This article is part of our Soccer Picks series.
MATCHES (EST)
- Saturday, 7:30 am: Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool
- Saturday, 10:00 am: Southampton vs. Manchester City
- Saturday, 12:30 pm: Everton vs. Arsenal
- Saturday, 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Fulham
- Sunday, 7:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Sheffield United
- Sunday, 9:15 am: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leicester City
- Sunday, 11:30 am: Manchester United vs. Leeds United
- Sunday, 2:15 pm: West Bromwich Albion vs. Aston Villa
- Monday, 12:30 pm: Burnley vs. Wolverhampton
- Monday, 3:00 pm: Chelsea vs. West Ham United
Crystal Palace 
v. Liverpool 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Benteke | F | Suspension | SUS (Premier) | 12/26/2020 |
| Mamadou Sakho | D | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Nathan Ferguson | M | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Connor Wickham | F | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Wayne Hennessey | G | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/16/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Matip | D | Back | GTD | 12/19/2020 |
| Thiago Alcantara | M | Knee | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| James Milner | M | Hamstring | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Xherdan Shaqiri | M | Strain | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Diogo Jota | F | Knee | OUT | 1/27/2021 |
| Konstantinos Tsimikas | D | Leg | OUT | 1/27/2021 |
| Virgil van Dijk | D | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
| Joe Gomez | D | Knee | OUT | 4/3/2021 |
Crystal Palace Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Liverpool): Vicente Guaita (GK), Patrick van Aanholt (DL), Gary Cahill (DC), Cheikhou Kouyate (DC), Nathaniel Clyne (DR), Eberechi Eze (ML), James McArthur (MC), Jairo Riedewald (MC), Jeffrey Schlupp (MR), Wilfried Zaha (FW), Michy Batshuayi (FW)
Notes: Expect more rotation after a few guys were rested midweek as a precaution. Cahill and Clyne return to the back line, and it's the same for Riedewald over Milivojevic, while Batshuayi beats out Jordan Ayew to start for the suspended Christian Benteke. Schlupp is also back in the XI for Townsend.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Liverpool Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Crystal Palace): Alisson Becker (GK), Andrew Robertson (DL), Joel Matip (DC), Fabinho (DC), Trent Alexander-Arnold (DR), Georginio Wijnaldum (MC), Jordan Henderson (MC), Naby Keita (MC), Sadio Mane (FWL), Mohamed Salah (FWR), Roberto Firmino (FW)
Notes: There's a chance Matip returns from back spasms and Keita enters for Jones, but Jurgen Klopp has been unwilling to rotate his team in the past and there's no reason that starts in this match.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Southampton 
v. Manchester City 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergio Aguero | F | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/19/2020 |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | D | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Eric Garcia | D | Hip | OUT | 1/13/2021 |
Southampton Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Man City): Alex McCarthy (GK), Kyle Walker-Peters (DR), Jack Stephens (DC), Jannik Vestergaard (DC), Ryan Bertrand (DL), Nathan Redmond (ML), Oriol Romeu (MC), James Ward-Prowse (MC), Moussa Djenepo (MR), Che Adams (FW), Danny Ings (FW)
Notes: Ralph Hasenhuttl doesn't often rotate, but he has Redmond and Djenepo in waiting, so it only makes sense to use them after both subbed on at the same time midweek for Walcott and Armstrong.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Manchester City Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Southampton): Ederson (GK), Benjamin Mendy (DL), Ruben Dias (DC), John Stones (DC), Kyle Walker (DR), Ilkay Gundogan (DMC), Fernandinho (DMC), Kevin De Bruyne (AMC), Riyad Mahrez (AMR), Ferran Torres (AML), Gabriel Jesus (FW)
Notes: Walker returns to give Cancelo some rest and the same goes for Fernandinho replacing Rodri. Mahrez and Torres start up front, while Jesus is an option to be replaced, possibly by Aguero.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Everton 
v. Arsenal 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seamus Coleman | D | Hamstring | GTD | 12/19/2020 |
| Fabian Delph | M | Hamstring | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| James Rodriguez | F/M | Calf | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Lucas Digne | D | Ankle | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Jean-Philippe Gbamin | M | Achilles | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Allan | M | Hamstring | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel | D | Suspension | SUS (Premier) | 12/26/2020 |
