing to do, having these players in those positions.
It was, for sure, not the last time we use it in this way.
Manchester United look set to be without Alexis Sanchez on Sunday, but Jesse Lingard (groin) could come back into contention after returning to training – Jose Mourinho saying the England winger is “almost there”.
There was little team news forthcoming from Pep Guardiola across the city, but the Manchester City manager said that the state of the Wembley pitch (an NFL game takes place there on Sunday) would have little bearing on his starting XI and whether or not he would opt to field Kevin De Bruyne.
City’s opponents, Spurs, had earlier declared Dele Alli “fit and available” ahead of Monday night’s game but Mauricio Pochettino urged caution about the returning England midfielder:
It’s good news but we need to be careful because he was re-injured at Watford. He starts [training] today with the group. We hope he will be available for Monday but I’m not sure if we are going to put him in the squad.
Danny Rose (groin) and Jan Vertonghen (hamstring) remain sidelined for the Lilywhites.
Arsenal have doubts over left-backs Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac (both hamstring), with Granit Xhaka or Stephan Lichtsteiner set to deputise again if both are ruled out.
Petr Cech is back in full training, however.
Crystal Palace are Arsenal’s opposition on Sunday and Roy Hodgson can welcome back Max Meyer and Alexander Sorloth after illness.
Jamie Vardy declared himself “back to full strength” in a social media post on Friday after a bout of sickness, while Demarai Gray has returned to the Leicester City squad for the visit of West Ham United.
The Hammers will, of course, be without Andriy Yarmolenko, who faces at least five months on the sidelines with an Achilles problem.
Joshua King (knock) “should be OK” to feature against Fulham on Saturday according to Eddie Howe, while the Cottagers’ only definite injury absentee is full-back Joe Bryan – meaning Tom Cairney is back in contention.
Glenn Murray (concussion) will be assessed by Brighton ahead of the visit of a full-strength Wolves side on Saturday, though Pascal Gross is once again unavailable.
Marco Silva, like Nuno Espirito Santo, reported a clean bill of health for Everton, meanwhile.
Mario Lemina is Southampton’s only injury worry, while Newcastle United will welcome back Salomon Rondon and Ciaran Clark ahead of their trip to the south coast.
The fit-again Robbie Brady comes back into contention for Burnley, though Aaron Lennon (sickness) is a doubt.
Troy Deeney (hamstring) and Nathaniel Chalobah (knee) are still doubts for Gameweek 10, though Jose Holebas and Christian Kabasele have returned from suspension.
Huddersfield Town welcome back Terence Kongolo in defence for that encounter at Vicarage Road.
Make sure to check out our Team News tab for more detailed discussion on this weekend’s expected line-ups.
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