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Saturday's Premier League team news including Leicester vs. Arsenal

Sports Mole provides team news for all of Saturday's Premier League fixtures, including Leicester vs. Arsenal.


Everton vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Seamus Coleman celebrates scoring for Everton on February 18, 2023© Reuters

Everton's triumph over Leeds would have been the perfect afternoon had Amadou Onana not gone off with a knee injury, but both player and manager are reportedly confident that the key midfielder has not suffered a serious problem - James Garner may also be able to make an appearance too.

On a more negative note, Dyche is not expecting Dominic Calvert-Lewin back from a thigh issue as he attempts to get to the bottom of the striker's persistent fitness concerns - going so far as to investigate the striker's mattress and sleep patterns - while Andros Townsend and Nathan Patterson are also out, with the latter recently suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee problem.

Neal Maupay should continue to hold the fort up front while Calvert-Lewin recovers, and Dyche could become the first-ever Everton boss to win each of his first three home league games without conceding.

As for Villa, Diego Carlos is being put through his paces in training after several months of rehabilitation from Achilles surgery, but the Brazilian still needs more time to get up to speed and will not be ready to make his comeback here.

Goalkeepers Robin Olsen and Jed Steer are also occupying beds in the infirmary, so Martinez will be in no danger of losing his spot despite being publicly criticised by his manager, but Villa are said to be open to summer offers for their number one.

Coutinho should be in line for another start after repaying Emery's faith in him against Arsenal - the ex-Liverpool man can expect a frosty reception at Goodison - while Watkins has scored in each of his last four Premier League games and could become the first player in Villa's history to do so five times in a row.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Leeds vs. Southampton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Javi Gracia, now in charge of Valencia, pictured in August 2019© Reuters

Leeds trio Rodrigo (ankle), Stuart Dallas (leg) and Adam Forshaw (groin) are still recovering from long-term injuries, although the former is hoping to return at some stage next month.

Maximilian Wober came off at half time against Everton with a suspected dislocated shoulder and is a doubt for Saturday's clash along with Luis Sinisterra (thigh), Pascal Struijk (concussion), Marc Roca (knock) and Archie Gray (ankle).

In the potential absence of Wober, captain Liam Cooper could be recalled to partner Robin Koch at centre-back, although he may not be able to play the full 90 minutes having just returned from injury, so Luke Ayling could feature in the middle at some stage in the game.

It remains to be seen how Gracia will line up his side for Saturday, but Patrick Bamford – who has scored three Premier League goals in his last four meetings with Southampton – is set to lead the line, while Brendan Aaronson and Georginio Rutter will be pushing to be involved in the first team after both attackers played for the club's Under-21s on Monday.

As for Southampton, Che Adams and Mohammed Salisu both missed the win at Chelsea after picking up minor injuries in training and they remain doubtful for Saturday, while Valentino Livramento (ACL) and Juan Larios (hamstring) are still out with long-term problems.

Walker-Peters watched on as an unused substitute last weekend after recovering from a hamstring strain, and the right-back will be hoping to force his way back into the first XI on Saturday ahead of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Ward-Prowse is set to make his 329th Premier League appearance, equalling the club record set by Jason Dodd, while one of Romeo Lavia, Carlos Alvarez or Ibrahima Diallo will likely join the Saints skipper in centre-midfield.

January signings Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana could start their third successive game in attack, although they face competition from Sekou Mara, Adam Armstrong and Theo Walcott.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Leicester vs. Arsenal (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrates scoring for Arsenal on February 18, 2023© Reuters

Leicester's treatment room has slowly emptied over the past few weeks, but key playmaker Maddison has emerged as a doubt due to his persistent knee problem, and Rodgers is also working without the trio of James Justin, Jonny Evans and Ryan Bertrand for the visit of the league leaders.

Arsenal-linked Youri Tielemans was only considered for a place on the bench at Old Trafford but should return to face his admirers here, likely as a straight swap for Maddison if the England international misses out.

Gunners fans have grown sick of the sight of Jamie Vardy, whose 11 goals against the Gunners is the most against a single opponent for the striker, but he is firmly down the pecking order these days and will likely lose out to Kelechi Iheanacho again.

As for the visitors, Gabriel Jesus and Mohamed Elneny are still recovering from their respective knee surgeries, and it remains to be seen if Thomas Partey can battle back from his latest thigh problem in time for Saturday's game.

Partey is supposedly hopeful of shaking off his injury in time for the weekend, but Arsenal will not rush him back while Jorginho continues to deputise expertly, and Arteta also allayed any fears of an injury to Saka after he went down with an ankle problem early in the second period at Villa Park.

Saka was once again the subject of rough treatment against Villa, but the 21-year-old is now on the verge of becoming the sixth-youngest player ever to record 50 Premier League goal involvements, having netted 26 times and provided 23 assists in the top flight so far.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Arsenal could line up against Leicester

> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Leicester City


West Ham vs. Nott'm Forest (Saturday, 3.00pm)

West Ham United's Emerson Palmieri celebrates scoring against Chelsea on February 11, 2023© Reuters

West Ham will still be without Lucas Paqueta (shoulder) through injury, but they have been boosted by the return of Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet to training following spells out with respective thigh and calf problems, although it remains to be seen whether the pair will be involved on Saturday.

