Our team news section has been updated with all the latest news, collated from the sound bites and scraps from the previous 24-hours. You’ll find team by team analysis, together with our predicted lineups for the Gameweek 19 encounters.
Here’s the headlines from today’s matches…
Arsene Wenger talks of “stability” ahead of the Emirates meeting with Bournemouth, suggesting that he’ll keep faith with an unchanged lineup, despite the mauling suffered at St Mary’s. Meanwhile, Eddie Howe looks to have limited options available to him, as he manages the pitch-time of Harry Arter following long-term injury and ponders whether to turn to the pace of Tokelo Rantie over the physical presence of Glenn Murray.
Alan Pardew will look to patch up his “warriors” at the back with Scott Dann and Damian Delaney both expected to overcome cramp form a significant barrier against shot-shy Swansea City at Selhurst Park. Pardew is set to be without Lee Chung-yong who has traveled back to South Korea for the birth of his child, although Yohan Cabaye is expected to return to the starting XI having been named on the bench at Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Alan Curtis will consider a recall for Bafétimbi Gomis, having adopted the “false nine” for the win over West Brom. Leon Britton and Angel Rangel could be rested.
Roberto Martinez will check on the progress of a quartet of players as Phil Jagielka, James McCarthy, Brian Oviedo and Steven Pienaar all near returns. Both Gerard Deulofeu and Arouna Kone will expect to earn recalls to the flanks having been dropped to the bench at Newcastle. Meanwhile, Mark Hughes expects Geoff Cameron and Glenn Whelan to recover from knocks to man the engine room at Goodison Park, while Xherdan Shaqiri is also in contention.
Norwich are set to recall both Wes Hoolahan and Gary O’Neil for the crunch clash with Villa after the pair were both rested at White Hart Lane. As for Villa, they look set to be boosted by the return of Micah Richards with Remi Garde confident on his return. A enforced change in midfield also looks likely, with Carlos Sanchez all but ruled out for the Carrow Road clash with a hamstring problem – we’re expecting Carles Gil to get the nod.
Quique Flores will consider shuffling his limited Watford pack for the visit of Spurs to Vicarage Road, with Nathan Ake almost certain to return to the starting XI having been ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea. As for Spurs, they have no new injury concerns, with Mousa Dembele reportedly recovering from an ankle knock. Mauricio Pochettino could name an unchanged side, then, despite having plenty of options to freshen up in midfield areas. Danny Rose could be the likely tweak, with Ben Davies making way.
West Brom must again contend with the loss of James McClean and Salomon Rondon for their encounter with Newcastle through suspension. Tony Pulis may well be forced to turn to Saido Berahino to lead his attack, with Rickie Lambert unlikely to be handed two starts in 48-hours. Steve McClaren has limited options to rotate in the Newcastle squad, although Siem de Jong could earn a recall behind striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. According to reports, the Serb will be assessed for fatigue having just recovered from an ankle problem, while Vurnon Anita is also a doubt.
A troubled Louis van Gaal is expected to recall skipper Wayne Rooney to his starting XI for the visit of Chelsea, while Bastian Schweinsteiger is also set for a return having completed his three-match ban. Chelsea will turn up to Old Trafford without the banned Diego Costa, with Gus Hiddink reportedly having to check on the fitness of both Loic Remy and Eden Hazard, despite the pair both being named on the bench on Boxing Day. Reports this morning also suggest that Cesc Fabregas has been omitted from the travelling party due to a fever.
Slaven Bilic must decide whether to gamble on the fitness of Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll as both near a return ahead of the home tie with Southampton. The Hammers boss has described their return as “hopeful” rather than “probable”. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Nikica Jelavic is also ruled out, further reducing Bilic’s options in attack. Both James Tomkins and Aaron Cresswell remain injury doubts with Carl Jenkinson standing by for a recall. The Saints will turn up boosted by their 4-0 win over Arsenal and with no new reported injury concerns. Both Graziano Pelle and Cedric Soares will miss out again, however, with Shane Long expected to lead the attack once more.
Tuesday’s top of the table clash at the King Power will test Leicester’s resolve and resources, with Clauido Ranieri forced to assess Jamie Vardy’s availability with the striker struggling with a virus. Danny Drinkwater wasn’t risked for the defeat at Anfield and he seems unlikely to be thrown back in against Man City. Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini is expected to hand a recall to Sergio Aguero having preserved him on the bench against Sunderland, while Vincent Kompany will miss out having sustained a recurrence of his calf injury in a brief Boxing Day cameo.
Sunderland could be without John O’Shea for the visit of Liverpool to the Stadium of Light – Sam Allardyce has reportedly stated that he’s a doubt, with the Black Cats now likely to have to turn to Wes Brown to slot alongside Sebastian Coates. Jack Rodwell could even be tasked with dropping back to defence on his return from suspension, while Lee Cattermole would seem set for a recall in midfield having seen action from the bench on Saturday. It remains to be seen if Steven Fletcher can start back-to-back matches, with Jermain Defoe on standby for a recall. As for Liverpool, they will likely turn to Christian Benteke to lead the attack with Divock Origi nursing a hamstring problem. Daniel Sturridge has declared himself “ready” but is unlikely to be risked.
