Premier League team news: How Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and City will line-up
Here is how we are predicting the Premier League’s ‘big six’ to line-up this weekend
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Your support makes all the difference.The Premier League returns this weekend with matches across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Arsenal get the second week of action underway with their early kick-off against Burnley, after they squeaked past a stubborn Newcastle last weekend. Then, Super Cup winners Liverpool travel to Southampton for a 3pm kick-off.
The biggest match of the weekend gets underway at 5.30pm. Champions Manchester City host Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur, no doubt eager to avenge last season’s European heartbreak.
Sunday sees Frank Lampard’s Chelsea host Leicester, with Manchester United rounding off gameweek two with their Monday night trip to Wolves.
Here is how we think the Premier League’s big six will line-up.
Arsenal (vs Burnley)
Unai Emery must decide whether or not he wants to unleash his fearsome front trio of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and club-record signing Nicolas Pépé.
Both Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac are available for selection after being withdrawn from duty last week due to a security situation being investigated by the police. Summer signing David Luiz is also in contention – although it is unlikely Emery will deviate from a defence that kept a clean sheet against Newcastle United last weekend.
Liverpool (vs Southampton)
Jurgen Klopp has a big decision to make in goal. Super Cup hero Adrian could miss his side’s Premier League clash with Southampton on Saturday after a collision with a pitch invader. That would see Liverpool turn to veteran third-choice keeper Andy Lonergan – who was released on a free transfer by Middlesbrough in the summer.
Midfielder Naby Keita has been ruled out while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is unlikely to start two matches in a week as he continues his return from injury. Sadio Mane will have a late fitness test ahead of the match.
Manchester City (vs Tottenham)
It’s always difficult to predict a Pep Guardiola team. Gabriel Jesus started last week but is likely to drop to the bench for Sergio Aguero, while Rodri and Fernandinho are battling it out for a place in the heart of midfield.
Benjamin Mendy remains out with a knee injury meaning utility man Oleksandr Zinchenko should start at left-back.
Tottenham (vs Manchester City)
Christian Eriksen will surely start for Spurs after his match-winning cameo against Aston Villa – despite the continued doubts over his future in north London. That would see Erik Lamela drop to the bench.
Son Heung-min and Juan Foyth remain suspended, meaning there should be starts for Lucas Moura and Kyle Walker-Peters. Summer signing Giovani Lo Celso could be introduced off the bench late on.
Chelsea (vs Leicester)
Frank Lampard has a number of selection issues to decide on for his first competitive match at Stamford Bridge as manager. The return of N’Golo Kante is a boost – but Andreas Christensen picked up a knock in the Super Cup defeat and could be replaced by 21-year-old Fikayo Tomori.
Christian Pulisic may start after his lively display against Liverpool, while Tammy Abraham is likely to be given the nod over Olivier Giroud despite his penalty shootout heartbreak.
Manchester United (vs Wolves)
With no fresh injury concerns, it’s likely that Ole Gunnar Solskjær will name the same starting XI that so confidently saw off Chelsea last weekend.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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