Saka returns to the starting lineup. Arteta, speaking to the media about Saka, revealed “Bukayo is ready to go… Yeah, he could start”. Saka has been out a long time which would tend to mean he’d likely be re-introduced slowly, however Arteta also informed the media that Arsenal have been careful with his return and Saka has been ramping up slowly already, and have probably already held him out further than Saka wanted.
Martinelli drops to the bench, but Arteta may opt to go with 3 true forwards and start Trossard or Martinelli up-front.
Timber has recovered from his illness and will likely start.
Willian started in the FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday and given the Brazilian’s age, it’s likely Adama starts in his place on Tuesday.
Lukic also returns from suspension. He started the FA Cup game alongside Berge; that is Silva’s preferred midfield tandem.
Silva spoke about Smith-Rowe in less than glowing terms on Monday. “There’s been some up and downs… the December month was difficult for him. After that, he had some good games and others not so good. He needs to find the right consistency in his game…”
Pereira would be the player likely to start in his place if Smith-Rowe were to be dropped.
Chris Wood is dealing with a contusion and as of Monday, he is dealing with a lot of pain according to Nuno. While it does not seem like Wood will be sidelined for an extended period, he is likely to be out for Gameweek 30.
Awoniyi will likely start in Wood’s place.
No other changes from what is Nuno’s preferred and strongest starting lineup.
An unchanged starting lineup from Gameweek 29 outside of Brooks coming in for the injured Tavernier.
Outtara could be the selection ahead of Brooks to play on the right-wing, but Iraola opted for Brooks in the FA Cup Quarter-Final tie against Man City, and this game is of equal importance with Bournemouth pushing for a Europa League spot.
McKenna will most likely opt to go with the same lineup as he did in Gameweek 29 in their 2-4 loss to Forest. Scoring twice against one of the best defences in the league will likely give him some confidence in this XI.
Brighton vs Aston Villa (Wednesday 7:45pm kick-off):
Games started:
Verbruggen: 26/29
Hinshelwood: 14/29
Van Hecke: 26/29
Dunk: 17/29
Estupinan: 18/29
Baleba: 23/29
Gomez: 2/29
Rutter: 19/29
Minteh: 13/29
Mitoma: 26/29
Joao Pedro: 20/29
Hinshelwood starts at right-back with Lamptey out injured.
Dunk returned from his extended absence with a cameo in the FA Cup loss to Forest. That should put him in line to return to the starting lineup alongside Van Hecke at centre-back.
Players to watch:
Dunk:
Games started:
Martinez: 29/29
Cash: /29
Konsa: 24/29
Mings: 8/29
Digne: 27/29
Tielemans: 29/29
McGinn: 22/29
Rogers: 28/28
Bailey: 14/29
Rashford: 13/29
Watkins: 25/29
Cash is Villa’s best option at right-back and he started against Preston in the FA Cup but was substituted off likely in order to keep him fresh.
Predicting Villa’s forward line at the minute is extremely difficult with the bounty of options at Emery’s disposal and his willingness to rotate. Emery picks teams based on matchups.
With Rashford in good form and Hinshelwood at right-back, I like him to start left-wing to attack a player that is a nominal midfielder.
Bailey seems like he will get minutes in the Premier League while Asensio is favoured in the FA Cup and Champions League, but again nothing is black and white.
Players to watch:
Cash:
Bailey:
Rashford:
Man City vs Leicester (Wednesday 7:45pm kick-off):
Lewis starts ahead of Nunes, as he did in Gameweek 29.
Who will start in midfield alongside Gonzalez seems to be between Gundogan and Kovacic at the minute. Given it is Leicester, Kovacic might be saved for Man United on Sunday.
Marmoush will start up-front if Haaland is not able to play, which it seems likely that he will not. He was seen in crutches after the match against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Ayew returns to the starting lineup for Daka, who has failed to really make an impact and does not fit in to this system. Ayew or Reid are much more suited to playing off or behind a number 9, alongside El-Khannous.
Soumare has really failed to impress and was hooked in the 3-0 loss to Man United in Gameweek 29. Have to think Winks gets a chance alongside Ndidi to sure up that midfield.
Players to watch:
Winks:
Ayew:
Newcastle vs Brentford (Wednesday 7:45pm kick-off):
An unchanged starting XI not only from Gameweek 29’s win over West Ham but also from Newcastle’s historic League Cup Final win over Liverpool – Newcastle United’s first trophy in 70 years.
Gordon serves the final game of his 3 game suspension.
Games started:
Flekken: 27/29
Ajer: 14/29
Collins: 28/29
Pinnock: 20/29
Lewis Potter: 20/29
Norgaard: 25/29
Janelt: 24/29
Damsgaard: 25/29
Mbeumo: 28/29
Schade: 16/29
Wissa: 24/29
Brentford’s strongest starting lineup, unchanged from Gameweek 29.
Given Southampton reportedly put a £100m price-tag on Dibbling, it’s safe to assume they will want to show him how important he is to the club by starting him.
Bella-Kotchap might retain his place after Southampton’s more solid display against Wolves.
Bednarek comes back into the starting XI to play centre-back, which then shifts Walker-Pieters back to his nominal right sided role.
Palmer has returned to team training and also returns to the starting XI.
Enzo subsequently drops back into midfield alongside Caicedo, with James, who played in midfield against Arsenal, moves back to play his nominal position – right-back.
Fofana shifts back to centre-back with Badiashille dropping to the bench.
Players to watch:
Palmer:
Games started:
Vicario: 16/29
Porro: 23/29
Romero: 14/29
Van De Ven: 9/29
Spence: 11/29
Bentancur: 15/29
Bergvall: 8/29
Maddison: 16/29
Odobert: 4/29
Son: 21/29
Solanke: 20/29
Porro and Spence seems to be the fullback pairing that has worked best for Ange of late.
Bissouma was hooked in Gameweek 29’s loss to Fulham and Bergvall has impressed more so than other midfield options whenever he has played.
Maddison returns and starts in the 10 role. Spurs’ attack was toothless without him.
Son and Odobert replace Tel and Johnson on the wings.
31 Mar, 2025
