Fantasy Premier League Predicted Lineups | Gameweek 1 Team News and Injuries

Fantasy Premier League Predicted Lineups for Gameweek 1 from Injury Analyst Ben Dinnery. Ben shares all the injuries, team news and predicted lineups for all Premier League clubs ahead of the opening weekend. They will be regularly updated throughout and following the press conferences.

Don't forget to check out our Ultimate FPL 2021/22 Guide, which has everything you could ever need to be a successful FPL manager, including guides, team previews, FPL player picks, strategy articles, tools, stats, expert team reveals and much, much more…

 

Arsenal

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Mikel Arteta offered no update on Rob Holding during the broadcast section of Thursdays' press conference. The centre-back missed the final pre-season loss to Tottenham as he "wasn't fit enough to play", and that could see Ben White paired centrally with Pablo Mari. Elsewhere, not much has changed in the Arsenal treatment room: Thomas Partey and Eddie Nketiah (both ankle) are targeting a return to training by late August and early September, respectively, while Gabriel, who aggravated a knee injury with Brazil at the Olympics, should be in contention after the international break.

Pending Evaluation 

• Rob Holding (undisclosed) - Missed Sundays' loss to Tottenham. Mikel Arteta stated the defender was: "Not fit enough to play."

Ruled Out

• Thomas Partey (ankle) - Suffered ligament damage during the friendly loss to Chelsea. May not return before the international break.
• Eddie Nketiah (ankle) - Described as heavy bruising by the club. The setback could mean up to a month on the sidelines.
• Gabriel Magalhaes (knee) - Complained of discomfort while training with Brazil at the Olympics. Hoping to rejoin the group in early September.
• Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (both ill) are late withdrawals and will miss game week one.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Aston Villa

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Emiliano Buendia has trained all week after recovering from a hip problem, and the summer signing is ready for Saturday: "Emi has had a slight injury, but he’s available. He’ll bring the creativity and a spark." No clear understanding of the situation with Ollie Watkins, who limped off last weekend with bruising to the knee: "We are not too sure about Ollie at the moment if he’s pain-free today, then he will train; if not, then he won’t be involved [at Watford]," revealed Dean Smith. Leon Bailey is no longer in quarantine and will travel with the squad. "He has had to isolate, but he will be available. He’s a top player, and we’re really pleased that he’s here." Villa are without Trezeguet and Morgan Sanson due to long-term knee injuries. Douglas Luiz is resting after his involvement with Brazil at the Olympics, and Bertrand Traore is still getting up to speed after groin surgery earlier in the summer.

Pending Evaluation

• Emiliano Buendia (hip) - Trained all week. No problem.
• Ollie Watkins (knee) - If the striker can train pain-free on Friday, he will be included in the squad.
• Bertrand Traore (fitness) - Lacks sharpness following groin surgery.

Ruled Out 

• Trezeguet (knee) - Suffered an ACL rupture against Liverpool last season and may not play again this year.
• Morgan Sanson (knee) - The Frenchman did not feature during pre-season, but he has begun light training at Bodymoor Heath.
• Douglas Luiz - Part of the Brazil side which won gold at the Olympics. Due back on Monday.

Banned

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Brentford

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Thomas Frank confirms Ivan Toney will "definitely" start against Arsenal, and the Brentford boss believes the striker has all the attributes to score goals in the top-flight. "I have a big belief in Ivan [and] he has a big belief in himself which I think you need as an offensive player. His link-up play, finishing, and awareness is all there, so I am sure he will score goals in the Premier League." The Bees will be without Josh Dasilva, who is struggling with a long-term hip problem, and Mathias Jensen, who hasn't featured during pre-season due to his involvement at the Euros.

Pending Evaluation

• Ivan Toney (undisclosed) - Thomas Frank was taking no chances last weekend. The Brentford coach believes nothing will keep his striker out of the opener.

Ruled Out

• Joshua Dasilva (hip) - A rare and complicated injury that needs to be managed. No timeline currently. Long-term.
• Mathias Jensen (fitness) - Late return following his involvement at Euro 2020.

Banned

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Brighton and Hove Albion

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Graham Potter confirmed there were no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Turf Moor. Danny Welbeck and Dan Burn are likely to miss the rest of the month, while fringe players Moises Caicedo, Michal Karbownik and Kjell Scherpen join their teammates in the treatment room. Tariq Lamptey is making "good progress", and if he continues on the same trajectory, then a return after the international break is possible. Given the injuries to the backline, plus the departure of Ben White, it looks like Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster will be needed, although admittedly, the pair lack sharpness after missing a large chunk of pre-season.

