skip to main content

Premier League team news

Sergio Aguero could make his first appearance of the season for Manchester City
Sergio Aguero could make his first appearance of the season for Manchester City

SATURDAY
(3pm unless stated)

Southampton (11) v Everton (9) 12.45pm
Oriol Romeu, Southampton's new £5million signing from Chelsea, is expected to make his debut. Manager Ronald Koeman will also return to the Saints bench after missing the draw at Newcastle while recovering from surgery to a ruptured Achilles. He will be without two other summer recruits, Steven Caulker (sinus infection) and Jordie Clasie (hamstring), as well as Ryan Bertrand (knee) and long-term absentee Fraser Forster.

Everton defender Leighton Baines is out for three months after ankle surgery so Brendan Galloway is expected to deputise at left-back again. Forward Kevin Mirallas has recovered from the ankle injury which forced him off against Watford, while Gerard Deulofeu, Aiden McGeady and Muhamed Besic all returned to training this week after missing last weekend's game with hamstring injuries.

Last season: Everton 1 Southampton 0, Southampton 3 Everton 0
Match odds: H 19-20 A 14-5 D 5-2
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Sunderland (17) v Norwich (18)


Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat has revealed that winger Adam Johnson's shoulder injury is likely to sideline him for six to seven weeks, instead of the eight-plus which was first feared. The Dutchman otherwise has a relatively clean bill of health, with only Jordi Gomez (knee) still missing. Fellow midfielder Yann M'Vila has been included in the senior squad for the first time.

Norwich report no fresh injury concerns. Midfielder Nathan Redmond is pressing for a starting place after coming off the bench to score in the defeat to Crystal Palace, as is forward Cameron Jerome. Full-back Martin Olsson (shoulder) continues his rehabilitation, along with forward Kyle Lafferty. Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, a summer signing on a free transfer from West Brom, is out with a fractured metatarsal.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Match odds: H 2-1 A 6-5 D 23-10
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Swansea (12) v Newcastle (10)

Swansea will assess midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, forced off in the first half of the draw at Chelsea with a sore hamstring - Jack Cork, an impressive replacement at Stamford Bridge, will start if Ki does not make it. Winger Jefferson Montero, taken off on Saturday as a precaution after cramping up, is fit and available.

Vurnon Anita is in the Magpies squad after a back injury but fellow midfielder Sylvain Marveaux (groin) remains out. Striker Emmanuel Riviere has undergone minor knee surgery, while midfielder Remy Cabella (hip/thigh) has returned to training and will be joined by defender Paul Dummett (hamstring) next week.

Last season: Newcastle 2 Swansea 3, Swansea 2 Newcastle 2
Match odds: H 10-11 A 3-1 D 5-2
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

Tottenham (16) v Stoke (15)


Hugo Lloris is ready to start for Tottenham after head coach Mauricio Pochettino reported a fully-fit squad ahead. The keeper, who sustained a fractured wrist in pre-season, played 90 minutes in an Under-21 match on Monday. Midfielder Andros Townsend (shoulder) and defender Danny Rose (quad) are also back in contention, while midfielder Alex Pritchard marked his return from injury with two goals for the Under-21s against Everton.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes will make a decision on new winger Xherdan Shaqiri's involvement, while forward Marko Arnautovic and defender Marc Wilson are available after thigh and ankle problems respectively. Peter Odemwingie (hamstring) and fellow forward Bojan Krkic (knee) will not figure, although the latter is close to making a first-team return after a knee injury. Captain Ryan Shawcross faces between two and three months on the sidelines following back surgery.

Last season: Stoke 3 Tottenham 0, Tottenham 1 Stoke 2
Match odds: H 3-4 A 15-4 D 13-5
Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)

Watford (13) v West Brom (20)
Midfielder Almen Abdi (knee) and winger Steven Berghuis (leg) have recovered from injury and are set to be available for Watford after returning to training this week - Berghuis is set to make his debut after joining from AZ Alkmaar last month. Defender Miguel Britos and keeper Giedrius Arlauskis are suspended.

New striker Salomon Rondon could make his West Brom debut, on-loan Arsenal midfielder Serge Gnabry could also feature as he looks to regain match fitness, while defender Gareth McAuley is available after a calf injury. However, keeper Ben Foster (knee) is a long-term absentee.

Last season: No corresponding fixture
Match odds: H 11-5 A 11-10 D 23-10
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)

West Ham (4) v Leicester (2)


Hammers boss Slaven Bilic believes Diafra Sakho, arrested on suspicion of assault, is in the right frame of mind to play. Carl Jenkinson is available having been ineligible to face parent club Arsenal, while Pedro Obiang is fit - but forwards Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia (both knee) and defender Joey O'Brien (hamstring) are out and midfielder Morgan Amalfitano is not in contention having been made to train with the youth team following a disagreement with Bilic.

Midfielder Matty James remains the only absentee for Leicester due to a knee problem. Striker Jamie Vardy will be involved after being disciplined by the club for using racist language in a casino, while Yohan Benalouane, Leonardo Ulloa, Tom Lawrence, Liam Moore and Ben Chilwell all managed the full 90 minutes in a Barclays Under-21 Premier League draw against Manchester United.

Last season: Leicester 2 West Ham 1, West Ham 2 Leicester 0
Match odds: H 5-6 A 3-1 D 23-10
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

SUNDAY
Crystal Palace (3) v Arsenal (19) 1.30pm
Palace have no fresh injury concerns. Marouane Chamakh is unlikely to face his former club as the striker is still recovering from a hamstring problem, while goalkeeper Julian Speroni is also out with a finger injury - Alex McCarthy is expected to continue.

Full-back Hector Bellerin should return for Arsenal after a thigh strain, while forward Alexis Sanchez could start having stepped up his training this week after an extended break. Tomas Rosicky (knee), fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere (leg) and forward Danny Welbeck (knee) will not figure.

Last season: Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2, Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 1
Match odds: H 4-1 A 8-11 D 13-5
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Man City (1) v Chelsea (8) 4pm


Sergio Aguero is in contention to start for City - the striker is being eased back into action after international duty over the summer but has trained without problem and is close to match fitness. Midfielders Fabian Delph (hamstring) and Fernando (groin) are the only definite absentees while left-back Gael Clichy (ankle) will be assessed.

A one-match ban means Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be absent - the club failed to overturn the red card he received in the second half of the 2-2 season opener with Swansea, so Asmir Begovic is set to deputise. Midfielder Oscar is a doubt for the match after picking up a knock in training, but Diego Costa is in line to start in attack after overcoming a recurring hamstring injury and playing the full 90 minutes last weekend.

Last season: Chelsea 1 Man City 1, Man City 1 Chelsea 1
Match odds: H 21-20 A 13-5 D 12-5
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
 

Read Next