This article is part of our Soccer Picks series.
MATCHES (EST)
- Monday, 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City
- Monday, 12:30 pm: Chelsea vs. Aston Villa
- Monday, 3:00 pm: Everton vs. Manchester City
- Tuesday, 1:00 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Arsenal
- Tuesday, 1:00 pm: Burnley vs. Sheffield United
- Tuesday, 1:00 pm: Southampton vs. West Ham United
- Tuesday, 1:00 pm: West Bromwich Albion vs. Leeds United
- Tuesday, 3:00 pm: Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton
- Wednesday, 1:00 pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Fulham
- Wednesday, 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Liverpool
Crystal Palace 
vs. Leicester City 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Caglar Soyuncu | LEI | D | Groin | GTD | 12/28/2020 |
| Cengiz Under | LEI | F/M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/28/2020 |
| Gary Cahill | CRY | D | Hamstring | OUT | 1/2/2021 |
| Mamadou Sakho | CRY | D | Calf | OUT | 1/2/2021 |
| Nathan Ferguson | CRY | M | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Connor Wickham | CRY | F | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Martin Kelly | CRY | D | Calf | OUT | 1/14/2021 |
| Wayne Hennessey | CRY | G | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/16/2021 |
| Ricardo Pereira | LEI | M/D | Groin | OUT | 1/16/2021 |
Crystal Palace Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Leicester City): Vicente Guaita (GK), Patrick van Aanholt (DL), Scott Dann (DC), Cheikhou Kouyate (DC), Nathaniel Clyne (DR), Eberechi Eze (ML), James McArthur (MC), Luka Milivojevic (MC), Andros Townsend (MR), Wilfried Zaha (FW), Christian Benteke (FW)
Notes: Roy Hodgson could make a lot of changes after another down performance. Clyne is back for Ward, while Townsend replaces Schlupp.
Leicester City Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Crystal Palace): Kasper Schmeichel (GK), Wesley Fofana (DC), Jonny Evans (DC), Christian Fuchs (DL), James Justin (DR), Wilfred Ndidi (DMC), Youri Tielemans (DMC), Ayoze Perez (AMR), James Maddison (AMC), Harvey Barnes (AML), Jamie Vardy (FW)
Notes: Fuchs could enter for Castagne, who recently returned from injury, while Perez is again fighting for a spot in the XI. Soyuncu is a threat to return but a spot in the XI is unlikely.
Chelsea 
vs. Aston Villa 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Ross Barkley | AVL | M | Hamstring | OUT | 1/1/2021 |
| Trezeguet | AVL | F/M | Hamstring | OUT | 1/1/2021 |
| Tyrone Mings | AVL | D | Suspension | SUS | 1/1/2021 |
| Hakim Ziyech | CHE | F/M | Hamstring | OUT | 1/3/2021 |
| Wesley Moraes | AVL | F | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
Chelsea Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Aston Villa): Edouard Mendy (GK), Cesar Azpilicueta (DR), Thiago Silva (DC), Kurt Zouma (DC), Emerson Palmieri (DL), N'Golo Kante (MC), Mason Mount (MC), Jorginho (MC), Timo Werner (FWL), Kai Havertz (FWR), Olivier Giroud (FW)
Notes: Silva could be swapped out on a short week and both Azpilicueta and Emerson are fighting for starts. Havertz and Giroud replace Pulisic and Abraham, respectively.
Aston Villa Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Chelsea): Emiliano Martinez (GK), Matt Targett (DL), Kortney Hause (DC), Ezri Konsa (DC), Matty Cash (DR), Douglas Luiz (DMC), John McGinn (DMC), Bertrand Traore (AMR), Jack Grealish (AMC), Anwar El Ghazi (AML), Ollie Watkins (FW)
Notes: Everything is the same after another win outside of Hause and Konsa starting at center-back due to the Mings suspension.
Everton 
vs. Manchester City 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Richarlison | EVE | F | Concussion | OUT | 1/1/2021 |
| James Rodriguez | EVE | F/M | Calf | OUT | 1/1/2021 |
| Fabian Delph | EVE | M | Hamstring | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Lucas Digne | EVE | D | Ankle | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Jean-Philippe Gbamin | EVE | M | Achilles | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Allan | EVE | M | Hamstring | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Eric Garcia | MCI | D | Hip | OUT | 1/13/2021 |
| Gabriel Jesus | MCI | F | Illness | OUT | 1/13/2021 |
| Kyle Walker | MCI | D | Illness | OUT | 1/13/2021 |
Everton Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Manchester City): Jordan Pickford (GK), Ben Godfrey (DL), Michael Keane (DC), Yerry Mina (DC), Seamus Coleman (DR), Tom Davies (MC), Abdoulaye Doucoure (MC), Anthony Gordon (MC), Alex Iwobi (FWR), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (FW), Gylfi Sigurdsson (FWL)
Notes: Carlo Ancelotti doesn't have a ton of depth to work with given current injuries, but it's expected Coleman will return to the XI, replacing Holgate at right-back.
