Team News: Predicted Lineups | FPL Gameweek 9

FPL GW9 predicted lineups and team news from 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.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to FPL Gameweek 9 for all the key information, stats and tips you need going into the weekend’s action.

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will be looking for a reaction from his side who were unable to back-up their victory at Old Trafford following a hugely disappointing defeat to Aston Villa. The Gunners boss took full responsibility for his side’s poor showing, and with up to six players at risk of missing out through injury and/or illness, then we could see changes for the trip to Elland Road.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac (COVID-19) have both tested positive while on international duty with Egypt and Bosnia, respectively. They are following protocol ahead of a return to training and will be unavailable this weekend. Thomas Partey (thigh strain) will also miss the trip to Elland Road. "He picked up an injury very early in the game [against Aston Villa], he tried to carry on, and he wanted to play the second half, and we knew it was a significant injury. Hopefully, we can get him back soon, but it is an area where we have to be careful and a bit protective with the player." Mikel Arteta plays down a training ground incident between Dani Ceballos and David Luiz... "Nothing. Training is very competitive, and issues happen a lot of the time, but those things get resolved immediately within the team. There's not much to say." The Arsenal boss remained coy on Willian after the Brazilian was spotted in Dubai. "Whatever happens internally with any issues or things that we don't expect, as always we will try to resolve them internally. That's been dealt with and explained, and we move on." Pablo Mari is looking "really good" in training. "Obviously, he had a difficult surgery. He had a screw, and sometimes it can react in an unexpected way, and it was causing some inflammation and irritation in the joint. We had to take that out which was a little bit of a setback."

Pending Evaluation 

• Reiss Nelson (knee) - Withdraw from the England U21 squad, but the problem is believed to be minor.

Ruled Out

• Pablo Mari (ankle) – Aiming to rejoin the group before the end of the month following a minor setback.
• Gabriel Martinelli (knee surgery) – Targeting a return-to-play in early 2021.
• Calum Chambers (ACL rupture) – Building fitness with the Under-23s.
• Mo Elneny (COVID-19) - Tested positive while away on international duty. Self-isolating.
• Sead Kolasinac (COVID-19) - Tested positive while away on international duty. Self-isolating.
• Thomas Partey (thigh) - Suffered a "significant" injury against Villa. "Hopefully, we can get him back soon."

Banned

None

Return to Competition

--

 

Aston Villa

Following back-to-back losses, Dean Smith’s side bounced back in style with a comprehensive win at The Emirates. There was one enforced change last time out, but barring any last-minute setbacks, the Villains will be looking to name an unchanged XI.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Tom Heaton has played "some minutes" for the Under-23s, plus an in-house game last week but he is not ready for a Premier League return. The goalkeeper continues to train with the first team every day. Wesley has started doing some ball work and continues to build strength. "We’re trying to get him up to speed so that he can join in," Dean Smith said with a view to having the striker back in the new year. "Bjorn Engels has a thigh injury and has not trained with the squad yet. Neither has Fred Guilbert who is struggling with a side strain." Kortney Hause (groin) should start working with the group on Thursday although his involvement would be from the bench. “I haven’t seen my internationals yet, so I won’t know until they get here.” No mention of Bertrand Traore who missed GW8 due to a hamstring issue, but at the time, Smith was confident the forward would "be back" after the break.

Pending Evaluation

• Kortney Hause (groin) - Potential comeback in GW9 following a return to training on Thursday.
• Bertrand Traore (thigh) - No mention but Smith said the forward would "definitely" be back after the break.

