After a few days of domestic cup action in the FA Cup and League Cup, the Premier League finally returns, kicking off with the Manchester derby. This will be the first match managed by Michael Carrick since his appointment as interim manager. Arsenal currently sit at the top of the table with a six-point lead […]
After a few days of domestic cup action in the FA Cup and League Cup, the Premier League finally returns, kicking off with the Manchester derby.
This will be the first match managed by Michael Carrick since his appointment as interim manager.
Arsenal currently sit at the top of the table with a six-point lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Liverpool are in fourth place, while Brentford—despite losing their manager and several regular starters over the summer—have surprisingly climbed to fifth in the league standings.
Fantasy managers are also advised to keep a close eye on the January transfer window, as there could be new talents emerging who are well worth considering for your team.
Man Utd vs Man City
Match of the week! Although United has gone through some ups and downs in the past few seasons, the Manchester Derby is still one of the biggest matches in the league.
Manchester City are facing a mounting injury crisis, with several key players ruled out. Joško Gvardiol, John Stones, Rúben Dias, Mateo Kovačić, and Oscar Bobb are all sidelined with various injuries, while Omar Marmoush is uncertain due to AFCON.
Savinho remains a major doubt as he is still being assessed, leaving City stretched for options, particularly in defence.
Manchester United also have several absentees to contend with. Matthijs de Ligt is ruled out with a lower back injury, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo are uncertain due to AFCON-related issues.
Prediction: Man Utd 2-2 Man City
Sunderland vs Crystal Palace
Sunderland are dealing with a mixed availability picture.
Arthur Masuaku and Bertrand Traoré are both sidelined with ankle and knee injuries, respectively, while Mouhamadou Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi remain uncertain due to AFCON.
There is some positive news, however, with Brian Brobbey and Reinildo Mandava both passed fit and available, while Ajibola Alese is still working his way back from a long-term shoulder injury.
Crystal Palace are facing a lengthy injury list at the moment. Daichi Kamada, Cheick Doucouré, Rio Cardines, Daniel Muñoz, and Nathaniel Clyne are all sidelined with various injuries, while Ismaïla Sarr is away on AFCON duty.
Both Chadi Riad and Caleb Kporha are still working their way back to full fitness. Edward Nketiah is also a concern, as his thigh issue continues to be assessed on a game-by-game basis.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Crystal Palace
Chelsea vs Brentford
Chelsea are continuing to battle a long injury and availability list. Levi Colwill remains a long-term absentee following ACL surgery, while Romeo Lavia and Dário Essugo are still working through their recoveries.
There is some optimism, however, with Cole Palmer and Reece James both back in training and facing late fitness tests, alongside Malo Gusto.
Liam Delap and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens are doubts due to illness, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable due to suspension.
Brentford continue to deal with several absences, particularly in midfield. Fábio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Josh Dasilva are all sidelined with knee injuries, with Carvalho and Milambo facing long recovery spells.
Jordan Henderson is a doubt after picking up an ankle issue. There is some positive news, however, with Dango Ouattara close to returning and expected to be back in contention soon.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-3 Brentford
Liverpool vs Burnley
Liverpool are also dealing with notable absences. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are long-term knee injury concerns, while Alexander Isak is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a calf issue.
Wataru Endo is nearing a return but remains unavailable for now, Mohamed Salah is rushing back from AFCON, and teenager Rio Ngumoha is being assessed after a minor thigh problem.
Burnley are dealing with a number of injury concerns across the squad.
Josh Cullen remains a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL injury, while Zeki Amdouni and Connor Roberts are also ruled out as they continue their recoveries.
Zian Flemming and Joe Worrall are both being assessed ahead of the next match, with late fitness decisions to be made, while Lyle Foster is close to returning after illness. Jordan Beyer, meanwhile, remains sidelined with a hamstring issue.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Burnley
Tottenham vs West Ham
Tottenham Hotspur are facing a challenging period with several key players unavailable.
James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, and Dejan Kulusevski are all sidelined with long-term injuries, while Pape Matar Sarr is away on AFCON duty.
