Team News: Predicted Lineups | FPL Gameweek 31

FPL Gameweek 31 predicted lineups and team news for all Premier League clubs from injury guru Ben Dinnery ahead of the upcoming Gameweek. They will be regularly updated throughout and following the press conferences.

Arsenal

The Gunners face Slavia Prague on Thursday evening in the Europa League, and this weekends starting XI will be influenced by Mikel Arteta's selection in the semi-final tie. Following the loss at home to Liverpool, the competition represents Arsenal's only real chance of a Champions League place next season, so expect a shift in focus during the run-in.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Notes from Thursday:

• On the absence of Martin Odegaard in the Europa League: "We don't know[ when he will return], he wasn't able to play today and he will be out I think for the next game or two. But we don't know yet."
• Why Aubameyang was named on the bench for the Slavia Prague game: "It was a big decision to leave some players out but we decided to play the team who had the best chance at the start of the game and as well have some key players there to change the game when we need it. I think when they came on they had a real impact, which was very necessary in this competition and they did what we expected them to do."

Pending Evaluation 

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Ruled Out

• David Luiz (knee) - The Brazilian underwent surgery on Sunday. The club insists he will be available before the end of the campaign.
• Kieran Tierney (knee) - Surgery is not required, but his season could be over. An initial timeline is around 4-6 weeks before a return to training.
• Martin Odegaard (ankle) - Complaining of discomfort due to the injury he picked up playing for Norway. Arteta confirms he will miss the game.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Aston Villa

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Dean Smith admits that Jack Grealish may have pushed himself too hard before his setback last weekend. "Myself and Jack were quite optimistic to get him back a bit sooner than he probably should, and he’s had a setback that will probably put him back a couple of weeks. He was really good in training, but he couldn’t tolerate the loading. It’s a loading injury and we have to de-load him over the next few weeks and get him back from there. We know it’s not a long-term injury, and he will be back." Kortney Hause is expected to be included for the first time since January. Wesley came off in an Under-23s game (last Friday), but it was nothing to worry about and he’s trained ever since. "He needs a few more games before he can be added to the squad."

Pending Evaluation

• Kortney Hause (foot) - Dean Smith says the defender will be included in the squad on Saturday.

Ruled Out 

• Wesley (fitness) - Playing for the Under-23s to build match-fitness.
• Jack Grealish (shin) - Trained in the buildup to GW30 but suffered a setback. Dean Smith admits he pushed himself too hard. Possible return by late April.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Brighton and Hove Albion

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Dan Burn and Adam Webster could return for Brighton on Monday evening. "Both [players] trained [on Thursday], so that is good for us," revealed Graham Potter. “We will just see how they respond to that, so that was really positive." Aaron Connolly also has a chance of recovering, but the Irishman may not return to training pitches until Saturday or Sunday. Striker Florin Andone is ready to step up his rehab, having been sidelined since June 2020 after rupturing his ACL while on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray. "He has worked really hard to be back in [and train] with the group; he is due to get some game time with the U23s in the next day or so, which is positive for us."

Pending Evaluation

• Aaron Connolly (foot) - Could train towards the end of this week. 50/50.
• Dan Burn (hamstring) - Rejoined the group on Thursday morning. A good chance as long as he doesn't suffer a reaction.
• Adam Webster (ankle) - Training normally and expected to return to the squad on Monday evening.

Ruled Out 

• Florin Andone (ACL) - Pencilled in for a return with the U23s this week.
• Solly March (knee) - The winger admitted that he is now targeting pre-season to return to full fitness.
• Tariq Lamptey (hamstring) - Surgery will keep the full-back out for the remainder of the campaign.
• Percy Tau (COVID) - Self-isolating as per government guidelines following his recent international travel to South Africa.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Burnley

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Sean Dyche confirms Ashley Barnes, Robbie Brady and Kevin Long remain out for the Clarets. "It is very frustrating for the players and for me as manager. We are hoping that week to week games will help." Phil Bardsley (compassionate leave) returns after missing the defeat at Southampton. Fit-again full-back Charlie Taylor will be vying with Erik Pieters for a starting berth despite the 32-year-old limping off with a hamstring related issue at St Mary's. Dyche confirmed he did train on Friday.

