Team News: Predicted Lineups | FPL Gameweek 2

Welcome to a new series on predicted lineups and team news from all Premier League clubs from injury guru Ben Dinnery ahead of the upcoming Gameweek.

Updated: 17/09/2020. Will be updated again on Friday with full news from the press conferences

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will want to back up last weekends' fantastic start with another three-points against London-rivals West Ham. Given his goal at Craven Cottage, Alexandre Lacazette should keep his place ahead of Nketiah. At the same time, the performance of Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to ensure Bukayo Saka is named amongst the subs. Not many could have predicted Mo Elneny starting in week one, but that's precisely what happened, although you have to feel that long-term, Dani Ceballos will be the preferred partner of Granit Xhaka. David Luiz has trained this week, and with Gabriel claiming the man-of-the-match award on his debut, then Rob Holding could be the one to step aside.

Predicted lineup

No mention of a problem for Granit Xhaka (ankle) and therefore we must assume he has recovered from the knock which forced him off in week one. Arsenal have an extensive injury list, and with the exception for Sokratis (calf) and Pablo Mari (ankle), none are expected to return anytime soon. Mesut Ozil was missing from the squad last weekend, and Arteta dodged questions when about his potential involvement on Saturday: "I think they have all been training really, really well; the spirit at the training ground is great, and we are happy because everyone is pushing each other. So, let's try to maintain that."

Pending Evaluation 

• Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Calf) - Sustained mild strain to right calf. Was expected to rejoin the group in full training this week.
• Granit Xhaka (Ankle) - Limped off at Fulham following a heavy challenge. No mention and should be fine.

Ruled Out

• Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring) – Targeting a return-to-training in October.
• Pablo Mari (ankle) – Hopefully training with the group later this month.
• Gabriel Martinelli (knee surgery) – RTP in early 2021.
• Calum Chambers (ACL rupture) – Potential RTT before the end of the year.
• Emile Smith Rowe (Shoulder) - Protective sling will be removed by the end of this week. Aiming to integrate back into training soon.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

• David Luiz (Neck) - The centre-back has trained all week and is pushing for a return to the side.

Aston Villa

Tuesday nights' Carabao Cup win at Burton may not give us a great deal of insight into the Villa line-up, but last weekends' final pre-season friendly will hopefully point us in the right direction. New signing Matty Cash played 72-minutes while Ollie Watkins grabbed the only goal of that game before following it up three days later with another. Tyrone Mings and Jack Grealish started in both matches with Dean Smith choosing to rest most of his side midweek after featuring against United.

Predicted lineup

Dean Smith has a decision to make in goal. Reading between the lines, I'd be surprised if Emiliano Martinez hadn't had assurances about being one (despite what the manager says) and I fully expect him to start: "He's ready to play, whether he's our automatic No.1 depends on what he does in training and matches. He played against us a couple of weeks [and] he played In the Community Shield, so he's probably had more games than our goalkeepers so far. In terms of readiness, he's 100 per cent." Tom Heaton and Wesley, both side-lined long-term due to serious knee ligament injuries, are ruled out with Bjorn Engels joining the casualty list due to a thigh strain.

Pending Evaluation

None

Ruled Out 

• Tom Heaton (ACL knee) - The goalkeeper is eyeing a return after the international break.
• Wesley (ACL knee) - Taking part in aspects of first-team training.
• Bjorn Engels (Thigh) - Ruled out of game week two although no time frame currently. Missed the final pre-season friendly + Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

No further reported issues.

Brighton and Hove Albion

In spite of the loss to Chelsea, Brighton impressed for long periods and Graham Potter may be tempted to stick with the same starting XI after confirmation that Ben White and Adam Lallana will train ahead of the Seagulls trip to Tyneside. However, while I feel White will be fine, Potter may look to protect Lallana given his injury history.

Predicted lineup

Adam Lallana joined the group on Friday," said Graham Potter. "So that's positive. We will give him time before we make that decision [on his involvement]. We can see where he is and look to make a decision as late as Saturday." Ben White finds himself in a similar position, and he has every chance. Davy Propper came through 90-minutes in the Carabao Cup (vs Portsmouth) unscathed, but Dale Stephens needs to be assessed after complaining of muscle tightness in his leg.

Pending Evaluation

• Adam Lallana (Muscle) - Trained normally on Friday with Graham Potter set to make a late call.
• Ben White (Ankle) - Trained normally on Friday with Graham Potter set to make a late call.
• Dale Stephens (Muscle) - Complained of tightness on Thursday, and given the quick turnaround, the midfielder must be considered a major doubt.

Ruled Out 

• Jose Izquierdo (Knee surgery) – Integrating himself back into full training.
• Christian Walton (Ankle) -  Hopeful that the injury will be weeks as opposed to months.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

No further reported issues.

Burnley

Having seen several players leave Turf Moor in the summer, Sean Dyche is already juggling his squad with another four definite first-teamers side-lined through injury for the trip to Leicester. The Clarets could be restricted to naming a similar side which faced Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup.

Predicted lineup

Johann Berg Gudmundsson was on the receiving end of what Sean Dyche described as a "red card" tackle on Thursday, and the winger, who was hoping to put last seasons' injury nightmare behind him, will now return to the treatment room. "It was a really bad challenge; he should've been red-carded," mused Dyche. "It's a twist of his knee, and it won't be a matter of days. He's been looking nice and sharp, and it's another player down." Although the setback is not as bad as initially feared, the winger did suffer medial knee ligament damage, and he will be missing for several weeks. Erik Pieters appears to be his obvious replacement, although Robbie Brady has played there before. James Tarkowski – badly bruised toe - missed the penalty shootout win and there are no guarantees that he will recover amid growing speculation that West Ham are preparing another bid for the coveted centre-back. Ashley Barnes is expected to feature in two matches for the Under-23s next week as he steps up his recovery from an ongoing groin problem. Meanwhile, Jack Cork (ankle) is working in the gym after having his protective cast removed and Ben Mee (thigh) is building fitness outside on the grass.