| Sead Kolasinac | M/D | Undisclosed | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Reiss Nelson | F/M | Head | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Thomas Partey | M | Thigh | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Granit Xhaka | M | Suspension | SUS (Premier) | 12/26/2020 |
| Gabriel Martinelli | F/M | Knee | OUT | 12/29/2020 |
Arsenal Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Everton): Bernd Leno (GK), Kieran Tierney (DL), Rob Holding (DC), David Luiz (DC), Hector Bellerin (DR), Mohamed Elneny (DMC), Dani Ceballos (DMC), Joe Willock (AMC), Willian (AMR), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (AML), Alexandre Lacazette (FW)
Notes: Luiz starts for the suspended Gabriel and Bellerin is back in the XI for Maitland-Niles. Willock gets the call to get Saka some rest, while Willian and Lacazette return to the XI.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Everton Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Arsenal): Jordan Pickford (GK), Ben Godfrey (DL), Michael Keane (DC), Yerry Mina (DC), Seamus Coleman (DR), Andre Gomes (MC), Abdoulaye Doucoure (MC), Gylfi Sigurdsson (MC), Alex Iwobi (FWR), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (FW), Richarlison (FWL)
Notes: Coleman hopes to feature at right-back, pushing Holgate to the bench, while Gomes comes in for the injured Allan. However, with everything else working, Carlo Ancelotti will push his guys to the limit and not rest any of his mainstays.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Newcastle United 
v. Fulham 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Dummett | D | Hamstring | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Jamaal Lascelles | D | Thigh | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Javier Manquillo | D | Illness | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Allan Saint-Maximin | F/M | Illness | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Fabian Schar | D | Illness | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Martin Dubravka | G | Heel | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Decordova-Reid | F/M | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/19/2020 |
| Kenny Tete | D | Calf | GTD | 12/19/2020 |
| Terence Kongolo | D | Foot | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
Newcastle Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Fulham): Karl Darlow (GK), Federico Fernandez (DC), Ciaran Clark (DC), Jamal Lewis (DL), Emil Krafth (DR), Matt Ritchie (ML), Jeff Hendrick (MC), Jonjo Shelvey (MC), Miguel Almiron (MR), Dwight Gayle (FW), Callum Wilson (FW)
Notes: The lack of injury updates doesn't help, but this lineup could be similar to the West Brom win. Krafth, Ritchie, Shelvey are all back after resting midweek and Gayle comes into the XI for Joelinton after coming off the bench each of the last two.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Fulham Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 v. Newcastle): Alphonse Areola (GK), Joachim Andersen (DC), Ola Aina (DC), Tosin Adarabioyo (DC), Antonee Robinson (ML), Aboubacar Kamara (MR), Mario Lemina (MC), Harrison Reed (MC), Tom Cairney (AMC), Ademola Lookman (AMC), Aleksandar Mitrovic (FW)
Notes: Rotation is expected after a slow performance midweek outside of maybe the back line where Fulham have been strong. This also means the return of Mitrovic up front, letting Cavaleiro get some rest. Cairney takes over for Loftus-Cheek and Kamara is in for Decordova-Reid. Reed enters for Anguissa, but Lookman holds his spot.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Brighton & Hove Albion 
v. Sheffield United 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tariq Lamptey | M/D | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Jose Izquierdo | F/M | Knee | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Florin Andone | F | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver McBurnie | F | Shoulder | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Sander Berge | M | Hamstring | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Kean Bryan | D | Calf | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Jack O'Connell | D | Knee | OUT | 3/6/2021 |
Brighton Projected Lineup (3-4-1-2 v. Sheffield): Robert Sanchez (GK), Joel Veltman (DC), Lewis Dunk (DC), Adam Webster (DC), Solomon March (ML), Yves Bissouma (MC), Ben White (MC), Tariq Lamptey (MR), Pascal Gross (AMC), Aaron Connolly (FW), Neal Maupay (FW)
