English Premier League fixtures for this weekend. The Premier League returns this weekend and Friday will see significant updates ahead of the next round of fixtures.
That will be key to any players of Fantasy Premier League, who will be adjusting their squads before the games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Fans of Premier League sides will also be keen to know who will be fit and available for their teams as managers give updates from their press conferences.
There was also plenty of news on Thursday as Raheem Sterling revealed he’d be willing to leave Manchester City for more game time, and Ferran Torres’ foot fracture was confirmed. Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed his side will be without key centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva in their game against Brentford.
Rudiger, 28, picked up a back injury on international duty with Germany, while Thiago Silva is another of the Premier League contingent to return late from international duty in South America with Brazil. Rudiger’s absence will be a blow to more than 20% of FPL managers, with the the £5.8m defender returning a handy 36 points so far this season.
Christian Pulisic is still out with the ankle injury he sustained during the last international break in early September, while Hakim Ziyech is a doubt after missing Chelsea’s last two training sessions with a headache.
Romelu Lukaku, however, is fit and available to feature after his return from international duty with Belgium. “Romelu is fine, doing all the training sessions and will play tomorrow,” Tuchel said.
Lukaku found the net for his country in the Nations League last week, but hasn’t scored in his last five for Chelsea. Are Thomas Tuchel’s side still working out how to use him? Patrick Vieira said he is looking forward to what will be an “emotional” return to Arsenal as Crystal Palace manager to Monday night.
The former Arsenal captain spent nine years in north London, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups before his departure in 2005. In his pre-match press conference, Vieira said: “I arrived at this football club as a boy, and I left as a man.
“This is the club where I played my best football. So obviously going back there will be emotional, but I will put that on the side because what is important for us to perform well and get points.”
The Frenchman also said that he has no new injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Emirates, while Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson are making good progress after long-term achilles injuries.
Vieira and Palace will soon be spoilt for choice in midfield, says The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam. Marcus Rashford will be in Manchester United‘s squad for the first time this season against Leicester on Saturday.
The 23-year-old has not played since the Euro 2020 final after undergoing surgery on a long-term shoulder injury in the summer. Solskjaer said: “He’s in the squad, if he’s gonna start or not, I can’t tell you now. He’s worked really hard throughout the lay-off.
The United manager also confirmed that he is “not counting on” Fred and Edinson Cavani’s involvement due to their late return from international duty, while Raphael Varane is out for a few weeks with a groin injury.
Harry Maguire and Amad are close to returning after calf and thigh problems respectively. As his side face a crucial few weeks ahead, Adam Crafton and Laurie Whitwell explored Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s role at Manchester United.
Source – Sport365
