Premier League Matchweek 1: Team News and Injury Updates

The new Premier League season is here, the transfer window still humming in the background, and managers are already juggling injuries, late fitness calls and new arrivals. For Fantasy Premier League bosses, the clock is ticking towards the 18:30 BST deadline – and the early team clues are piling up.

Below is how Matchweek 1 is shaping up across the grounds.

Arsenal v Coventry: Arteta waits on Guimaraes

Mikel Arteta starts the campaign with one big question: does Bruno Guimaraes make it?

The new signing is a major doubt, but Arteta is refusing to rule him out until the last possible moment. “Let’s see how it is. He is evolving really well,” the Arsenal manager said, hinting at a late call on the Brazilian.

There is better news elsewhere. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, both benched for the Community Shield win over Manchester City, are “ready to be involved” and should return to the XI. Jurrien Timber is still “a few weeks” away, while William Saliba remains a long-term absentee, leaving the back line looking familiar rather than refreshed.

Coventry arrive without their main weapon. Last season’s top scorer Haji Wright is out for up to 12 weeks with a serious quad injury. Frank Lampard didn’t sugar-coat it: “He won’t be available for a little while… it’s certainly going to be a number of weeks.” Ellis Simms is in line to step in up front.

There is at least some relief for Lampard. Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni have shaken off pre-season knocks and are in contention, though they are unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting XI. Frank Onyeka faces a late fitness test, another decision for the new Coventry boss as he plans for a daunting opener.

Hull v Manchester United: patched-up hosts, selection puzzles for Carrick

Hull limp into the new season. A “whole host” of first-team players are out, six of them – including Jack Butland and Darko Gyabi – sidelined until at least next month. The absence of Joe Gelhardt is another significant blow in attack.

At the back, Charlie Hughes’ injury leaves a sizeable gap in central defence. New signing Nobel Mendy is poised to fill it, with Hull expected to lean again on the tight, five-at-the-back system that carried them through the playoffs. Hidemasa Morita and Cody Drameh are due back in training only after this match, so the options are thin.

Michael Carrick’s Manchester United arrive in far better shape but still with key calls to make. Mason Mount, bright in pre-season, is “touch and go for the weekend”, though Carrick stressed “there are no dramas” and the midfielder should not be out for long.

Matthijs De Ligt is back in training but not yet ready for competitive action. Benjamin Sesko has also rejoined the group, yet this opener is likely to come too soon for him to start, leaving Carrick to weigh up his attacking configuration without his full arsenal of forwards.

Everton v Crystal Palace: Henderson race, Mateta eased in

Everton’s team news remains under wraps, with confirmation to come closer to kick-off.

Crystal Palace, under new manager Pierre Sage, at least have clarity over their goalkeeper. The club are hopeful Dean Henderson will be fit to start despite twisting his ankle in the final pre-season friendly against Freiburg. “We want him to play,” Sage said. “But we gave him a few days of treatment to allow him to be in his best shape.”

Sage reported a clean bill of health elsewhere. Jean-Philippe Mateta is available but short of full fitness; the forward is unlikely to start yet should feature from the bench and could get some minutes as Palace try to start the Sage era with a statement away result.

Ipswich v Sunderland: Le Bris spoiled for choice

Ipswich’s team news is still to be confirmed.

Sunderland, though, travel with almost a full squad. Only Simon Adingra misses out as he continues to recover from an ankle problem. Manager Regis Le Bris admitted he has selection dilemmas rather than injury headaches. “We’ll see for the game time because they are not all at the same stage, but they are available,” he said.

New signing Thomas Meunier has shaken off back pain, trained this week and will be in the squad, with the right-back likely to see some action. Defenders Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele also return from injury, giving Le Bris depth and flexibility as Sunderland open their campaign with optimism.

Nottingham Forest v Leeds: Forest lose their captain, Farke cautious with Okafor

Nottingham Forest start without their captain. Ryan Yates has been ruled out after missing the final pre-season friendly against Stade Brestois and failing to recover in time. Defender Nicolo Savona is also absent, having suffered a minor setback after surgery that ended his last campaign.

“We had to take a step back, so he’s working in the gym again and working on his knee to get back on the grass. I think it will take a couple of weeks,” manager Oliver Glasner explained. The rest of the squad is available and fit enough for the matchday group, giving Glasner options even without his skipper.

