This article is part of our Soccer Picks series.
Updated at 2:15 p.m. EDT on Fri, Dec 4
MATCHES (EST)
- Saturday, 7:30 am: Burnley vs. Everton
- Saturday, 10:00 am: Manchester City vs. Fulham
- Saturday, 12:30 pm: West Ham United vs. Manchester United
- Saturday, 3:00 pm: Chelsea vs. Leeds United
- Sunday, 7:00 am: West Bromwich Albion vs. Crystal Palace
- Sunday, 9:15 am: Sheffield United vs. Leicester City
- Sunday, 11:30 am: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal
- Sunday, 2:15 pm: Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton
- Monday, 3:00 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Southampton
- Postponed: Aston Villa v. Newcastle
Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
David Luiz | D | Head | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Gabriel Martinelli | F/M | Knee | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Nicolas Pepe | F | Suspension | SUS (Premier) | 12/16/2020 |
Thomas Partey | M | Thigh | OUT | 12/19/2020 |
Projected Lineup (3-4-3 v. Spurs): Bernd Leno (GK), Kieran Tierney (DC), Rob Holding (DC), Gabriel (DC), Hector Bellerin (MR), Dani Ceballos (MC), Granit Xhaka (MC), Bukayo Saka (ML) Alexandre Lacazette (FW), Willian (FWR), , Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (FWL)
Notes: Holding is back in the starting XI after Luiz's injury, while Mikel Arteta will probably tinker with the squad somewhere. Lacazette impressed centrally midweek and could return to the XI for Willock.
Brighton & Hove Albion v. Southampton
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jose Izquierdo | F/M | Knee | GTD | 12/7/2020 |
Alexis Mac Allister | F/M | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/7/2020 |
Neal Maupay | F | Hamstring | GTD | 12/7/2020 |
Davy Propper | M | Illness | GTD | 12/7/2020 |
Christian Walton | G | Ankle | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Adam Lallana | M | Groin | OUT | 12/16/2020 |
Florin Andone | F | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
Projected Lineup (3-4-1-2 v. Saints): Mathew Ryan (GK), Ben White (DC), Lewis Dunk (DC), Adam Webster (DC), Solomon March (ML), Yves Bissouma (MC), Pascal Gross (MC), Tariq Lamptey (MR), Leandro Trossard (AMC), Danny Welbeck (FW), Aaron Connolly (FW)
Notes: Trossard enters the XI for Maupay, while Lamptey is back from suspension. Veltman returns to the bench, though he could stay on at center-back if Graham Potter prefers him to someone else.
Burnley v. Everton
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Phil Bardsley | D | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Robbie Brady | M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Josh Brownhill | M | Back | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Johann Berg Gudmundsson | M | Calf | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Nick Pope | G | Head | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Dale Stephens | M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Jack Cork | M | Ankle | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Toffees): Nick Pope (GK), Matthew Lowton (DR), Ben Mee (DC), James Tarkowski (DC), Charlie Taylor (DL), Josh Brownhill (MC), Jay Rodriguez (MR), Ashley Westwood (MC), Dwight McNeil (ML), Chris Wood (FW), Ashley Barnes (FW)
Notes: Pope returns in net and Brownhill is back in the midfield, if both are healthy. Gudmundsson doesn't appear ready so Rodriguez gets another start on the wing.
Chelsea v. Leeds United
Injury Report | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
None | - | - | - | - | - |
Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Leeds): Edouard Mendy (GK), Reece James (DR), Thiago Silva (DC), Kurt Zouma (DC), Ben Chilwell (DL), N'Golo Kante (MC), Jorginho (MC), Mason Mount (MC), Hakim Ziyech (FWR), Timo Werner (FWL), Tammy Abraham (FW)
Notes: Kovacic moves to the bench in order to get some rest, while the attack remains the same after everyone got added rest midweek. Pulisic and Havertz could return to the XI, but Frank Lampard may lean on what has worked with the 4-3-3 featuring Abraham up top.
Crystal Palace at West Bromwich Albion
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wilfried Zaha | F/M | Illness | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Connor Wickham | F | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/15/2020 |
Nathan Ferguson | M | Knee | OUT | 12/19/2020 |
Wayne Hennessey | G | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/16/2021 |
Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Baggies): Vicente Guaita (GK), Patrick van Aanholt (DL), Scott Dann (DC), Cheikhou Kouyate (DC), Nathaniel Clyne (DR), Eberechi Eze (ML), James McArthur (MC), Jairo Riedewald (MC), Andros Townsend (MR), Wilfried Zaha (FW), Jordan Ayew (FW)
Notes: Zaha should replace Batshuayi in the XI, while Reidewald re-enters after an unsuccessful change to the lineup against Newcastle. Cahill is odd man out at center-back.