Pending Evaluation

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Ruled Out 

• Tariq Lamptey (hamstring surgery) - Making good progress but not as quickly as hoped. Likely to be the other side of the break.
• Danny Welbeck (hamstring) - Tweaked his hamstring in pre-season, and Graham Potter believes a return in week four is realistic.
• Dan Burn (knee) - A slight ligament strain that could rule the centre-back out of the opening game weeks.
• Michal Karbownik (ankle) - Rolled his ankle in training.
• Moises Caicedo Corozo (knee) - Returned from the Copa America carrying an injury.
• Kjell Scherpen (ankle) - Suffered ligament damage during a pre-season friendly.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Burnley

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Kevin Long and Dale Stephens, Achilles and ankle respectively, remain on the sidelines, but generally, the Clarets are looking good heading into game week one. "A lot of positives going into the season," Sean Dyche told reporters on Thursday. Matt Lowton is available after missing the final game of pre-season. The Burnley defender was self-isolating after being identified as a close contact, but he returned to the training pitches this week. "Lowton's clear, he's fine, and he's available for sure for this weekend." Chris Wood is also fine and "raring to go" following his involvement at the Olympics. Nick Pope has fully recovered from the knee injury which forced him to miss Euro 2020: "Towards the end of [last] season, he knew it wasn't right. He could have taken a risk, but it was too much in the end."

Pending Evaluation

• Matt Lowton (self-isolation) - Identified as a close contact which kept him out of the final friendly. Sean Dyche confirmed the defender would be available.

Ruled Out 

• Kevin Long (Achilles) - Light training following surgery in the summer.
• Dale Stephens (ankle) - Suffered a slight setback on the training pitches following surgery. No timeline currently.

Banned

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Chelsea

The Blues play Villareal in the Super Cup midweek, so we should better understand how Thomas Tuchel feels about the fitness of his players closer to kick-off on Saturday. This is very much a provisional starting XI based on that: Mason Mount, Jorginho, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and  Andreas Christensen are all flagged as doubts having featured for their respective countries during the summer.

Update: Thomas Tuchel was asked if the players that arrived later into pre-season, such as Mason Mount, Thiago Silva and Jorginho, would be involved against Villarreal. "We will see," he told reporters. "They could certainly start, but the question is can they finish the game, and I think honestly right now, the answer is no. They have had eight days of training in their legs, and let’s be honest, a European final after just eight days is pretty demanding. It is too early for them to complete the 90 minutes at this level, so we have to find the right mix. Clearly, the guys who came in early and had more minutes deserve to start."

Predicted lineup

Press Conference 

Hakim Ziyech is out of the Palace game "for sure," but he does not require surgery, and his shoulder injury will be treated conservatively. "We will give him as much time as he needs to get back to the level he was showing in pre-season. We hope he can be back on the pitch in the next few weeks." There is also an issue with N'Golo Kante from Wednesday that needs to be checked. "We need to sort this out, and we will see how he is before we select our team." Thomas Tuchel will discuss with the medical department which players are ready to start another game. "I think that playing 120 minutes in the Super Cup was the worst thing for us, physically but mentally and psychologically; it was the best because winning a penalty shootout gave us a huge boost of positive energy and feelings."

Pending Evaluation

• N'Golo Kante (muscle) - Picked up a niggle in the Super Cup final that needs to be remedied before being cleared to play.

Ruled Out

• Hakim Ziyech (shoulder) - Forced off during the Super Cup final. Expect Thomas Tuchel to provide an update during Fridays' press conference.
• Romelu Lukaku (quarantine) - The returning striker must self-isolate following his move from Inter Milan.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Crystal Palace

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

"We all know about the long-term injuries," Patrick Vieira said in his first Premier League press conference. Nathan Ferguson and Eberechi Eze may not play again this year, but there was better news regarding new signing Michael Olise who could start work on the training pitches in the next two weeks. Joachim Andersen will be in the squad at Stamford Bridge, but club captain Luka Milivojevic is ruled out. "He’s been missing the last couple of days for personal reasons."

Pending Evaluation

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Ruled Out

• Nathan Ferguson (Achilles) - Suffered a rupture on the training pitches, which means a return in 2022 is most likely.
• Eberechi Eze (Achilles) - Targeting a return to action in late 2021.
• Michael Olise (back) - The new signing arrived at the club managing a back problem. Hoping to return to the training pitches this month.
• Luka Milivojevic (personal) - Missed several sessions this week.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Everton

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Richarlison makes a surprise early comeback after a busy summer with Brazil: "When he wanted to go to the Olympics, we analysed the pros and cons and decided it was a good opportunity for him to win silverware. At the moment, he's fine, training well and wants to help the team," revealed Rafa Benitez. The Toffees are further boosted by the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, although the loss of James Rodriguez tempered the news. "We have some players who are in isolation now. With COVID-19, we have to be careful and stay at home. He is one of them. I will not name too many as it's better not to do it. You can guess... but they will not be available for tomorrow." Rafa was asked directly about Moise Kean, Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin, who missed the game at Old Trafford. Two of those are self-isolating.