Leeds arrive with their own balancing act. Noah Okafor, who finished last season with six goals in his final 10 games, has been back in full training for two weeks, but Daniel Farke is reluctant to gamble. “It’s my responsibility to see if it makes sense and we’ll take some late decisions,” the Leeds boss said.

Willy Gnonto is out with a hamstring injury, though Farke expects him back in team training soon. Gabriel Gudmundsson is also “still out”. Everyone else is in good shape and ready, leaving Farke to decide whether to unleash Okafor or hold him back for later in the month.

Brentford v Spurs: De Zerbi’s defence ripped up

Bournemouth’s team news for this fixture is yet to be announced.

Spurs, under Roberto De Zerbi, already face a defensive reshuffle. New club captain Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro are both ruled out, ripping out two key pillars of the back line before a ball has been kicked in anger.

Archie Gray is expected to step in at right-back, while summer signing Marcos Senesi, brought in from Bournemouth, could go straight into the centre of defence. Pape Matar Sarr is also unavailable through a lack of fitness, trimming De Zerbi’s midfield choices.

There is at least strength in attack. James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Mateus Fernandes and Destiny Udogie are all available, giving Spurs enough firepower to try to cover for their makeshift defence.

Brighton v Aston Villa: Hurzeler juggling injuries

Fabian Hurzeler’s first Premier League line-up as Brighton manager will be shaped by the treatment room as much as the training pitch.

Yankuba Minteh is out for at least a couple of weeks. Carlos Baleba, Kaoru Mitoma and Stefanos Tzimas are all doubts and will be assessed closer to Sunday’s game, leaving Hurzeler waiting for late medical updates before he settles on his front line and midfield.

New signing Promise David could feature, but most likely from the bench as he is eased into English football.

Aston Villa’s team news is still to come, but with Brighton already stretched, the tone of Hurzeler’s debut may depend on who makes it through those final fitness checks.

Manchester City v Bournemouth: Rose hit by early injury storm

Manchester City’s line-up clues are being kept under wraps for now.

On the opposite bench, Marco Rose begins his Bournemouth reign with a growing list of absentees. Last season’s breakout star Junior Kroupi is out until around November after foot surgery, stripping Bournemouth of one of their most dynamic attacking options.

Tyler Adams is being assessed and remains in contention, yet Ryan Christie’s suspension opens a gap in central midfield that Rose must fill. David Brooks is also being monitored, adding another layer of uncertainty for the new manager as he prepares for the toughest of opening assignments away to the champions.

Newcastle v Liverpool: midfield reshuffle for Jaissle

Newcastle kick off without one of their most influential figures. Joelinton is out “for a couple of weeks” and will miss the opening weekend, manager Matthias Jaissle confirmed. “I'm really confident that he will be back as soon as possible,” he added, but the hole in midfield is immediate.

Summer signing Aladji Bamba is expected to come straight into the centre of the pitch, while new right-back Amar Dedic could also be thrown in from the start. “He got some minutes in friendlies there, I am confident that he's ready and we need him,” Jaissle said.

Tino Livramento is close to a return but has only taken part in one training session, so he is likely to be held back a little longer. Liverpool’s team news is still to be announced, yet Newcastle’s intent is clear: new blood, high energy, and no time wasted bedding in.

Fulham v Chelsea: Arbeloa’s new era, Alonso’s new-look attack

Alvaro Arbeloa’s first match as Fulham manager comes without a key defender. Joachim Anderson is suspended for the start of the season, and Tom Cairney is sidelined until October after knee surgery earlier this month.

Arbeloa has decisions to make all over the pitch, but one call looks straightforward: new signing Gonzalo Garcia, recruited from Real Madrid in the summer, is expected to start up front and carry much of Fulham’s attacking burden from day one.

Across west London, Xabi Alonso begins his first full Premier League campaign with a Chelsea squad that is deep but not fully intact. Danny Welbeck, signed from Brighton, is managing his fitness in training and is likely to feature only from the bench. “We are expecting him back on Saturday,” Alonso said. “We need to go day by day but that's the plan at the moment.”

Jordan Henderson is out until September with a wrist injury. Alonso also warned that players who went deep into the World Cup “may need a bit more time”, although none of them are injured and all are available for selection.

The season starts with questions everywhere: who risks their stars, who protects them, and who gets burned by the first big call of 2026/27?