Team News

Latest News: Unai Emery has switched between a wing-back system and a back four in recent weeks, often during games, so how the Gunners will line up for the visit of Chelsea remains uncertain. Hector Bellerin will be pushing for a recall in whatever formation Emery deploys, either as an orthodox full-back or further up the flank in the 3-4-3 that Arsenal started with against West Ham last Saturday. Ainsley Maitland-Niles struggled with his defensive duties in that defeat at the London Stadium but he could instead move to the more advanced right-wing role in which he impressed at Anfield in Gameweek 20. Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang generally haven't started together in matches against fellow "big six" sides (only once in six fixtures this season) so the Frenchman - so often the sacrificial lamb with Emery - may make way here, with Aubameyang moving into a more central position. The availability of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil remains uncertain, with Ramsey thought to have signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus this week and Emery only saying on Thursday that he "thinks" Ozil will be involved with the squad this weekend - though similar noises were made ahead of his no-show in Gameweek 22. A fit and in-favour Ozil would give Emery the option of tweaking his system, with the German obviously most effective when stationed in "the hole" behind a centre-forward or strike pair. Lucas Torreira hasn't started a competitive game for Arsenal in 2019 but will be pushing hard for a recall in central midfield either at the expense of Granit Xhaka or Matteo Guendouzi or alongside the pair in a 3-5-2. Veterans Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner are alternatives in defence, meanwhile. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (ankle), Rob Holding (ACL) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) remain out, though the Armenian midfielder is set to return to training next week.

Latest News: Callum Wilson (hamstring) had only trained once as of Friday, with Eddie Howe reporting in his press conference that the Cherries would make a late call on the England striker but also adding that the club "have to be very careful" given the nature of the injury. Joshua King might very well be leading the line again, then, with the 4-3-3 that Howe used against Everton last weekend perhaps tweaked to become a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1. Any one of Junior Stanislas, Ryan Fraser or David Brooks could be deployed behind - or alongside - King in attack, with the other two used on the flank. Brooks had a stint up front earlier in the season when the Norwegian was injured, though Fraser was more recently used in a central position in the FA Cup third round. Lys Mousset is another name for Howe to consider in attack, though the Frenchman hasn't started a league match all season and will likely be a substitute once again. Andrew Surman is a similar option to Dan Gosling in central midfield, while Charlie Daniels and Diego Rico are the left-back alternatives - though that Adam Smith was thrown straight into the starting XI against Everton after a two-month absence perhaps says much about Howe's preference in that position. Simon Francis (knee) Lewis Cook (knee) and Dominic Solanke (hamstring) remain absent.

Latest News: Bernardo (hamstring) and Jose Izquierdo (knee) remain sidelined through injury, while Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Mathew Ryan are on still on international duty with their respective countries at the Asian Cup. Yves Bissouma (hip) is a doubt, with Chris Hughton saying on Thursday that his chances of featuring against Manchester United hinge on whether the midfielder trains on Friday. With Bissouma's involvement uncertain, Brighton's central midfield three may remain unchanged, though Beram Kayal is another option in the engine-room - perhaps as an alternative to Pascal Gross - if Hughton really wants to shut up shop at Old Trafford. Anthony Knockaert hasn't started a league match since Gameweek 17 and appears unlikely to displace Solly March or Jurgen Locadia but Florin Andone looks a strong contender to oust Glenn Murray up front, given that the pair have rotated over the past month and the Romanian's pace might be of more use on the counter-attack against the Red Devils. Changes look unlikely in the back four, with Bruno and Leon Balogun set for places on the bench again. Hughton reported on Thursday that reserve full-backs Markus Suttner and Ezequiel Schelotto are looking to leave the club on loan, meanwhile. Young midfielder Max Sanders could be involved as a substitute again if Bissouma fails to prove his fitness.