Pending Evaluation

• James Tarkowski (Toe) - Badly bruised and Sean Dyche could not give any guarantees.

Ruled Out 

• Ben Mee (Thigh) - "Responding well to treatment" but not yet back with the group.
• Jack Cork (Ankle) - Remains unavailable for the start of the campaign with no fixed date for his return.
• Ashley Barnes (Hernia) - Will look to build fitness with the Under-23s from next week.
• Johann Berg Gudmundsson (MCL knee) - Not as bad as first feared but the defender will still be missing for a number of weeks.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

No further reported issues.

Chelsea

The Blues came through a tricky encounter on the south coast to take maximum points on Monday, and while the performance was nothing to write home about, the result was pleasing. With another week of training under his belt, Cesar Azpilicueta is well-placed for a return to the side meaning Marcos Alonso could drop out. Frank Lampard also faces the dilemma of whether to include Mateo Kovacic following his return from a one-match ban… or keep Jorginho alongside Kante.

Predicted lineup

Christian Pulisic (hamstring) has suffered a slight setback, and Thiago Silva will not be ready as he looks to build fitness having only arrived at the club seven days ago. Ben Chilwell and Hakim Ziyech remain out, but new German striker Timo Werner is fit to face Liverpool after recovering from a dead leg.

Pending Evaluation

• Ben Chilwell (Achilles) – Building fitness. Game week two 'may' come too early but the full-back won't be too far away.
• Thiago Silva (Fitness) - Needs to build fitness before Lampard will consider his new arrival.

Ruled Out

• Billy Gilmour (Knee Surgery) – Potential RTP in late 2020.
• Hakim Ziyech (Knee) – Recovering from a “little twist” and is not expected to recover until the end of the month/early October.
• Christian Pulisic (Hamstring) – Complained of discomfort following his return to training last week. Taken back a step in his recovery.
• Marco van Ginkel (Knee) - Long-term absentee. No timeline for the player who hasn't played competitively for more than two years.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

• Mateo Kovacic – Back in contention after serving a one-match ban.
• Timo Werner (Thigh) - Suffered a dead leg in a collision with Mat Ryan at the Amex. Passed fit.
• Jorginho (Tiredness) - Fatigue-related withdrawal - cramp - at Brighton. Expected to be fine.

Crystal Palace

After a solid win over Southampton on the opening weekend, I can't see Roy Hodgson making too many changes. One potential switch would see the skipper return to the XI, although I do have concerns that he played 90-minutes in the Carabao Cup midweek...

Predicted lineup

The Eagles' injury problems are beginning to ease. This week Palace saw the return of Mamadou Sakho in the Carabao Cup while Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham took part in training on Thursday. Jaïro Riedewald, who suffered a muscle complaint on the eve of the opening weekend, should rejoin the group on Friday to boost numbers. Roy Hodgson is still without the likes of James Tomkins, Gary Cahill, Nathan Ferguson and Patrick van Aanholt. Nathaniel Clyne needs to be tested ahead of his trial at the club, and the former Liverpool full-back will be involved from Monday. Michy Batshuayi has added "enormous competition" to the frontline.

Pending Evaluation

• Jaïro Riedewald (Muscle) - Expected to train normally on Friday.

Ruled Out

• James Tomkins (Thigh) – Long term absentee. No timeline currently.
• Gary Cahill (Hamstring) – Long term absentee. No timeline currently.
• Patrick van Aanholt (Shoulder) – Ahead of schedule. Targeting early-October.
• Nathan Ferguson (Knee) – Individualised programme. No timeline.
• Connor Wickham (Muscle) - Took part in his first session on Thursday, albeit slightly modified.
• Christian Benteke (Foot) - Recently rejoined the group and should come into contention over the coming weeks.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

• Mamadou Sakho (Hamstring) – Completed a 30-minute run out in the Carabao Cup and could make the bench.

Everton

The loss of Jarrad Branthwaite to an ankle injury in the Carabao Cup has left Carlo Ancelotti with only two fit centre-backs, and the Everton boss will look to strengthen his squad before the transfer window shuts. Three-points on the road at Tottenham (GW1) should see the Toffees unchanged for the early kick-off.

Predicted lineup

Mason Holgate (toe) could be missing for up to three months, and Branthwaite is unlikely to return before the international break - Michael Keane and Yerry Mina will be paired centrally. Alex Iwobi has missed the first two fixtures but comes back into contention after recovering from a knock, and Fabian Delph is also nearing a return.

Pending Evaluation 

• Fabian Delph (Calf) – Training with the group again. Building fitness. Assessed GW-to-GW.

Ruled Out

• Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Achilles) – Surgery. No definitive timeline currently.
• Cenk Tosun (ACL rupture) – Not expected to play again this year.
• Mason Holgate (Toe) – Could spend up to three months on the side-lines.
• Jarrad Branthwaite (Ankle) - Targeting a return after the international break (GW5).

Banned

None

Return to Competition

• Alex Iwobi (Unspecified) - Confirmation from Ancelotti that the winger is available.