Ruled Out 

• Tom Heaton (ACL knee) - Building fitness with the Under-23s following a long-term knee injury. Training with the first-team.
• Wesley (ACL knee) - Building strength and introducing some ball work. A potential return in early 2021.
• Bjorn Engels (thigh) - Ruled out with no definitive timeframe.
• Frederic Guilbert (side strain) - Sidelined with no definitive timeframe.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

--

 

Brighton and Hove Albion

The Seagulls should be in much better shape for the trip to Villa Park with Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Leandro Trossard all well-placed to return to the side. Brighton played out a 0-0 draw at the Amex Stadium (GW8), and with only one win on the board this term, Graham Potter will be hoping his side can spring a surprise on a ground they’ve never won on.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Aaron Connolly (hamstring) and Solly March (ankle) are back in training. "There have been no setbacks with them," and Graham Potter expects both players to be in contention. There are concerns over Davy Propper who was complaining of stomach illness on Thursday, and a late decision will be made on Leandro Trossard, although the Seagulls boss believes "the game may come too soon". Alexis Mac Allister tested positive for COVID-19 and must self-isolate, but there was better news regarding Lewis Dunk, who is back after serving a three-match ban. "Lewis is our captain, a fantastic player, we've missed him. There's no doubt he goes into the team."

Pending Evaluation

• Christian Walton (ankle) -  Back in full training. Building fitness.
• Aaron Connolly (hamstring) - Trained as normal without any setbacks.
• Solly March (ankle) - Trained as normal without any setbacks.
• Leandro Trossard (groin) - A late decision but Graham Potter believes the game may come too soon.
• Davy Propper (illness) - Complaining of stomach cramps on Thursday. Late test.

Ruled Out 

• Jose Izquierdo (Knee surgery) – Continues to build fitness with the Under-23s.
• Florin Andone (Knee) - Ruled out for the remainder of the year.
• Alex Mac Allister (COVID-19) - Tested positive and must now self-isolate in accordance with government guidelines.

Banned

--

Return to Competition

• Lewis Dunk - Returns after serving a three-match ban.

 

Burnley

The Clarets measly tally of two-points after seven games is their joint-lowest in their history although Sean Dyche will be looking to turn things around with close to a full squad at his disposal. However, having failed to score in their four previous fixtures, the top-flights lowest scorers (3) need to find their form in front of goal quickly.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Erik Pieters has returned to training "which is good", but Charlie Taylor is flagged as a doubt. "He has a minor situation on a hamstring, which we’re monitoring. We have to be careful with him. We just had to pull him out for a few days with a bit of tightness." Phil Bardsley is fit and well although Sean Dyche will be left to wait on the availability of Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady who were both injured while representing their countries. "Johann, his groin was a bit sore, so hopefully that will settle down. We’re waiting on Robbie; hopefully, it’s not too serious – he came off with a tight groin on Wednesday night." Dale Stephens is still not training with the team and is expected to miss out.

Pending Evaluation

• Erik Pieters (calf) - Making good progress and will be close.
• Gudmundsson (groin) - A "bit sore" but Dyche is hoping the problem will settle down.
• Robbie Brady (groin) - Complained of tightness on Wednesday night. Tests continue but "we're hoping that's nothing".
• Charlie Taylor (hamstring) - A "minor situation" (tightness) which resulted in the right-back missing a few sessions.

Ruled Out 

• Jack Cork (ankle) - Training on the grass but still some time away from joining the group.
• Dale Stephens (hamstring) - Not yet training with the team and will miss GW9.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

• Phil Bardsley (knock) - Suffered a setback following his recovery from COVID-19 but the veteran full-back is training normally.

 

Chelsea

A trip to Tyneside beckons for Frank Lampard and despite excellent form heading into this fixture – 11 matches without defeat – player absence and late international returners could result in a heavily rotated side for the early kick-off.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Frank Lampard reports that Christian Pulisic will not be fit for the trip to Newcastle. The US international returned to Cobham during the break for treatment and is around 10-14 days away from a return. Kai Havertz has been cleared to resume normal duties, but having worked individually for the past 10 days, the German may not be considered for Saturday. Thiago Silva arrived back in the UK late, and the Brazilian is likely to be rested ahead of the Champions League. Lampard isn't 100 per cent sure on the availability of his players who have been away, as some had not been tested at the time of Thursdays' press conference. "We're still waiting on some results from the tests that we now have to do. Unfortunately, some of our players are arriving back this afternoon, some played last night, so with the 12.30 KO on Saturday, there's clearly a lot of challenges for us." Mason Mount is one of those; however, the Chelsea boss is not concerned about the young midfielders load, either for club or country, as he believes he can cope with it all. Ben Chilwell is another. "I haven't seen him yet; he stayed with England. He was improving; hence he was on the bench. So I'm positive that he'll be OK, but I'll have to see him later on today."

