Fantasy Premier League Matchweek 1 Preview: Key Injuries and Squad Updates

The new Premier League season is here, the transfer window still humming in the background, and managers across the country are already juggling injuries, late fitness tests and big calls. For Fantasy Premier League bosses, the margins before tonight’s 18:30 BST deadline look especially tight.

Here’s how Matchweek 1 is shaping up.

Arsenal v Coventry

Arsenal open with problems in midfield and at the back, but with serious firepower ready to return.

Bruno Guimaraes is the big doubt. Mikel Arteta will push the decision right up to kick-off after describing the Brazilian as “evolving really well”, yet still short of certainty. Jurrien Timber remains “a few weeks” away, while William Saliba is still a long-term absentee, leaving the Gunners’ defensive depth under strain.

The good news for Arsenal fans – and FPL managers – is at the top end of the pitch. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, both on the bench for the Community Shield win over Manchester City, are “ready to be involved” and should step back into prominent roles.

Coventry arrive in north London without their main goal threat. Haji Wright, last season’s top scorer, has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a serious quad injury. Frank Lampard called it “disappointing for Haji and for us” and admitted it will be “a number of weeks” before he returns. Ellis Simms is set to lead the line in his absence.

Lampard does at least have bodies back. Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni have shaken off pre-season issues and are in contention, though both are expected to be eased in from the bench. Frank Onyeka faces a late fitness test and will be assessed close to kick-off.

Hull v Man Utd

Hull’s return to the top flight begins with a patched-up squad and a familiar, pragmatic shape.

Six first-team players, including goalkeeper Jack Butland and midfielder Darko Gyabi, are out until at least next month. Joe Gelhardt’s absence strips more punch from their attack. Hidemasa Morita and Cody Drameh are pencilled in to rejoin training only after the Manchester United clash.

At centre-back, Charlie Hughes’ injury leaves a sizeable gap. New signing Nobel Mendy is expected to step straight into the heart of the defence, with Hull likely to lean again on the tight five-at-the-back system that powered their playoff surge.

Manchester United, under Michael Carrick, arrive with momentum from pre-season but questions over key new faces. Mason Mount is “touch and go for the weekend”, though Carrick downplayed any long-term concern, insisting “there are no dramas”. Matthijs De Ligt has returned to training but is not yet ready to feature.

Up front, Benjamin Sesko is back with the squad but is unlikely to start. That leaves Carrick with decisions to make over his central striker and the balance of his forward line.

Everton v Crystal Palace

Everton’s team news remains under wraps for now, but Crystal Palace’s new era under Pierre Sage already has a focal point: the goalkeeper.

Dean Henderson twisted his ankle in the final pre-season friendly against Freiburg, yet Palace are hopeful he will be fit enough to start. “We want him to play,” Sage said, explaining the club had given him a few days of treatment to get him as close to peak condition as possible.

The rest of the squad is available. Jean-Philippe Mateta is working back towards full fitness and is not expected to start, but he will be in the matchday squad and could feature from the bench.

Ipswich v Sunderland

Ipswich are keeping their cards close to their chest on selection, but Sunderland travel with almost a full deck.

Only Simon Adingra misses out, still not fully over an ankle problem. Everyone else is available, though manager Regis Le Bris has choices to make over minutes and sharpness. “We’ll see for the game time because they are not all at the same stage, but they are available,” he said.

New right-back Thomas Meunier, who had been troubled by back pain, trained this week and is set to be in the squad, with the potential for minutes. Defenders Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele also return from injury, giving Sunderland options across the back line.

Nott'm Forest v Leeds

Nottingham Forest begin the campaign without their captain.

Ryan Yates, missing from the final pre-season friendly against Stade Brestois, has not recovered in time and is ruled out. Defender Nicolo Savona is also sidelined after a minor setback following knee surgery at the end of last season. “We had to take a step back,” manager Oliver Glasner explained, with Savona now back in the gym working on his knee. Glasner expects it to take “a couple of weeks” before he returns to the grass.

