This midweek Premier League schedule brings added intrigue as several sides navigate injury crises and fixture congestion. Chelsea, Spurs, and Manchester City all face key tests while managing lengthy
absentee lists.
Arsenal and Wolves headline the round with a rare double gameweek, making squad rotation a major talking point.
Relegation battlers and European hopefuls alike will see this as a pivotal stretch in the season. With fitness updates dominating the narrative, fine margins could once again define the outcomes.
Tuesday
Chelsea v Leeds
Chelsea’s lengthy injury list is beginning to ease, with several players nearing a return to the matchday squad.
Filip Jørgensen, Reece James, and Tosin Adarabioyo are all in contention for this fixture, while Andrey Santos has been passed fit.
Leeds, by comparison, have a much shorter injury list. Anton Stach remains their only long-term absentee, while Pascal Struijk is expected to miss just a few more games.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a doubt due to illness, and Ilia Gruev is also being monitored.
Prediction: 3-1
Everton v Bournemouth
Everton have no new injury concerns, with Jack Grealish the only confirmed absentee. The England international is not expected to return before the end of the season.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will be without Justin Kluivert, Ben Doak, Marcus Tavernier, and Julio Soler due to injury. Tyler Adams is also unlikely to feature despite returning to training.
Prediction: 2-2
Spurs v Newcastle
Spurs currently have the highest number of unavailable players in the Premier League, with 12 players either injured or suspended.
Cristian Romero’s red card against Manchester United rules him out for the next four matches, adding to an already extensive list of absentees, including Maddison, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Kudus, Davies, Bergvall, Udogie, Danso, Richarlison, and Pedro Porro.
On a positive note, Djed Spence has been cleared to return.
For Newcastle, Anthony Gordon is a doubt due to a thigh injury and will face a late fitness test. Lewis Miley is also a doubt.
Prediction: 1-2
West Ham v Man United
Jean-Clair Todibo is suspended after his red card against Chelsea and joins Łukasz Fabiański as West Ham’s only confirmed absentees.
Manchester United are close to welcoming back Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt, but both are unlikely to feature here, with the Everton match seen as a more realistic return date. Patrick Dorgu remains sidelined.
Prediction: 1-1
Wednesday
Aston Villa v Brighton
Aston Villa have no players close to returning, with Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Franco Santos, and Andrés García Robledo all remaining unavailable.
Brighton are still assessing Jan Paul van Hecke, who is unlikely to feature due to a hamstring injury. Yasin Ayari is ruled out with a shoulder issue.
Prediction: 2-1
Crystal Palace v Burnley
Justin Devenny is expected to return after missing the last match with an ankle injury. Jean-Philippe Mateta is ruled out with a knee injury but is not expected to be sidelined long-term.
Caleb Kporha, Riad Cardines, Eddie Nketiah, and Cheick Doucouré remain long-term absentees. Burnley will be without James Ward Prowse for this clash due to his inability to face parent club.
Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni, Jordan Beyer, Mike Tresor, and Connor Roberts remain ruled out with injuries.
Prediction: 2-0
Man City v Fulham
Abdukodir Khusanov is ruled out after sustaining a concussion against Liverpool last week and is expected to miss this fixture.
Manchester City will also be without Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić, Jérémy Doku, John Stones, and Savinho.
Fulham have just two injury concerns, with Tom Cairney a major doubt and Saša Lukić ruled out.
Prediction: 3-1
Nottingham Forest v Wolves
Nottingham Forest have been boosted by news that Murillo’s injury is not serious, giving him a chance of featuring. Goalkeeper Matz Sels is also close to a return after missing several weeks.
For Wolves, André Neto is a major doubt with a calf injury, while Toti Gomes has yet to return to training.
Prediction: 2-1
Sunderland v Liverpool
Sunderland will remain without Granit Xhaka, Jocelin Tabi, and Bertrand Isidore Traoré, all of whom are expected to return later in the month.
Liverpool’s defensive issues worsened after Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off against Manchester City. The suspension could accelerate Joe Gomez’s return after recently resuming training following a groin injury.
Prediction: 1-1
Thursday
Brentford v Arsenal
Kevin Schade is suspended after his red card against Aston Villa, while Reiss Nelson is ineligible to face his parent club Arsenal.
Joshua Dasilva, Antoni Milambo, and Fabio Carvalho remain sidelined.
Leandro Trossard is still being assessed after being substituted against Sunderland.
Martin Ødegaard is a doubt after missing the last two matches, while Bukayo Saka and Max Dowman remain ruled out but are edging closer to a return.
Prediction: 2-1
Wolves v Arsenal
Wolves and Arsenal are the only teams with a double gameweek this round. Match updates for their earlier fixture can be found above.
Prediction: 3-0