Manchester City Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Everton): Ederson (GK), Benjamin Mendy (DL), Ruben Dias (DC), John Stones (DC), Joao Cancelo (DR), Ilkay Gundogan (DMC), Rodri (DMC), Kevin De Bruyne (AMC), Riyad Mahrez (AMR), Raheem Sterling (AML), Sergio Aguero (FW)
Notes: The big news is Aguero returning to the starting XI, while Mendy takes over for Ake at left-back and Mahrez also finds himself back in the XI.
Brighton & Hove Albion 
vs. Arsenal 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Willian | ARS | F/M | Illness | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| David Luiz | ARS | D | Illness | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Reiss Nelson | ARS | F/M | Head | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Aaron Connolly | BHA | F | Groin | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Jose Izquierdo | BHA | F/M | Knee | OUT | 1/2/2021 |
| Tariq Lamptey | BHA | M/D | Hamstring | OUT | 1/13/2021 |
| Gabriel | ARS | D | Not Injury Related | OUT | 1/14/2021 |
| Thomas Partey | ARS | M | Thigh | OUT | 1/14/2021 |
| Florin Andone | BHA | F | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
Brighton Projected Lineup (3-4-1-2 v. Arsenal): Robert Sanchez (GK), Ben White (DC), Lewis Dunk (DC), Adam Webster (DC), Solomon March (ML), Yves Bissouma (MC), Pascal Gross (MC), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (MR), Leandro Trossard (AMC), Danny Welbeck (FW), Neal Maupay (FW)
Notes: Ben White at wing-back didn't work, which could mean a chance for Jahanbakhsh in the XI. Gross takes the spot of Lallana in the midfield, while Connolly could replace anyone in the attack.
Arsenal Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion): Bernd Leno (GK), Kieran Tierney (DL), Rob Holding (DC), Pablo Mari (DC), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (DR), Mohamed Elneny (DMC), Granit Xhaka (DMC), Bukayo Saka (AMR), Gabriel Martinelli (AML), Joe Willock (AMC), Alexandre Lacazette (FW)
Notes: Holding and Mari feature at center-back again, while Matiland-Niles replaces Bellerin. There's a chance Mikel Arteta keeps a similar XI to the win against Chelsea, but Willock, Aubameyang and Nketiah are options to enter the call.
Burnley 
vs. Sheffield United 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Robbie Brady | BRN | M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Johann Berg Gudmundsson | BRN | M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Dwight McNeil | BRN | F/M | Groin | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Matej Vydra | BRN | F | Back | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Oliver Burke | SHU | F | Back | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Oliver McBurnie | SHU | F | Shoulder | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Kean Bryan | SHU | D | Calf | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| John Lundstram | SHU | M | Suspension | SUS | 1/12/2021 |
| Jack Cork | BRN | M | Ankle | OUT | 1/16/2021 |
| Jack O'Connell | SHU | D | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
| Sander Berge | SHU | M | Hamstring | OUT | 3/20/2021 |
Burnley Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Sheffield United): Nick Pope (GK), Matthew Lowton (DR), Ben Mee (DC), James Tarkowski (DC), Charlie Taylor (DL), Josh Benson (MR), Josh Brownhill (MC), Ashley Westwood (MC), Erik Pieters (ML), Jay Rodriguez (FW), Chris Wood (FW)
Notes: Burnley were competitive in their 1-0 loss away to Leeds, which could have manager Sean Dyche stick with his XI, though Jay Rodriguez could come in for either Benson or Ashley Barnes.
Sheffield United Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 at Burnley): Aaron Ramsdale (GK), John Egan (DC), Jack Robinson (DC), Chris Basham (DC), George Baldock (MR), Enda Stevens (ML), Ben Osborn (MC), Ethan Ampadu (MC), John Fleck (MC), Rhian Brewster (FW), David McGoldrick (FW)
Notes: After trying a 3-4-2-1 against Everton (and losing 1-0), the Blades continue to stay away from five in the back in the hopes of getting their attack going. McBurnie's shoulder is still an issue, but Fleck comes in to allow Brewster and McGoldrick control up front.