Every other Forest player is available for selection, giving Glasner stability elsewhere in his squad.

Leeds arrive with one of last season’s form men under consideration but not guaranteed.

Noah Okafor, who scored six in his final 10 games of last season, has been training with the team for two weeks. Daniel Farke is wary of rushing him, stressing that “it’s my responsibility to see if it makes sense and we’ll take some late decisions”. Willy Gnonto misses out with a hamstring injury, while Gabriel Gudmundsson is also “still out”.

Beyond that, Farke reports a clean bill of health. The rest of the Leeds squad is in good shape and ready.

Brentford v Spurs

Brentford’s plans remain to be confirmed, but Tottenham already know they will be stretched at the back.

New club captain Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro have both been ruled out with injuries, ripping out two pillars of Roberto De Zerbi’s defensive structure. Archie Gray is expected to cover at right-back, while summer signing Marcos Senesi, brought in from Bournemouth, could be thrown straight into the centre of defence.

Midfield energy will also be reduced with Pape Matar Sarr not fit enough to play. De Zerbi does at least have key attacking pieces available: James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Mateus Fernandes and Destiny Udogie are all in contention to start.

Brighton v Aston Villa

Fabian Hurzeler’s first Premier League team sheet as Brighton manager is already complicated by fitness problems.

Yankuba Minteh is out for at least a couple of weeks. Carlos Baleba, Kaoru Mitoma and Stefanos Tzimas are all doubts and will be assessed closer to Sunday’s kick-off, leaving Hurzeler juggling combinations in midfield and attack.

New forward Promise David has an outside chance of involvement, but any debut is likely to come from the bench.

Aston Villa’s team news is still to be confirmed, but with European ambitions and a settled core, their opening XI will be watched closely.

Man City v Bournemouth

Manchester City are keeping their plans under wraps for now. Bournemouth, under new manager Marco Rose, are not so lucky.

Last season’s breakout star Junior Kroupi is out until around November after foot surgery, a major blow to Rose’s attacking options in his first official match in charge. Tyler Adams is being assessed and remains in contention, while Ryan Christie’s suspension opens a possible vacancy in central midfield.

David Brooks is also being monitored, leaving Rose to weigh up risk against rhythm as he shapes his first Premier League lineup.

Newcastle v Liverpool

St James’ Park starts the season without one of its key enforcers.

Joelinton is out “for a couple of weeks”, Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle confirmed, ruling the Brazilian out of the opening weekend. Jaissle is “really confident that he will be back as soon as possible”, but in the meantime expects summer signing Aladji Bamba to step into central midfield.

On the right flank, Amar Dedic could be thrown straight in at right-back after only just joining the club. “He got some minutes in friendlies there, I am confident that he's ready and we need him,” Jaissle said. Tino Livramento is edging closer to a return but has only taken part in one training session and still needs more time.

Liverpool’s team news is yet to be revealed, leaving plenty of FPL managers waiting on late updates before locking in their squads.

Fulham v Chelsea

Craven Cottage hosts a London derby with both managers forced into early reshuffles.

For Fulham, defender Joachim Anderson misses the start of the season through suspension. Tom Cairney is sidelined until October after knee surgery earlier this month. New boss Alvaro Arbeloa faces big calls across the pitch in his first match in charge, but one looks straightforward: summer signing Gonzalo Garcia, recruited from Real Madrid, is expected to start up front.

Chelsea, under Xabi Alonso, have their own balancing act. Danny Welbeck, signed from Brighton, is managing his workload in training but could still feature from the bench. “We are expecting him back on Saturday,” Alonso said, stressing the need to go “day by day”.

Jordan Henderson is out until September with a wrist injury. Alonso also warned that players who went deep at the World Cup “may need a bit more time”, though none are injured and all are available.

The season starts with questions everywhere. By the end of Matchweek 1, some of those gambles will already look inspired – and others brutally exposed.