Late Fitness Check - Week 6
It's derby week in Liverpool and North London which always brings an added level of excitement to matches that would have major implications even without the local rivalries. Arsenal have a chance to stomp on the neck of a fellow contender for a top four place that appears to be on the ropes while Spurs have a chance to slingshot back into the thick of the race with a win over the Gunners. In Liverpool, both clubs are reeling a bit from unexpected stumbles. For the Reds they have lost two in a row to teams - West Ham and Villa - that didn't exactly come into the season fancied to be anything better than mid-table fodder and perhaps worse. For their part, Everton have been conceding goals by the truckload regardless of their results. Five points in five league matches with 13 goals conceded isn't exactly what Roberto Martinez was hoping for coming off a fifth place finish with only 39 goal conceded last season. Perhaps the biggest mystery is how their defense has declined so dramatically with the same players as last time around.
Elsewhere, we'll be monitoring the goings on at Old Trafford where a poor defense has gotten worse with news that Jonny Evans will not be able to return after leaving the match early last weekend and his replacement, Chris Smalling, will also be unable to go. With Phil Jones already out, things are looking pretty rough for the Red Devils as they host what should be a very winnable match against West Ham. We'll also be checking in on Leicester City who travel to Selhurst Park to see if they can extend their surprisng start to the season as the competition gets less talented.
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Here's our match-by-match look at who will play, who won't and who may be in line to take over for them:
Liverpool – vs – Everton
Liverpool have a number of injury concerns heading into Saturday’s Merseyside derby with the availability of Daniel Sturridge still hanging in the balance – the England striker is said to be “very close” but is yet to train fully. Jordan Henderson [hip] and Philippe Coutinho [hip] should feature but Glen Johnson [thigh], Joe Allen and Emre Can are expected to miss out. Jon Flanagan [knee] long-term.
Roberto Martinez will give Seamus Coleman [head] and Steven Pienaar [thigh] every chance to prove their fitness ahead of tomorrow’s crucial match-up although realistically the South African midfielder is not in contention to start after more than a month on the sidelines. Ross Barkley is progressing ahead of schedule but is still around 3/4 weeks away. James McCarthy, Bryan Oviedo and Tony Hibbert could feature in the 18 but Arouna Kone is lacking fitness.
Chelsea – vs – Aston Villa
Ramires [adductor] is the only injury absentee for Chelsea this weekend in the early season ‘top of the table’ clash – the Brazilian could miss around a month with an expected return after the international break. Diego Costa is in “very good condition” and will start “without any problems,” although he could miss the Champions League game midweek. Andre Schurrle impressed during the Capital One Cup and could force his way into the reckoning.
Mini crisis over at Aston Villa after six first team members were struck down at various stages last weekend due to illness – the good news – those affected have trained and will be ready for the trip to Stamford Bridge. Captain Ron Vlaar [calf] is closing in on a return but the Dutch stopper is likely to miss out - he could return next weekend to face Manchester City along with teammate Christian Benteke [ruptured Achilles] who has impressed in practice over the past couple of weeks.
Crystal Palace – vs – Leicester City
No fresh injury concerns for Neil Warnock after their disappointing midweek Capital One cup defeat to Newcastle United in extra-time. Marouane Chamakh [hamstring] is available again after just missing out last weekend but don’t expect too many changes from their last league outing following a fine win at Goodison Park.
Leicester City had the luxury of a free week when all around were involved in League Cup action – six days to revel in arguably one of their greatest comeback performances in recent times. With a tricky trip to Selhurst Park Nigel Pearson will be hoping Neil Warnocks’ men after feeling a little heavy legged following 120 minutes of football on Wednesday night. Lots of interesting fantasy options for managers to consider - Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa [5 goals in 5 games] are available for under £10 million - plus the impressive Cambiasso who scored heavily from midfield on his full debut. No fresh injury concerns for The Foxes but defender Matt Upson [foot surgery] is making good progress although there is still no timescale on his return.
Hull City – vs – Manchester City
David Meyler is the only fresh injury concern for Steve Bruce, the midfielder took a blow to his back late in the game on Wednesday and will have a scan to determine whether or not he will be available for the visit of Manchester City. The coach also alluded to the fact that Hatem Ben Arfa is still a little short of match-sharpness despite 90 minutes against West Brom so expect a place on the bench however Abel Hernandez was rested and could feature in the eleven.
Stevan Jovetic [hamstring] fails a late fitness test and will miss the trip to Hull along with Fernando [groin] – the pair should be back for game week seven. Saturday is also a week too early for Samir Nasri as well who continues his recovery from a muscular problem – Frank Lampard & James Milner offer interesting differentials although neither is guaranteed game time. Sergio Aguero [knee] and David Silva [ankle] have both been passed fit while full-back Pablo Zabaleta returns following his one game domestic ban.
Manchester United – vs – West Ham United
Defensive problems mount for the red half of Manchester as Louis van Gaal confirmed Chris Smalling [thigh] has been added to his ever growing list of casualties joining Jonny Evans [ankle] and Jesse Lingard [knee] – Tyler Blackett will also miss game through suspension. However there is light at the end of the tunnel with Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick training again, Phil Jones is also close and the trio could come into contention against Everton next weekend. Ashley Young [groin] is only other notable absentee.
