Premier League Matchweek 5: Predicted XIs and Selection Gambles
With the Gameweek 5 deadline looming at 18:30 BST, managers across the country are staring at team sheets, press conference quotes and injury reports, trying to decode who actually starts this weekend. Ben Bloom and David Coverdale have sketched out how each side could line up – and there are selection calls everywhere you look.
Brentford v Chelsea
Brentford
Aaron Hickey’s late grab for the right-back shirt has put Michael Kayode under real pressure. Hickey stepped in last weekend and did enough to keep the conversation going. On the left, El Hadji Malick Diouf impressed in the EFL Cup and is now eyeing Keane Lewis-Potter’s spot, turning what looked a settled position into a live battle.
Keith Andrews’ big decision sits in midfield. He added extra steel last weekend by pushing Yehor Yarmoliuk into an advanced central role. It worked. Now he must decide whether to stick with the Ukrainian’s industry or roll the dice again with the more creative Mikkel Damsgaard.
Chelsea
Xabi Alonso has gone full poker face. On Joao Pedro, he offered only: “It is a possibility,” refusing to confirm whether the forward is fit despite his withdrawal from the Brazil squad. If Pedro doesn’t make it, Danny Welbeck is the obvious replacement up front.
The uncertainty doesn’t stop there. Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson were all left in limbo, with Alonso saying only that he will make a call on Friday. One player desperate for a breakthrough is Pep Chavarria, still chasing his first Premier League start and waiting for an opening in defence.
Spurs v Aston Villa
Spurs
Roberto De Zerbi looks ready to tinker at full-back again. Pedro Porro, left out as a precaution against Everton, is fit and expected to reclaim his right-back slot from Archie Gray. On the opposite side, Destiny Udogie started the midweek EFL Cup defeat at Liverpool after missing the Everton match and is poised to stay ahead of Andy Robertson.
In midfield, there is a boost. Sandro Tonali, absent at Anfield, has been cleared to face Villa. James Maddison is also available and edging closer to a first start of the season after being eased back from injury with substitute cameos. Dejan Kulusevski has finally rejoined full training after his long lay-off, but his return to action is likely to wait until after the international break.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s back line will look different. Matteo Ruggeri, impressive on his first start in the midweek EFL Cup win at Coventry, is set to replace the injured Ian Maatsen at left-back. Tyrone Mings is expected to partner Victor Lindelof in central defence with Pau Torres ruled out, while Matty Cash could reclaim the right-back role from Aaron Wan-Bissaka after overcoming muscle soreness.
In midfield, Joao Gomes returns from suspension and strengthens Emery’s options. Up front, the dilemma is clear: stick with Nicolas Jackson or reward Tammy Abraham, who scored twice in midweek, with a Premier League start.
Brighton v Arsenal
Brighton
After a 5-0 demolition of Coventry City, Brighton have every reason to go again with the same XI. That said, Georginio Rutter is pushing hard after making his comeback from injury in the midweek EFL Cup victory at Manchester United, giving Fabian Hurzeler a genuine selection puzzle in attack.
Jaouen Hadjam should continue at left-back after Hurzeler confirmed he is available despite going off on his debut at Old Trafford. Femi Azeez is still out with the hamstring problem he brought from Millwall, while a lengthy injury list also keeps Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Stefanos Tzimas, Yankuba Minteh, Zadok Yohanna, Evan Ferguson and Mats Wieffer on the sidelines.
Arsenal
Ben White’s groin issue kept him out of the midweek EFL Cup win at Ipswich Town, but Mikel Arteta expects him to be available at Brighton. Even so, Jurrien Timber is fit and could be drafted in at right-back if Arteta opts to rotate.
Arteta is “really positive about everybody” and confident that Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera will also be fine to play. The intriguing call is in midfield, where Bruno Guimaraes, who scored off the bench at Sunderland, is in line for his first Premier League start for the club. Arteta hailed him as “such a dynamic, versatile player” and hinted his role will depend on “what we need on the day”.
Everton v Ipswich
Everton
Harrison Armstrong’s fitness hangs over Everton’s midfield. He missed the EFL Cup win against Wolves, with David Moyes saying he is “still waiting” but expects Armstrong to be ready to partner James Garner in the middle.
Jack Grealish is knocking loudly for his first league start since rejoining on loan from Manchester City. Out wide, Tyrique George could edge ahead of Brennan Johnson on the right, although Tyler Dibling’s lively display in midweek has kept him firmly in the conversation. Merlin Rohl and Christian Norgaard remain out.
Ipswich
Gary O’Neil has his main striker back. Emersonn is fit after a tight quad kept him out of the EFL Cup loss to Arsenal, but Zian Flemming – who scored the winner at Crystal Palace after replacing the injured forward – is also pressing for inclusion.
Azor Matusiwa is available again but not expected to feature, leaving Jack Taylor as the only Ipswich absentee. The rest of O’Neil’s side should look familiar.
Newcastle v Hull
Newcastle
Matthias Jaissle’s injury list is starting to feel endless. Anthony Elanga missed the defeat to Leeds, with Jacob Murphy stepping in on the flank. If Jaissle reshuffles again, Harvey Barnes could move across to the right, freeing up Bazoumana Toure to start on the left.
Nico Gonzalez’s concussion against Leeds opens the door for Sean Steur to come into central midfield, with Jacob Ramsay also sidelined. At the back, Amar Dedic has joined the casualty list, putting Tino Livramento in line for a start. In midfield, Joe Willock and Matias Fernandez-Pardo are effectively fighting for one place.
Hull
Hull City have returned to the Premier League with steel: four games, no defeats. That consistency has allowed Sergej Jakirovic to keep a steady XI, though he will be forced into at least one change with Nobel Mendy ruled out after a concussion last weekend.
