EPL GW-2 Pre-Deadline Chat

What an opening weekend of football that was! It was goals galore for GW-1 of EPL, much to the liking of football fans and fantasy managers. If you scored 100+ points in FPL, then congrats on the great start — weeks like that are rare! If you didn’t hit the ground running, fear not — fantasy football is a marathon, not a sprint. There is plenty of time left to get to the top.

To that end, it is now time to turn our attention to GW-2 and get our teams locked in. Below I’ve provided all the notable injury news you need to know for GW-2, as well as predicted lineups for each fixture.

Note: All projected S11’s are mere predictions. The official lineups will be available only in the last hour before kick-off (30 minutes after the FPL deadline for Liverpool vs Burnley, but well ahead of the Fantrax deadline!). Check out Fantasy football scout and premier injuries for quick injury updates, or just stay parked here at NMA for late-breaking news in our comments.

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Liverpool vs Burnley

[ This is our one match that should give confirmed lineups ahead of the Fantrax deadline. ]

Liverpool

Outs: None

Doubts: Andrew Robertson (25%- Ankle injury), Thiago Alcantara (50%- Lack of match fitness), Jordan Henderson (50%- Lack of match fitness)

Predicted 11

Alisson, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Joel Matip, Virgil van Djik, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, James Milner, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah

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Burnley

Out: Kevin Long & Dale Stephens (foot injury)

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Nick Pope, Charlie Taylor, Ben Mee, James Tarkowski, Matthew Lowton, Dwight McNeil, Jack Cork, Ashley Westwood, Johann Gudmundsson, Jay Rodriguez, Chris Wood

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Liverpool’s Andy Robertson has returned to training after an injury scare during the preseason, but the left-back’s chance of featuring against Burnley is slim; as Jurgen Klopp didn’t have any updates on the Scotsman.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

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Apart from Kevin Long and Dale Stephens’s foot injuries, Burnley has no notable first-team injury concerns from a fantasy perspective.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea

Arsenal

Outs- Gabriel Magalhães (Knee Injury), Alexandre Lacazette (Illness)

Doubts- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (50%- Lack of match fitness), Willian (50%- Illness)

Predicted 11

Bernd Leno, Callum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Ben White, Kieran Tierney, Granit Xhaka, Albert-Sambi Lokonga, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel Martinelli

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Chelsea

Outs: Christian Pulisic (COVID-19 positive)

Doubts: None.

Predicted 11

Edouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Reece James, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Marcos Alonso, Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku

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After a disappointing start to the season in GW 1, the Gunners will have their hands full against a Chelsea side high on morale after signing starman Romelu Lukaku. With Lacazette, Aubameyang and Willian testing positive for COVID-19 before their season opener against Brentford, Arsenal can be considered a touch unlucky; the trio is still doubtful for this London derby. Aubamaeyang has now returned to training after registering a negative COVID result, but Willian and Lacazette haven’t trained yet.

Mikel Arteta on players with COVID:

Source: football.london

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Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic has also tested positive for COVID-19 and will be out at least for GW-2. With new signing Romelu Lukaku set to kick off his second Chelsea stint, there was more good news from the Chelsea camp as Hakim Ziyech returned to full training after recovering from his shoulder injury. So has Ngolo Kante, after a minor ankle issue ruled him out of GW-1.

Thomas Tuchel on Romelu Lukaku:

Source: premier injuries

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Aston Villa vs Newcastle

Aston Villa

Outs: Bertrand Traore (Thigh Injury), Ollie Watkins (Knee Injury)

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Matt Targett, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Leon Bailey, Anwar El Ghazi, Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings.

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Newcastle United

Outs: Martin Dubravka (foot injury), Karl Darlow (long COVID)

Doubts: Jonjo Shelvey (25%- Calf Injury), Jamaal Lascelles (75%- Fitness test), Paul Dummett (25%- Calf Injury)

Predicted 11

Freddie Woodman, Emil Krafth, Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark, Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden, Miguel Almiron, Sean Longstaff, Matt Ritchie, Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson

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Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins probably won’t be ready in time for GW-2 against Newcastle after the Englishman limped out of the pre-season friendly against Salernitana with a knee injury; he could be back for GW-3 against Brentford. Bertrand Traore is set to remain sidelined until the international break (late September) after injuring a hamstring against Liverpool in a preseason friendly. Brazilian Olympic gold medalist Douglas Luiz returned to training this week and is likely to feature against Newcastle.

Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images

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Both of Newcastle’s top goalkeepers Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow look set to miss at least GW-2 due to foot injury and illness respectively. Jonjo Shelvey picked up a calf injury in GW-1 against West Ham and is likely to sit out GW-2. Captain Jamaal Lascelles’s fitness will be assessed for a last-minute decision. New arrival Joe Willock looks set to be part of the Newcastle traveling squad but is unlikely to start due to the lack of preseason minutes.

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Crystal Palace vs Brentford

Crystal Palace

Outs: Eberechi Eze (Achilles injury), Luka Milivojevic (Personal reasons), Nathan Ferguson (Achilles injury).

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Vicente Guaita, Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell, Jordan Ayew, Jairo Riedewald, James McArthur, Jeffrey Schlupp, Wilfried Zaha, Jean-Philippe Mateta

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Brentford

Outs: Joshua Dasilva (Hip Injury)

Doubts: Mathias Jensen (50%-Unknown reason)

Predicted 11

David Raya, Kristoffer Ajer, Pontus Jansson, Ethan Pinnock, Sergi Canos, Frank Onyeka, Christian Norgaard, Vitaly Janet, Rico Henry, Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo

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Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Luka Milivojevic, and Nathan Ferguson remain sidelined with an unknown return date. Despite a tough 3-0 loss to kickoff the season, Crystal Palace will be relieved to have no fresh injury concerns after GW-1.

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Brentford record signing Kristoffer Ajer looks set to feature for the Bees after fully recovering from a knock that the centre-back picked up in his league debut. Midfielder Mathias Jensen returned to training but is unlikely to play a part in the Crystal Palace game.

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Leeds vs Everton

Everton

Out: James Rodriguez (COVID isolation), Andre Gomes (Knock)

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman, Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Lucas Digne, Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Andros Townsend, Demarai Gray, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison

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Leeds United

Outs: None

Doubts: Diego Llorente (50%-Knee Injury)

Predicted 11

Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Robin Koch, Junior Firpo, Mateusz Klich, Kalvin Phillips, Stuart Dallas, Raphinha, Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison.

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Barring center-back Diego Llorente, whose availability is doubtful for the Everton game due to a knee injury, Leeds is full strength going into GW-2.

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Everton’s James Rodriguez and Andre Gomes remain sidelined with an unknown return date while Moise Kean is available for selection against Leeds after recovering from COVID 19.

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Man City vs Norwich

Man City

Outs: Phil Foden (Ankle/Foot Injury)

Doubts: Kevin de Bruyne (75%-ankle)

Predicted 11

Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, Riyadh Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne

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Norwich City

Outs: Sam Byram (Thigh Injury), Przemyslaw Placheta (COVID-19 side effects)

Doubts: Jack Zimmerman(25%- Unknown reason)

Predicted 11

Tim Krul, Max Aarons, Grant Hanley, Ben Gibson, Dimitrios Giannoulis, Lees-Melou, Billy Gilmour, Lukas Rupp, Todd Cantwell, Teemu Pukki, Milot Rashica

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Man City’s Ilkay Gundogan returned to training and was declared fit by Pep Guardiola after suffering a shoulder injury in GW-1. Kevin de Bruyne missed the last training session in preparation for Norwich City due to “some” disturbance (believed to be a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury) and a last-minute decision will be made on the Belgian’s involvement. Phil Foden remains sidelined and is expected to return in the 2nd week of September.

Pep Guardiola on Gundogan and Debruyne’s availability

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Norwich City’s Andrew Omobamidele returned to training and is available for selection after missing the first game due to tonsillitis, while center-back Christoph Zimmermann is a doubt for the Man City game.

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Brighton vs Watford

Brighton

Outs: Danny Welbeck (Thigh Injury), Tariq Lamptey (Thigh Injury), Dan Burn (Knee injury)

Doubts: Joel Veltman (25%-COVID Isolation)

Predicted 11

Robert Sanchez, Adam Webster, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk, Pascal Gross, Yves Bissouma, Steven Alzate, Solly March, Enock Mwepu, Alexis Mac Allister, Neal Maupay

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Watford

Outs: Joao Pedro (Knee Injury)

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Daniel Bachmann, Craig Cathcart, William Troost-Ekong, Christian Kabasele, Adam Masina, Peter Etebo, Ismaila Sarr, Imran Louza, Tom Cleverley, Ken Sema, Emmanuel Dennis

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Brighton’s Danny Welbeck is ruled out until at least GW-4 due to a thigh injury. Tariq Lamptey returned to training this week but is unlikely to feature in GW-2. Joel Veltman is self-isolating after a COVID-19 close-contact and is likely to miss at least GW-2. Dan Burn is sidelined due to a knee ligament injury with an unknown return date.