Southampton 
vs. West Ham United 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Michail Antonio | WHU | F | Hamstring | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Danny Ings | SOU | F | Hamstring | OUT | 1/4/2021 |
| Nathan Redmond | SOU | M | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/4/2021 |
| Arthur Masuaku | WHU | D | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Jannik Vestergaard | SOU | D | Knee | OUT | 1/30/2021 |
Southampton Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. West Ham): Alex McCarthy (GK), Kyle Walker-Peters (DR), Jan Bednarek (DC), Jack Stephens (DC), Ryan Bertrand (DL), Stuart Armstrong (ML), Oriol Romeu (MC), James Ward-Prowse (MC), Moussa Djenepo (MR), Che Adams (FW), Theo Walcott (FW)
Notes: Shane Long didn't inspire much starting up front with Adams against Fulham, which could allow Djenepo to get back into the starting XI and have Walcott move from the wing.
West Ham Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 at Southampton): Lukasz Fabianski (GK), Fabian Balbuena (DC), Angelo Ogbonna (DC), Aaron Cresswell (DC), Vladimir Coufal (MR), Ben Johnson (ML), Declan Rice (MC), Tomas Soucek (MC), Jarrod Bowen (AMC), Manuel Lanzini (AMC), Sebastien Haller (FW)
Notes: Fornals and Said Benrahma were completely rested Sunday, and while Fornals could make his way back in, Lanzini gets the call ahead of Benrahma after getting an assist against Brighton.
West Bromwich Albion 
vs. Leeds United 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Liam Cooper | LEE | D | Abdomen | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Diego Llorente | LEE | D | Strain | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Kyle Bartley | WBA | D | Calf | OUT | 1/2/2021 |
| Sam Field | WBA | M | Knee | OUT | 1/2/2021 |
| Hal Robson-Kanu | WBA | F | Wrist | OUT | 1/2/2021 |
| Conor Townsend | WBA | D | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Jake Livermore | WBA | M/D | Suspension | SUS | 1/16/2021 |
| Adam Forshaw | LEE | M | Hip | OUT | 1/16/2021 |
| Gaetano Berardi | LEE | D | Knee | OUT | 2/6/2021 |
| Robin Koch | LEE | D | Knee | OUT | 2/6/2021 |
West Bromwich Albion Projected Lineup (4-5-1 v. Leeds): Sam Johnstone (GK), Semi Ajayi (DC), Dara O'Shea (DC), Darnell Furlong (DR), Kieran Gibbs (DL), Conor Gallagher (MC), Matheus Pereira (MC), Romaine Sawyers (MC), Matthew Phillips (MR), Grady Diangana (ML), Karlan Grant (FW)
Notes: Pereira comes in to start in central midfield, moving Phillips to the wing and Callum Robinson to the bench after their 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.
Leeds United Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1 v. West Brom: Illan Meslier (GK), Luke Ayling (DC), Pascal Struijk (DC), Ezgjan Alioski (DL), Stuart Dallas (DR), Kalvin Phillips (DMC), Mateusz Klich (MC), Rodrigo (MC), Jack Harrison (ML), Raphinha (MR), Patrick Bamford (FW)
Notes: Struijk starts again for the injured Liam Cooper, though Diego Llorente is closing in on his return from injury. Pablo Hernandez could also start for Rodrigo after he subbed on for him fairly early Sunday against Burnley.
Manchester United 
vs. Wolverhampton 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Victor Lindelof | MUN | D | Back | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | MUN | D | Strain | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Marcus Rashford | MUN | F | Shoulder | GTD | 12/29/2020 |
| Leander Dendoncker | WOL | M | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/29/2020 |
| Phil Jones | MUN | D | Knee | OUT | 1/17/2021 |
| Marcos Rojo | MUN | D | Calf | OUT | 1/17/2021 |
| Raul Jimenez | WOL | F | Head | OUT | 1/30/2021 |
| Jonny | WOL | M/D | Knee | OUT | 2/6/2021 |
Manchester United Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Wolverhampton): David de Gea (GK), Axel Tuanzebe (DR), Eric Bailly (DC), Harry Maguire (DC), Alex Telles (DL), Paul Pogba (DMC), Fred (DMC), Marcus Rashford (AML), Bruno Fernandes (AMC), Anthony Martial (AMR), Edinson Cavani (FW)
Notes: The Daniel James Experiment was a bust this past weekend, which will move Cavani into the XI to lead the line. Additionally, Victor Lindelof suffered a back injury Saturday, which will move Tuanzebe in the starting XI because Aaron Wan-Bissaka is still hurt. Donny van de Beek or Nemanja Matic could also come in for Fred, while Pogba comes in for Scott McTominay.
