Premier League Matchweek 5: Predictions and Key Decisions

With the deadline looming for Fantasy Premier League managers, team sheets for Matchweek 5 are wrapped in the usual cloak of doubt. Injuries, European hangovers and tactical tweaks are all in play – and several head coaches are clearly in no mood to help.

Here’s how the weekend is shaping up across the grounds.

Brentford v Chelsea: Full-back battles and Alonso’s poker face

At Brentford, Aaron Hickey has muscled his way into Michael Kayode’s right-back role and will fancy keeping it. On the left, El Hadji Malick Diouf’s assured EFL Cup outing has turned up the heat on Keane Lewis-Potter, who suddenly has a real fight on his hands.

In midfield, Keith Andrews has a decision that could shape the game’s rhythm. He went for Yehor Yarmoliuk’s industry and discipline in an advanced central role last weekend, sacrificing some of Mikkel Damsgaard’s flair for added security. Stick or twist? That’s the call.

Across west London, Xabi Alonso is giving nothing away. Asked about Joao Pedro’s fitness, he offered only, “It is a possibility,” even after the forward withdrew from Brazil duty through injury. If Pedro misses out, Danny Welbeck is poised to step in up front.

The uncertainty doesn’t end there. Alonso kept his cards tight to his chest on Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson, insisting he’ll make a late decision on that quartet. One player desperate for a chance is Pep Chavarria, still waiting for his first league start.

Spurs v Aston Villa: Full-backs reshuffled, forwards under pressure

At Spurs, Roberto De Zerbi is set to tinker with his full-backs. Pedro Porro, left out as a precaution against Everton, is fit again and expected to reclaim his place from Archie Gray. On the opposite flank, Destiny Udogie started the EFL Cup defeat at Liverpool after missing the Everton match and should keep Andy Robertson on the bench.

Sandro Tonali, absent at Anfield, has been cleared to return, adding bite and control in midfield. James Maddison is also available and edging closer to a first start of the season after being eased back from injury with substitute cameos. Dejan Kulusevski has rejoined full training, but his comeback looks set to wait until after the international break.

Unai Emery, meanwhile, is forced into changes at the back for Villa. Matteo Ruggeri, impressive on his first start in the midweek EFL Cup win at Coventry, is in line to replace the injured Ian Maatsen at left-back. In central defence, Tyrone Mings is expected to partner Victor Lindelof with Pau Torres ruled out.

Matty Cash is pushing to return at right-back after overcoming muscle soreness and featuring at Coventry, which could spell trouble for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. In midfield, Joao Gomes is back from suspension. Up front, Emery must choose between sticking with Nicolas Jackson or rewarding Tammy Abraham, who scored twice in midweek, with a Premier League start.

Brighton v Arsenal: Seagulls settled, Gunners weighing rotation

Brighton may barely touch their winning formula. After a 5-0 demolition of Coventry City last weekend, Fabian Hurzeler could name the same XI. Georginio Rutter, back from injury and involved in the EFL Cup win at Manchester United, is the main contender to break into that side.

Jaouen Hadjam is available despite being forced off on his debut at Old Trafford, securing the left-back slot. But Brighton’s longer-term injury list remains lengthy: Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Stefanos Tzimas, Yankuba Minteh, Zadok Yohanna, Evan Ferguson and Mats Wieffer are all still sidelined. Femi Azeez is also out with the hamstring problem he brought from Millwall.

Arsenal have more options than problems. Ben White picked up a groin issue at Sunderland and missed the EFL Cup win at Ipswich Town, yet Mikel Arteta expects him to be fit. Even so, Jurrien Timber is ready to step in at right-back if required.

Arteta is “really positive about everybody”, including Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, who are both tipped to be available. The intriguing call is in midfield: Bruno Guimaraes, who came off the bench to score at Sunderland, is pushing for his first Premier League start for the club. Arteta called him “such a dynamic, versatile player” and hinted that his inclusion will come down to what Arsenal “need on the day”.

