Football writer Ben Bloom has predicted the line-ups of all 16 Premier League clubs in league action in Matchweek 31. None of Arsenal, Manchester City, Crystal Palace or Wolverhampton Wanderers have a Premier League fixture this weekend due to the EFL Cup Final, between Arsenal and Man City, taking place on Sunday.
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Bournemouth v Man Utd predicted line-ups
Bournemouth: Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook remain out, which leaves Andoni Iraola with the same troops at his disposal as last weekend. Adam Smith was handed a rare recent outing at right-back in place of Alex Jimenez and kept a clean sheet, so it is uncertain whether the Spaniard will win his place back. Having drawn two successive blanks, expect a tweak higher up the pitch. Jimenez could be deployed on the right wing, while David Brooks and Amine Adli offer alternative options. Eli Junior Kroupi might miss out.
Man Utd: Expect very little to change with Michael Carrick’s team after their 3-1 victory over Aston Villa last Sunday. Noussair Mazraoui is a doubt through illness, but may well have missed out to Diogo Dalot anyway. The only head-scratcher is whether Carrick goes with Amad Diallo or the in-form Benjamin Sesko higher up the pitch.
See: Man Utd team news
Brighton v Liverpool predicted line-ups
Brighton: Brighton’s stocks have been replenished with Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Baleba available again after missing out last weekend. Baleba is an option to come in for James Milner in the middle, where Yasin Ayari is yet to win his place back after returning from injury. Yankuba Minteh seized his chance to start in the win over Sunderland, so will hope to keep his spot, but that may well depend on whether Mitoma is fit to start.
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Liverpool: Mohamed Salah has been ruled out, while Joe Gomez will only be available to take a spot on the bench at best. From those who did not make the starting XI against Galatasaray in midweek, Cody Gakpo is the most likely candidate to replace Salah, although Rio Ngumoha is another option, or Jeremie Frimpong could be deployed higher up the pitch. As ever, Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson are available to replace tired legs.
See: Liverpool team news
Fulham v Burnley predicted line-ups
Fulham: Both Emile Smith Rowe and Kenny Tete are doubts. Smith Rowe missed last weekend’s goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, with Marco Silva suggesting he “was not totally fit” at the start of this week, but is “getting better”. Tete picked up a knock during that game, which is “still painful”. Timothy Castagne will come in at right-back if Tete does not make it, while Joshua King deputised for Smith Rowe last time out. Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic offer alternatives in the middle, with Samuel Chukwueze hoping to displace Oscar Bobb on the left.
See: Fulham team news
Burnley: Burnley have no new injury concerns, with Maxime Esteve fit after he was withdrawn against Bournemouth due to illness. That game ended in a creditable goalless draw, so Scott Parker could be inclined to stick with the four at the back he deployed there, rather than the three he has often used this season. Marcus Edwards may well return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench last time out. Lesley Ugochukwu is another player hoping for a recall.
Everton v Chelsea predicted line-ups
Everton: Everton were forced to do without James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite for the trip to Arsenal last weekend. David Moyes is hopeful both will be involved this weekend, but it is difficult to know whether either will be in a position to start. James Garner filled in at right-back, but should only need one of that duo to return if he is to play in central midfield. Tyrique George is ineligible against his parent club, which means Dwight McNeil will look to keep Harrison Armstrong out of the team again. As usual, it is Beto against Thierno Barry to lead the line.
See: Everton team news
Chelsea: A minor operation for Filip Jorgensen has settled the first-choice keeper dilemma, for now at least, with Robert Sanchez back in goal. Trevoh Chalobah has been ruled out for “around six weeks” after his injury in midweek, joining Reece James on the sidelines. Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile are both battling illnesses, meaning a defensive reshuffle is on the cards. Having built his match fitness off the bench, Romeo Lavia might earn a start in place of Andrey Santos, or Enzo Fernandez could be deployed deeper to allow Alejandro Garnacho to come in.
See: Chelsea team news
Leeds v Brentford predicted line-ups
Leeds: Noah Okafor returned to training at the start of the week, which means Daniel Farke’s only absentee is Gabriel Gudmundsson, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace last weekend. James Justin is the obvious candidate to replace Gudmundsson down the left, with Jayden Bogle coming in on the right. Farke opted for a front two against Palace, although that tactic was ditched early when down to 10 men. It will be interesting to see whether Lukas Nmecha gets the nod again, or Ilia Gruev returns.
See: Leeds team news
Brentford: Mikkel Damsgaard is the major doubt for Brentford, who otherwise have the same availability as for their previous game. Damsgaard is back training on grass after picking up a problem against Wolves, and Keith Andrews says he has “every chance” of being involved. If the Dane is ruled out, then expect to see Yehor Yarmoliuk and Jordan Henderson start in central midfield, with Mathias Jensen pushed higher up the pitch.
See: Brentford team news
Newcastle v Sunderland predicted line-ups
Newcastle: Eddie Howe has suggested the injury Sandro Tonali picked up in defeat against Barcelona in midweek is “maybe not as bad as first feared”, but he remains a doubt for this match. Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn may well lose their places after that 7-2 humiliation. Nick Woltemade did not play a minute in either game against Barcelona, but his combative nature could be useful in this derby.
See: Newcastle team news
Sunderland: Sunderland have Reinildo available again (although whether he can start is a different matter), but Dan Ballard, Enzo Le Fee, Robin Roefs and Nordi Mukiele will all require late fitness tests. That makes predicting their line-up tricky. Le Fee perhaps appeared most on track to return for this when Regis Le Bris gave a more detailed breakdown a week ago so the Frenchman might be closest to starting. Chris Rigg will likely fill in again if not.
See: Sunderland team news
Aston Villa v West Ham predicted line-ups
Aston Villa: Matty Cash returned off the bench in the UEFA Europa League win over Lille on Thursday and could start here. John McGinn and Jadon Sancho were exceptional on the flanks and will hope to retain their places if fatigue is not a factor, although Emi Buendia might have something to say about that. Ross Barkley will challenge Douglas Luiz’s spot, while Ollie Watkins will likely return in place of Tammy Abraham.
West Ham: The only real decision Nuno Espirito Santo seems to have regards formation. West Ham deployed a three-man defence to secure an excellent point against Manchester City last time out. Nuno could stick with that, or may revert to the usual four-strong back line here. Either Jean-Clair Todibo or Konstantinos Mavropanos would be the man to miss out, with Soungoutou Magassa returning to the starting line-up. Crysencio Summerville is still not back, so few changes appear obvious or necessary in the attacking end.
See: West Ham team news
Spurs v Nottingham Forest predicted line-ups
Spurs: Tottenham Hotspur's best two performances under Igor Tudor have come in the last week with a four-man defence, so it would seem strange to alter that for such an important encounter. Destiny Udogie returned off the bench in midweek and is an option to start. Mathys Tel and Xavi Simons both excelled against Atletico Madrid, so will expect to retain their places, while Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke (who missed Friday training but is expected to be available) appear to be fighting for one spot.
See: Spurs team news
Nottingham Forest: Vitor Pereira made nine changes for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League penalty shootout triumph over Midtjylland with an eye on fielding his strongest XI for this huge relegation six-pointer. That should mean the only unknowns are in the attacking third, where Nicolas Dominguez, Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi are fighting for two spots. With only two Premier League goals this season, Igor Jesus must be under some pressure.