Pending Evaluation

• Phil Bardsley (compassionate leave) - Missed out last weekend following a family bereavement.
• Erik Pieters (hamstring) - Should be included in the matchday squad after training with the group on Friday.

Ruled Out 

• Ashley Barnes (thigh) - Making good progress but still has some way to go before returning.
• Kevin Long (calf) - Withdrawn from the recent internationals. An outside chance for this weekend.
• Robbie Brady (Achilles) - Another setback, this time with Ireland, resulting in the winger missing several weeks.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Chelsea

Predicted lineup

Press Conference 

Thomas Tuchel reveals Chelsea "have full fitness, without big injuries," heading into the game at Selhurst Park. N'Golo Kante, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic were all included in the Champions League squad midweek. Thiago Silva must serve a one-game ban following his dismissal against West Brom. The Blues boss insists "we must not lose faith" in Kai Havertz or Timo Werner despite another poor performance midweek. "[Porto] make it very tough. It's not the easiest task upfront, but they had a big impact defensively; they worked hard. We accept sometimes it's hard to have a big impact."

Pending Evaluation

• A clean bill of health.

Ruled Out

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Banned

• Thiago Silva - One match ban following his dismissal for two yellow cards on his return last weekend.

Return to Competition

 

 

Crystal Palace

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Michy Batshuayi is ineligible this weekend, but James McCarthy will return to the squad, and Tyrick Mitchell is fully fit and available. James Tomkins, Nathan Ferguson and Mamadou Sakho remain out long-term. Connor Wickham has a slight knock, and Nathaniel Clyne will join in again from next week.

Pending Evaluation

• James McCarthy (groin) - Earmarked for a return after progressing in training.

Ruled Out

• Mamadou Sakho (thigh) - Hodgson will not be drawn on a timeline. Referenced as a long-term absentee.
• James Tomkins (eye) - Surgery. Will not be rushed back. Long-term.
• James McArthur (muscle) - No definitive timeline for the Scottish midfielder.
• Nathan Ferguson (thigh) - Working with the U23s. Hoping to rejoin the main group this month.
• Nathaniel Clyne (muscle) - Getting closer. Hoping to rejoin the group from next week.
• Connor Wickham (knock) - Confirmation from Roy Hodgson that the striker has picked up a minor injury.

Banned

• Michy Batshuayi - Unable to face his parent club due to the terms of his loan agreement.

Return to Competition

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Everton

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Andre Gomes is out of the Brighton game, but Carlo Ancelotti reveals that the injury is not serious, and he should be back to face Tottenham (GW32). Allan trained on Friday morning, and a decision on his involvement will be made closer to game day. "We have three days to wait to see how it goes. Maybe he can be available." Alex Iwobi comes back into the squad, but the Toffees will be without Bernard and Fabian Delph. Jordan Pickford is not 100 per cent and won't be risked. Abdoulaye Doucoure could return to training in around three weeks if his next scan is clear, and Jean-Philippe Gbamin can be called upon if needed: "He's training properly, he's not used to the intensity of the Premier League, so we have to take care of this. Now, with the medical staff, we have to decide how long he can play. He will be a fantastic midfielder."

Pending Evaluation 

• Alex Iwobi (undisclosed) - Missed the draw with Palace due to a minor issue. Ancelotti confirms he will be available.
• Allan (undisclosed) - Suffered a training ground injury just days before Mondays encounter with Crystal Palace. Trained on Friday. Good chance.

Ruled Out

• Abdoulaye Doucoure (foot) - Expected to return before the end of the season.
• Fabian Delph (tendon) - Nearing a return, although no specific word from the Toffees boss.
• Bernard (undisclosed) - Ruled out. No timeline or further details at this point.
• Andre Gomes (hamstring) - Pulled up in GW30. Severity to be determined but unlikely to be risked.
• Jordan Pickford (abdominal) - Still not 100% and unlikely to be risked.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Fulham

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Scott Parker said Ademola Lookman felt his hamstring at Villa Park on Sunday, but it seems that the problem wasn't too bad, and he could feature against Wolves. "There's no real injury news to be fair; we're all good," he told reporters. "We came out of the game the other day well, so everything's fine in terms of that." Aleksandar Mitrovic is expected to lead the Lilywhites attack after grabbing his sixth goal in four games (all competitions). "He chose a really good time [to find form]," Parker said. "He looks every bit of that - sharp, a real buzz about him. Sometimes as players, you need some time away and to get that spark back. He has a massive part to play this season."

