Premier League: Chelsea Travelling Pre-Season Squad
Premier League: Chelsea Travelling Pre-Season Squad
The Premier League gameweek 9 will get underway with Chelsea vs Manchester United in the 12:30 kick-off on Saturday, October 31. We will also bring you our predictions for Bournemouth vs Leeds & Brentford vs Nottingham Forest. The rest of the Saturday fixtures will be published after this article.
Premier League GW9: Saturday Fixtures
Chelsea vs Manchester United
In the 12:30 kick-off, Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The home side have struggled for consistency this season, but have produced some impressive performances, including the 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth, who beat Manchester United 3-0 in their most recent game. Xabi Alonso’s team will be eager to return to winning ways after their loss to Tottenham and Carabao Cup exit against Liverpool.
At his pre-match press conference, Alonso gave us key injury updates, including the latest on Maxence Lacroix, after the defender left the pitch against Liverpool on Wednesday: “Max picked up an injury and we expect that he will not be ready before the international break.”
The Blues boss also confirmed there was “No issue” with Caicedo, and that “he is ok for tomorrow.”
When asked whether Chelsea fans may see Emi Martinez back in action before the next international break: “Yes, there is a chance,’ he said. ‘We need to still wait for next week, but let’s see how things go. But there is a chance.”
Michael Carrick will have to do without Benjamin Sesko, who will be out until at least January with a shin injury that has plagued him since the end of last season. The under pressure United boss did give a positive update on Kobbie Mainoo: “Kobbie’s done a little bit of training yesterday, so he’s back in and around the group, so that’s obviously a positive.”
Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Manuel Ugarte remain out.
The situation regarding Bruno Fernandes has been public, with the Portuguese star an unused substitute against Bournemouth after speaking out against Carrick’s tactics:
“It was a decision, as I said, for what we felt for the game. That’s it. Bruno is fully committed to this football club, and there are absolutely no issues with that. We move forward, we make decisions as we go, and we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday now.”
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United
Pep Chavarria injury update
REUTERS/David Klein
Bournemouth vs Leeds
In a 15:00 Premier League kick-off on Saturday, Bournemouth are in good form, having won their last five in all competitions, while Leeds sit seventh, but have only one win in their last five league games.
Bournemouth hosts Leeds. Marco Rose has spoken to the press, confirming he is “really happy” to have Junior Kroupi back, but did say he needs to build up his game time, before returning to the starting XI.
In a big boost for Bournemouth, Rose confirmed Alex Scott is nearing a return and “could be an option,” including him for the next league match against Ipswich.
“When we have the international break, we have two weeks more to get him really fit. He is on the pitch, working hard and has no problems. He hasn’t trained with the group so far, but I am sure he will in the next couple of days – then we will see if we bring him to the squad before the break or after, to maybe be more reasonable,” added Rose.
Speaking to the press ahead of the trip to Bournemouth, Leeds boss Daniel Farke confirmed his squad has a “way better” injury situation than last weekend. Nico Elvedi, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor all appear in contention to start. Despite some positives, Anton Stach is “still struggling with his foot injury a little bit,” with “a question mark” over his availability.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Leeds
James Trafford
IMAGO / Branislav Racko
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
In our next Premier League fixture, it’s Brentford vs Nottingham Forest. The home side started the season well, but has only won one league game in the last five games and was beaten 3-2 in the week against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Forest did pick up a point last time out, 1-1 away at Ipswich, ending a run of three consecutive defeats.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews provided an important update on winger Fabio Carvalho’s fitness:
“Fabio picked up a knock about 10 days to two weeks ago, so he’s going to be out up until after the international break.”
Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva are edging closer to a return, with both players “in and around” the squad. Andrews also revealed Kaye Furo is “making good progress.”
Mikkel Damsgaard also appears to be edging closer to a return, with the Brentford boss confirming the Dane is in a “better place.”
Struggling Nottingham Forest will be eager to improve on their point collected at Ipswich. Forest boss Oliver Glasner has given his latest injury news from his squad:
“(Nicolò) Savona and Igor (Jesus) are still out. Nicolás Domínguez is progressing very well. He will train for the first time tomorrow with the team. We will see if it is too early, but he should be fine for City.
“There is a doubt with Dan Ndoye. He felt some hamstring fatigue after the game throughout the week and after returning from Switzerland.
“Let’s see if he can train tomorrow with the team and do well without taking any risk. He will be available and if not, he will miss the game. But he should be fine for City.”
Glasner also had a positive update on the availability of Neco Williams for this weekend:
“He trained from day one. He fell on his nerve and he was numb to his fingers and he had a huge pain during the game.
“Everything is settled and he trained the entire week, so he is fine.”
Prediction: Brentford 1-0 Nottingham Forest
The Last Word
Manchester United need a win, but they will be up against Chelsea. However, Xabi Alonso will be without Joao Pedro, and they have not been at their best when he’s been missing. Michael Carrick is fighting for his job, but I can’t see him getting a reprieve at Stamford Bridge.
Leeds started the season well, but have slowed down in recent weeks. Combined with the recent form of Bournemouth, I can only see a win for the Cherries; however, it will be close.
Nottingham Forest did record their best win of the season away at Aston Villa, but they will need to significantly step up against Brentford to get anything from the game.