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Watford’s Joao Pedro is ruled out for GW-2 due to a knee injury and is due to return to full training soon. Joshua King and Nathaniel Chalobah (not to be confused with Chelsea’s Chalobah) are likely to be available for selection for GW-2 after recovering from hip injury and illness respectively.

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Southampton vs Man United

Man United

Outs: Marcus Rashford (Shoulder Injury), Edinson Cavani (Lack of match fitness), Dean Henderson (long COVID)

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Fred, Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood.

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Southampton

Outs: None

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Alex McCarthy, Tino Livramento, Jan Bednarek, Mohammed Salisu, Romain Perraud, Theo Walcott, James Ward-Prowse, Oriol Romeu, Moussa Djenepo, Che Adams, Adam Armstrong

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Man United’s Marcus Rashford is set to miss the initial chunk of the season as the Englishman is set to go under the knife to get his shoulder injury fixed. Raphael Varane trained this week for the first time at his new club, while Edinson Cavani is likely to miss GW-2 as the Uruguayan hasn’t trained yet. Dean Henderson looks set to miss GW-2 due to long COVID, and Alex Telles is ruled out due to an ankle injury.

Solskjaer on Varane and Sancho:

Source:Manchester Evening News

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Southampton is full strength and has no notable injuries/doubts.

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Wolves vs Tottenham

Wolves

Outs: Daniel Podence (Groin Injury), Pedro Neto & Jonny Castro (Knee Injury)

Doubts: Willy Bolly (25%- Hamstring Injury)

Predicted 11

Jose Sa, Leander Dendoncker, Conor Coady, Romain Saiss, Ki-Jana Hoever, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Francisco Trincao, Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore

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Tottenham

Outs: Tanguy Ndombele ( Lack of match fitness)

Doubts: Ryan Sessegnon (25%- Lack of Match Fitness), Harry Kane (50%- Lack of match fitness)

Predicted 11

Hugo Lloris, Japhet Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez, Cristian Romero, Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp, Dele Alli, Lucas Moura, Son Heung-min, Steven Bergwijn

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Wolves winger Daniel Podence will not be involved until at least GW-4 as the Portuguese underwent groin surgery and is in the early phase of his recovery process. Willy Bolly is unlikely to feature in GW-2 due to a thigh injury. Pedro Neto and Jonny Castro are out due to knee injuries.

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Tottenham’s Harry Kane will undergo a late fitness test ahead of the Wolves game as the Englishman stayed back in London and missed the Europa Conference League playoff to work on his fitness.

Nuno on Kane’s availability:

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Ryan Sessegnon is a doubt for GW-2 due to lack of match fitness.

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West Ham vs Leicester

West Ham

Outs: Arthur Masuaku (Knee injury)

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Tomas Soucek, Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma, Pablo Fornals, Michail Antonio

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Leicester City

Outs: Jonny Evans (Foot injury) Wesley Fofana (leg injury), James Justin (Knee injury), Ryan Bertrand (COVID)

Doubts: None

Predicted 11

Kasper Schmeichel, Timothy Castagne, Luke Thomas, Caglar Söyüncü, Daniel Amartey, Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi, James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Pérez, Jamie Vardy

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Barring Arthur Masuaku, who is ruled out of GW-2 due to a knee injury, the West Ham squad will be full strength to face Leicester City.

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Leicester’s Jonny Evans will miss at least GW-2 & GW-3 due to a foot injury, while his center-back partner Wesley Fofana is set to miss a large chunk (between 4-8 months) of the season due to a leg injury. Last season’s FPL hero James Justin has not recovered from the ACL injury he sustained earlier this year; he’s expected to return by November (~GW-14). Ryan Bertrand tested positive for COVID-19, becoming a last-minute scratch against Wolves in GW-1 and is ruled out for GW-2.

Brendan Rodgers on Ryan Bertrand:

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Which players are your biggest fitness and injury concerns for this week? Which team’s starting lineup are you most looking forward to seeing? Does Gundogan start this week? Will KDB recover in time to make his first start? Will Jota feature against Burnley? If so, how many minutes will the Portuguese get? Have any questions of your own? Please share your thoughts and late pre-deadline news in the comments section below!

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