The Premier League is set to return after the international break with the two-horse title race between Manchester City and Arsenal resuming on Saturday.
Arsenal have replaced Liverpool as City’s main challengers this season and Pep Guardiola’s team welcome Jurgen Klopp’s side to the Etihad in the early kick-off.
The build-up to the game has revolved around Erling Haaland’s fitness after he withdrew from Norway’s squad for their opening Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The Gunners meanwhile host Leeds at the Emirates and Mikel Arteta has a couple of injury concerns to contend with as he looks to keep City at arm’s length.
The relegation battle is just as interesting with multiple teams from 12th to 20th aiming to avoid playing Championship football next season.
Here is the key team news ahead of this weekend’s matches, which will be useful for Fantasy Premier League managers in particular.
Arsenal
William Saliba picked up a back injury against Sporting Lisbon and later pulled out of the French squad.
Mikel Arteta remains hopeful that the centre-back will return before the end of the season as “he is progressing” but “he still has some discomfort” and “is not going to be fit for this game”.
Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury.
Manchester City
Erling Haaland, who is on track to beat the record for most goals scored in a Premier League season, suffered a groin injury that ruled him out of international duty with Norway.
Pep Guardiola was typically guarded about the striker’s availability, saying: “Haaland is in recovery and we’ll see how he feels in the last training session.”
City’s manager also confirmed that Phil Foden will be out for two or three weeks after surgery to remove his appendix.
Manchester United
On Marcus Rashford, Erik ten Hag said he has “good hope he will be available” for their trip to Newcastle after a knock ruled him out of England’s squad for the wins against Italy and Ukraine.
Anthony Martial may also return after training for two weeks following his long layoff due to a reported groin or hip complication. His last game was against Manchester City in January.
Tottenham
Hugo Lloris has begun training but no other players are set to return imminently despite Ben Davies and Ryan Sessegnon pushing to recover, according to interim boss Cristian Stellini.
Ivan Perisic is available to feature after suffering a knock to his calf during Croatia’s victory against Turkey on Tuesday, but Richarlison is out after limping off against Southampton.
Newcastle
Nick Pope had to withdraw from the England squad after sustaining a thigh injury, but Eddie Howe said “the signs are good” that he will be able to face Man United.
Sven Botman returned early from international duty with the Netherlands due to food poisoning but he has since returned to training and should be “fine” for this weekend’s game.
Anthony Gordon may also be in contention after an ankle injury, however Miguel Almiron remains out with a thigh complaint.
Chelsea
Graham Potter confirmed that Kai Havertz has recovered from a fever and revealed that Reece James had trained for the last two days after withdrawing from England duty. Mason Mount is also back after a spell on the sidelines.
Raheem Sterling will miss out but will have “more chance for Tuesday” when the Blues face Liverpool, but Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta and Wesley Fofana are all unavailable. Like Sterling, Fofana could return in midweek.
Liverpool
Luis Diaz has returned to training, but Saturday’s game at the Etihad will come too soon for the Colombian.
Darwin Nunez is “definitely in contention,” though after returning to training on Thursday once a cut on his foot had healed.
Naby Keita’s injury prone stint at Merseyside continues as he sustained a muscle injury on international duty.
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