Once again Coronavirus looks to be rife amongst Premier League squads which makes things difficult for managers, in real-life and fantasy football alike, and already we've seen the postponement of tonight's clash between Brentford and Manchester United. Whether you fancy a punt on one of your favourite teams this weekend or are planning big changes in your Fantasy Premier League squad make sure you take into account the injuries and suspensions which could alter your plans.
Here, The Sportsman runs through all the confirmed and likely absences undermining each Premier League side ahead of the midweek round of fixtures.
Arsenal
Next match: West Ham (H), Wednesday 15th December, 8pm
Confirmed absentees: Sead Kolasinac, Bernd Leno, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Possible absentees: Folarin Balogun,
Mikel Arteta is still having to deal with a disciplinary issue with former captain Aubameyang which saw him miss the win over Southampton, and he will be absent for this clash as well.
Aston Villa
Next match: Norwich (A), Tuesday 14th December, 7.45pm
Confirmed absentees: Bertrand Traore, Leon Bailey, Marvellous Nakamba
Possible absentees: Trezeguet
Emi Buendia returns to Carrow Road for the first time since his summer move and while Steven Gerrard still has a couple of injuries to contend with, Danny Ings returned to action at Anfield and is in contention to start this one.
Brentford
Next match: Southampton (A), Saturday 18th December, 3pm
Confirmed absentees: David Raya, Kristoffer Ajer, Josh Dasilva, Tariqe Fosu-Henry
Possible absentees: Mathias Jorgensen, Ethan Pinnock
There's no midweek game for Brentford after Manchester United's Covid outbreak forced the postponement of their clash, but Ivan Toney's return from the virus means he'll be available for the weekend trip to Southampton.
Brighton
Next match: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Wednesday 15th December, 7:30pm
Confirmed absentees: Jeremy Sarmiento, Steven Alzate, Danny Welbeck, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Adam Lallana, Shane Duffy
Possible absentees: None.
Brighton’s game against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend was postponed, which has allowed some extra time for recovery, but Graham Potter’s side are plagued with long-term injuries, while Shane Duffy is suspended.
Burnley
Next match: Watford (H), Wednesday 15th December, 7.30pm
Confirmed absentees: Ashley Barnes, Conor Roberts
Possible absentees: Maxwel Cornet, Dale Stephens
Star man Maxwel Cornet missed the weekend stalemate against West Ham but could return here, while Conor Roberts and Dale Stephens have been suffering with illness, with the right-back now out of hospital.
Chelsea
Next match: Everton (H), Thursday 16th December, 7.45pm
Confirmed absentees: Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Trevoh Chalobah
Possible absentees: Mateo Kovacic
Jorginho hit two penalties to keep Thomas Tuchel’s men in title contention against Leeds, while this week he will be hoping that Kovacic can return from his illness.
Crystal Palace
Next match: Southampton (H), Wednesday 15th December 7.30pm
Confirmed absentees: Joachim Andersen, Nathan Ferguson
Possible absentees: James McArthur
James McArthur is in contention for a return but Ferguson and Andersen both remain absent.
Everton
Next match: Chelsea (A), Thursday 16th December, 7.45pm
Confirmed absentees: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davies, Yerry Mina, Richarlison, Andros Townsend
Possible absentees: None.
Richarlison may have thrown a strop when he was subbed against Crystal Palace on Sunday but it turns out he has suffered a calf injury, while Rafa Benitez hinted that Lucas Digne could return after his disciplinary issue. Meanwhile Andros Townsend may have broken a bone in his foot in the defeat.
Leeds United
Next match: Manchester City (A), Tuesday 14th December, 8pm
Confirmed absentees: Rodrigo, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford
Possible absentees: Pascal Struijk
Marcelo Bielsa will be devastated to lose Bamford again after just coming back from injury, while key midfielder Phillips has been ruled out for the next few months.
