Premier League Matchweek 5: Predicted Line-Ups and Selection Dilemmas
The Premier League rolls into Matchweek 5 with managers juggling injuries, suspensions and early-season form. For Fantasy Premier League bosses staring down the 18:30 BST deadline, the clues are there – if you know where to look.
Below, the likely line-ups and the big calls that could swing both real and fantasy points this weekend.
Brentford v Chelsea
Keith Andrews has choices to make on both flanks and in midfield.
Aaron Hickey stepped in at right-back last weekend and did enough to keep Michael Kayode out of the side. On the left, El Hadji Malick Diouf impressed during EFL Cup duty and is now pushing Keane Lewis-Potter for that starting berth.
Further forward, Yehor Yarmoliuk was used in an advanced central role for added security last time out. Andrews must decide whether to stick with the Ukrainian or restore Mikkel Damsgaard for more creativity between the lines.
Across London, Xabi Alonso is keeping everyone guessing.
He refused to confirm whether Joao Pedro will feature, calling it simply “a possibility” after the forward withdrew from Brazil duty through injury. If he does not make it, Danny Welbeck is the obvious replacement up front.
Alonso also stayed tight-lipped on Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson, saying only that he will make a call on that quartet on Friday. Left-back Pep Chavarria is waiting for his first league start and will be desperate for a chance.
Spurs v Aston Villa
Roberto De Zerbi is ready to tweak his full-backs for Villa’s visit.
Pedro Porro, left out as a precaution against Everton, is fit and expected to reclaim his right-back spot from Archie Gray. On the left, Destiny Udogie started the EFL Cup defeat at Liverpool after missing the Everton match and is likely to stay ahead of Andy Robertson.
Sandro Tonali, absent at Anfield, has been declared fit, while James Maddison is edging closer to his first start of the season after a series of substitute appearances. Dejan Kulusevski is back in training after his long lay-off, but his return to competitive action should come after the international break.
Unai Emery will reshuffle his back line.
With Ian Maatsen injured, summer signing Matteo Ruggeri is set to step in at left-back after catching the eye in the midweek EFL Cup win at Coventry. In central defence, Tyrone Mings is in line to partner Victor Lindelof, with Pau Torres ruled out.
On the right, Matty Cash could replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka after returning from muscle soreness at Coventry. Joao Gomes is back from suspension in midfield, while up front Emery must choose between sticking with Nicolas Jackson or turning to Tammy Abraham, who scored twice in midweek.
Brighton v Arsenal
Brighton may stick with the side that demolished Coventry City 5-0 last weekend.
That would mean continuity for a team brimming with confidence, though Georginio Rutter is pushing hard for a start after returning from injury in the EFL Cup win at Manchester United. Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that left-back Jaouen Hadjam is available despite being forced off on his debut at Old Trafford.
Femi Azeez remains sidelined with the hamstring issue he brought from Millwall, while long-term absentees Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Stefanos Tzimas, Yankuba Minteh, Zadok Yohanna, Evan Ferguson and Mats Wieffer all stay out of contention.
Mikel Arteta has more options than problems.
Ben White picked up a groin issue at Sunderland and missed the midweek win at Ipswich Town. Arteta believes he should be fit, but Jurrien Timber is also available and could come in at right-back if there is any doubt.
The Arsenal manager is similarly optimistic on Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, insisting he is “really positive about everybody”. In midfield, Bruno Guimaraes is pushing for his first Premier League start for the club after scoring off the bench at Sunderland, where he replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly at half-time. Arteta hailed his versatility and hinted that his role will be dictated by what the team needs on the day.
Everton v Ipswich
David Moyes is waiting on Harrison Armstrong.
The midfielder missed the EFL Cup win over Wolves with an injury, but Moyes “expects him to be OK” to partner James Garner in central midfield. Jack Grealish is pressing for his first league start since returning to Everton on loan from Manchester City.
On the right, Tyrique George could be preferred to Brennan Johnson, though youngster Tyler Dibling strengthened his case with a lively display against Wolves. Merlin Rohl and Christian Norgaard remain out.
For Ipswich, Gary O’Neil has his main striker back.
Emersonn is fit after a tight quad ruled him out of the EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal. His return complicates matters, as Zian Flemming – who came on for the injured forward and scored the winner at Crystal Palace last weekend – is also pushing for a start.
Azor Matusiwa is available but not expected to feature, leaving Jack Taylor as the only player definitely sidelined.
Newcastle v Hull
Matthias Jaissle’s injury problems keep stacking up at Newcastle.
Anthony Elanga missed the defeat to Leeds and was replaced by Jacob Murphy. If Jaissle opts to change again, Harvey Barnes could switch to the right with Bazoumana Toure coming in on the left.
In midfield, Nico Gonzalez went off with concussion against Leeds, so Sean Steur should start centrally, especially with Jacob Ramsay also unavailable. At the back, Amar Dedic has joined the lengthy injury list, opening the door for Tino Livramento to come in. Joe Willock and Matias Fernandez-Pardo appear to be contesting a single midfield spot.
Hull arrive unbeaten after four games of their Premier League return.
That consistency has allowed Sergej Jakirovic to keep a fairly settled XI. He will, however, be without Nobel Mendy after his concussion last weekend. Lucas Herrington and Paddy McNair are the main candidates to replace him.
