A host of games were played on Thursday evening and with no scheduled press conferences for the majority of those involved, we’re pretty much in the dark and relying on the eye test, plus a smattering of post-match comments. The issue here, of course, is that players will be assessed over the next 24-48 hours, and we won’t know the real impact until the team sheets drop on Sunday. Not a great start to another double game week.
Arsenal
The Gunners are enjoying a nice little run following four wins on the spin – five unbeaten – and I don’t see any major changes from Mikel Arteta. A calf complaint still hampers Takehiro Tomiyasu, and while Emile Smith Rowe should be OK following COVID-19, the youngster hasn’t played since the win over Brentford last month.
Aston Villa
Villa followed up their excellent four-nil over Southampton with an equally comfortable victory at Elland Road. Steven Gerrard made just one change on the night – recalling Lucas Digne in place of Ashley Young. Tyrone Mings picked up a couple of knocks, and while I expect him to be OK, Ezri Konsa is available again after COVID. Marvelous Nakamba is the only player ruled out.
Brentford
Thomas Frank said the withdrawal of Christian Norgaard at Norwich was precautionary after he complained of tightness in his thigh. “Of course, when the scoreline was 3-0, we didn’t want to risk one of our most important players.” Kristoffer Ajer was also replaced during the game, but it didn’t appear to be a massive issue. Joshua Dasilva will serve the second game of his three-match ban.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Adam Webster (groin) is the only confirmed injury absentee for the early kick-off. However, Graham Potter will handle the return of Enock Mwepu with a degree of caution after close to two months on the sidelines. Jeremy Sarmiento can be called upon if needed, but with close to an entire squad, it appears unlikely that the 19-year-old will add to his 21 league minutes.
Burnley
Ben Mee has not recovered as hoped and Nathan Collins looks set to deputise again, although Sean Dyche could make one or two tweaks following the heavy home defeat by Chelsea. Matej Vydra has suffered a setback on the verge of his return, having landed awkwardly – twisting his arm and dislocating his elbow. This must-not-lose game at Brentford will also come too soon for Erik Pieters (knee), and Johann Berg Gudmundsson (calf) will be out for some time yet. Burnley will have three weeks off after Saturday, which should help ease the injury burden for the run-in. Dale Stephens is back after a return to training.
Chelsea
Christian Pulisic (illness) was a late withdrawal from the squad that travelled to Carrow Road, and his status remains unclear. Thomas Tuchel will also run checks on César Azpilicueta, replaced at half-time due to stomach cramps, and Marcos Alonso, who has been training following COVID-19 but failed to make the matchday squad. Callum Hudson-Odoi has been troubled by an Achilles flare-up, and Reece James is sidelined after suffering a setback at Turf Moor. Ben Chilwell will not play again this season despite being pictured on the training pitches at Cobham.
Crystal Palace
The Eagles don’t play until Monday night when they welcome Manchester City to Selhurst Park, and Patrick Vieira was giving nothing away. Buoyed by a nice two-nil win at Wolves last time out, Palace could be unchanged with close to a full squad to choose from. Nathan Ferguson will not be back until after the international break, but Joel Ward could be considered; the full-back has been training outside on the grass for over two weeks. James McArthur has been missing since the FA Cup win over Stoke, and the midfielder’s status remains unclear.
Everton
Ben Godfrey could be handed an immediate recall following the heavy defeat to Tottenham on Monday. The Toffees lost Michael Keane to illness at half-time, and Frank Lampard confirms the centre-back has been forced to play due to injuries within the squad despite battling an ongoing issue. Yerry Mina is targeting a return after the break. Demarai Gray will come into the managers’ thoughts, although he hasn’t featured since the new boss’ first game in charge.
Leeds United
Jesse Marsch will see how Patrick Bamford reacts after his cameo against Aston Villa. The striker had only managed 22 competitive minutes since September before his introduction at Elland Road. The situation is looking pretty dire with Leeds sitting just two points above the drop zone – both Everton and Burnley have games in hand – and the new American coach might be forced into taking a chance for this huge game. Liam Cooper is slightly ahead of Kalvin Phillips in terms of his recovery, but this weekend is probably too soon, and Júnior Firpo was stretched off on Thursday with suspected medial collateral ligament (MCL) damage which could force a reshuffle. Tyler Roberts has been ruled out for the season.
Leicester City
James Maddison and James Justin returned in the Europa League, helping the Foxes to a two-nil first-leg lead over French outfit Rennes. Kelechi Iheanacho sealed the game in time added-on to stake his place in the absence of Jamie Vardy, who won’t play again this month. Wesley Fofana missed out due to COVID-19, but Brendan Rodgers hasn’t ruled the defender out of Sundays’ trip to Arsenal, while teammate, Ricardo Pereira, is also on the verge of a comeback following a hamstring scare.