Everton v Ipswich: Grealish knocking, Emersonn cleared

At Everton, Harrison Armstrong’s fitness is the key question in midfield. He missed the EFL Cup win over Wolves, but David Moyes says he “expects him to be OK” to partner James Garner in the middle, even as he admits he is “still waiting” on final confirmation.

Jack Grealish is pressing hard for his first league start since returning on loan from Manchester City, offering Moyes a high-profile decision in the attacking band. On the right, Tyrique George could edge ahead of Brennan Johnson, though Tyler Dibling’s lively showing against Wolves has given the manager another tempting option. Merlin Rohl and Christian Norgaard remain out.

Ipswich travel with a clean bill of health almost everywhere. Gary O’Neil has confirmed that striker Emersonn is fit after a tight quad kept him out of the EFL Cup defeat to Arsenal. His return complicates matters, because Zian Flemming – the match-winner at Crystal Palace after replacing the injured Emersonn – is also pushing for a start.

Azor Matusiwa is back available but not expected to feature, leaving Jack Taylor as the only Ipswich player currently sidelined.

Newcastle v Hull: Jaissle juggling injuries, Hull stay steady

At Newcastle, Matthias Jaissle’s injury problems continue to pile up. Anthony Elanga missed the defeat to Leeds and was replaced by Jacob Murphy. If Jaissle reshuffles again, Harvey Barnes could switch to the right with Bazoumana Toure coming in on the left.

Nico Gonzalez’s concussion against Leeds opens the door for Sean Steur to start in central midfield, especially with Jacob Ramsay also unavailable. At the back, Amar Dedic has joined the growing absentee list, which could hand Tino Livramento a start. Higher up, Joe Willock and Matias Fernandez-Pardo appear locked in a direct battle for one place.

Hull, unbeaten four games into their Premier League return, have little reason to rip things up. Sergej Jakirovic’s main headache is replacing Nobel Mendy, who suffered concussion last weekend. Lucas Herrington and Paddy McNair are the leading candidates to come in.

Matt Crooks will try to keep Lucas Gourna-Douath and Tim Iroegbunam out of central midfield, while Sorba Thomas is pressing to dislodge Elliot Stroud from the XI.

Nott’m Forest v Coventry: Formation questions for Lampard

Nottingham Forest are still nursing key players. Jair Cunha and Nikola Milenkovic both missed last weekend with hamstring issues. Oliver Glasner has confirmed Milenkovic remains out, but Cunha has returned to training, with the manager monitoring “how he reacts”. If Cunha doesn’t make it, Ola Aina will again be asked to fill in.

In midfield, Ibrahim Sangare was overlooked in favour of Xaver Schlager and James McAtee against Aston Villa and looks set to miss out again. Up front, Igor Jesus came off the bench to score the winner in that match, putting serious pressure on Dan Ndoye for a starting berth.

Coventry and Frank Lampard face a structural dilemma. A switch from a back three to a four in the EFL Cup brought a different feel, but Aurele Amenda’s calf injury removes one option in defence. Manchester City loanee Stephen Mfuni is the obvious replacement if Lampard sticks with a back four, though he could yet revert to his previous system.

Victor Torp and Caleb Yirenkyi impressed in midweek and are pushing to start in central midfield. Competition for the two No 10 roles remains fierce, with new signing Yann Gboho among the contenders. Up front, teenager Sidiki Cherif, who covered for the suspended Taiwo Awoniyi on Wednesday, will scrap with Ellis Simms for the striker’s spot.

AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool: Cherries flying, Reds reshaping

Bournemouth arrive from a historic European night. Marco Rose named the same XI in the win at Real Sociedad as he did in the draw with Brentford, and the temptation is to go again with an unchanged side for a third time in eight days.

There are no fresh injury concerns, while Amine Adli, Julian Araujo, Junior Kroupi and Veljko Milosavljevic remain out. If Rose does rotate, the likeliest tweak is in central midfield, where Lewis Cook could come in for Tyler Adams – the only position he has altered in the league so far.

