We’ll be bringing you the key team news and injury updates live from all the Premier League pre-match press conferences ahead of Gameweek 34.
Every team is taking part this time, with Chelsea and Manchester United playing twice.
Three managers spoke to the media on Thursday – those of Brighton and Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford – and you can read all the headline news from those pressers via this link here.
For much more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.
GAMEWEEK 34 TEAM NEWS – FRIDAY
CHELSEA
Adding to his midweek post-match comments, Thomas Tuchel has ruled out Antonio Rudiger (groin) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle) for the first of Chelsea’s Double Gameweek encounters. Nothing was said about Andreas Christensen‘s knock, whilst it’s already known that Callum Hudson-Odoi (back) and Ben Chilwell (knee) aren’t available.
“For Sunday’s match, not back. Both of them not back. Also, no other injuries.” – Thomas Tuchel on Antonio Rudiger and Mateo Kovacic
LIVERPOOL
The only doubt ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby is with Roberto Firmino (foot). Jurgen Klopp says it’s up to the forward to decide whether he’s fine to play.
“Bobby [Firmino] getting better and better, it’s just uncomfortable, painful. So we have to make sure. Today, first day on the pitch. Still two days to go, so maybe. If Bobby gives the thumbs up, then he will be involved. If not, then we wait another few days”
MANCHESTER UNITED
Having missed the midweek defeat to Liverpool for personal reasons, Cristiano Ronaldo will be back in the squad for Saturday lunchtime’s match at Arsenal. Scott McTominay (foot) and Raphael Varane (knock) are back too, although Paul Pogba (calf) has been added to the injured list containing Edinson Cavani (calf), Luke Shaw (leg) and Fred (hip).
“Scott McTominay will be back and fit to play. The same with Rafa Varane and obviously Cristiano Ronaldo is available again. All the other [recent absentees] are still injured plus Paul Pogba – it’s very unlikely he will play until the end of the season. The doctor told me that it will take four weeks minimum.” – Ralf Rangnick
MANCHESTER CITY
Late calls will be made by Pep Guardiola on minor issues for three defenders – Kyle Walker (ankle), John Stones (muscle) and Nathan Ake (ankle). However, at least he has Ruben Dias back, following a few weeks out with hamstring problem.
“Kyle [Walker] is getting better. We will see tomorrow. [John Stones had] a niggle. Little problems, like Nathan [Ake]. Today we make an assessment, tomorrow we decide.”
ARSENAL
Those looking to purchase Eddie Nketiah should be aware that Alexandre Lacazette will probably be available after recovering well from Covid. Right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) could make his return, having not played since Gameweek 21, yet the seasons of Kieran Tierney (knee) and Thomas Partey (thigh) are likely over.
“He trained yesterday and hopefully he will be feeling [good] today. After Covid, we have players that have struggled for weeks, others have recovered quicker. Let’s see. Hopefully, he can recover quickly.” – Mikel Arteta on Alexandre Lacazette
NEWCASTLE UNITED
After two wins in Double Gameweek 33, Eddie Howe has hinted at possible rotation for their trip to Norwich City.
“We’ll look at it on an individual basis but we want players that are 100% fit and ready to give their best again physically. We’ve had a big physical effort so we need to be ready”
The season may be over for Ryan Fraser, who is “in a race against time to get fit before the end” despite a promising scan on his hamstring injury. Callum Wilson (calf) and Kieran Trippier (foot) remain out.
LEICESTER CITY
Brendan Rodgers is hopeful of having Jamie Vardy in the squad to face Aston Villa after a knee injury kept him on the sidelines for a while. Of his fellow knee sufferers, Danny Ward has returned to training but Wilfred Ndidi and Ryan Bertrand are still out. The head coach added that Boubakary Soumare is away for personal reasons.
“He’s come through. We’ll see the effects in training today on his knee, but hopefully he’ll have some involvement.” – Brendan Rodgers on Jamie Vardy
ASTON VILLA
Alongside injuries to Kortney Hause (abdominal), Morgan Sanson (knock) and Bertrand Traore (groin), head coach Steven Gerrard isn’t sure whether Lucas Digne (shoulder) will return for the final weeks.
