Team News and Expected Lineups Of Top Teams In the Premier League Ahead Of Match Day 15
Dec 10, 2016 at 11:27 AM
The Premier League is back in town this weekend as teams from around the country fight for another set of three points to consolidate their place in the points table this campaign.
The league is entering the its busiest month yet and will surely test the quality and depth in every squad in the league before the turn of the year.
Some teams are well equipped while the other not so much. But ahead of the 15th round of the Premier League fixtures, here is the team news for all the top 5 sides in the competition:
Arsenal vs Stoke (Saturday; 8:30 pm IST):
The Gunners will host Stoke City as Wenger to put in another commanding performance in the league. Right-back Hector Bellerin (ankle), who is out of action for sometime after picking up an injury, is back in training this week and is expected to get into the first team straight away.
Santi Cazorla (ankle), Mathieu Debuchy (hamstring), Per Mertesacker (Knee), Yaya Sanogo (Calf) and Danny Welbeck (knee) are all still out of action ahead of this game against Stoke City.
Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal; Coquelin, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Chamberlain; Sanchez
Chelsea vs West Bromwich Albion (Sunday; 5:30 pm IST):
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, the Italian manager confirmed that skipper John Terry (glute) is out injured for this game. Brazil midfielder Oscar (bug) is also expected to miss this game but midfielder Nemanja Matic is declared fit to start this game against the Baggies.
Kurt Zouma and Van Ginkel will continue their return to full fitness while John Obi Mikel (muscle) is still out of action. Diego Costa and Pedro picked up slight knocks in the game against Manchester City but are expected to be back in action:
Expected Lineup (3-4-3):
Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Matic, Kante, Alonso; Pedro, Hazard, Costa
Liverpool vs West Ham United (Sunday; 10:00 pm IST)
Talking to the media on Friday, Jurgen Klopp provided some injury update ahead of their home game against the Hammers. Philippe Coutinho (ankle) and Danny Ings (ACL) remain long term absentees while Joe Gomez continues his return to match fitness.
Sadio Mane picked up a knock in the disaster at Bournemouth but is ready to be back in action for this game, while defender Joel Matip (ankle) is also passed fit for this weekend. However, Klopp revealed that England international Daniel Sturridge (calf) is still not back in training and that he does not know when he would be back. Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino are also expected to start.
Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Can; Mane, Firmino, Origi
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday; 7:45 pm IST):
The Red Devils will welcome the Spurs this weekend in a crunch tie. Jose Mourinho revealed that Chris Smalling (toe) and Luke Shaw (knock) are both ruled out of this game against the Spurs.
Defender Eric Bailly (knee) was back in action in the Europa League fixture earlier in the week but he appeared to have picked up a knock. But Mourinho suggested that he has no issues and that he is ready for action this weekend. Juan Mata also appeared to have picked up an injury in that game but is passed fit for this weekend.
Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1):
De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Rojo; Herrera, Pogba; Mkhitaryan, Mata, Rashford; Ibrahimovic
Leicester City vs Manchester City (Saturday; 11:00 pm IST):
Pep Guardiola will travel to the Kin Power stadium to face the Champions of England this week. And he has a few absentees for this game. The manager will welcome back winger Raheem Sterling (knee) to the first squad for this trip to Leicester.
Midfielder Fabian Delph (groin) is also expected to make a full return this week but is not expected to start. But Guardiola will miss the services of Nicolas Otamendi, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho, all suspended for lack of discipline. Vincent Kompany (knee) remains the long term absentee.
Expected Lineup (4-1-4-1):
Bravo; Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy; Gundogan; Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne, Nolito; Iheanacho