Football writer Ben Bloom has predicted the line-ups of Premier League clubs in action in Matchweek 36.
More starting XIs and team graphics will be added throughout Friday as managers hold their pre-match press conferences.
See: Injury updates for every club and player
See: Who's suspended or close to a ban
Liverpool v Chelsea predicted line-ups
Liverpool: Alisson remains out, but Giorgi Mamardashvili returned to first-team training on Friday, so could take Freddie Woodman’s place if fit enough. Alexander Isak is also back in partial training, with Arne Slot saying “we will see how much we can use him” on Saturday. Florian Wirtz is back after missing some training through illness, but Mohamed Salah remains out. Milos Kerkez could be recalled at left-back, while Jeremie Frimpong will hope to continue in an advanced role. Joe Gomez and Rio Ngumoha are waiting in the wings.
Chelsea: The Blues lost Robert Sanchez and Jesse Derry to head injuries last weekend. Neither are ready to return, which means Filip Jorgensen will start in goal. Calum McFarlane is “hopeful” that Reece James and Levi Colwill will be involved, but Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are “unlikely to be available”. Colwill returned to action off the bench last weekend and could well earn his first start of the season, but James has not featured since mid-March. The shortage of attacking options could see Liam Delap recalled to the starting line-up, while Andrey Santos is challenging for Romeo Lavia’s spot.
Brighton v Wolves predicted line-ups
Brighton: Mats Wieffer lasted just 18 minutes against Newcastle and will require a late fitness test ahead of this match. The same applies to Diego Gomez, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury. James Milner and Solly March are both available again, while Fabian Hurzeler suggested Lewis Dunk could return after shaking off a niggling knee issue. Maxim De Cuyper provides an alternative full-back option.
Wolves team news to follow
Fulham v Bournemouth predicted line-ups
Fulham: Sander Berge and Raul Jimenez have both missed periods of training this week due to illness, but are hoping to be involved here. Kevin is also available, although Marco Silva said he is “not in his best physical condition”. Harrison Reed filled in for Berge last weekend, while Tom Cairney is another option if the Norwegian does not make it. Rodrigo Muniz, Oscar Bobb and Josh King could all come back into the team if required.
Bournemouth: Justin Kluivert is expected to return to a matchday squad for the first time since early January but will need time to reach full fitness. Lewis Cook is also back in training, but not expected to feature here. Unbeaten in 15 league games, wholesale changes appear unlikely, although Adam Smith seems the likely replacement for Alex Jimenez. Tyler Adams will hope to keep Ryan Christie out of the starting XI, while Rayan will expect to retain his spot over David Brooks and Amine Adli.
Sunderland v Man Utd predicted line-ups
Sunderland: Dan Ballard’s suspension opens the door for one of Lutsharel Geertruida or Luke O’Nien to come into the side, with Nordi Mukiele potentially moving into the middle from right-back. Romaine Mundle is the only other absentee, which means Nilson Angulo and Bertrand Traore are available again after injuries. Habib Diarra lost his place last weekend; his return could hinge on whether the versatile Trai Hume is again deployed higher up the pitch or returns to defence.
Man Utd: Michael Carrick did not provide any update on Benjamin Sesko at his pre-match press conference, so the assumption is that the striker is fine despite a shin issue causing his half-time substitution last weekend. Patrick Dorgu is an option after featuring off the bench for the first time since January, while Sesko’s potential absence could also open the door to Amad Diallo or Mason Mount. Lisandro Martinez is available again after suspension and will expect to replace Ayden Heaven at the back.
Man City v Brentford predicted line-ups
Man City: Speaking on Friday, Pep Guardiola suggested Rodri “still doesn’t feel completely comfortable”, and will require a late fitness test to determine his availability. Guardiola also confirmed Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are back in training and “can help us in the last part of the season”, although not here. Assuming Rodri does not play, Nico O’Reilly is an option to take Nico Gonzalez’s spot in central midfield. Mateo Kovacic is an alternative. Aside from that, few changes are expected.
