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We have our first Friday evening deadline in a while, with Leeds, one of our DGW sides, kicking off the proceedings against Wolves. On Tuesday, the Peacocks will also conclude the game-week when they face Southampton, the other DGW side.
It’s looking likely that game-week 26 will also become a busy DGW, but we’re still waiting to see what extra fixtures could be scheduled.
Don’t forget to check out the new NMA Podcast, with a quick preview of this game-week.
Friday
Wolves vs Leeds
No new injury concerns for Wolves, with Jimenez, Podence and Boly out as long-term absentees. After a poor run in the league, they are now unbeaten in the last three. Leeds have Phillips and Rodrigo struggling to return for this fixture, and there’s the second feature on Tuesday against Southampton to plan for.
Prediction: 1-2
Saturday
Southampton vs Chelsea
The Saints are going through a horrid time in the league, suffering five defeats on the bounce as they come into this game, and they’ll be without Walcott and Kyle Walker-Peters, who are both recent long-term absentees. Abraham will be hoping to return for Chelsea, whilst Silva and Havertz look like a doubt with this. The Blues will have one eye on their Champions League tie on Tuesday, against Atlético Madrid.
Prediction: 1-2
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Burnley vs West Brom
Burnley Striker Chris Wood continues to struggle and looks unlikely to return for this one. Elsewhere, Pieters, Brady and Gudmundsson are all doubts. Snodgrass is a doubt for the Baggies, with Gibbs out long-term.
Prediction: 1-0
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Liverpool vs Everton
Salah and Co came through Tuesday’s Champion League win over RB Leipzig unscathed, as they continue to suffer domestically with an already long injury list. They will look to stop the rot of three consecutive league defeats. Carlo Ancelotti has declared Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit, the Everton striker having missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury.
Prediction: 2-1
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Fulham vs Sheffield United
Striker Mitrovic is Fulham’s only notable absentee. The Blades have a few defensive concerns, with Egan a doubt and Robison a long-term absentee.
Prediction: 1-0
Sunday
West Ham vs Spurs
The in-form Hammers will be hoping that talisman Michail Antonio will return after missing out last time due to fatigue; Ogbonna is out long-term. Spurs’ defenders Aurier and Reguilon look unlikely to return for this one, with Spurs having cruised past RZ Pellets WAC in the Europa League on Thursday.
Prediction: 2-2
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Aston Villa vs Leicester
The Villans were dealt a defensive blow, the reliable Matthew Cash ruled out for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury. Leicester has a defensive crisis with Justin, Fofana and Morgan all out for long-term, and Castagne a doubt for this one. A strong Foxes’ side blanked in a 0-0 Europa League draw against Slavia Prague on Thursday.
Prediction: 1-2
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Arsenal vs Manchester City
The Gunners look to have shaken off their recent injury concerns, only Thomas Partey out for a time with a hamstring injury. It could be worth keeping an eye on the Gunners assets after Thursday’s Europa League match against Benfica. High fliers Man City have a mostly fit squad to pick from, with top-scorer Gündogan a slight doubt after missing the Everton game.
Prediction: 2-3
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Manchester United vs Newcastle
The Red Devils thrashed Real Sociedad 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday and look at have made it through without any obvious injury concerns. Pogba remains out long-term while Van de beek and Cavani are slight doubts. Magpies’ talisman Calum Wilson won’t be back untill April, likewise defensive duo Schar and Manquillo. Fellow defender Fernández is currently touch-and-go for this one.
Prediction: 2-0
Monday
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
This game will be too soon for Tariq Lamptey or Solly March; and Webster also looks doubtful. The Seagulls are unbeaten in five in the league and face a Crystal Palace side who are in the midst of an injury crisis with Zaha, McArthur, Schlupp, Tomkins, Ferguson and Sakho all out with uncertain return dates.
Prediction: 2-0
Tuesday
Leeds vs Southampton
The double game-week sides face off against each other; please see their earlier fixtures for pre-deadline status and then hope nobody gets hurt over the weekend. This should be an exciting game with goals the order of the day.
Prediction: 3-2
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What are your predictions for this game-week? Whom are you backing in the London Derby? Have any differential tips? Late news? Early lineups? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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