Football writer Ben Bloom has predicted how Premier League clubs could line up in Matchweek 4.
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Tottenham Hotspur v Everton predicted line-ups
Spurs: No sooner had he returned to competitive action than Mykhailo Mudryk picked up an injury that will see him out for a couple of months. Mathys Tel looks set to retain his starting spot on the left, assuming Mohammed Kudus is not deemed ready to start (Roberto De Zerbi said he is “very close” to doing so). Conor Gallagher filled the No 10 role last weekend, but might be replaced by Mateus Fernandes, or else Omar Marmoush could drop back with Dominic Solanke starting up top. James Maddison is available after a shoulder issue, while Andy Robertson can challenge Destiny Udogie at left-back.
See: Spurs team news
Everton: David Moyes hinted that Jack Grealish could be in line for his first start of the season, suggesting “playing game time helps” the Man City loanee as he looks to get up to speed. If Grealish starts on the left wing, it may well see Tyrique George move to the opposite flank, with Brennan Johnson dropping out of the XI. James Garner has been passed fit after suffering cramp, although Hayden Hackney provides an alternative option. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could challenge Merlin Rohl for the right-back spot following his spectacular goalscoring debut last weekend.
See: Everton team news
Sunderland v Arsenal predicted line-ups
Sunderland: Kevin Danso started at centre-back last weekend, with Nordi Mukiele shifting to right-back and Thomas Meunier moving into midfield. Sunderland then fielded an entirely different XI in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, and Regis Le Bris suggested it is “possible” that some of those players could make their way into his Premier League starting side. Primary among them might be left-back Dayann Methalie, winger Malick Fofana and the versatile Trai Hume. Le Bris could also opt for three/five at the back, although that does not necessarily require any personnel changes.
See: Sunderland team news
Arsenal: After making a couple of changes for UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday, expect Mikel Arteta to revert to the same XI he fielded against Chelsea in Arsenal’s last Premier League outing. The manager suggested there were no new injuries to report, with Cristhian Mosquera and Jurrien Timber potentially in contention for this, although bench spots look likely at most. Christos Tzolis will hope to keep Eberechi Eze out, while Kai Havertz will come back in for Viktor Gyokeres. The question of when Bruno Guimaraes makes his way into the starting XI remains.
See: Arsenal team news
Coventry City v Brighton & Hove Albion predicted line-ups
Coventry: It has been a tricky Premier League return for Coventry, who have no points and zero goals so far, but they did not disgrace themselves in defeat at Manchester City last weekend when they switched to a back three. It will be interesting to see if Frank Lampard sticks with that formation, which saw Ethan Pinnock make his first start since joining the club. There is plenty of competition for the two No 10 spots with Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Loum Tchaouna all in contention. Frank Onyeka will hope to keep Caleb Yirenkyi out in central midfield unless a return to a back four opens up another spot in the middle.
See: Coventry team news
Brighton: Brighton took an hour to get going against Leeds last weekend, but did eventually produce some good football without making personnel changes off the bench, so Fabian Hurzeler could well stick with the same XI given his medium to long-term attacking absentees. Georginio Rutter “is hopefully available” after missing the last two games with a foot problem, while deadline-day arrival Femi Azeez will “hopefully be an option” having arrived from Millwall with a minor hamstring issue. Fellow new boy Zadok Yohanna is out. If Hurzeler is looking for changes, Costinha could come it at right-back with Ferdi Kadioglu switching sides, while Rutter would replace Charalampos Kostoulas if deemed fit enough.
See: Brighton team news
Manchester United v Manchester City predicted line-ups
Man Utd: Michael Carrick’s big decision is whether to lead his attack with Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, or start both of them. Sesko has scored twice in as many games, and Carrick might be tempted to keep the same front four from Thursday’s UEFA Champions League win over Sabah, which would see Marcus Rashford lose his place and Cunha play on the left. It’s a tough one to call. Luke Shaw missed that midweek game, with Patrick Dorgu filling in at left-back. He can do so again if required.
See: Man Utd team news
Man City: Enzo Maresca confirmed Nico O’Reilly is “100 per cent available” after withdrawing from the starting line-up shortly before kick-off last weekend, and then skipping UEFA Champions League duty on Tuesday. His absence saw Enzo Fernandez start both games, partnered in the middle by Elliot Anderson for one, and Ayyoub Bouaddi for the other. If O’Reilly does return, it looks more likely to be at left-back in place of Josko Gvardiol than in midfield, while it is a close call between Matheus Nunes and Abdukodir Khusanov on the other side. It looks like a straight scrap between Iliman Ndiaye and Phil Foden for the final attacking spot.
See: Man City team news
Leeds United v Newcastle United predicted line-ups
Leeds: Jaka Bijol was the defender to miss out last weekend, with Nico Elvedi starting in place of the injured Joe Rodon, and James Justin shifting to centre-back. Those three fit players will likely contest two places here. Further forward, Harry Wilson and Brenden Aaronson were both substitutes in that match, with Ao Tanaka and Noah Okafor favoured instead. Daniel Farke faces the same selection decisions here as there is no space for all four of those attackers.
See: Leeds team news
Newcastle: Tino Livramento played the entire second half in midweek EFL Cup action at Millwall, but a start would be a big call given how long he was out for. Matthias Jaissle suggested right-back Amar Dedic “felt a little bit of something with his hamstring” when coming off in that match though, so there could be a hole to fill, but the manager added that it “does not look too serious”. Lewis Miley would be an option to fill in there if needed, with Sean Steur or Jacob Ramsey coming into central midfield. Matias Fernandez-Pardo is yet to start; when he does, expect Yoane Wissa to potentially drop into the No 10 role.
See: Newcastle team news