Brentford: Jordan Henderson “will be involved” after missing Brentford’s last four games, but it seems unlikely that he will start. There must be a fair chance that Keith Andrews opts for five at the back, as he did when welcoming Man City earlier in the season. That switch would likely see Dango Ouattara dropped, although Kevin Schade has not been on top form of late, so could lose his spot instead. The returning Vitaly Janelt will likely aim for minutes off the bench alongside Henderson.
Burnley v Aston Villa predicted line-ups
Burnley: Mike Jackson opted for five at the back last week, so must decide whether to stick with that system or switch to a four-man defence. Should he opt for the latter, Bashir Humphreys is the most likely to miss out. Hannibal Mejbri may well be in line to return to the starting XI after returning off the bench last time out. Lesley Ugochukwu, Marcus Edwards and Florentino Luis are options if Jackson wants to make further changes.
Aston Villa: Unai Emery’s much-changed team fell flat against Tottenham last weekend, but the first-choice XI thrashed Nottingham Forest to make the UEFA Europa League final. Team selection here will depend on whose legs are tired, but some rotation is to be expected after Thursday’s exertions. Any one of Lamare Bogarde, Douglas Luiz or Victor Lindelof could accompany Youri Tielemens in the middle. The involvement of Jadon Sancho, Ross Barkley and Tammy Abraham will depend on which other players are given a rest.
Crystal Palace v Everton predicted line-ups
Crystal Palace: Palace fielded their first-choice side for Thursday’s UEFA Conference League semi-final, and they play again in the Premier League on Wednesday. That midweek sandwich means rotation will be high on the agenda for this match, so expect a team similar to last weekend’s Premier League outing. Oliver Glasner could feasibly swap out the vast majority of his starting XI, but it remains to be seen whose legs he opts to keep for this. Central midfield appears the most likely place for rotation, in addition to Jorgen Strand Larsen leading the line.
Everton: Isrissa Gueye’s absence last weekend saw Tim Iroegbunam handed a rare start, which may well occur again given the Senegal midfielder remains out for this match. In fact, there is every chance David Moyes sticks with the same XI that came so close to defeating Man City, although Thierno Barry’s double off the bench must boost his hopes of a recall in place of Beto.
Nott'm Forest v Newcastle predicted line-ups
Nott'm Forest: Nottingham Forest were forced to put a number of injured players on the bench for their UEFA Europa League semi-final second-leg defeat on Thursday, with Vitor Pereira later stating that he did not know if any of Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare, Dan Ndoye, Murillo and Ola Aina will be available for this match. Jair Cunha is another doubt. That long list of potential absentees will require some shuffling of Pereira’s pack, with a host of fringe players in with a shout. A starting XI is very difficult to predict.
Newcastle: Eddie Howe confirmed Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento will both miss the remainder of the season, while he does not know if Fabian Schar will return in the final few games. Those absences should see Kieran Trippier come in at right-back. Last weekend’s victory over Brighton was promising, and Howe will likely want to reward his players with a similar set-up. That would mean the attacking talent of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa all starting on the bench again.
West Ham v Arsenal predicted line-ups
West Ham: West Ham’s tried and tested formula went awry last weekend when Nuno Espirito Santo stuck with the same XI that was unbeaten in three games, only to watch his side then lose at Brentford. A switch to a back three seems a distinct possibility for this visit of the league leaders, with Jean-Clair Todibo coming in for Pablo. Should Nuno decide against that, West Ham may stay unchanged, or minor tweaks in personnel could see Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Callum Wilson involved.
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta confirmed he has no fresh injury concerns after selecting the same starting XIs for last weekend’s Premier League win against Fulham and the midweek UEFA Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid. It will be interesting to see if he sticks with his winning formula for a third time here, with the likes of Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard all hoping to be given starting places.
Spurs v Leeds predicted line-ups
Spurs: Last Sunday’s dominant performance against Aston Villa’s was precisely what Roberto De Zerbi needed, so there is little need to change anything here. Guglielmo Vicario remains out, Dominic Solanke is “improving very quickly” but unlikely to be available, and Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur should be fine despite picking up knocks. All of that suggests an unchanged line-up, unless the likes of Yves Bissouma, Djed Spence or Lucas Bergvall can muscle their way in.
Leeds team news to follow