See which players we think will start for their Premier League clubs in the midweek matches
Football writers Ben Bloom and Sam Cunningham have provided predicted line-ups for all 20 Premier League sides playing in Matchweek 26.
See: Injury updates for every club and player
See: Who’s suspended or close to a ban?
Chelsea v Leeds predicted line-ups
Chelsea: Liam Rosenior will continue to rotate his players, explaining before this match that “you have to try to freshen up the team mentally and physically”. Reece James is fit to return after missing out last time through injury, but is now battling illness instead. Andrey Santos is available despite going off with an ankle problem late in Saturday’s win at Wolves.
See: Chelsea team news
Leeds United: The visitors will definitely be without Pascal Struijk, which Daniel Farke admitted makes it trickier to play three at the back, although the formation has worked so well that it would be a big call to ditch it. Jaka Bijol or Sebastiaan Bornauw is the most likely replacement if Farke does stick with his preferred system. Anton Stach will also miss out, but Farke is hoping Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ilia Gruev pass late fitness tests. Sean Longstaff and Ao Tanaka are options to replace tired legs.
See: Leeds team news
Everton v Bournemouth predicted line-ups
Everton: Chelsea loanee Tyrique George impressed off the bench on his Everton debut last weekend and could be rewarded with a first start. At the back, Jarrad Branthwaite may well be given a recall, while David Moyes might also opt for changes to freshen things up in central midfield.
See: Everton team news
AFC Bournemouth: The Cherries are unbeaten in five Premier League games, but Andoni Iraola says the quick turnaround means it is unlikely they will field the same starting XI as the weekend. That could bring the likes of Adam Smith, Alex Toth and Ryan Christie into the equation, while the impressive teenager Rayan might not be asked to start two games in four days, despite scoring on his full debut.
See: Bournemouth team news
Spurs v Newcastle predicted line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur: The absentees continue to mount for Spurs, with Cristian Romero starting a four-match suspension and Destiny Udogie out for around a month. At least Djed Spence is back from injury, which could see Thomas Frank switch to a back three and hand a full debut to Brazilian teenager Souza. Should Frank opt for a defensive four, Archie Gray may well continue at right-back, while Randal Kolo Muani and Yves Bissouma could also be in line for starts.
See: Spurs team news
Newcastle United: Eddie Howe suggested both Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley will require late fitness tests after missing Newcastle’s weekend defeat to Brentford. Even if neither make it, expect changes from that loss, with Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock in danger of losing their starting spots, and Nick Woltemade battling with Yoane Wissa to lead the line.
See: Newcastle team news
West Ham v Man Utd predicted line-ups
West Ham United: The Hammers’ line-up has been relatively settled during their fine recent run but that will change for Tuesday, with Nuno Espirito Santo admitting some players are going to miss out through injury. However, he unhelpfully added: “I’m not going to tell you who, sorry.” In the absence of any information, it is very difficult to know who those people might be. Ordinarily, midfielder Freddie Potts and forward Pablo might be pushing for starts.
Manchester United: With everything going right for Michael Carrick at the moment, and no players returning from injury for this game, there is little need for the interim head coach to make any tactical personnel changes. The quick turnaround could bring the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Noussair Mazraoui or Leny Yoro into the equation but after this game, Man Utd will have a 13-day break before their next fixture, due to their FA Cup exit. Carrick did not mention Bryan Mbeumo in his pre-match press conference, after the forward was seen limping following the win over Spurs.
See: Man Utd team news
Aston Villa v Brighton predicted line-ups
Aston Villa: Unai Emery said he needed “to check with the doctor for some small issues” as he attempts to keep Villa in the title race, though he did not specify who might be missing. A trio of influential midfielders in John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara are still unavailable. New signing Alysson is also not yet able to make his first appearance. Emery insisted “we have enough players”, citing the return of Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley. Villa could be forced into a couple of changes.