Matt Crooks will look to fend off Lucas Gourna-Douath and Tim Iroegbunam in central midfield, while Sorba Thomas could threaten Elliot Stroud’s place out wide.
Nott’m Forest v Coventry
Oliver Glasner has defensive concerns at Nottingham Forest.
Jair Cunha and Nikola Milenkovic both missed last weekend with hamstring issues. Milenkovic remains out, but Cunha has returned to training, with Glasner waiting to see how he reacts. Ola Aina is ready to fill in again if required.
In midfield, Ibrahim Sangare lost out to Xaver Schlager and James McAtee against Aston Villa and looks set to be overlooked again. Up front, Igor Jesus came off the bench to score the winner in that match and is now putting serious pressure on Dan Ndoye for a starting role.
Frank Lampard has a tactical decision to make at Coventry.
He switched from a back three to a four in the EFL Cup and must now decide whether to revert. Aurele Amenda is unavailable with a calf injury, and Man City loanee Stephen Mfuni is the obvious replacement if Lampard sticks with a back three, though a shape change remains on the table.
Victor Torp and Caleb Yirenkyi impressed in midweek and could come into central midfield. Competition is fierce for the two No 10 roles, with new signing Yann Gboho in the mix. Up front, teenager Sidiki Cherif, who covered for the suspended Taiwo Awoniyi on Wednesday, will battle Ellis Simms for the starting spot.
AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool
Bournemouth head into the weekend riding the high of a famous European night.
Marco Rose used the same XI that drew with Brentford to beat Real Sociedad in their first European match on Thursday. With no fresh injuries and Amine Adli, Julian Araujo, Junior Kroupi and Veljko Milosavljevic still out, a third consecutive unchanged line-up in eight days looks likely.
If Rose does want to rotate, the most probable switch is in central midfield, where Lewis Cook could come in for Tyler Adams – the only position he has tended to rotate in the league so far.
Liverpool have a returning threat in attack.
Cody Gakpo missed the goalless draw with Fulham but came back with a goal and an assist in the EFL Cup win over Spurs, putting him in strong contention to start. He may have to operate from the right to keep Bradley Barcola on the left after the summer signing’s bright start.
Alexis Mac Allister, another midweek scorer, could replace Ryan Gravenberch in midfield alongside Dominik Szoboszlai. At left-back, Milos Kerkez is expected to come back in for Konstantinos Tsimikas against his former club. Joe Gomez returned from injury against Spurs, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa all remain sidelined.
Leeds v Crystal Palace
Daniel Farke has little reason to tinker.
Leeds dismantled Newcastle 4-1 on Monday night and the starting XI is set to stay the same. Harry Wilson is out with a quad injury, but he has only been used from the bench recently.
Noah Okafor should keep his place after scoring against Newcastle, although Brenden Aaronson offers an alternative if Farke wants to change the dynamic. Ilia Gruev is back available after coming through an Under-21s match, but Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph are still out.
Crystal Palace arrive without Axel Disasi, suspended after his red card against Ipswich.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to slot in at centre-back. Ismaila Sarr is pushing for his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the Europa League win over Lech Poznan. Pierre Sage admitted the winger could “maybe” start at Leeds, though he will not be ready for 90 minutes.
Dean Henderson and Jean-Philippe Mateta are not expected back until after the international break.
Man City v Sunderland
Phil Foden’s suspension opens the door at Manchester City.
With Foden banned after his red card in the derby against Manchester United, Iliman Ndiaye is in line for his second Premier League start for the champions. Jeremy Doku has recovered from the calf problem he picked up in the Community Shield and should be available, though Enzo Maresca is more likely to use him from the bench.
Nico O’Reilly started at left-back in the EFL Cup win over Norwich on his return from injury, but Josko Gvardiol is expected to keep his place in the league.
Sunderland have a clear problem at left-back.
Reinildo Mandava is suspended after his late red card against Arsenal, leaving Regis Le Bris to choose between the right-footed Trai Hume – who has covered on the left before – and summer signing Dayann Methalie, who would be making his Premier League debut.
The rest of the side should look similar to the one that faced Arsenal, with Le Bris having rotated heavily for the Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar. Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are the only injury absentees.
Fulham v Man Utd
Alvaro Arbeloa may stick with a settled Fulham side.
The team that drew at Liverpool is likely to be unchanged as Arbeloa chases his first Premier League win. Sander Berge and Shea Charles formed a new-look central midfield pairing at Anfield and should keep their places, freeing Alex Iwobi to operate higher up.
Ryan Sessegnon, used only from the bench so far, faces a late fitness test. Kenny Tete is definitely out under concussion protocols after being struck in the face by the ball at Anfield, while Tom Cairney remains sidelined with a knee injury.
At Manchester United, Michael Carrick is sweating on Luke Shaw.
Shaw remains a doubt after the injury he picked up in Matchweek 3. Carrick says there is “a chance” he makes it, but with the timeframe tight, Patrick Dorgu is again likely to start at left-back.
Up front, the big call centres on Matheus Cunha. He is still searching for his first league goal of the season. Benjamin Sesko led the line in the EFL Cup defeat to Brighton but did not seize his opportunity. If Carrick turns to Sesko again, Cunha could be shifted to the left, potentially at Marcus Rashford’s expense. New signing Carlos Baleba may get his first taste of Premier League action from the bench.
The selections are on a knife-edge all over the league. For some managers, this weekend is about survival. For others, it might just be the moment their season finally ignites.