There is some encouragement, however, with Lucas Bergvall close to returning pending a late fitness test, and Yves Bissouma back available, although Cristian Romero is suspended for the upcoming match.
On the other hand, West Ham United have a handful of availability concerns to manage. El Hadji Malick Diouf remains unavailable due to AFCON, while Lukasz Fabianski is sidelined with a back injury.
Konstantinos Mavropanos, Lucas Paquetá, and Mateus Fernandes are all facing late fitness tests as they continue their recoveries, leaving their availability to be decided closer to matchday.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 West Ham
Leeds vs Fulham
Leeds United have relatively few injury concerns at the moment. Daniel James remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation, but is edging closer to a return.
There is positive news elsewhere, with Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon both back in training and passed fit, while Sebastiaan Bornauw is also close to full availability pending a late fitness check.
Meanwhile, Fulham have a mix of injury and availability concerns to contend with. Rodrigo Muniz remains a longer-term absentee as he continues his recovery, while Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, and Alex Iwobi are all unavailable due to AFCON.
There is some hope for reinforcements, with Josh King and Kenny Tete both facing late fitness tests ahead of the next fixture.
Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Fulham
Nottm Forest vs Arsenal
Nottingham Forest have a handful of concerns to manage ahead of the next match. John Victor and Chris Wood are both sidelined with knee injuries, with their return timelines still uncertain.
Ryan Yates is close to full fitness after returning to training and will face a late assessment, while Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangaré are also being monitored after returning from travel and could yet feature.
Arsenal have several fitness issues to contend with. Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman are both sidelined with ankle injuries and remain a few weeks away from returning, while Riccardo Calafiori is also out as he continues his recovery.
Leandro Trossard and William Saliba face late fitness tests after not being deemed fully fit, and Piero Hincapié is still being assessed following a thigh problem.
Prediction: Nottm Forest 0-3 Arsenal
Wolves vs Newcastle
Wolverhampton Wanderers are managing several absences at the moment.
Toti Gomes, Marshall Munetsi, and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde are all sidelined with muscle injuries and remain weeks away from returning, while Emmanuel Agbadou is unavailable due to AFCON duty.
Leon Chiwome is a long-term absentee after suffering an ACL injury, which has brought his season to an early end. Newcastle United are dealing with a busy injury list as the season progresses.
Fabian Schär, Valentino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Dan Burn, and William Osula are all sidelined with various issues, with hopes that some will return later in the campaign.
Jacob Murphy remains under assessment due to a lingering thigh problem, while Jamaal Lascelles is also unavailable as he continues to work back to full physical condition.
Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Newcastle
Aston Villa vs Everton
Aston Villa have several injury concerns to monitor. Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana are both sidelined with knee and thigh issues, respectively, while Evann Guessand is uncertain due to AFCON duty.
There is some uncertainty around Emiliano Martínez, who is being assessed after playing through a calf problem, and Boubacar Kamara also remains a doubt as he continues to be evaluated.
Everton are dealing with a lengthy list of absentees. Seamus Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Carlos Alcaraz are all sidelined through injury, while Michael Keane and Jack Grealish are unavailable due to suspension.
Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye remain away on AFCON duty, and there is some uncertainty over Timothy Iroegbunam, who is still being assessed ahead of the next fixture.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Everton
Brighton vs Bournemouth
Brighton & Hove Albion are managing several injury setbacks.
Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster are long-term absentees following serious knee injuries, while Solly March and Mats Wieffer also remain sidelined.
Yankuba Minteh is a doubt and will be assessed after a thigh issue, and Carlos Baleba is uncertain due to AFCON duty. While AFC Bournemouth are facing a heavy injury list.
Justin Kluivert, Ben Doak, and Tyler Adams are all long-term absentees following serious knee and thigh injuries, while Enes Ünal is set to miss a few weeks with a groin issue.
Ryan Christie and David Brooks are doubts pending late fitness tests, goalkeeper Will Dennis is still being assessed after an ankle injury, and Matai Akinmboni remains sidelined as he continues his recovery.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Bournemouth
Category: General Sports