Pending Evaluation

• Ademola Lookman (hamstring) - Scott Parker initially thought that Lookman had suffered a strain, but on Thursday, the Fulham boss revealed no new injuries.

Ruled Out

• Marek Rodak (finger) - Met with a specialist. No word on the severity of the injury.
• Tom Cairney (knee) - Scott Parker admits the injury is proving to be "tricky", and with nine games to go, the midfielder faces a race against time.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Leeds United

Predicted lineup

Press Conference 

No fresh injuries, but Marcelo Bielsa will be without Jack Harrison, who is unable to face his parent club. "We would have hoped to have counted on him. Especially as his last performances have been good, but we knew about the rule that impeded him from playing." The Leeds boss was giving nothing away regarding a potential replacement: "Like in all the positions, we have more than one option, and we are in condition to replace him." On the two occasions, Harrison has started on the bench this season - Raphinha switched to the left, with Helder Costa coming in on the right. However, with no one currently sidelined, Bielsa could look to utilise his squad's full depth, although Adam Forshaw is unlikely to be considered following a recent return to training as his last competitive outing came in September 2019.

Pending Evaluation

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Ruled Out

• Adam Forshaw (hip) - Taking part in full training. The player remains hopeful that he can play some part this season—assessed GW-to-GW.

Banned

• Jack Harrison - Unable to face his parent club due to the terms of his loan agreement.

Return to Competition

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Leicester City

Predicted lineup

Press Conference

Çağlar Söyüncü and Cengiz Ünder remain out of contention, although Brendan Rodgers hopes the former can submit a negative COVID-19 test and return to England after staying in Turkey following the recent internationals. "He's been able to train; he’s had no symptoms or anything; it's just been really unfortunate for him to have the virus. So, we decided to keep him there where he can still train without having to do any isolation period when he comes back. All being well, he can rejoin the group next week and be ready for the Southampton game." James Maddison is expected to start on the bench as Rodgers admits the England international is still some way off his peak level.

Pending Evaluation

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Ruled Out

• Wes Morgan (back) - Ruled out. No definitive timeline.
• Justin James (ACL) - Ruled out for the rest of the season following surgery on his knee.
• Harvey Barnes (knee surgery) - Progressing well, but still has a while to go. Targeting a return to play by late April.
• Caglar Soyuncu (COVID) - Will return to England on Sunday if he submits a negative test.
• Cengiz Under (thigh) - Already beyond his initial timeline. Ruled out with no further details.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Liverpool

Speaking ahead of the Champions League tie against Real, Jurgen Klopp hinted that he considering deploying Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane in attack. "We will see what we do with that. But it looked good [at Arsenal], hey? It looked really good. It looked good in the first half, at least against Man City [earlier in the season] as well; I liked it a lot." It didn't happen in Madrid on Tuesday, so Villa at Anfield looks likely...

Predicted lineup

Press Conference 

Jurgen Klopp confirms his Liverpool players will be assessed in training on Friday, although there are no obvious worries: "We don't know yet [who is available] to be honest," he said. "Some players still felt the game [in Madrid]." No fresh injury concerns, "but we have to see what we make with the information we are given today [and] if we have to change something, you will see tomorrow."

Pending Evaluation

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Ruled Out

• Virgil van Dijk (ACL knee) - Jurgen Klopp believes the Dutchman will not play again this season.
• Joe Gomez (knee surgery) - Likely to be season over after suffering a non-contact patellar tendon rupture.
• Joel Matip (ankle) - Confirmation that the centre-back will undergo surgery, ruling him out of the remaining fixtures.
• Jordan Henderson (groin) - Gareth Southgate believes the skipper will return towards the end of April.
• Caoimhin Kelleher (stomach) - Ruled out. He may not play again this season.
• Divock Origi (muscle) - Missed the win at Molineux due to a muscular issue. No further details.

Banned

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Return to Competition

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Manchester City

Predicted lineup