Notes: Veltman, Gross, Connolly and Maupay are back in the XI for Alzate, Lallana, Trossard and Welbeck. Sanchez has already been confirmed by Graham Potter as the starter over Mathew Ryan.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Sheffield United Projected Lineup (3-5-2 v. Brighton): Aaron Ramsdale (GK), John Egan (DC), Jack Robinson (DC), Chris Basham (DC), George Baldock (MR), Enda Stevens (ML), Oliver Norwood (MC), John Fleck (MC), Ethan Ampadu (MC), Oliver Burke (FW), David McGoldrick (FW)
Notes: Norwood comes in for the injured Berge, though Basham moved up into the midfield Thursday against Manchester United when Berge was forced off.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Tottenham Hotspur 
v. Leicester City 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gareth Bale | F/M | Illness | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Erik Lamela | M | Undisclosed | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Japhet Tanganga | D | Shoulder | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Amartey | M/D | Hamstring | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Timothy Castagne | D | Hamstring | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Caglar Soyuncu | D | Groin | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Ricardo Pereira | M/D | Groin | OUT | 1/2/2021 |
Tottenham Hotspur Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Leicester): Hugo Lloris (GK), Matt Doherty (DR), Toby Alderweireld (DC), Eric Dier (DC), Sergio Reguilon (DL), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (DMC), Moussa Sissoko (DMC), Tanguy Ndombele (AMC), Lucas Moura (AMR), Son Heung-Min (AML), Harry Kane (FW)
Notes: Even in a tough matchup, Jose Mourinho will likely rotate a few players, namely Doherty in place of Aurier. Reguilon and Ndombele also return to the XI, while Lucas comes in for Bergwijn up front.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Leicester City Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 v. Spurs): Kasper Schmeichel (GK), Wesley Fofana (DC), Christian Fuchs (DC), Jonny Evans (DC), James Justin (ML), Marc Albrighton (MR), Wilfried Ndidi (MC), Youri Tielemans (MC), James Maddison (AMC), Ayoze Perez (AMC), Jamie Vardy (FW)
Notes: It's back to a three-man back line for Leicester as Evans returns from suspension. After some midweek rotation, it's possible they repeat their XI from the win against Brighton.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Manchester United 
v. Leeds United 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Bailly | D | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Edinson Cavani | F | Strain | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Phil Jones | D | Knee | OUT | 1/17/2021 |
| Marcos Rojo | D | Calf | OUT | 1/17/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Forshaw | M | Hip | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Diego Llorente | D | Strain | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Gaetano Berardi | D | Knee | OUT | 2/6/2021 |
| Robin Koch | D | Knee | OUT | 2/6/2021 |
Manchester United Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Leeds): David de Gea (GK), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR), Victor Lindelof (DC), Harry Maguire (DC), Luke Shaw (DL), Paul Pogba (DMC), Fred (DMC), Marcus Rashford (AML), Bruno Fernandes (AMC), Mason Greenwood (AMR), Anthony Martial (FW)
Notes: Shaw returns to left-back, which looks to be a rotation going forward with Telles. Fred is also back in the XI, though plenty of others are also in play to start.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Leeds United Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1 v. Man United): Illan Meslier (GK), Luke Ayling (DC), Liam Cooper (DC), Ezgjan Alioski (DL), Stuart Dallas (DR), Kalvin Phillips (DMC), Mateusz Klich (MC), Rodrigo (MC), Jack Harrison (ML), Raphinha (MR), Patrick Bamford (FW)
Notes: Marcelo Bielsa could rotate or he could ride out the same lineup that just won 5-2. Pablo Hernandez, Helder Costa, Pascal Struijk and Tyler Roberts are all options if needed.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
West Bromwich Albion 
v. Aston Villa 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Field | M | Knee | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Hal Robson-Kanu | F | Wrist | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Kyle Bartley | D | Calf | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Matheus Pereira | F/M | Suspension | SUS (Premier) | 12/27/2020 |
| Conor Townsend | D | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Barkley | M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Tom Heaton | G | Knee | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Ezri Konsa | D | Illness | GTD | 12/20/2020 |