Pending Evaluation

• Ben Chilwell (back) - Stayed with England despite a spasm which forced him off in Belgium. Assessed on his return to Cobham.
• Thiago Silva (fatigue) - Missed out after the first international break and Frank Lampard may look to rest the defender once again.

Ruled Out

• Kai Havertz (COVID-19) - Free to train, but lacking fitness and may miss out.
• Christian Pulisic (hamstring) - Ruled out of the recent internationals and believed to be around 10-14 days away from a return.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

• Billy Gilmour (knee surgery) – Available again after making his return for Scotland under-21s.

 

Crystal Palace

Following a disrupted start to his season, Luka Milivojevic was just getting back into the swing of things when coronavirus struck in Serbia and the skipper must now self-isolate. Fortunately, for Roy Hodgson, he is well stacked in midfield, and his absence could see James McArthur return to the matchday squad for the first time since recovering from injury.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Roy Hodgson reveals Tyrick Mitchell and James Tomkins both trained on Thursday, and they are fit. "Martin Kelly also joined [the group] following an injury. We're now waiting to see how our internationals come back - from Belgium [Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi] and Holland [Patrick van Aanholt] - but there are no injuries reported. I’m hoping they’ll get their tests today [Thursday] and we'll see them in training on Saturday." The Eagles boss wouldn't be drawn on this weekends' starting left-back. "They're not dilemmas when you've got a good choice. They're both very good players." Milivojevic is ruled out. "As far as Luka’s concerned, we’ve had no chance to see him because he’s isolating in Serbia. But we’re hoping the test he’s going to have this weekend will prove negative and I'm hoping he'll be back and working again with us next week."

Pending Evaluation

• Eberechi Eze (muscle) - Released from England under-21 duty but Aidy Boothroyd confirmed his withdrawal was more of a precaution.
• James Tomkins (thigh) – Injury-free and back on the training pitches but lacks fitness.
• Tyrick Mitchell (knock) - Training normally and will compete with van Aanholt for the left-back spot.
• Joel Ward (groin) - Injury-free and back on the training pitches but lacks fitness.

Ruled Out

• Nathan Ferguson (Knee) – Individualised programme. No timescale at the moment.
• Connor Wickham (Muscle) - Suffered a significant setback. Out long-term.
• Wayne Hennessey (Undisclosed) - Injured playing for Wales. Out until January 2021 at the earliest.
• Luka Milivojevic (COVID-19) - Tested positive while in his homeland. Self-isolating.

Banned

--

Return to Competition

--

 

Everton

The return of Richarlison cannot be understated. The Brazilian served a three-match ban following his dismissal in the Merseyside derby which coincided with Everton losing three on the bounce and relinquishing top spot. He should be fine despite Edinson Cavani’s red card tackle in Uruguay which Richarlison claimed it “could have broken his ankle”. Another Seamus Coleman setback leaves the Irishman hamstrung with his fourth muscular problem since late-September.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Seamus Coleman is out having suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury while training with Ireland. The Toffees are also missing midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin, although he is in the last part of his recovery from an Achilles injury and he “will be ready in two or three weeks to train and play.” Everyone else involved in the internationals came back without any injuries or COVID related problems. "They trained on Friday. They are quite fit, a little bit tired from the travel, but we have time to recover until Sunday." Richarlison returns after serving his ban - Everton lost three games in his absence - and Ancelotti can consider Allan and Fabian Delph after the pair were passed fit.

Pending Evaluation 

• Allan (muscle) - Missed Brazil's win over Uruguay due to a "clinical" injury but cleared after assessment at Finch Farm.
• Fabian Delph (unspecified) - Back in the managers' thoughts.

Ruled Out

• Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Achilles) – Final phase of his recovery. Around 2-3 weeks away from a return.
• Seamus Coleman (hamstring) - Suffered a setback while training with Ireland.

