Moyes opts for the same starting lineup as he went with for the Merseyside Derby in Gameweek 30.
Ndiaye did make a cameo off the bench against Liverpool, but Moyes spoke on Friday mentioning he lacks match fitness. I would expect to see another appearance of the bench before he likely re-enters the starting lineup in Gameweek 32.
Arsenal have a laundry list of injuries at the minute, and with their last real shot at silverware being against the Champions League, it is safe to assume that Arteta will be cautious with anyone who is not 100% match fit, prioritising Tuesday’s clash against Real Madrid.
Arteta said there is “a chance” that Timber and White are available. Given the uncertainty around their fitness, it would stand to reason they are on the bench at best, in order to guarantee they are both fit for Madrid on Tuesday.
Partey moves to right-back as he has before this season.
Jorginho replaces Partey in midfield, playing alongside Rice and Odegaard.
Speaking about Saka on Friday, Arteta revealed that him starting against Everton “is a possibility… He’s demanding more and he wants more, so that’s a good sign.” While the news is all positive, it would seem that Saka is still likely to be eased back, and again the Champions League game on Tuesday will take priority. I would expect another cameo off the bench here for Saka in Gameweek 31, with starting him against Real Madrid being Arteta’s preferred plan.
Players to watch:
Kiwior:
Jorginho:
Nwanieri:
Saka:
Crystal Palace vs Brighton (Saturday 3pm kick-off):
Glasner revealed to the media Friday that Richards is still dealing with some pain and did not train Friday. Richards is very close according to Glasner, so he will return to the starting lineup in Gameweek 32.
Leif Davis’ availability for Wolves is going to be a close call according to Ipswich Manager Ian McKenna. It sounds like best case scenario, Davis is fit to make the bench.
Safe to presume McKenna would roll with the back 4 that got him a huge upset win away at Bournemouth. Greaves and Woolfenden might have lost their starting spots now that Tuanzebe has returned from injury to play right-back, with O’Shea and Burgess playing centre-back.
Philogene comes back into the starting XI for Johnson.
Hutchinson is also a close call according to McKenna. I would lean toward him being on the bench as the best case scenario.
After a drab 1-0 loss to Wolves, I expect some changes.
Mavropanos and Emerson return to the starting lineup after Cresswell and Scarles had tough games against Wolves and were both hooked.
Soucek returns to the starting XI.
Kudus is back in the starting XI, after a minor injury kept him out in Gameweek 30. He did a light training session Thursday and therefore likely trained Friday also and should be fit to start. Guilherme drops to the bench.
Paqueta moves from a deeper midfield role he’d played alongside Ward-Prowse and Soucek in more recent weeks, to playing ahead of Kudus and Bowen as he did under Potter in earlier weeks.
However, Fullkrug has returned from injury and we will see if Potter favours going with a true striker in that role over Paqueta. If Potter does opt to go with the German striker up-front, Paqueta would move back into midfield likely along Soucek. Ward-Prowse would drop to the bench.
Ryan Christie has been ruled out by Andre Iraola. He is dealing with multiple injuries that he has been fighting through all season, and might now be sidelined for an extended period.
Kluivert is a serious doubt once again. Iraolo refused to completely ruled it out but called it ‘difficult’.
Smith was hooked after a poor performance at right-back where he looked physically unable to provide what was needed. Cook moved back to right-back and I doubt Iraola risks going with Smith again.
With Christie injured, Adams and Scott will likely play the deeper midfield roles.
Brooks plays in the 10 role.
Players to watch:
Smith:
Christie:
Adams:
Scott:
Kluivert:
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday 5:30pm kick-off):
With the short turnaround from Wednesday to Saturday, and PSG in the Champions League next Wednesday, expect a lot of rotation from Emery, which is something he has done all season.
With Cash and Pau recently returning from extended injuries, I will imagine they will be rested for the PSG game. Disasi and Mings come in at centre-back with Konsa shifting out to right-back.
30 year old McGinn is rested for the Champions League. Asensio, who played a staring role off the bench in the 3-0 win over Brighton, grabbing a goal and assist, starts in his place.
Rashford has played well under Emery and is in good form. He seems to be preferred to Watkins right now and given he does not have a crazy minutes tally this season, can start again despite the quick turnaround.
Nuno revealed that Aina is set to be out injured for an extended period. He is definitely out for Villa and Everton and will be reassessed after that.
With Alex Moreno unable to face his parent club, Toffolo will likely have to make his first start of this season at left-back. Williams will move to right-back where he has played before.
Nuno confirmed Hudson-Odoi is set to return to the squad after missing the game against Man United dealing with a personal issue.
Players to watch:
Toffolo:
Hudson-Odoi:
Brentford vs Chelsea (Sunday 2pm kick-off):
Games started:
Flekken: 28/30
Van Den Berg: /30
Collins: 29/30
Pinnock: 21/30
Lewis Potter: 21/30
Norgaard: 26/30
Janelt: 25/30
Damsgaard: 25/30
Mbeumo: 29/30
Schade: 17/30
Wissa: 25/30
Damsgaard comes back into the starting XI for Yarmoliuk. Outside of that, no changes for Thomas Frank.
An unchanged starting XI from Chelsea’s 1-0 over Spurs outside of James coming in for Gusto at right-back.
Players to watch:
James:
Games started:
Alisson: 21/30
Jones: 14/30
Konate: 23/30
Van Dijk: 30/30
Robertson: 25/30
Gravenberch: 30/30
Mac Allister: 27/30
Szoboszlai: 23/30
Salah: 30/30
Gakpo: 16/30
Jota: 11/30
I expect the only change from Liverpool’s Merseyside Derby victory will be Gakpo coming in for Diaz at left-wing. Gakpo is Slot’s preferred left-winger.
Silva will likely opt to stick with the 5 at the back system that he went with against Arsenal in Gameweek 30.
Bassey returns to the starting lineup in place of Cuenca.
Iwobi returns. Pereira starts ahead of Smith-Rowe, whose performance levels have been inconsisten, which was mentioned by Silva prior to the loss against Arsenal.
Players to watch:
Diop:
Pereira:
Smith-Rowe:
Spurs vs Southampton (Sunday 2pm kick-off):
Games started:
Vicario: 17/30
Porro: 23/30
Romero: 15/30
Van De Ven: 10/30
Spence: 12/30
Bentancur: 16/30
Bergvall: 9/30
Maddison: 17/30
Johnson: 20/30
Son: 22/30
Solanke: 21/30
Porro comes in for Udogie, while Spence shifts to left-back. Spurs’ attack needs the spark Porro provides and Spence has played too well to be dropped.
04 Apr, 2025