Liverpool’s midweek EFL Cup win over Spurs has thrown up new selection headaches. Cody Gakpo, who missed the goalless draw with Fulham, returned with a goal and assist and should be rewarded with a start. He may, however, be shifted to the right to keep Bradley Barcola on the left after the summer signing’s bright displays.

Alexis Mac Allister, another midweek scorer, is pushing to replace Ryan Gravenberch alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield. At left-back, Milos Kerkez is set to come back in for Konstantinos Tsimikas against his former club. Joe Gomez made his injury return against Spurs, but Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa are still unavailable.

Leeds v Crystal Palace: Farke settled, Sage juggling suspension

Leeds have momentum and continuity. After a 4-1 dismantling of Newcastle, Daniel Farke has little incentive to tinker. Harry Wilson is out with a quad injury, but he has been used only from the bench recently, so the starting XI is unlikely to be affected.

Noah Okafor, on the scoresheet against Newcastle, should keep his place, though Brenden Aaronson lurks as an alternative if Farke decides to rotate. Ilia Gruev is back in contention after coming through an Under-21 match unscathed, while Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph remain sidelined.

Crystal Palace must adjust at the back. Axel Disasi is suspended after his red card against Ipswich, clearing the way for Takehiro Tomiyasu to come in at centre-back. Further forward, Ismaila Sarr is edging towards a first start of the season after a substitute appearance in the UEFA Europa League win over Lech Poznan.

Manager Pierre Sage admitted Sarr could “maybe” start at Leeds but stressed he is not ready for a full 90 minutes. Dean Henderson and Jean-Philippe Mateta are not expected back until after the international break.

Man City v Sunderland: Foden out, Ndiaye in line

Phil Foden’s suspension following his red card in the derby against Manchester United opens a door at Manchester City. Summer signing Iliman Ndiaye is poised for just his second Premier League start, stepping into a frontline that will still be packed with quality.

Jeremy Doku is also nearing a return. Enzo Maresca says the winger should be available after recovering from the calf problem sustained in the FA Community Shield, though a place on the bench remains the likeliest scenario. Nico O’Reilly started at left-back in the midweek EFL Cup win over Norwich on his comeback from injury, but Josko Gvardiol is expected to hold that spot in the league.

Sunderland arrive with a left-back dilemma of their own. Reinildo Mandava is suspended after his late red card against Arsenal, forcing Regis Le Bris into a choice: use right-footed Trai Hume on the left, as he did several times last season, or hand a Premier League debut to summer signing Dayann Methalie.

Beyond that, the side should resemble the one that pushed Arsenal, with Le Bris having rotated heavily for the Europa League triumph over AZ Alkmaar. Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle remain the only injuries.

Fulham v Man Utd: Arbeloa chasing first win, Carrick weighing up Cunha

Fulham could name an unchanged XI from the dogged draw at Liverpool. Alvaro Arbeloa’s search for a first Premier League win is built on stability, and the midfield pairing of Sander Berge and Shea Charles, used together for the first time at Anfield, looks set to continue. Alex Iwobi should again operate in a more advanced role.

Ryan Sessegnon, used only from the bench so far, faces a late fitness test. Kenny Tete is definitely out, following concussion protocols after taking a ball to the face at Anfield, while Tom Cairney remains sidelined with a knee problem.

At Manchester United, Luke Shaw is still a doubt after the injury he picked up in Matchweek 3. Michael Carrick insists “there is a chance” and describes the issue as “really short term”, but Patrick Dorgu is again the favourite to start at left-back.

Up front, Carrick has a thorny decision. Matheus Cunha has yet to score in the league, and Benjamin Sesko failed to seize his opportunity as starting centre-forward in the EFL Cup defeat to Brighton. If Sesko gets the nod again through the middle, Cunha could be shifted to the left at Marcus Rashford’s expense. Carlos Baleba, meanwhile, is waiting in the wings for a possible debut from the bench.

The line-ups will settle plenty of arguments in dressing rooms and Fantasy squads alike. The real question is whose gambles will still look brave – and not reckless – by full-time.