James often does not play back to back games, however with Malo Gusto out, he is the obvious choice to start at right-back once again with 6 days rest between games.
Gusto should return in Gameweek 35 according to Maresca.
If James does start, it is set to be an unchanged starting XI from Maresca with Chelsea in a heated battle for Champions League football next season.
Chalobah has performed better than Tosin this season and should keep his spot.
Neto has proven he is the superior option to Sancho.
Van Hecke is out with a head injury. Hurzeler said they expect and hope he returns in Gameweek 35.
Veltman is set to return to the squad, with Hurzeler stating “Yes – he will be an option”. He may be thrust right back into the starting lineup with Brighton’s defensive injuries.
Lamptey may return to the squad and could be an option to start.
Hinshelwood was played in midfield last weekend with Weiffer starting at right-back but that resulted in shipping 4 goals to Brentford in a 4-2 loss. He is a likely candidate to start at right-back this week, as he has been for the most part in recent weeks.
Mitoma returns to the starting lineup.
With Joao Pedro suspended, Welbeck is set to start up front in Brighton’s next 3 games.
I believe Newcastle’s 4-1 loss to Aston Villa in Gameweek 33 will give Howe the opportunity to start Gordon once again, with Harvey Barnes, who is on fire, shifts to the right-wing. Murphy has been excellent this season, but Barnes and Gordon alongside Isak has the chance to raise the ceiling of Newcastle’s forward line.
With Southampton now confirmed as relegated, they may now give some minutes to younger players along with resting older ones or players who have played large minutes this season.
According to his own coaches, Onuachu has struggled with fitness and the ability to play consecutive games. Dibbling could come into the forward line.
An unchanged starting lineup from Marco Silva in the pursuit of Conference League football next season.
Tete returning from a lengthy spell out injured is a major boost, and after starting in Gameweek 33, and 6 days rest between games, he should be ready to start again.
Harry Wilson is set to return to the squad, but after so long out and Sessegnon performing well, it would seem more likely Wilson gets minutes off the bench.
Vitor Pereira thinks “Bellegarde will be fit to help the team”.
Bellegarde was favoured over Cunha in the left sided 10 role alongside Muntesi, even once Wolves’ star man returned from his suspension. Wolves were on a 4 game win streak before Bellegarde missed last weeks victory over Man United. There is certainly a chance that with Cunha set to leave Wolves in the summer, Bellegarde regains his starting spot and Cunha is dropped.
Mavdidi is out with a muscle injury and Ruud revealed he is set to be out “for a few weeks”.
Van Nistelrooy was however more hopeful of McAteer’s fitness, stating “Kasey McAteer, on the other hand, came back into team training and hopefully can make it into Saturday’s game”. Given McAteer started in Gameweek 32, it feels like he would start once again if he is cleared to play.
Cook re-enters the starting lineup to play alongside Tyler Adams, replacing Alex Scott, who started in his place in Gameweek 33.
With Ouattara failing to make a decisive impact in games playing on the wing, and Tavernier now fully fit, I feel that switch may be made. If it is, Semenyo would likely shift to the left-wing with Tavernier playing on the right.
United have a slew of defensive injuries which now includes Dalot being out for the rest of this season.
I think United’s likeliest solution would be to start Mazraoui at right-back, somewhere he has played before.
Amorim has been seemingly giving youth a chance in the league in order to prioritise freshness in the Europa League. However, given Casemiro did not start in Gameweek 33, he should be able to start against Bournemouth and then play again 4 days later against Athletic Bilboa if needed.
Fernandes returns to the starting XI after being rested against Wolves.
Players to watch:
Yoro:
Casemiro:
Garnacho:
Mainoo:
Liverpool vs Spurs (Sunday 4:30pm kick-off):
Games started:
Alisson: 23/33
Bradley: 3/33
Konate: 25/33
Van Dijk: 33/33
Robertson: 26/33
Gravenberch: 32/33
Mac Allister: 29/33
Szoboszlai: 25/33
Salah: 33/33
Gakpo: 18/33
Diaz: 24/33
Slot will simply opt for his strongest starting lineup in order to close out the league and be crowned Premier League Champions.
The only exception is likely to be Connor Bradley starting ahead of Trent-Alexander Arnold. Arne Slot spoke on Bradley saying “He is getting closer and closer to playing 90 minutes… It is important for him to play as many games in a row as he can”. Sounds like Liverpool are prioritising their future at right-back ahead of their soon-to-be past.
Diaz and Jota have both always performed well against Ange’s Spurs but Gakpo-Diaz-Salah was the front 3 that lead Liverpool to 6 goals in the reverse fixture.
Spurs will be prioritising their Europa League Semi-Final clash on Thursday.
Porro and Van De Ven are rested for Thursday with Udogie and Gray coming into the starting back 4.
Maddison and Bergvall were rested in Gameweek 33 and therefore should be okay to start against Liverpool and go again on Thursday. Bentancur did start last weekend and therefore is given a chance to rest.
Johnson did not start in Gameweek 33, and so should be fine to play Sunday and then again midweek, and therefore gets the nod over Odobert. Odobert has played well and so there is a chance Johnson is purely saved for the game against Bodo/Glimt.
Solanke re-takes the starting striker spot from Richarlison, who has just returned from another injury.
Players to watch:
Porro:
Spence:
Udogie:
Gray:
Maddison:
Bergvall:
Johnson:
Solanke:
Richarlison:
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford (Thursday 7:30pm kick-0ff):
While Nuno did say everyone is being assessed on their fitness for this game, meaning Aina has a chance, it seems like he is a doubt. We would have likely gotten a clearer update from Nuno if he was fit.
While Toffolo did start at left-back in Gameweek 33, I feel like Moreno will start there this weekend.
No other changes from what has been Forest’s strongest starting XI all season.
Players to watch:
Moreno:
Games started:
Flekken: 32/33
Ajer: 17/33
Collins: 33/33
Van Den Berg: 25/33
Lewis Potter: 24/33
Norgaard: 30/33
Janelt: 28/33
Damsgaard: 29/33
Mbeumo: 33/33
Schade: 21/33
Wissa: 29/33
Ajer returns to the starting lineup, with the young Kayode who got his first start in Gameweek 33, drops to the bench.
Frank returns to his strongest midfield 3, with Yarmoliuk dropping back to the bench.
25 Apr, 2025
