Premier League Weekend: Full Team News and Predicted Lineups
As the Premier League gears up for another action-packed weekend, fans are eagerly anticipating key clashes across the division. From the high-profile showdown between Arsenal and Manchester United to crucial battles at both ends of the table, this round promises drama and excitement. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of all the team news and predicted starting elevens for the weekend's fixtures.
Saturday's Early Kick-off: West Ham Host Sunderland
The weekend action begins at the London Stadium where West Ham welcome Sunderland in Saturday's early fixture. West Ham manager David Moyes faces some selection headaches with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and midfielder Lucas Paquetá both sidelined with back injuries of unknown severity. Despite recent inconsistent form, Jarrod Bowen remains the Hammers' primary threat, having netted six goals this season.
Sunderland arrive in the capital with their own injury concerns. Adama Traoré and Arthur Masuaku are both ruled out with knee and ankle problems respectively, while defender Alese continues to struggle with a shoulder issue. The Black Cats will look to build on their recent improved form, with Isidor and Brian Brobbey sharing the goalscoring responsibilities with four strikes each.
Saturday Afternoon Fixtures
Burnley v Tottenham sees Vincent Kompany's Clarets looking to climb away from relegation trouble against Ange Postecoglou's Spurs. Burnley face significant injury problems with Amdouni, Cullen, Beyer, Roberts and Trésor all unavailable, while Tottenham miss key attackers Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison through knee injuries. Richarlison's seven goals make him Tottenham's main danger despite his current hamstring issue.
Fulham v Brighton at Craven Cottage features two sides looking to consolidate mid-table positions. Fulham may be without Smith Rowe and Lukic through knocks, while Brighton's Solly March faces a late fitness test on his knee problem. Danny Welbeck's eight goals lead Brighton's scoring charts as they seek to improve their recent inconsistent form.
Manchester City v Wolves presents the champions with an opportunity to extend their lead at the summit. Pep Guardiola faces defensive concerns with John Stones, Joško Gvardiol and Rúben Dias all sidelined, while Wolves miss several key players including T Gomes and Chiwome through injury. Erling Haaland's remarkable twenty-goal tally makes him the division's most potent threat.
Saturday Evening Showdown
Bournemouth v Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium sees the Cherries host the title-chasing Reds. Andoni Iraola's side face multiple doubts with Akinmboni, Brooks, Tavernier and Soler all carrying knocks, while Liverpool may be without Ibrahima Konaté for personal reasons. The visitors' eight-goal top scorer Ekitiké will be looking to add to his tally against Bournemouth's occasionally fragile defence.
Sunday's Fixture Programme
The weekend's headline fixture sees Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in Sunday's late kick-off. Mikel Arteta's Gunners face a late decision on Kai Havertz's knee problem, while Manchester United may be without new signing Joshua Zirkzee who picked up a knock in training. Both sides come into this classic encounter in reasonable form, with Leandro Trossard and Bryan Mbeumo leading their respective scoring charts.
Earlier on Sunday, Brentford v Nottingham Forest features two sides with contrasting recent fortunes. Brentford's sixteen-goal striker Igor Thiago presents the main threat to Forest's defence, while Steve Cooper's visitors will look to Morgan Gibbs-White to inspire them away from trouble. Both managers face selection dilemmas with Henderson doubtful for Brentford and Murillo struggling with a hamstring issue for Forest.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea at Selhurst Park sees the Eagles looking to end their poor run against Mauricio Pochettino's improving Blues. Palace miss several key players including Doucouré and Kamada, while Chelsea travel without the suspended Mykhailo Mudryk. João Pedro's seven goals make him Chelsea's primary attacking threat as they seek to continue their recent improvement.
Newcastle v Aston Villa completes Sunday's programme with an intriguing clash at St James' Park. Eddie Howe faces multiple selection headaches with Guimarães, Burn, Murphy, Osula and Lascelles all carrying knocks, while Villa may be without World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez. Both sides boast multiple scoring threats, with Newcastle's Guimarães and Villa's Rogers and Watkins all on seven goals this campaign.
Monday Night Football
The weekend concludes with Everton v Leeds at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Sean Dyche's Toffees will be without the suspended Michael Keane, while Leeds face doubts over Gudmundsson and Stach. Dominic Calvert-Lewin's nine goals make him the division's joint-top scorer and Everton's main hope as they look to climb away from relegation concerns against a Leeds side showing signs of improvement under their new management.
With crucial points at stake across every fixture, this Premier League weekend promises to deliver drama, goals and potentially significant implications for the title race, European qualification and relegation battle. Managers will be hoping their tactical preparations and team selections prove decisive in what looks set to be another unforgettable round of top-flight football.