Big Sam will want to build upon last weekend’s excellent result against Liverpool while Louis van Gaal is hoping for an upturn in fortunes after a miserable start to his Old Trafford career. The Hammers will be without the impressive Cheikhou Kouyate [groin] who is expected to miss around six weeks - Morgan Amalfitano is waiting in the wings following his goal scoring cameo. Kevin Nolan and Matt Jarvis have both returned to training but they won’t be available for Saturday – Joey O’Brien [no return date] is a concern but good news regarding Andy Carroll [ankle] who could comeback quicker than expected in late November.
Southampton – vs – Queens Park Rangers
Ronald Koeman could welcome back Toby Alderweireld [hamstring] after the defender returned to training on Thursday but Maya Yoshida [ankle] remains a doubt – the Japanese international will be assessed late on Friday. James Ward-Prowse is out after a scan revealed a stress fracture of the foot along with Jay Rodriguez [ACL] but Lloyd Isgrove and Sam Gallagher [both knee] are training again although game week six could come a little too soon.
A potential midfield crisis for Harry Redknapp with up to seven first team squad members potentially sidelined – Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch [both hamstring] are out with Sandro, Taarabt and Kranjcar all facing a late fitness test. Sandro [knee] has a good chance after his return to training – his injury is not as bad as first feared – while Adel Taarabt is very doubtful and Croatian Kranjcar is rated as 50/50. Karl Henry could make his first BPL start of the season.
Sunderland – vs – Swansea
Emanuele Giaccherini [ankle], Connor Wickham [back] and Steven Fletcher [calf] are all expected to return to the Sunderland squad for the Swansea game on Saturday with manager Gus Poyet confirming Billy Jones and Will Buckley will play after their midweek performances in the League Cup. On-loan defender Seb Coates is out however after picking up a knock on Tuesday while a buoyant Jozy Altidore will be hoping for more game-time after he opened his goal scoring account against Stoke.
Garry Monk will welcome Wilfried Bony back from suspension with Dwight Tiendalli [groin] very close to full fitness. Leon Britton [knee – stress fracture] and Jordi Amat [LCL] are still around a month from a return with Rory Donnelly still recovering from ankle surgery.
Arsenal – vs – Tottenham Hotspur
North London is the venue for the second big derby of the day and Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns with Mathieu Flamini [dead leg], Per Mertesacker [glutes] and Kieran Gibbs [hamstring] all expected to feature after missing out midweek. Mathieu Debuchy is recovering from ankle surgery with Yaya Sanogo [hamstring], Theo Walcott [ACL] and Serge Gnabry [knee] expected to return in October. No return date for Nacho Monreal [back].
No such problems for Mauricio Pochettino who confirms Kyle Walker [pelvic surgery] is his only expected absentee after Andros Townsend [dead leg] returned midweek. With such a big squad at his disposal and a disappointing home defeat to West Brom last weekend expect the Argentine to shake things up – Soldado could come back in contention following his goal against Nottingham Forest with the stuttering Adebayor drawing blanks in his last four games.
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West Bromich Albion – vs – Burnley
Alan Irvine faces a selection dilemma ahead of the game with Burnley. The Baggies have enjoyed two excellent results this week whilst fielding two entirely different starting elevens – a one nil win at White Hart Lane & a dramatic late win over Hull in the cup. Midweek goal scorer Brown Ideye is confident he will recover from a minor ankle problem with defender Chris Baird also expected to be available following illness although a place on the bench [for both] is realistic. Personally I wouldn’t expect much change from the side that won last time out in the Premier League barring any last minute issues.
Marvin Sordell will be hoping to continue up front in place of the injured Danny Ings [hamstring] but David Jones [thigh] remains a doubt after limping out of last weekend’s draw with Sunderland -the midfielder will be assessed again on Saturday along with teammate Matt Taylor [Achilles]. Sam Vokes is progressing nicely with a provisional return pencilled in for late November.
Stoke City – vs – Newcastle United
Stoke enjoyed a great win at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday with a number of squad members playing themselves into contention for the visit of Newcastle. Stephen Ireland [ribs] completed the game after a month out while Oussama Assaidi managed 87 minutes to gain some valuable match-fitness. Defender Marc Muniesa will be hoping his two goals were enough to secure a place in the eleven with Robert Huth also back. Jon Walters [calf] is the only doubt but Mark Hughes remains confident the Irish international will be available – Geoff Cameron [hernia] could return for game week seven.
Alan Pardew will welcome back Yoan Gouffran, Tim Krul and Papiss Demba Cisse after the trio missed the midweek trip to Crystal Palace because of illness - Cheick Tiote will also return after limping off against Hull - the Ivorian was suffering from cramp and should be fine. Adam Armstrong [hernia] returned to the starting eleven and done his chances no harm and Emmanuel Riviere will be glad to get his first goals in a ‘Black & White’ shirt. Mehdi Abeid serves a one game domestic ban. Jones Gutierrez, Siem de Jong, Rolando Aarons and Curtis Good remain out but Ryan Taylor is close after more than two years out.