Liverpool
Liverpool lost at home for the first time in a year on Tuesday, but the one-nil defeat to Inter did not cause any major upset as the Reds progressed to the quarter-final stages of the Champions League. Mo Salah was untypically wasteful on the night, and Brighton could face a backlash. “I hit the post twice. It’s OK - maybe in the next game, I will score three. We lost the game, and maybe that will give us a push, and it’s a good game to learn from.” Ibrahima Konaté (illness) is expected to return. However, Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk will be the likely central pairing, and with Diogo Jota starting midweek, Luis Díaz is pushing for a recall. Thiago Alcántara is back, and Roberto Firmino has worked with the squad all week.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola remains hopeful that “some” of those players absent from the Champions League tie versus Sporting on Wednesday will be back to face Crystal Palace. Joao Cancelo (illness) and Nathan Ake (knock) both have a chance, although a grade two hamstring tear means that Rúben Dias won’t feature again until after the break.
Manchester United
A decision on Cristiano Ronaldo could be left until the last minute as he continues his recovery from a persistent hip flexor problem. The Portuguese superstar missed last weekends’ derby defeat to rivals City, and Ralph Rangnick will be keen to get back to winning ways. Luke Shaw (COVID) faces a race against time to prove his fitness with Alex Telles poised to deputise again, but Raphael Varane has been cleared, and it could be Harry Maguire that pays the price for another poor performance. Edinson Cavani is training fully and should be involved, although I urge a degree of caution following his late withdrawal from the squad last weekend.
Newcastle United
On Thursday, Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes scored their first goals for the club in a come-from-behind win over Southampton. The victory means Newcastle have safety within their sights due to a ten-point cushion between them and Burnley in 18th, although the Clarets have a game in hand. Squad-wise, Eddie Howe will assess his players with another double set of fixtures coming up. Joelinton missed out at St Mary’s due to a problematic groin issue, while teammate Fabian Schär is managing a similar injury. Emil Krafth and Guimaraes were both suffering from fatigue, and Allan Saint-Maximin failed to travel to the south coast because of illness. Federico Fernandez has a slight side strain ruling him out of Sunday, although he could return next week. Kieran Tripper and Callum Wilson are still hopeful of playing again this season.
Norwich City
Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah are the only injury concerns as Dean Smith welcomes Billy Gilmour back into the squad. The Chelsea loanee was unable to face his parent club. Christoph Zimmermann made his first start of the campaign on Thursday, but a passive first half from the Canaries prompted two changes, and the defender was hooked along with Mathias Normann. There was no Sam Byram in the squad, but that was more load management due to his recent long-term absence, and the full-back will be in contention. Ozan Kabak was preferred to Ben Gibson, while Tim Krul has reclaimed his place in goal.
Southampton
After an unbeaten run of five games, the Saints have now lost back-to-back matches, and Ralph Hasenhüttl will be hoping for a return to winning ways on Sunday to ease any lingering doubts over their top-flight status. Mohamed Salisu returned to the side on Thursday night, one of two changes, which also saw Kyle Walker-Peters replace Romain Perraud. With Lyanco the only outfield player sidelined, Hasenhüttl is expected to make changes.
Tottenham Hotspur
Sergio Reguilón will be handed a recall with Ryan Sessegnon sidelined with another hamstring injury. A frustrated Antonio Conte admitted this latest setback is concerning given that it is his fourth injury this season, although it shouldn’t keep him out for too long. Oliver Skipp remains out, and when asked for a potential return to play, Conte simply responded by saying. “In this moment, if you ask me a forecast, I don’t have an answer. For this reason, I am really worried.” Japhet Tanganga is another player who remains unavailable for now.
Watford
The Hornets are at risk of being cut adrift, and they must take something from the game at St Mary’s this weekend. Jeremy Ngakia could make a timely return to the matchday squad after Kiko Femenía was forced off at Molineux. Joshua King, hampered by back and hamstring injuries in recent times, was replaced at the break on Thursday, and the attacker is not 100 per cent. Roy Hodgson will consider his options with Joao Pedro, a doubt following a positive COVID-19 test. Despite the early optimism, Ismaïla Sarr will not recover from the hamstring strain he suffered at Old Trafford.
West Ham United
Declan Rice recovered from illness to play 90 minutes in Sevilla on Thursday, and even though the Hammers narrowly lost, they played well enough to suggest they are still in the tie. But whether Jarrod Bowen will return for the second leg remains to be seen. The 25-year-old was forced off at Anfield last Saturday with an apparent Achilles problem, although an initial scan cleared Bowen of serious injury. Subsequent imaging hasn’t given any further insight, and David Moyes admits it is a concern. “I have no idea at the moment [when he will return]. We are still trying to clear up exactly the injury; in all the scans and information we have, it does not look too bad, but his action coming off the pitch made it look more serious than we thought.” Ben Johnson will continue to deputise for Vladimir Coufal (hernia), and Andriy Yarmolenko will be assessed week-to-week, having been affected by the troubles in his homeland.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bruno Lage made four changes midweek following the disappointing home loss to Crystal Palace, and his players responded with a comfortable win over Watford. Ki-Jana Hoever (hamstring) joined Nelson Semedo in the treatment room, which meant a first Premier League start for Jonny. Max Kilman made way for veteran centre-back Willy Boly. Wolves travel to Goodison Park on Sunday, and with close to an entire squad available, Lage may look to freshen his side.