Wolverhampton Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Man United): Rui Patricio (GK), Conor Coady (DC), Romain Saiss (DC), Rayan Ait-Nouri (DL), Nelson Semedo (MR), Ruben Neves (DMC), Joao Moutinho (DMC), Daniel Podence (AMC), Pedro Neto (AML), Adama Traore (AMR), Fabio Silva (FW)
Notes: Wolves were solid against Tottenham on Sunday, though Marcal came off somewhat late and could be given a break for Ait-Nouri.
Tottenham Hotspur 
vs. Fulham 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Gareth Bale | TOT | F/M | Calf | GTD | 12/30/2020 |
| Kenny Tete | FUL | D | Calf | GTD | 12/30/2020 |
| Terence Kongolo | FUL | D | Foot | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Giovani Lo Celso | TOT | M | Strain | OUT | 1/13/2021 |
Tottenham Hotspur Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Fulham): Hugo Lloris (GK), Serge Aurier (DR), Toby Alderweireld (DC), Eric Dier (DC), Sergio Reguilon (DL), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (DMC), Moussa Sissoko (DMC), Tanguy Ndombele (AMC), Steven Bergwijn (AMR), Son Heung-Min (AML), Harry Kane (FW)
Notes: Sissoko returns and pushes Harry Winks to the bench, while Aurier moves back in for Matt Doherty and Alderweireld replaces Davinson Sanchez.
Fulham Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 v. Spurs): Alphonse Areola (GK), Joachim Andersen (DC), Ola Aina (DC), Tosin Adarabioyo (DC), Antonee Robinson (ML), Bobby Decordova-Reid (MR), Andre Zambo Anguissa (MC), Mario Lemina (MC), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AMC), Ademola Lookman (AMC), Aleksandar Mitrovic (FW)
Notes: Mitrovic comes in for Ivan Cavaleiro, who was recently back from injury, while Tom Cairney could come back in for Loftus-Cheek. Additionally, Lemina comes in to give Reed a rest.
Newcastle United 
vs. Liverpool 
Injury Report | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Pos | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Jonjo Shelvey | NEW | M | Groin | GTD | 12/30/2020 |
| Ryan Fraser | NEW | M | Groin | GTD | 12/30/2020 |
| Thiago Alcantara | LIV | M | Knee | GTD | 12/30/2020 |
| Martin Dubravka | NEW | G | Heel | OUT | 1/3/2021 |
| Jamaal Lascelles | NEW | D | Illness | OUT | 1/3/2021 |
| Allan Saint-Maximin | NEW | F/M | Illness | OUT | 1/3/2021 |
| Naby Keita | LIV | M | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/4/2021 |
| Joel Matip | LIV | D | Groin | OUT | 1/17/2021 |
| Diogo Jota | LIV | F | Knee | OUT | 1/27/2021 |
| Konstantinos Tsimikas | LIV | D | Leg | OUT | 1/27/2021 |
| Virgil van Dijk | LIV | D | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
| Joe Gomez | LIV | D | Knee | OUT | 4/3/2021 |
Newcastle Projected Lineup (5-4-1 v. Liverpool): Karl Darlow (GK), Federico Fernandez (DC), Ciaran Clark (DC), Fabian Schar (DC), Jamal Lewis (DL), DeAndre Yedlin (DR), Matt Ritchie (ML), Jeff Hendrick (MC), Sean Longstaff (MC), Miguel Almiron (MR), Callum Wilson (FW)
Notes: After using five in the back for their recent match against Manchester City, Newcastle stick with the defensive set-up against a strong Liverpool attack.
Liverpool Projected Lineup (4-3-3 at Newcastle): Alisson Becker (GK), Andrew Robertson (DL), Rhys Williams (DC), Fabinho (DC), Trent Alexander-Arnold (DR), Georginio Wijnaldum (MC), Jordan Henderson (MC), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (MC), Sadio Mane (FWL), Mohamed Salah (FWR), Roberto Firmino (FW)
Notes: Joel Matip suffered another injury Sunday against West Brom, which should bring Williams into the XI. Additionally, the front three are all subject to rotation, with Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri all options there. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also finally back from injury and starts for Jones, who started for the injured Naby Keita on Sunday.