| Trezeguet | F/M | Hamstring | OUT | 12/26/2020 |
| Wesley Moraes | F | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
West Bromwich Albion Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Villa): Sam Johnstone (GK), Semi Ajayi (DC), Branislav Ivanovic (DC), Darnell Furlong (DR), Kieran Gibbs (DL), Romaine Sawyers (MC), Matthew Phillips (MR), Conor Gallagher (MC), Grady Diangana (ML), Callum Robinson (FW), Karlan Grant (FW)
Notes: It's unknown how the Baggies will line up with a new manager, but on a short week, they shouldn't change much, especially since Sam Allardyce prefers a four-man back line. Ivanovic and Robinson returns to the XI, pushing O'Shea and Livermore to the bench.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Aston Villa Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. West Brom): Emiliano Martinez (GK), Matt Targett (DL), Tyrone Mings (DC), Ezri Konsa (DC), Matty Cash (DR), Douglas Luiz (MC), John McGinn (MC), Bertrand Traore (AMR), Jack Grealish (AMC), Anwar El Ghazi (AML), Ollie Watkins (FW)
Notes: Matty Cash reclaims his right-back spot after serving a one-match ban, while Douglas Luiz is back in central midfield after doing the same. Barkley should be in the squad, but a stat is unlikely
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Burnley 
v. Wolverhampton 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johann Berg Gudmundsson | M | Hamstring | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Dale Stephens | M | Hamstring | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Jack Cork | M | Ankle | OUT | 1/16/2021 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willy Boly | D | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/21/2020 |
| Leander Dendoncker | M | Undisclosed | GTD | 12/21/2020 |
| Raul Jimenez | F | Head | OUT | 12/27/2020 |
| Jonny | M/D | Knee | OUT | 2/6/2021 |
Burnley Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Wolves): Nick Pope (GK), Matthew Lowton (DR), Ben Mee (DC), James Tarkowski (DC), Charlie Taylor (DL), Josh Benson (MR), Josh Brownhill (MC), Ashley Westwood (MC), Dwight McNeil (ML), Jay Rodriguez (FW), Chris Wood (FW)
Notes: Benson comes in for the ineffective and oft-injured Robbie Brady, while Rodriguez and Wood keep their spots up front, though Ashley Barnes is fighting for minutes.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Wolverhampton Projected Lineup (3-4-1-2 v. Burnley): Rui Patricio (GK), Willy Boly (DC), Conor Coady (DC), Romain Saiss (DC), Fernando Marcal (ML), Nelson Semedo (MR), Ruben Neves (MC), Joao Moutinho (MC), Daniel Podence (AMC), Adama Traore (FW), Pedro Neto (FW)
Notes: Wolves found success with their trusted three-man back line and despite playing Burnley, that'll be their strategy again. Moutinho is back following suspension and youngster Fabio Silva is on the bench after Traore provided a late-match spark against Man City.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
Chelsea 
v. West Ham United 
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callum Hudson-Odoi | F/M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/21/2020 |
| Hakim Ziyech | F/M | Hamstring | GTD | 12/21/2020 |
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michail Antonio | F | Hamstring | GTD | 12/21/2020 |
| Fabian Balbuena | D | Groin | GTD | 12/21/2020 |
| Arthur Masuaku | D | Knee | OUT | 1/12/2021 |
Chelsea Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. West Ham): Edouard Mendy (GK), Reece James (DR), Antonio Rudiger (DC), Kurt Zouma (DC), Ben Chilwell (DL), N'Golo Kante (MC), Mateo Kovacic (MC), Mason Mount (MC), Kai Havertz (FWR), Timo Werner (FWL), Tammy Abraham (FW)
Notes: Silva gets rested in place of Rudiger or Christensen, while Azpilicueta is also an option to re-enter. Kovacic is back in the XI to give Pulisic a break. Abraham starts up front for Giroud, who is unlikely to start three straight games in a busy schedule.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
West Ham Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Chelsea): Lukasz Fabianski (GK), Vladimir Coufal (DR), Angelo Ogbonna (DC), Issa Diop (DC), Ben Johnson (DL), Declan Rice (DMC), Mark Noble (DMC), Jarrod Bowen (AMR), Robert Snodgrass (AMC), Manuel Lanzini (AML), Sebastien Haller (FW)
Notes: West Ham have numerous knocks and David Moyes has said he'll make numerous rotations, though nothing is guaranteed. Johnson comes in for Cresswell and Noble enters for Soucek. Snodgrass and Lanzini also could feature for Fornals and Benrahma. Andriy Yarmolenko is also fighting for time, but after recently returning, he's unlikely to start. Antonio remains a doubt and is a stretch to start.
Last update: 4 p.m EDT on Fri., Dec. 18