Everton at Burnley
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seamus Coleman | D | Hamstring | OUT | 12/12/2020 |
Jean-Philippe Gbamin | M | Achilles | OUT | 12/19/2020 |
Lucas Digne | D | Ankle | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
Projected Lineup (3-4-3 v. Burnley): Jordan Pickford (GK), Ben Godfrey (DC), Michael Keane (DC), Mason Holgate (DC), Fabian Delph (MR), Alex Iwobi (ML), Allan (MC), Abdoulaye Doucoure (MC), James Rodriguez (FWR), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (FW), Richarlison (FWL)
Notes: Carlo Ancelotti is trying to figure things out but injuries aren't helping. The formation and starters are in flux, mainly at center-back and on the wing where Delph could come into the XI after replacing Tom Davies last match.
Fulham at Manchester City
Injury Report | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
Kenny Tete | FUL | D | Calf | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Terence Kongolo | FUL | D | Foot | OUT | 12/19/2020 |
Projected Lineup (5-4-1 v. Man City): Alphonse Areola (GK), Joachim Andersen (DC), Ola Aina (DC), Tosin Adarabioyo (DC), Antonee Robinson (DL), Bobby Decordova-Reid (DR), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (MR), Andre Zambo Anguissa (MC), Harrison Reed (MC), Ademola Lookman (ML), Ivan Cavaleiro (FW)
Notes: After their best result of the season, Scott Parker sticks with what works and hopes for a point against Man City.
Leeds United at Chelsea
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Diego Llorente | D | Groin | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Pablo Hernandez | M | Strain | OUT | 12/11/2020 |
Jamie Shackleton | M | Strain | OUT | 12/11/2020 |
Adam Forshaw | M | Hip | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
Gaetano Berardi | D | Knee | OUT | 2/6/2021 |
Projected Lineup (4-4-1-1 v. Blues): Illan Meslier (GK), Liam Cooper (DC) Luke Ayling (DL), Robin Koch (DC), Stuart Dallas (DR), Kalvin Phillips (MC), Mateusz Klich (MC), Ezgjan Alioski (ML), Raphinha (MR), Jack Harrison (AMC), Patrick Bamford (FW)
Notes: Leeds will try and match last week's win with the same lineup that features Alioski and Raphinha on the wings.
Leicester City at Sheffield United
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wes Morgan | D | Back | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Daniel Amartey | M/D | Hamstring | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Timothy Castagne | D | Hamstring | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Ricardo Pereira | M/D | Knee | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Caglar Soyuncu | D | Groin | OUT | 12/20/2020 |
Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 v. Blades): Kasper Schmeichel (GK), Jonny Evans (DC), Wesley Fofana (DC), Christian Fuchs (DC), Marc Albrighton (MR), James Justin (ML), Nampalys Mendy (MC), Youri Tielemans (MC), James Maddison (AMC), Harvey Barnes (AMC), Jamie Vardy (FW)
Notes: Leicester have a few players returning from injury midweek, so there could be some changes ahead of Sunday's match. Albrighton returns to the XI for the disappointing Luke Thomas and Barnes starts up front for Praet.
Liverpool v. Wolverhampton
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trent Alexander-Arnold | D | Calf | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Jordan Henderson | M | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Naby Keita | M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Andrew Robertson | D | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Alisson Becker | G | Hamstring | OUT | 12/9/2020 |
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | M | Knee | OUT | 12/9/2020 |
James Milner | M | Hamstring | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Xherdan Shaqiri | M | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Thiago Alcantara | M | Knee | OUT | 12/19/2020 |
Virgil van Dijk | D | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
Joe Gomez | D | Knee | OUT | 4/3/2021 |
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Wolves): Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), Andrew Robertson (DL), Joel Matip (DC), Fabinho (DC), Neco Williams (DR), Georginio Wijnaldum (DMC), Jordan Henderson (DMC) Sadio Mane (AML), Roberto Firmino (AMC), Diogo Jota (AMR), Mohamed Salah (FW)
Notes: There are some knocks to worry about, but everything is mostly the same outside of Kelleher at goalkeeper. There's a chance someone like Jota is rested or Jurgen Klopp moves to a 4-2-3-1 to mix things up.
Manchester City v. Fulham
Injury Report | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
Sergio Aguero | MCI | F | Knee | OUT | 12/9/2020 |
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Fulham): Ederson (GK), Benjamin Mendy (DL), Ruben Dias (DC), Aymeric Laporte (DC), Kyle Walker (DR), Ilkay Gundogan (DMC), Rodri (DMC), Kevin De Bruyne (AMC), Riyad Mahrez (AMR), Raheem Sterling (AML), Gabriel Jesus (FW)
Notes: Pep Guardiola uses a similar squad to the win over Burnley outside of Sterling entering the XI for Torres.