Latest News: Johann Berg Gudmundsson (thigh) is "getting better" but is still a doubt for the trip to Watford, with Sean Dyche saying that the club's medical team would make a judgement call on the Icelandic midfielder on Friday. The Burnley boss added that Phil Bardsley and Matthew Lowton were still suffering from the knocks that were reported ahead of Gameweek 22 but both full-backs were involved in the 18-man squad against Fulham last Saturday and Dyche is "very hopeful" that one of them will be able to start again. Steven Defour, Nick Pope and Stephen Ward all continued to gain match-sharpness in the LFA Senior Cup win over Fleetwood Town on Monday, though Dyche said that Pope is "not there yet" and the goalkeeper probably won't be involved at Vicarage Road. There was no update provided on Aaron Lennon (knee), however, while Robbie Brady serves the final match of his three-game ban. With plenty of absentees in the wide areas, then, Dwight McNeil looks a strong candidate to continue on the left flank. After two assists in that win over Fulham, Jeff Hendrick may be deployed on the right flank again if Gudmundsson fails to make it. Following three wins on the bounce, changes could be at a premium with the likes of Sam Vokes, Matej Vydra, Ben Gibson and Kevin Long forced to watch on from the bench. Tom Heaton looks to have consolidated his position as first-choice goalkeeper at the expense of Joe Hart, meanwhile.

Latest News: Cardiff completed the loan signing of Oumar Niasse on Friday, while at the time of writing the Bluebirds were trying to push through the signing of Emiliano Sala in order to register the Argentinean forward ahead of the trip to Newcastle on Saturday. A place on the bench might be the likeliest scenario for both players given the lateness of their captures (Warnock indeed saying Niasse wasn't fully match-fit), though Neil Warnock did previously say that he would like the opportunity to rest "striker" Callum Paterson and attacking midfielder Victor Camarasa after the pair played through the pain barrier last Saturday. Camarasa, indeed, was substituted on 63 minutes with a knock but Warnock said the Spaniard was "like a young pup" again on Monday morning so is expected to feature. Danny Ward (cheekbone) and Kadeem Harris (shoulder) missed out last weekend and may come back into contention, while Jazz Richards played for the under-23s during the week as he builds up match fitness. The headline team news concerns Sean Morrison, however, who underwent a "procedure" on Monday morning and is a major doubt for Gameweek 22 - Warnock saying on Friday that he "doesn't think" the ever-present centre-back will feature. Bruno Ecuele-Manga could move across to centre-half, then, with Lee Peltier brought in at right-back. Junior Hoilett is a favourite of Warnock's away from home because of his defensive discipline, so the Canada international may replace Josh Murphy or Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the flank for the trip to Tyneside. Bobby Reid or - if fit - Ward could be used up front to hand Paterson a breather, though Kenneth Zohore (thigh) is expected to remain out. Joe Ralls is another option in central midfield, while Greg Cunningham will challenge Joe Bennett for the left-back spot.

Latest News: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back) is Chelsea's only absentee for the trip to the Emirates, with Maurizio Sarri confirming on Friday that Alvaro Morata (hamstring) is back in training and available for selection - though the Chelsea boss said he "didn't know" if the Spaniard would feature in his squad. Sarri seemed to imply that Eden Hazard would start centrally, saying that the game against Arsenal would be a "difficult match for the defensive phase" - the Chelsea head coach has previously said that he prefers Hazard as the spearhead of the Chelsea attack as it helps make his side more secure at the back. Morata and Olivier Giroud might have to make do with a place on the bench at best, then, though other than the Mateo Kovacic/Ross Barkley conundrum in central midfield there seem to be few other selection dilemmas for Sarri to make given the relatively settled nature of his side this season. Kovacic has started the last four league games against fellow "big six" clubs, so the Croatian perhaps has the edge. Pedro and Willian will very likely flank Hazard after their goals in Gameweek 23, though Callum Hudson-Odoi is another option out wide. Only in one league match this season has Chelsea's back four been altered, so Messrs Alonso, Luiz, Rudiger and Azpilicueta seem set to line up in defence again.

