Premier League match previews: Team news, key stats, expected line-ups
Written by News on 10/08/2019
Leicester vs Wolves – Sunday, 2pm kick-off
Leicester’s Deadline Day signing, Dennis Praet, is unlikely to feature as he builds fitness while Filip Benkovic
continues to recover from an ankle problem. Brendan Rodgers may turn to Wes Morgan to partner Jonny Evans in defence following Harry Maguire’s departure but Caglar Soyuncu has enjoyed plenty of pre-season minutes.
Nuno Espirito Santo should restore Ruben Neves to the Wolves starting line-up after his late cameo in the Europa League play-offs. Adama Traore missed the game against Pyunik after a passport problem but will be involved at the King Power.
Stat of the match: Wolves are one of just three teams Brendan Rodgers has faced but failed to beat in the Premier League (also Chelsea and Watford).
How to watch: Follow the action with our dedicated live blog. Highlights of the game will be published shortly after the final whistle on the Sky Sports website and app plus the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.
Possible line-ups:
Leicester (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Choudhury, Tielemans; Maddison, Perez, Albrighton; Vardy
Wolves (3-5-2): Patricio; Boly, Coady, Bennett; Doherty, Neves, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Jonny; Jimenez, Jota
Fantasy Football Top Tip: Fantasy players have been focusing on Jamie Vardy (£10.7m) and James Maddison (£8.3m), yet Ayoze Perez (£9.2m) has gone under the radar and should receive ample service. Perez comes in at £1.5m cheaper than Vardy, which could allow for reinvestment in other areas. Play here.
Charlie Nicholas’ prediction: Leicester 1-1 Wolves – 5/1 with Sky Bet
Newcastle vs Arsenal – Sunday, 2pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports Premier League
Returning Andy Carroll is unlikely to be involved for two to three weeks, although Newcastle boss Steve Bruce could unleash record signing Joelinton and winger Allan Saint-Maximin against the Gunners. Matt Ritchie should be fit after a hamstring problem but DeAndre Yedlin (groin) and Florian Lejeune (knee) remain out.
Arsenal have several injury and fitness concerns. New signing Kieran Tierney (groin) will not make his bow, while Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding (both knee) and Mohamed Elneny (fitness) are all likely to miss out. Unai Emery will check on the fitness of new recruits Dani Ceballos, David Luiz and Nicolas Pepe, as well as striker Alexandre Lacazette, who has had a recent ankle injury. Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will not be involved because of “security incidents” which are being investigated by police.
Stat of the match: Arsenal have won 12 of their last 13 competitive fixtures against Newcastle, losing only once in this run: 1-2 at St James’ Park in April 2018.
How to watch: Newcastle vs Arsenal is live on Super Sunday from 1pm; kick-off is at 2pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Possible line-ups:
Newcastle (3-5-2): Dubravka; Schar, Lascelles, Dummett; Manquillo, Willems, Shelvey, Longstaff, Hayden; Almiron, Joelinton
Arsenal (4-3-3): Leno; Maitland-Niles, Luiz, Sokratis, Monreal; Xhaka, Ceballos, Willock; Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Fantasy Football Top Tip: Joelinton (£8.2m) has the chance to announce himself to the St James’ Park faithful on Sunday, having the chance to exploit a newly-formed Arsenal back four. He has already notched in pre-season since joining from Hoffenheim and could be a shrewd choice for this fixture. Play here.
Charlie Nicholas’ prediction: Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal – 12/1 with Sky Bet
Manchester United vs Chelsea – Sunday, 4.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports Premier League
Paul Pogba is fit to start after missing Man Utd’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan due to a back spasm. Eric Bailly faces a lengthy spell out with a knee injury, while Alexis Sanchez – a player Solskjaer expects to stay at the club this month – may not be utilised after returning late from the Copa America where he injured his hamstring.
Frank Lampard faces decisions over the fitness of several players as he prepares for his Premier League bow in the Chelsea dug-out. N’Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger will be monitored but Lampard has admitted the game could come too soon for Willian, who only won the Copa America with Brazil last month.
Stat of the match: Manchester United have won just two of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Chelsea (W2 D6 L5) but are unbeaten in six home games against them in the competition (W2 D4 L0).
How to watch: Manchester United vs Chelsea is live on Super Sunday from 1pm; kick-off is at 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Possible line-ups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, McTominay; James, Lingard, Martial; Rashford
Chelsea (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, Emerson; Kovacic, Jorginho, Barkley; Pedro, Pulisic, Abraham
Fantasy Football Top Tip: Pedro has the experience of playing in these high-intensity Premier League fixtures so – although this may be unpopular – the Spaniard (£9.4m) could pay dividends against a potentially nervy United back four. Play here.
Charlie Nicholas’ prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea – 13/2 with Sky Bet
(c) Sky Sports 2019: Premier League match previews: Team news, key stats, expected line-ups