Banned

--

Return to Competition

• Richarlison (ankle) - Completed his three-match ban.

 

Fulham

Scott Parker couldn’t hide his anger when Ademola Lookman fluffed his lines deep into time added on with a poorly taken Panenka (GW8) and whether the on-loan winger will be allowed to make amends remains to be seen. The Lilywhites left the London Stadium with nothing, but their performances of late suggest they are finally adjusting to life in the top tier.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Scott Parker says he will have a clearer picture of his squad on Saturday after the final training session. "Everyone has returned from international duty, but some only arrived back this morning (Friday). Everyone is healthy." Mario Lemina is training, and the Lilywhites boss will make a late call on the midfielder. "We're unsure if he's ready to go for Sunday." All COVID tests have all come back negative. "So, no issues there."

Pending Evaluation

• Mario Lemina (knock) - Trained during the break and Scott Parker will make a late call.
• Kenny Tate (calf) - "Getting there" after the international break. Outside chance.

Ruled Out

• Terence Kongolo (foot) - Hasn't played since breaking a bone in his foot in February.

Banned

• Aboubakar Kamara - Not eligible to play again until late-November following his dismissal against Crystal Palace.

Return to Competition

--

 

Leeds United

The break came at a good time for Leeds who were on the receiving end of back-to-back losses. The potential return of Kalvin Phillips, who could play following a shoulder injection, would be a massive boost for Marcelo Bielsa.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Kalvin Phillips is in contention for Leeds along with Rodrigo following his recovery from coronavirus. Diego Llorente is taking longer than initially anticipated after suffering a setback, and the Spaniard is working his back to full fitness. Sunday comes too soon for Jamie Shackleton, and Pablo Hernandez picked up a muscle injury during the break which keeps him out. "Nothing serious, but he won’t be able to play this weekend."

Pending Evaluation

• Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) - Had an injection ahead of the game and will be available.
• Rodrigo (COVID-19) - Back in full training following a period of self-isolation.

Ruled Out

• Adam Forshaw (hip) - Marcelo Bielsa reveals the midfielder will look to build fitness and confidence with the U23s before rejoining the first team.
• Gaetano Berardi (ACL knee) - Long-term. Hopeful of a return in early 2021.
• Diego Llorente (groin) - Suffered a slight setback which has delayed his return.
• Jamie Shackleton (muscle) - Still hasn't recovered from the muscle injury picked up in training.
• Pablo Hernandez (muscle) - Suffered a "minor" muscle injury during the break.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

--

 

Leicester City

The Foxes head to Anfield in great form and with players returning from injury, Brendan Rodgers will have some critical selection decisions to make ahead of this one.

Predicted lineup

Press Conference Update

Ricardo Pereira is training with the group, and the full-back will "most probably" play in a reserve game next week to build fitness. "He’s progressing really well." Wilfried Ndidi is back out on training pitches, but Brendan Rodgers has urged caution following groin surgery. "He still has a number of weeks to go." Söyüncü is likely to return next month, but Timothy Castagne and Wesley Fofana will be fine. "So, we’re slowly starting to get our players back."

Pending Evaluation

• Timothy Castagne (hamstring) - Rodgers revealed the full-back would return after the break.
• Wesley Fofana (knee) - Fine despite missing out for France under-21s.

Ruled Out

• Wilfried Ndidi (Groin) - Back on the training pitches although it could be several weeks before he is back in contention.
• Daniel Amartey (Hamstring) - No definitive timeframe currently, but it will be a "number of weeks".
• Caglar Soyuncu (Hamstring) - Not as bad as initially feared and may return in December.
• Ricardo Pereira (ACL rupture) – Training with the squad but will play minutes for the reserves before returning to the first-team.

Banned

None

Return to Competition

--

 

Liverpool

There’s been no let-up for Jurgen Klopp during the break with Liverpool suffering more injuries to their defensive backline. Joe Gomez will be lucky to play again this season, but fortunately, it looks like Andy Robertson and Rhys Williams will be available after suffering scares during the internationals.

Predicted lineup