Matchweek 5: Predicted XIs and Selection Gambles

Premier League managers are juggling injuries, suspensions and early‑season form. Fantasy Premier League bosses are doing the same from their sofas. Here’s how the weekend’s line-ups are shaping up – and where the real battles for places lie.

Brentford v Chelsea

Brentford

Aaron Hickey has muscled his way into the right-back role, taking Michael Kayode’s spot last weekend, and he’ll expect to stay there. The real intrigue is on the opposite flank. El Hadji Malick Diouf started at left-back in the EFL Cup in midweek and did enough to ask a question of Keane Lewis-Potter, who has been used there in the league.

Keith Andrews tightened things up last time out, using Yehor Yarmoliuk in an advanced central midfield role for extra security. Now comes the call: stick with the Ukrainian’s industry or turn back to the craft of Mikkel Damsgaard?

Chelsea

Xabi Alonso is playing his cards tight. On Joao Pedro, he offered only: “It is a possibility,” after the forward pulled out of the Brazil squad with injury. If Pedro fails to make it, Danny Welbeck is the obvious replacement through the middle.

The mystery doesn’t stop there. Alonso also kept his updates on Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson deliberately vague, saying he will decide on the quartet on Friday. Left-back Pep Chavarria, still waiting for his first league start, is pressing hard to be part of those decisions.

Spurs v Aston Villa

Spurs

Roberto De Zerbi looks set to reshuffle his full-backs again. Pedro Porro, left out as a precaution against Everton, is fit and ready to reclaim the right-back slot from Archie Gray. On the left, Destiny Udogie started the EFL Cup defeat at Liverpool after missing the Everton match and is favoured to keep Andy Robertson on the bench.

Sandro Tonali, absent at Anfield, has been cleared to return, bolstering the midfield. James Maddison is edging closer to his first start of the season after a series of substitute appearances as he builds back from injury. Dejan Kulusevski is back in full training, but his competitive return is expected after the international break.

Aston Villa

Unai Emery’s back line will have a different look. Matteo Ruggeri, impressive on his first start in the midweek EFL Cup win at Coventry, is poised to replace the injured Ian Maatsen at left-back. In the middle, Tyrone Mings is set to partner Victor Lindelof with Pau Torres unavailable. On the right, Matty Cash is ready to step back in for Aaron Wan-Bissaka after overcoming muscle soreness.

Joao Gomes returns from suspension to deepen Emery’s midfield options. Up front, Nicolas Jackson’s starting spot is under direct threat from Tammy Abraham, who fired twice in midweek and has timed his challenge perfectly.

Brighton v Arsenal

Brighton

After a 5-0 demolition of Coventry City, Fabian Hurzeler has little reason to tinker. The same XI could go again. Georginio Rutter, back from injury and used in the EFL Cup win at Manchester United, is the main contender to break into that settled side.

Jaouen Hadjam is available at left-back despite being forced off on his debut at Old Trafford. Out wide, Femi Azeez remains sidelined with the hamstring issue he brought with him from Millwall. Brighton’s longer-term absentees still stack up: Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Stefanos Tzimas, Yankuba Minteh, Zadok Yohanna, Evan Ferguson and Mats Wieffer are all missing.

Arsenal

Ben White’s groin problem kept him out of the EFL Cup win at Ipswich Town, but Mikel Arteta expects him to be ready for Brighton. Even so, Jurrien Timber is fit and waiting, and could easily be drafted in at right-back if there is any doubt.

Arteta is also “really positive about everybody”, including Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, both expected to be available. The big talking point is Bruno Guimaraes. He scored off the bench at Sunderland, replacing Myles Lewis-Skelly at half-time, and is pushing for his first Premier League start for the club. Arteta calls him “such a dynamic, versatile player” and insists his role will depend on what Arsenal “need on the day”.

Everton v Ipswich

Everton

Harrison Armstrong missed the EFL Cup win over Wolves, but David Moyes “expects him to be OK” to line up alongside James Garner in central midfield. That partnership is the plan, fitness permitting.

Jack Grealish is knocking loudly for his first Premier League start since returning to Goodison Park on loan from Manchester City. On the right, Tyrique George could get the nod ahead of Brennan Johnson, although Tyler Dibling’s midweek performance has complicated that decision. Merlin Rohl and Christian Norgaard remain unavailable.

Ipswich

Gary O’Neil has his main striker back. Emersonn is fit after a tight quad kept him out of the EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal. Yet his place is not guaranteed. Zian Flemming, who came on for the injured forward at Crystal Palace and scored the winner, is firmly in the frame to start.

Azor Matusiwa is back in contention but is not expected to feature, leaving Jack Taylor as Ipswich’s only confirmed absentee. The rest of the XI should be familiar, with O’Neil unlikely to overcomplicate a promising start.

Newcastle v Hull

Newcastle

Matthias Jaissle’s injury problems continue to mount. Anthony Elanga missed the defeat to Leeds, with Jacob Murphy stepping in on the flank. If Jaissle wants a different balance, Harvey Barnes could switch to the right, allowing Bazoumana Toure to come in on the left.

Nico Gonzalez’s concussion against Leeds opens the door in midfield, where Sean Steur is expected to start. Jacob Ramsay is also out, stretching options in the centre. At the back, Amar Dedic has joined the long list of absentees, which puts Tino Livramento in line for a start. In midfield, Joe Willock and Matias Fernandez-Pardo appear to be fighting for a single spot.

