What a mess of a week this is. Sure, it’s fun to have 3-match players and a bunch of two-match players but it sure makes for a mess when injury reporting. Even more so when the match week starts on Friday and some teams don’t play for a few days. Regardless, we’re coming down the stretch so diving in on any player who might give you an advantage is the order of the day.
Leicester City vs. Newcastle United
Outside of Harvey Barnes and his long-term injury, this one is likely to line up the way you expect it to. Both sides are pretty well healthy and have either a lot (Leicester City and a top four spot) or at least a little (Newcastle not being mathematically safe from relegation yet) to play for.
Leeds United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
A couple of one-match teams that are largely healthy. It would be much more interesting that Raphinha could return if he had two matches but it’s hard to justify having him in your starting group given that he’s uncertain to play the one match that Leeds United have. Spurs only injury is Ben Davies who is more often than not a reserve so, not much to think about on that side either. You’re playing the big names like Kane and Son (and probably Bale) but aren’t too excited about anyone else in the side.
Sheffield United vs. Crystal Palace
Hard to get excited about Chris Bashem and Sander Berge being back given that a) they only have one match and b) they play for Sheffield United. On the Palace side, the players you’re likely to be interested in - Zaha, Eze, and Guaita - are all healthy and likely to get both starts.
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Manchester City vs. Chelsea
The Champions League final preview could also serve as a title clincher for Manchester City. It seems reasonable to expect that Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel will rotate significantly so as not to show their respective hands ahead of the final. Both sides are almost entirely healthy so will both have a number of high quality options to rotate in.
Liverpool vs. Southampton
It is odd how few injuries there are to report at this point in the season. To some extent, it is just an exercise in copying and pasting on long-term injuries to players like Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Jordan Henderson in this one. Outside of those guys, Liverpool are pretty healthy. Southampton will continue to be without talisman Danny Ings who hasn’t been confirmed as out for the season but will miss out on a return to Anfield. Look for Che Adams to continue leading the line for the Saints.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Brighton
Neither side in this one is either prolific when it comes to fantasy points nor do they have an extra match this week to make up for the modest volume of points in most matches. Wolves also continue to be without Raúl Jiménez, Pedro Neto, Jonny, and Willy Boly. Brighton are without Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey, and Solly March.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester United
The home side are still missing Jack Grealish which is about the only news that might be interesting for a one-match Villa side in a week with so many two-match teams and players. On the visiting sideline, we have 3-match Manchester United who have a relatively clean bill of healthy excepting Anthony Martial who is out for the season.
West Ham United vs. Everton
The story in this one is the potential return of a bunch of players who have been out injured. With the caveat that both sides are one-match-only for Week 35, it is still good to see Aaron Cresswell and Mikail Antonio back and Declan Rice potentially joining them if he can pass a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s match. For the visiting Toffees, Abdoulaye Doucouré is in a similar spot to Rice as he tries to return for a stint on the injured list. The only sure omission of note to fantasy managers is James Rodriguez who will definitely miss out.
Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion
Kieran Tierney returned in the Europa League semi-final against Villareal on Thursday and should be good to return to Premier League action as well. He could also be joined by David Luiz who faces a late fitness test on his hamstring. Granit Xhaka is doubtful after being a late scratch on Thursday after picking up an injury in warm-ups. He hasn’t been ruled out entirely but it’s hard to imagine that he’s going to be rushed back for a match that means almost nothing to Arsenal after not being fit to play on Thursday. The only notable omission for the Baggies is Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles who is ineligible to face his parent club.
Fulham vs. Burnley
Harrison Reed and Tom Cairney are the only two potential omissions from the Fulham squad and neither is particularly intriguing from a fantasy point-of-view. The only note that might be of interest on the Burnley side is that Chris Wood was ruled healthy and fit to participate after suffering a mild thigh injury.
The best information we have on the midweek matches comes from the above. As expected, none of the managers who have multiple matches talked about the second one in a meaningful way or gave any hints about how they might rotate to accommodate the extra matches. Good luck with your teams and enjoy the matches.