See: Aston Villa team news
Brighton: Jan Paul van Hecke is back after a minor hamstring problem and will return to partner Lewis Dunk in the centre of defence, in place of his replacement Olivier Boscagli. Yasin Ayari is a doubt with a shoulder injury, which will likely force Fabian Hurzeler’s hand in midfield. Mats Weiffer is available again after missing seven matches with a foot injury.
Crystal Palace v Burnley predicted line-ups
Crystal Palace: Jean-Philippe Mateta “does not need surgery” but his knee injury keeps the striker out, meaning new signing Jorgen Strand Larsen will surely start a second game. Oliver Glasner faces a tough call whether to stick with the forwards who delivered a first win in 13 games, or recall Brennan Johnson. Aside from longer-term absentees, Glasner has the same squad available as Brighton, with the addition of Justin Devenny, who returns.
See: Crystal Palace team news
Burnley: The Clarets are running out of time to avoid relegation and Scott Parker will look to make changes after losing back-to-back matches. Expect a packed defence, with Kyle Walker and Lucas Pires deployed as wing-backs. In attack, Lyle Foster could get the nod again over Armando Broja, who has only scored once all season.
Man City v Fulham predicted line-ups
Manchester City: Abdukodir Khusanov is available despite coming off with a head injury against Liverpool, John Stones is “back” and Ruben Dias has returned to fitness, giving Pep Guardiola options in defence. He has an even tougher task fitting his array of talent into midfield and up front. Expect tweaks, not wholesale changes.
See: Man City team news
Fulham: Timothy Castagne has been ruled out, paving the way for Kenny Tete to return at right-back, while Antonee Robinson may come in on the other side of defence. Marco Silva confirmed it is still too soon for Oscar Bobb to start against his former employers, potentially leaving Samuel Chukwueze, Kevin and Ryan Sessegnon to fight for one place on the left wing.
See: Fulham team news
Nott’m Forest v Wolves predicted line-ups
Nottingham Forest: Murillo remains the big unknown after missing the defeat at Leeds through injury, with Sean Dyche describing the centre-back as “touch and go” to return for this match. Dyche will definitely have Neco Williams back from suspension, but Matz Sels remains unavailable, leaving recent signing Stefan Ortega to continue in goal. Do not be surprised to see some attacking changes, with Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye and Lorenzo Lucca all pushing for starts.
Wolves: Rob Edwards switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation to accommodate new arrivals Adam Armstrong and Angel Gomes in their last game, and could well give it another try. The Wolves head coach said Hee Chan Hwang, who was forced off against Chelsea, is absent as he undergoes a scan. Toti Gomes is also missing with a troublesome hamstring. Andre will have a late fitness test on a calf injury, but is in contention.
Sunderland v Liverpool predicted line-ups
Sunderland: Expect Regis Le Bris to tighten up as he tries to protect Sunderland’s unbeaten home league record against the Premier League champions. Replacing Granit Xhaka, out for several weeks, has proven difficult and Le Bris has tried various options. Bertrand Traore is the other major absentee. New signing Nilson Angulo is, however, “ready to play”.
Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai has been playing as makeshift right-back but misses the Sunderland game due to a one-match suspension for his red card against Man City. Joe Gomez only resumed training on Tuesday so it will likely fall to Curtis Jones to cover. Arne Slot has fewer concerns in midfield and attack.
Brentford v Arsenal predicted line-ups
Brentford: So long as there are no new injuries, Keith Andrews will surely not be tempted to change too much after Brentford’s brilliant win at Newcastle. Yehor Yarmoliuk may well come in for Jordan Henderson, while Mikkel Damsgaard and Nathan Collins might also hope to return to the side.
Arsenal: Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard missed out on the weekend, so much depends on their availability here. Leandro Trossard must also be a doubt after departing early in the victory over Sunderland. Viktor Gyokeres has staked a claim to start up front after scoring twice off the bench in that game, while Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli could be in line for starts.