Leicester City
Next match: Tottenham (H), Thursday 16th December, 7.30pm
Confirmed absentees: Wesley Fofana, James Justin, Ricardo Pereira, Jonny Evans
Possible absentees: Kelechi Iheanacho, Ayoze Perez, Ademola Lookman, Jannik Vestergaard, Daniel Amartey
Youri Tielemans and James Maddison were on top form in a 4-0 win over Newcastle but Jonny Evans joined a long-list of injuries as he was forced off early on with a hamstring problem. Leicester fans will be hoping that the illness that decimated their squad at the weekend will have cleared up.
Liverpool
Next match: Newcastle (H), Thursday 16th December, 8pm
Confirmed absentees: Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Harvey Elliott, Adrian
Possible absentees: Curtis Jones, Divock Origi
Jurgen Klopp has several issues ahead of the busy festive period, and will also be well aware that the AFCON in January is looming, which will see both Sadio Mane and Mo Salah depart.
Manchester City
Next match: Leeds (H), Tuesday 14th December, 8pm
Confirmed absentees: Ferran Torres, Liam Delap, Joao Cancelo
Possible absentees: Aymeric Laporte
Joao Cancelo picked up his 5th yellow card of the season at the weekend so is serving a one-match suspension, Ferran Torres remains out but Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan will be in contention against Leeds after suffering from a back injury.
Manchester United
Next match: Brighton (H), Saturday 18th December, 12:30pm
Confirmed absentees: Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial
Possible absentees: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic
Manchester United's away trip to Brentford tonight has been postponed due to a Covid outbreak in their squad following Saturday's win over Norwich. They next play on Saturday when they host Brighton at Old Trafford.
Newcastle United
Next match: Liverpool (A), Sunday 12th December, 2pm
Confirmed absentees: Paul Dummett
Possible absentees: N/A.
No particular injury issues for Eddie Howe to worry about.
Norwich City
Next match: Aston Villa (H), Tuesday 14th December, 7:45pm
Confirmed absentees: Grant Hanley, Sam Byram, Christoph Zimmermann, Milot Rashica, Mattias Normann, Andrew Omobamidele.
Captain Grant Hanley only added to Dean Smith’s injury woes as he was taken off with ligament damage to his shoulder against United and will now miss a large portion of matches. Ben Gibson could return to fill his spot after training on Monday but Rashica and Normann remain out.
Southampton
Next match: Arsenal (A), Saturday 11th December, 3pm
Confirmed absentees: Stuart Armstrong, Jan Bednarek, Alex McCarthy, Fraser Forster, Che Adams,
Possible absentees: Adam Armstrong, Armando Broja
Oriol Romeu and Mohammed Salisu return from suspension but Adam Armstrong is likely to miss this one having been forced off with an injury at Arsenal, while Armando Broja’s injury could leave Ralph Hassenhuttl short up front.
Tottenham Hotspur
Next match: Leicester City (A), Thursday 16th December, 7:30pm
Confirmed absentees: Cristian Romero
Possible absentees: Bryan Gil, Heung-min Son, Sergio Reguillon, Oliver Skipp, Dane Scarlett, Lucas Moura
Spurs have suffered a covid outbreak and their game against Brighton this weekend was postponed, and although training has resumed ahead of their midweek clash there are still question marks over who will be available.
Watford
Next match: Burnley (A), Wednesday 15th December, 7.30pm
Confirmed absentees: Peter Etebo, Christian Kabasele, Kwadwo Baah, Ismaila Sarr, Adam Masina
Possible absentees: Ken Sema
Claudio Ranieri will be worried about the growing number of injuries in his squad and it does not look as if any absentees will return this midweek.
West Ham United
Next match: Arsenal (A), Wednesday 15th December, 8pm
Confirmed absentees: Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma, Ben Johnson, Ryan Fredericks
Possible absentees: Aaron Cresswell
David Moyes is hopeful that Aaron Cresswell will be fit as he is short in defence for the trip to Arsenal, with Ben Johnson and Kurt Zouma both suffering with hamstring injuries.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Next match: Brighton (A), Wednesday 15th December, 7.30pm
Confirmed absentees: Raul Jimenez, Jonny Otto, Pedro Neto
Possible absentees: None.
Raul Jimenez’s strange red card against Manchester City means he is suspended for this one, while Pedro Neto and Jonny Otto have long-term issues.