Lucas Herrington and Paddy McNair are the main candidates to replace him. Matt Crooks will try to hold off Lucas Gourna-Douath and Tim Iroegbunam in central midfield, while Sorba Thomas is pushing Elliot Stroud hard for a starting berth out wide.
Nott'm Forest v Coventry
Nott'm Forest
Oliver Glasner’s selection board is dominated by hamstring updates. Nikola Milenkovic remains out, but Jair Cunha has returned to training after his own issue, with Glasner waiting to see “how he reacts”. If Cunha isn’t ready, Ola Aina will again be asked to plug the gap.
In midfield, Ibrahim Sangare was overlooked for Xaver Schlager and James McAtee against Aston Villa and looks set to miss out again. Up front, Igor Jesus came off the bench to score the winner in that match and is now applying serious pressure on Dan Ndoye for a starting role.
Coventry
Frank Lampard has a tactical decision to make. He moved from a back three to a back four in the EFL Cup and must now decide whether to stick with that change. He cannot call on Aurele Amenda, who has a calf injury, so Manchester City loanee Stephen Mfuni is the obvious candidate to step in – unless Lampard reshapes his system again.
Victor Torp and Caleb Yirenkyi impressed in midweek and are pushing to start in central midfield. Competition is fierce for the two No 10 positions, with new signing Yann Gboho among the contenders. Up front, teenager Sidiki Cherif, who replaced the suspended Taiwo Awoniyi on Wednesday, will battle Ellis Simms for the central striker role.
AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool
AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth arrive on a high after a landmark European win at Real Sociedad, achieved with the same XI that drew with Brentford last weekend. Marco Rose could now send that team out for a third time in eight days. No new injuries have emerged, while Amine Adli, Julian Araujo, Junior Kroupi and Veljko Milosavljevic remain sidelined.
If Rose wants fresh legs anywhere, it is most likely in central midfield. Tyler Adams has been the man rotated in the league so far, with Lewis Cook the natural alternative.
Liverpool
Cody Gakpo has thrust himself back into the frame. After missing the goalless draw with Fulham, he returned in the EFL Cup against Spurs with a goal and an assist, making a strong case to start. He may be asked to operate from the right, allowing Bradley Barcola to keep his place on the left.
Alexis Mac Allister, another midweek scorer, is in line to replace Ryan Gravenberch alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield. At left-back, Milos Kerkez is expected to come back in for Konstantinos Tsimikas to face his former club. Joe Gomez returned from injury against Spurs, but Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa remain unavailable.
Leeds v Crystal Palace
Leeds
Daniel Farke has little reason to touch a winning team after Monday’s 4-1 dismantling of Newcastle. Harry Wilson is out with a quad injury, but he has only been used from the bench recently, so the starting XI should stay intact.
Noah Okafor is set to keep his place after scoring in that victory, though Brenden Aaronson offers an alternative if Farke opts for a tweak. Ilia Gruev is back and came through an Under-21s outing unscathed, but Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph are still missing.
Crystal Palace
Axel Disasi’s suspension after his red card against Ipswich forces a change at the back. Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to step into the centre of defence at Elland Road.
Ismaila Sarr is the wild card. The winger made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in the Europa League win over Lech Poznan, and Pierre Sage admitted he could “maybe” start at Leeds, though not for the full 90 minutes. Dean Henderson and Jean-Philippe Mateta are not due back until after the international break.
Man City v Sunderland
Man City
Phil Foden’s suspension opens the door for Iliman Ndiaye. The summer signing is in line for just his second Premier League start. Jeremy Doku has recovered from the calf injury he picked up in the Community Shield and, according to Enzo Maresca, should be available, though the bench seems his most likely starting point.
Nico O’Reilly featured at left-back in the EFL Cup win over Norwich on his return from injury, but Josko Gvardiol is expected to keep his place in the league side.
Sunderland
Regis Le Bris has one big call: who replaces Reinildo Mandava? The first-choice left-back is suspended after his late red card against Arsenal, leaving Le Bris to choose between the right-footed Trai Hume, who has covered on the left before, and summer signing Dayann Methalie, who would be making his Premier League debut.
Otherwise, Sunderland should resemble the team that pushed Arsenal, with the Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar prompting four changes that are likely to be reversed. Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle are the only injury absentees.
Fulham v Man Utd
Fulham
Alvaro Arbeloa is still chasing his first Premier League win, but he may stick with the side that drew at Liverpool. Sander Berge and Shea Charles formed a new-look central midfield partnership at Anfield and are set to continue, with Alex Iwobi operating ahead of them.
Ryan Sessegnon faces a late fitness test after being used off the bench so far this season. Kenny Tete is definitely out as he follows concussion protocols following a blow to the face at Anfield, while Tom Cairney remains sidelined with a knee problem.
Man Utd
Michael Carrick is sweating on Luke Shaw. The left-back, injured in Matchweek 3, remains a doubt. “There is a chance,” Carrick said, describing the issue as “really short term”, but Patrick Dorgu is again likely to start on the left if Shaw fails to make it.
Up front, patience with Matheus Cunha is being tested. He is still waiting for his first Premier League goal of the season. Benjamin Sesko started the EFL Cup defeat to Brighton but did not grab his opportunity. If Carrick hands Sesko another chance through the middle, Cunha could be shifted to the left, potentially at Marcus Rashford’s expense. New signing Carlos Baleba may get his first taste of league action from the bench.
Matchweek 5 won’t just shape the table. It will reshape squads, too. Who gambles, who sticks, and who seizes their moment?