Manchester United at West Ham United
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Marcus Rashford | F/M | Shoulder | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Jesse Lingard | F/M | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/8/2020 |
Luke Shaw | D | Hamstring | OUT | 12/8/2020 |
Fred | M | Suspension | SUS (UCL) | 12/9/2020 |
Phil Jones | D | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Hammers): David de Gea (GK), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR), Victor Lindelof (DC), Harry Maguire (DC), Alex Telles (DL), Nemanja Matic (DMC), Fred (DMC), Marcus Rashford (AML), Bruno Fernandes (AMC), Anthony Martial (AMR), Edinson Cavani (FW)
Notes: Martial is an option again and Cavani gets the start after last week's heroics. De Gea could be rested for Dean Henderson after recent knee issues.
Sheffield United v. Leicester City
Injury Report | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
Ethan Ampadu | SHU | M/D | Strain | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Enda Stevens | SHU | M/D | Knee | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Jack O'Connell | SHU | D | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
Projected Lineup (3-5-2 v. Foxes): Aaron Ramsdale (GK), John Egan (DC), Ethan Ampadu (DC), Chris Basham (DC), George Baldock (MR), Max Lowe (ML), Sander Berge (MC), John Fleck (MC), Oliver Norwood (MC), Rhian Brewster (FW), David McGoldrick (FW)
Notes: Ampadu returns from injury to replace Kean Bryan, while Brewster and McGoldrick are back in the XI for Burke and McBurnie. Lundstram is an option to start in the midfield.
Southampton at Brighton & Hove Albion
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Danny Ings | F | Knee | GTD | 12/7/2020 |
Nathan Redmond | M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/7/2020 |
Mohammed Salisu | D | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/7/2020 |
Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Brighton): Alex McCarthy (GK), Kyle Walker-Peters (DR), Jack Stephens (DC), Jannik Vestergaard (DC), Ryan Bertrand (DL), Moussa Djenepo (ML), Oriol Romeu (MC), James Ward-Prowse (MC), Stuart Armstrong (MR), Che Adams (FW), Theo Walcott (FW)
Notes: Everything is the same for Southampton unless Ings is healthy enough to start. He would likely replace Djenepo or Armstrong in the XI, moving Walcott back to the midfield.
Tottenham Hotspur v. Arsenal
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Toby Alderweireld | D | Groin | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Harry Kane | F | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Sergio Reguilon | D | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Carlos Vinicius | F | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Erik Lamela | M | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/13/2020 |
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Gunners): Hugo Lloris (GK), Serge Aurier (DR), Toby Alderweireld (DC), Eric Dier (DC), Sergio Reguilon (DL), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (DMC), Moussa Sissoko (DMC), Tanguy Ndombele (AMC), Steven Bergwijn (AMR), Son Heung-Min (AML), Harry Kane (FW)
Notes: Tottenham have some knocks, but none seem serious. Alderweireld could re-enter for Rodon, while Aurier and Bergwijn could be replaced.
West Bromwich Albion v. Crystal Palace
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kieran Gibbs | D | Illness | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Jake Livermore | M/D | Illness | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Sam Field | M | Knee | OUT | 12/12/2020 |
Conor Townsend | D | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
Projected Lineup (3-4-1-2 v. Palace): Sam Johnstone (GK), Semi Ajayi (DC), Branislav Ivanovic (DC), Kyle Bartley (DC), Darnell Furlong (MR), Kieran Gibbs (ML), Romaine Sawyers (MC), Conor Gallagher (MC), Matheus Pereira (AMC), Callum Robinson (FW), Karlan Grant (FW)
Notes: Slaven Bilic keeps everything the same outside of Townsend after they got their first three points last match. Livermore is an option to return for Sawyers if he's fit following COVID-19.
West Ham United v. Manchester United
Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
---|---|---|---|---|
Andriy Yarmolenko | F/M | Illness | GTD | 12/5/2020 |
Michail Antonio | F | Hamstring | OUT | 12/11/2020 |
Projected Lineup (5-4-1 v. Red Devils): Lukasz Fabianski (GK), Vladimir Coufal (DR), Aaron Cresswell (DC), Angelo Ogbonna (DC), Fabian Balbuena (DC), Arthur Masuaku (DL), Jarrod Bowen (MR), Declan Rice (MC), Tomas Soucek (MC), Pablo Fornals (ML), Sebastien Haller (FW)
Notes: Haller likely comes back in for the injured Antonio, though Benrahma figures to be in contention for a start.
Wolverhampton at Liverpool
Injury Report | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
Romain Saiss | WOL | D | Illness | GTD | 12/6/2020 |
Jonny | WOL | M/D | Knee | OUT | 12/15/2020 |
Raul Jimenez | WOL | F | Head | OUT | - |
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Reds): Rui Patricio (GK), Willy Boly (DC), Conor Coady (DC), Fernando Marcal (DL), Nelson Semedo (DR), Joao Moutinho (DMC), Leander Dendoncker (DMC), Adama Traore (AMR), Pedro Neto (AML), Daniel Podence (AMC), Fabio Silva (FW)
Notes: Wolves stick with what works in the four-man back line. The hope is that Silva can hold down a role up front with the trio of Traore, Neto and Podence surrounding him.