“There’s a small outside chance that he might make the last couple of games of the season but it’s too early to put a date or a game on that.”
WEST HAM UNITED
David Moyes has confirmed that Issa Diop (ankle) and Kurt Zouma (ankle) are injured but wouldn’t put a timescale on either player’s recovery. Their third absentee is also a centre-back, as Angelo Ogbonna (knee) continues his long-term recovery.
“Issa [Diop] has an injury and Kurt [Zouma] has an injury, we’re not putting timescales on it because you always want to get them back quicker. Hopefully, we can get them back as quick as we can.”
EVERTON
The injury woes continue for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh), with Frank Lampard saying he is out for at least Gameweek 34. Also missing are Donny van de Beek (groin), Andre Gomes (groin), Andros Townsend (knee) and Nathan Patterson (ankle). Having played all 90 minutes against Leicester City, Lampard will decide closer to kick-off whether Yerry Mina can play again.
“Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] felt a small sensation in his quad in training. We scanned it and it’s 10 days to two weeks, unfortunately, so we’ll miss him for these next couple of games, for sure. He’ll possibly be back for Chelsea. Donny van de Beek won’t be available. He’s got a small groin injury. Andre Gomes is the same.”
LEEDS UNITED
Patrick Bamford is making “good progress” on his foot injury and should be back in training. Meanwhile, Junior Firpo (knee) and Jamie Shackleton (calf) are in contention to take part but Adam Forshaw (knee) has joined Tyler Roberts (hamstring) in having a season-ending injury.
“We had an unfortunate injury update two days ago. Adam (Forshaw) was back in training and took a knock, in a collision, on his knee cap. It’s a six week injury, so that puts him out for the season.” – Jesse Marsch
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Forward Raul Jimenez is back from a two-match suspension but Max Kilman (knock), Ruben Neves (knee) and Daniel Podence (foot) are on the sidelines. The thigh issue of Ki-Jana Hoever makes him a doubt.
BURNLEY
Interim boss Mike Jackson wasn’t able to give specifics on the nasty ankle injury suffered by Ashley Westwood in last Sunday’s draw at West Ham but the operation was a success. Johann Berg Gudmundsson (calf), Ben Mee (leg) and Erik Pieters (knee) are still unavailable.
“Erik Pieters is doing a lot of running on the grass and is where he needs to be. There’s no timescale at this moment on Ashley Westwood but the operation has gone well.”
BRENTFORD
Ethan Pinnock will miss the “next few weeks” with a hamstring problem, while Zanka (muscle) is out for the season. Sergi Canos (hamstring) and Frank Onyeka (ankle) are also currently unavailable.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Patrick Vieira says Michael Olise (knock) will be assessed before Monday night’s game with Leeds United. Luka Milivojevic (hamstring) returns to training on Saturday, whereas Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) is still out.
“We will wait to have until tomorrow. He took a knock early in the [Newcastle] game and wasn’t feeling 100 per cent.” – Patrick Vieira on Michael Olise
NORWICH CITY
Having been unable to face parent club Manchester United last weekend, Brandon Williams is available to face Newcastle United. Whilst Kenny McLean (foot) and Pierre Lees-Melou (cramp) are also fine, this weekend comes too soon for Josh Sargent (ankle).
Ozan Kabak (hamstring), Adam Idah (knee) and Andrew Omobamidele (back) are out for the season, whereas midfielder Lukas Rupp felt something in his knee during training.
“Josh [Sargent] is OK for the Aston Villa match next week but won’t be available for the game on Saturday. Kenny [McLean] is available despite a small fracture in his toe, he’s training today so he should be OK.” – Dean Smith
SOUTHAMPTON
Very little to say from Southampton, with just goalkeeper Alex McCarthy absent as he attempts to regain match fitness following a thigh injury.