Hull

Four games into their Premier League return, Hull City are unbeaten. That stability has allowed Sergej Jakirovic to stick with a consistent XI. He will, however, be without Nobel Mendy, who suffered concussion last weekend.

Lucas Herrington and Paddy McNair are the main candidates to cover Mendy. In midfield, Matt Crooks will look to keep Lucas Gourna-Douath and Tim Iroegbunam out of the side. Out wide, Sorba Thomas is pushing hard to dislodge Elliot Stroud.

Nott’m Forest v Coventry

Nott’m Forest

Oliver Glasner is still dealing with key muscle injuries. Nikola Milenkovic remains out with a hamstring issue. Jair Cunha, who suffered the same problem, has returned to training, but Glasner wants to see “how he reacts” before making a final call. Ola Aina stands ready to cover again if needed.

In midfield, Ibrahim Sangare was left out in favour of Xaver Schlager and James McAtee against Aston Villa and looks likely to miss out again. Up front, Igor Jesus came off the bench to score the winner in that match, putting serious pressure on Dan Ndoye’s starting place.

Coventry

Frank Lampard moved from a back three to a back four in the EFL Cup and now faces a structural decision. He will definitely be without Aurele Amenda, who has a calf injury. Man City loanee Stephen Mfuni is the natural replacement if Lampard sticks with a back three, but a system change remains firmly on the table.

Victor Torp and Caleb Yirenkyi impressed in midweek and could force their way into central midfield. Competition is fierce for the two No 10 roles, with new signing Yann Gboho adding another creative option. Up front, teenager Sidiki Cherif, who started for the suspended Taiwo Awoniyi on Wednesday, is battling Ellis Simms for the shirt.

AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool

AFC Bournemouth

A famous European night in San Sebastian, a win at Real Sociedad, and the same XI as in the Brentford draw. Marco Rose trusted that group twice in five days and may well go with them again for a third time. No new injuries emerged from Thursday, and Amine Adli, Julian Araujo, Junior Kroupi and Veljko Milosavljevic are still out.

If Rose wants fresh legs anywhere, it is most likely in central midfield, where he has previously rotated Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook. Everywhere else looks locked.

Liverpool

Cody Gakpo is back and firing. After missing the goalless draw with Fulham, he returned with a goal and an assist in the EFL Cup win over Spurs, making a strong case to start. He may have to shift to the right, though, with summer signing Bradley Barcola favoured on the left.

Alexis Mac Allister also scored in midweek and could come in for Ryan Gravenberch alongside Dominik Szoboszlai. At left-back, Milos Kerkez is expected to replace Konstantinos Tsimikas to face his former club. Joe Gomez returned from injury against Spurs, but Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa are still out.

Leeds v Crystal Palace

Leeds

Daniel Farke’s team dismantled Newcastle 4-1 on Monday and he has little incentive to meddle. He is effectively forced into only one change in his matchday squad: Harry Wilson is out with a quad injury, though he has been used only as a substitute recently.

Noah Okafor, on the scoresheet against Newcastle, should keep his place in attack, with Brenden Aaronson waiting in reserve if Farke wants a different look. Ilia Gruev is back after coming through an Under-21s outing unscathed, but Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph remain sidelined.

Crystal Palace

Axel Disasi’s red card against Ipswich rules him out, so Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to slot in at centre-back. Higher up the pitch, Ismaila Sarr is knocking on the door after his first appearance of the season in the Europa League win over Lech Poznan.

Pierre Sage admitted the Senegal winger could “maybe” start at Elland Road, though he is not ready for 90 minutes. Dean Henderson and Jean-Philippe Mateta are not expected back until after the international break, limiting Palace’s room to manoeuvre in goal and up front.

Man City v Sunderland

Man City

Phil Foden’s suspension after his red card in the derby opens a lane for Iliman Ndiaye, who is in line for just his second Premier League start. On the opposite flank, Jeremy Doku is available again after the calf injury he picked up in the Community Shield, but 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, yet Josko Gvardiol should reclaim that spot in the league. The rest of City’s core looks settled, even with Foden missing.

Sunderland

Regis Le Bris has one big call to make. Reinildo Mandava is suspended after his late red card at Arsenal, leaving a gap at left-back. Trai Hume, a right-footer who covered that side several times last season, offers a pragmatic solution. Alternatively, Le Bris could hand a Premier League debut to summer signing Dayann Methalie.

Elsewhere, the team should resemble the one that pushed Arsenal hard, with only limited carry-over from the rotated side that beat AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League. Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are the only injury concerns.

Fulham v Man Utd

Fulham

Alvaro Arbeloa is still hunting his first Premier League win, but the draw at Liverpool has given him a template. He is expected to stick with the same XI if he can. Sander Berge and Shea Charles formed a solid central midfield pairing at Anfield, freeing Alex Iwobi to operate further forward.

Ryan Sessegnon faces a late fitness test after being used only from the bench so far. Kenny Tete is definitely out, following concussion protocols after taking a ball to the face at Anfield. Tom Cairney remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Man Utd

Luke Shaw is the headline doubt. Michael Carrick insists “there is a chance” the left-back makes it, describing the issue as “really short term”, but Patrick Dorgu is again the favourite to start if Shaw doesn’t make it.

Up front, patience is running thin. Matheus Cunha is still searching for his first Premier League goal of the season. Benjamin Sesko started 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. Carlos Baleba is waiting in the wings for a possible debut from the bench.

Selection calls, fitness races, and a few big reputations under pressure – Matchweek 5’s line-ups won’t just shape this weekend’s results. They may start to define who really sets the tone for the rest of the season.