Latest News: Roy Hodgson has been hit by a double injury blow with Vicente Guaita (calf) and Wayne Hennessey (muscle) ruled out of Saturday's trip to Anfield. The Palace boss confirmed that Julian Speroni is likely to start in their stead, having praised the veteran goalkeeper in Friday's presser. Other than long-term injury victim Pape Souare (shoulder), Hodgson has a fully fit squad to choose from, with Christian Benteke making his comeback from injury with a cameo appearance in the defeat to Watford last weekend. Hodgson may decide to sacrifice Jordan Ayew and switch to the 4-5-1 formation that brought the Eagles great success against Manchester City in Gameweek 18, with Andros Townsend dropping back to a more orthodox right midfield role and Max Meyer or Jeffrey Schlupp brought in on the opposite flank. Palace's back four is among the most settled in the division and looks likely to be unchanged, meanwhile. The likes of Connor Wickham, Benteke, Joel Ward and Martin Kelly will almost certainly have to make do with a place on the bench.

Latest News: Marco Silva may be tempted to keep an unchanged team after the 2-0 win over Bournemouth, though the victory wasn't entirely convincing and the Everton boss has plenty of options available to him if he wishes to make some alterations. Silva has used a wing-back system in the Toffees' last three Premier League away matches, though that formation was abandoned midway through the 1-0 defeat to Brighton on New Years' Day and the Everton head coach may decide to persist with the 4-2-3-1 set-up that was used against Eddie Howe's side last Sunday. Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be brought back into the starting XI up front, with Richarlison moving to the left flank, though Bernard was one of Everton's better players at Goodison Park in Gameweek 22 and would be unfortunate not to continue on the wing. Similarly, Ademola Lookman may have done enough to keep Theo Walcott out of the side on the opposite flank. Silva might be reluctant to change his backline after a first clean sheet since November so Yerry Mina may have to make do with a place on the bench at St Mary's. Phil Jagielka (unspecified) was the only injury that Silva reported in his press conference on Thursday.

Latest News: Claudio Ranieri reported no new injury concerns and said "everyone was available" in Friday's press conference, though whether that summary included Alfie Mawson (knee) is doubtful. If Mawson remains sidelined then the three centre-halves and two wing-backs likely pick themselves, though Calum Chambers could potentially drop back into defence from the centre of midfield. Ibrahima Cisse is an option in the engine room should Chambers' services be required at the back, with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen less likely to be involved. The Fulham boss has plenty of choice on the flanks, with Ryan Babel added to the squad this week. Ranieri said in Friday's presser, however, that the Dutch winger "is not 100% fit" and a place on the bench might perhaps be the likeliest scenario. Luciano Vietto made an impact after his introduction at Turf Moor last weekend and could replace Ryan Sessegnon on the left wing, while Tom Cairney is an alternative in central midfield or on the right of the front three. Neeskens Kebano and Floyd Ayite are further options out wide, though it remains to be seen if Aboubakar Kamara will be selected in the match-day squad after a training ground bust-up with Aleksandar Mitrovic. Loanee Timothy Fosu-Mensah remains out of favour amid ongoing talk of an early return to Manchester United.

Latest News: Danny Williams (knee), Abdelhamid Sabiri (shoulder) and Aaron Mooy (knee) remain out for the Terriers but there was no other injury news reported in Mark Hudson's first pre-match press conference as interim Huddersfield boss following the departure of David Wagner. Huddersfield performed admirably at the Emirates and Old Trafford last month (and indeed at Cardiff in Gameweek 22) using a back four, so Hudson may again roll out a 4-2-3-1 or slightly tweak that system for the visit of free-scoring Manchester City this weekend. Terence Kongolo may be handed a recall at left-back, with perhaps Chris Lowe deployed slightly ahead of him in midfield - as he has done on occasion this season - to give Town some added protection down that flank. The attack-minded Elias Kachunga may make way on the opposite wing, with perhaps Jason Puncheon moving over to that flank to help out Florent Hadergjonaj, Erik Durm or Tommy Smith at right-back. Juninho Bacuna is another option in central midfield if Hudson wishes to swamp the middle of the park, while Adama Diakhaby and Isaac Mbenza are more attacking alternatives in the wide areas.