Pending Evaluation 

• Dominic Calvert-Lewin (toe) - Passed fit. Available but lacks sharpness.
• Richarlison - Part of the Brazil squad that took gold at the Olympics. Late return but involved in training this week.

Ruled Out

• Andre Gomes (undisclosed) - Missed the heavy defeat to United due to an unspecified minor issue.
• Jean-Philippe Gbamin (undisclosed) - Missed the heavy defeat to United due to an unspecified minor issue.
• Moise Kean (undisclosed) - Missed the heavy defeat to United due to an unspecified minor issue.
• James Rodriguez (self-isolating) - Rafa confirmed that five players were currently in quarantine, although he wouldn't name individuals.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Leeds United

The big gamble here is Kalvin Phillips and whether Marcelo Bielsa believes the midfielder is ready for the Premier League, having played only twice in pre-season. The latest, a 45-minute run-out against Villareal. If he starts on the bench, then Pascal Struijk comes in, and Leeds may go with a 3-3-1-3. The availability of Junior Firpo could be key here, although the Spaniard remains a doubt.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference 

According to Marcelo Bielsa, Firpo is available for Leeds, but Diego Llorente could be another 7-14 days. "Subject to [the] evolution [of his injury]." The Leeds boss is undecided on Kalvin Phillips, who arrived back late after starring for England at the Euros. The question is not whether he will be included but if the midfielder is ready to start. "He's done a different type of work, a more brief one. The preparation time he had was half that of his teammates. Still, he's done this in a very serious manner with a lot of dedication, and he's in conditions to have options to participate, but it's natural that the time he needed to be prepared has not been completed yet." Jamie Shackleton (concussion) has recovered, but Adam Forshaw will not be considered yet, despite playing minutes during pre-season. After two years out, his recovery process must be considered long-term.

Pending Evaluation

• Jamie Shackleton (concussion) - Cleared to resume normal duties after completing his return to play concussion protocol.
• Hector Junior Firpo Adames (knock) - Missed the final two friendlies of the summer, but the Spaniard has been passed fit.

Ruled Out

• Adam Forshaw (fitness) - Not been involved competitively for almost two years. Working with the U23s.
• Diego Llorente (knee) - Missed the final two pre-season friendlies after being forced off against Real Betis. Up to two weeks, depending on the evolution of his injury.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Leicester City

Another difficult lineup to predict early doors. Timothy Castagne is training with the squad, having had a protective mask fitted. Still, his lack of game time since the Euros may convince Brendan Rodgers to stick with the same backline which kept Manchester City out in the Community Shield. Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka looked bright during their brief cameo at Wembley, but I just don't see who Brendan Rodgers would leave out at this stage.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Brendan Rodgers has a decision to make on whether to include Timothy Castagne against Wolves. After fracturing his eye socket at the Euros, the full-back was fitted with a protective mask and trained with the group all week. "We going to make a final decision on [Friday]. He feels comfortable [and] he’s done everything we would want for him to participate in the game." Defenders Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans will not be involved. Fofana is "doing very well" following surgery. Still, his fractured fibula and dislocated ankle will keep him out until 2022, while Evans has been managing a painful foot condition (plantar fasciitis) for the past 4-5 months. "The plan for him is for after the international break. We’re just assessing the pain of that.” Jannik Vestergaard is poised to join the Foxes, and if the paperwork can be completed in time, then £4.0m defender Daniel Amartey may see his chances of a start slip away. Harvey Barnes is not "up to speed physically" yet, but the winger is improving daily. "You see him in training, one vs one; he’s such a threat. I thought he was excellent in the game last weekend. I’m sure this will be a big season for him."

Pending Evaluation

• Timothy Castagne (eye socket) - Surgery following multiple fractures. Rejoined the group this week after being fitted with a protective face mask.

Ruled Out

• Justin James (ACL) - On schedule to return around late October or early November.
• Jonny Evans (plantar fasciitis) - An ongoing issue that is being managed. The centre-back is targeting a return in GW4.
• Wesley Fofana (lower leg) - Suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle during pre-season, and the defender will not play again until 2022.
• Nampalys Mendy (groin) - An injury picked up playing for Senegal in the summer. Has not featured at all during pre-season.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Liverpool

Predicted lineup