Jarrod Bowen picked up a knock in the closing stages of the defeat against Spurs, but the attacker has since taken part in training and is expected to continue in the final third along with Michail Antonio.

Either Flynn Downes or Tomas Soucek could make way should Moyes decide to name a third attacker in his first XI, with Said Benrahma, Danny Ings and Gianluca Scamacca all pushing to start, while the rest of the side is expected to remain unchanged from last weekend.

As for Nottingham Forest, Cooper is still having to deal with a lengthy injury list that includes Dean Henderson (thigh), Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Giulian Biancone (knee), Omar Richards (leg), Cheikhou Kouyate, Moussa Niakhate, Scott McKenna and Willy Boly (all hamstring).

However, Ryan Yates (illness) and former West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard (knee) have both stepped up their recovery in training and may feature in the matchday squad on Saturday, while Serge Aurier is expected to continue at right-back despite being forced off with a knock in the draw against Man City.

Forest have appealed the Premier League's decision to reject their request to register Steve Cook in their first-team squad, and with the defender unlikely to be involved on Saturday, Joe Worrall and Felipe are set to retain their partnership at centre-back.

Chris Wood will be hoping for a recall to the first XI after scoring his first Forest goal as a substitute last time out, and the New Zealander could join Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White in attack.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Bournemouth vs. Man City (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring for Manchester City on February 22, 2023© Reuters

Bournemouth duo Lewis Cook (knee) and David Brooks (thigh) remain sidelined with injuries, while Lloyd Kelly (calf), Jordan Zemura (knock), Junior Stanislas (muscle) and Illia Zabarnyi (ankle) are all closing in on a return and will be assessed ahead of kickoff – the latter still waiting to make his debut after arriving in January.

O'Neil is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting lineup, with Jack Stephens hoping to start his third successive game at centre-back ahead of Chris Mepham.

Jaidon Anthony will challenge Tavernier and Dango Ouattara for a place on the flanks, while Solanke is expected to continue as the central striker ahead of Kieffer Moore and Antoine Semenyo.

As for Man City, John Stones is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte should be fit to return to the matchday squad after missing the midweek draw with Leipzig due to illness.

It remains to be seen whether Guardiola will stick with a similar four-man defence to the one that he used against Leipzig or revert to starting only three natural defenders, with Bernardo Silva filling in as a makeshift left-back when out of possession.

Jack Grealish, who has recorded all seven of his Premier League goal contributions away from home so far this season (three goals and four assists), is expected to continue on the left flank, while Phil Foden will push Mahrez for a start on the right side of attack, as Erling Braut Haaland continues to lead the line.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Man City could line up against Bournemouth

> Man City injury, suspension list vs. Bournemouth


Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Liverpool players look dejected on February 21, 2023© Reuters

Crystal Palace lost left-back Tyrick Mitchell to an ankle knock towards the end of their draw with Brentford, but the issue is not a serious one, and the Englishman's place in the starting XI here is not thought to be under any threat.

Sam Johnstone remains out for the hosts, but Wilfried Zaha could potentially be involved after training with the team on Friday, while Nathan Ferguson, Joel Ward and James Tomkins could all be in contention to play too.

Eze's goal off the bench last weekend has given Vieira a selection dilemma, with Jeffrey Schlupp potentially at risk of the axe, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga may also be fearing for their places.

As for Liverpool, Klopp managed to recover Nunez from a shoulder injury for the defeat to Real Madrid, where Thiago Alcantara, Calvin Ramsay, Luis Diaz, Arthur and Ibrahima Konate all missed out with their respective injury problems - the latter is now back in training, but he has only engaged in a couple of sessions and is unlikely to be involved.

The Reds did not pick up any serious concerns on Tuesday, but changes will certainly be considered following such a humiliating evening, with the fit-again Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino both pushing to return to the final third.

A first-leg disasterclass for Joe Gomez could see the England international cede his place at the back to Joel Matip too - especially after he appeared to suffer an issue late on - while Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott are candidates to freshen up the midfield.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Liverpool could line up against Crystal Palace

> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Crystal Palace

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Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring for Arsenal in February 2023
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal26203359253463
2Manchester CityMan City27194467254261
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd2515464135649
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs27153949371248
5Liverpool26126847291842
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle241011335171841
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton24116745311439
8Fulham2611693834439
9Brentford2591154033738
10Chelsea2610792726137
11Aston Villa25104113138-734
12Crystal Palace2669112133-1227
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2676131935-1627
14Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2668122147-2626
15Everton2767142038-1825
16Leicester CityLeicester2673163746-924
17Bournemouth2666142551-2624
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham2565142333-1023
19Leeds UnitedLeeds2658133142-1123
20Southampton2563162041-2121

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