Latest News: Jonny Evans' toe injury isn't as serious as first feared and Claude Puel "thinks" the Northern Irish defender will be fit to feature in the squad against Wolves on Saturday. Leicester's up-and-down form continued with a defeat to Southampton last weekend, with Puel defending his use of a 4-3-3 amid criticism for what were perceived as negative tactics in that loss. That strategy has served the Foxes well on the road of late, however, with Leicester having beaten Chelsea and Everton 1-0 away from home in Gameweeks 18 and 21. Hamza Choudhury, Nampalys Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi have been the preferred central midfield three in recent weeks and could continue here with alternative options thin on the ground (Matty James and Adrien Silva having not even been among the substitutes last weekend), though Mendy had a particularly poor game against the Saints and was hooked at half-time. Rachid Ghezzal and Demarai Gray are alternatives out wide, while youngster Harvey Barnes is - a bit like James Maddison - an option on the left flank or in a more central, attacking midfield position. Ricardo Pereira has frequently been used "out of position" further forward in away games so he could possibly feature on either flank, with Danny Simpson able to fill in at right-back if needed. Caglar Soyuncu and Evans will put pressure on Wes Morgan for a spot at the heart of the defence alongside Harry Maguire, though Shinji Okazaki and Kelechi Iheanacho look unlikely to threaten Jamie Vardy's start up top. Daniel Amartey (ankle) remains sidelined.

Latest News: Despite media reports earlier in the week ruling Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) out for up to a month, the England defender may make a shock return to the Liverpool squad for the visit of Crystal Palace. Jurgen Klopp said in Friday's presser that Alexander-Arnold and Georginio Wijnaldum (knee) would be "really close" for Saturday's match and that he didn't want to "close any doors" regarding their potential involvement. Klopp is unlikely to take any risks for this encounter so the pair may still miss out regardless, with perhaps James Milner used at right-back. Joe Gomez (leg) and Dejan Lovren (hamstring) remain out, so Joel Matip - who made the bench last weekend - could be handed his first start since Gameweek 16. Fabinho is the alternative at centre-half or right-back, though the Brazilian may be reinstated in central midfield if Matip is deemed match-ready and Wijnaldum is unavailable. Other than the defeat to Manchester City, Klopp has favoured a 4-2-3-1 of late so Xherdan Shaqiri may well continue alongside Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in a front four. Adam Lallana (knock) is back in contention, though he, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi will surely be primed for bench duties at best. Naby Keita will come into the reckoning if Klopp decides to roll out a 4-3-3, however.

Latest News: Benjamin Mendy (knee) remains out but is getting closer to a return, having taken part in training ahead of the trip to Huddersfield. Kevin De Bruyne looked sharp upon his introduction as a substitute in the win over Wolves on Monday and could be handed only a second league start of the season when City head to West Yorkshire, while Ilkay Gundogan is another well-rested option in the centre of midfield. Pep Guardiola predictably gave us no clue as to which of Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus would start up front, though the Brazilian bagged a brace in Gameweek 22 and would perhaps be unfortunate to miss out. Riyad Mahrez is the usual alternative to Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, though the Algerian may instead be given run-outs in the EFL Cup and FA Cup in the week ahead. Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko might potentially oust Danilo at left-back, though the Brazilian could be used instead of Kyle Walker on the opposite flank. Nicolas Otamendi may replace John Stones at centre-half, though there was no update forthcoming on Vincent Kompany (muscle) in Guardiola's press conference.

