The Premier League produced some intense action this weekend as many top class teams failed to take all three points from Match Day 9 this week. However, they cannot dwell on the lost opportunity as they will now turn their attention to the League Cup that has entered its round of 16.
There are a number of top class games to look out for in the competition this week and here is the team news and predicted lineups of the top 5 clubs involved in this competition.
Arsenal:
Arsenal play Reading on Tuesday in one of the easier matches for the top sides in this competition. Wenger is expected to ring in the changes with his squad strong enough to cope with the League Cup. However, he cannot call on the likes of Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker, Carl Jenkinson or Aaron Ramsey all of whom are injured while Granit Xhaka remains in suspension for the Red Card he picked up against Swansea City.
Predicted Lineup:
Emiliano Martínez; Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Gabriel, Rob Holding, Kieron Gibbs; Mohamed El Neny, Franic Coquelin, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Jeff Reine-Adélaïde, Chuba Akpom; Luas Perez
Chelsea:
After a thumping victory over Manchester United, Chelsea will travel to the Olympic Stadium for a London derby against the Hammers in this competition. The manager will miss the services of Branislav Ivanovic, Cesc Fabreags, John Obi Mikel and Kurt Zouma, all of whom are expected to be back in action at the weekend. There are not other injury problems for Conte, who is expected to field a relatively strong side for this game.
Predicted Lineup:
Asmir Begovic; Cesar Azpilicueta, John Terry, David Luiz; Victor Moses, Nemanja Matic, N Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Willian, Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi
Liverpool:
The Reds are also fresh from a victory over the Baggies at the weekend and will take on Tottenham Hotspur who are unbeaten in the domestic games this season. It is a game both sides want to win and will see Klopp send out a strong lineup. The Reds have no new injuries to worry about as Joe Gomez and Mamadou Sakho are the only players missing this game through injury.
Predicted Lineup:
Simon Mignolet; Trent Alexander Arnold, Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan, Alberto Moreno; Emre Can, Marko Grujic, Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana; Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings
Manchester United:
After the humiliation at the Bridge, Jose Mourinho will welcome Manchester City for the second derby this season in this competition. Marouane Fellaini, Eric Bailly and Morgan Schneiderlin are absent for this fixture while Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney will also play no role in this game. But Mourinho is expected to field a strong lineup for his game:
Predicted Lineup:
David de Gea; Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Luka Shaw; Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Ashley Young, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial; Marcus Rashford
Manchester City:
With no victory in the last 5 games in all competitions, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are in a spot of bother early this season and will hope to turn things around in this League Cup encounter against Manchester United. Bacary Sagna, Kevin de Bruyne and Pablo Zabaleta are all doubtful for this game and may return at the weekend and remain the only casualties for this game.
Predicted lineup:
Claudio Bravo; John Stones, Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov; Jesus Navas, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Raheem Sterling; Nolito, David Silva; Kelechi Iheanacho