Latest News: Marouane Fellaini (calf) has been ruled out for "a few weeks" and joins Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo on the sidelines, both of whom have resumed light training but aren't match-fit. Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) has trained all week, however, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was "hopeful" of having the Chilean available for the visit of Brighton this weekend. The Norwegian hasn't been afraid to rejig his team on a week-to-week basis but the starting XI that beat Spurs last Sunday was the same one he picked for his very first game in charge and, it could be argued, is his strongest available team. Diogo Dalot and Antonio Valencia are alternatives to Ashley Young at right-back, while Eric Bailly could threaten Phil Jones' start after returning from a three-match suspension. Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof have started all five league matches under their interim boss and appear settled in their respective positions, however. Given the nature of the fixture, the ingenuity of Juan Mata could be called upon in central midfield or in the attacking positions, with Ander Herrera perhaps most at risk. Romelu Lukaku offers another option up front alongside (rather than instead of) Marcus Rashford, who ostensibly lined up on the right flank at Wembley last Sunday with Jesse Lingard used as the focal point of the United attack. Paul Pogba seems set to continue in his hybrid central midfielder/attacking midfielder role, with his brief absence from training on Wednesday not thought to be injury-related.

Latest News: Paul Dummett (hamstring), Jonjo Shelvey (thigh) and Karl Darlow (elbow) remain on the sidelines but Rafael Benitez was optimistic that the four players who picked up injuries against Blackburn on Tuesday - Jamaal Lascelles (hamstring), Isaac Hayden (knock), Ciaran Clark (knock) and Fabian Schar (knock) - will be fit to feature. Mohamed Diame (groin) has also returned to training and will be assessed, likely replacing youngster Sean Longstaff in central midfield should he prove his fitness. Benitez has plenty of options at centre-back now, with Florian Lejeune in line to return to the starting XI having been handed a breather in midweek. Club captain Lascelles will likely join him if passed fit, leaving Clark, Schar and Federico Fernandez to battle it out for the third centre-half position should Benitez stick with a 3-4-2-1. Schar is also an option in central midfield if Hayden and Diame remain sidelined. A return to a 4-2-3-1 is a possibility, of course, particularly given that the Magpies are at home to fellow strugglers Cardiff. DeAndre Yedlin, Salomon Rondon, Ayoze Perez and Christian Atsu should return to the starting XI in whatever system Benitez chooses after starting on the bench in midweek, while Kenedy could be another option in the wide areas should he recover from a nail problem. Ki Sung-yueng and Yoshinori Muto are both representing their countries at the Asian Cup so will again miss out.

Latest News: Danny Ings has recovered from a hamstring injury and could come back into the starting XI for the visit of Everton, with Ralph Hasenhuttl saying on Thursday that "it doesn't seem that he cannot play 90 minutes on Saturday". The Southampton boss promised to freshen things up after the penalty shoot-out defeat to Derby County on Wednesday, with Oriel Romeu or James Ward-Prowse at risk following their 120-minute run-outs at St Mary's. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looks a strong candidate to return to the starting XI after serving a four-match suspension, with Ward-Prowse perhaps making way given that Romeu has been picked by Hasenhuttl in every Premier League starting XI since his appointment. Charlie Austin and Yan Valery are also available after their own bans and Valery could return at wing-back, along with Matt Targett, given that Cedric Soares lasted the full two hours in midweek. Jack Stephens and Jannik Vestergaard also featured for the full duration of that gruelling loss to Derby but with Maya Yoshida on international duty at the Asian Cup and Wesley Hoedt out of favour, the two centre-halves may retain their places alongside Jan Bednarek. Kayne Ramsay is another option across the backline, however. A change of formation is a possibility, with Hassenhuttl switching to a back four at half-time of that third-round replay and having previously expressed a fondness for a 4-2-2-2. Given that the Saints defeated Leicester last weekend using a 3-4-2-1, however, it may be that Hasenhuttl persists with this set-up. Alex McCarthy should continue in goal ahead of Angus Gunn, having been recalled to the starting XI at the King Power Stadium. Ryan Bertrand (back) and Mario Lemina (abdomen) remain doubts, with Bertrand not fit enough to feature in his planned comeback against Derby and Lemina still in pain. Michael Obafemi (tendon) remains out.

Latest News: The absence of Harry Kane (ankle), Moussa Sissoko (groin) and Son Heung-min (international duty) may convince Mauricio Pochettino to abandon his 4-4-2 diamond, with fit and available options thin on the ground in central midfield and attack. Eric Dier has returned to full training after an abdominal problem but Pochettino said on Friday that "maybe he is going to be on the bench" and that the England midfielder still needs to recover his fitness. Oliver Skipp could be called upon, though Christian Eriksen - as he did in the second half of Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Manchester United - might instead drop back into a more withdrawn midfield position. A 4-2-3-1 is a strong possibility but the likely absence of Lucas Moura (knee) and an abundance of centre-backs may convince Pochettino to roll out a wing-back system. Serge Aurier could put pressure on Kieran Trippier on the right flank, while Ben Davies will compete with Danny Rose for a place on the opposite wing - Davies got the nod at Wembley last Sunday, so Rose could return to the starting XI here given the regular rotation that occurs on the left. Fernando Llorente is the default option to lead the line with Kane, Son and Lucas missing, though Dele Alli could feasibly be used "out of position" up front. Juan Foyth is another option at centre-back.

Latest News: Sebastian Prodl (knee) will again miss out for the Hornets, while Javi Gracia said he is "not optimistic" about the involvement of Will Hughes (concussion) given that the midfielder hasn't been able to train as of Thursday. Ken Sema could get the nod to replace Hughes on the right of midfield, with the Watford boss saying that Tom Cleverley still needs time to "recover his level" despite the former Manchester United player's goal against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 22. Christian Kabasele and Andre Gray are back to full fitness and should come into contention, though the pair may have to settle for a place on the bench for the time being given that the Hornets impressed at Selhurst Park last weekend. Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu's partnership up front looks secure with the pair having started five of the last six Premier League matches alongside one another, so Gray, Isaac Success and Adalberto Penaranda will likely have to watch on from the sidelines for the time being. Domingos Quina and Nathaniel Chalobah are alternatives in central midfield, while Daryl Janmaat, Miguel Britos and Adam Masina are options at the back but - the Gameweek 20 draw with Newcastle apart - Gracia has kept a relatively settled side over the last month and would appear unlikely to tinker with his starting XI this Saturday given that the Hornets are the form team outside of the "big six" over the last half-dozen Gameweeks.

Latest News: Manuel Pellegrini declared Marko Arnautovic fit to play in his press conference on Thursday, while Javier Hernandez (muscle) has rejoined first-team training and comes into contention. Ryan Fredericks (shin) is also back on the training ground but the trip to Bournemouth may come too soon for the full-back. Reports on Friday suggested Arnautovic wasn't in the travelling party for the Gameweek 23 clash on the south coast, however, so Andy Carroll, Lucas Perez or - if fully fit - Hernandez may deputise if the Austrian is missing. Samir Nasri impressed on his first Premier League start for the Hammers and may retain his place in Pellegrini's line-up, though Grady Diangana and Robert Snodgrass are different options to the Frenchman and Michail Antonio in the attacking midfield positions. Pedro Obiang is an alternative to Mark Noble alongside Declan Rice in midfield, meanwhile. Changes at the back would seem unlikely given the current injury situation and indeed the shut-out against the Gunners, with Arthur Masuaku set for a place on the bench again. Fabian Balbuena (knee), Winston Reid (knee), Andriy Yarmolenko (Achilles), Manuel Lanzini (knee), Carlos Sanchez (knee) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) remain absent.

Latest News: Wolves will be missing Willy Boly (suspended) at centre-back for the first time this season, with one of Leander Dendoncker or Romain Saiss likely to deputise. Dendoncker or Saiss could instead be used in central midfield if Nuno Espirito Santo continues with a 3-4-1-2, with Joao Moutinho or Morgan Gibbs-White used in the "hole" behind a front two of Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota. Santo could instead switch to a 3-4-3, however, which give the likes of Adama Traore, Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro fresh hope of a recall for the visit of Leicester. Other changes at centre-half or in the wing-back positions look unlikely, though Ruben Vinagre is an alternative to Jonny on the left flank.