Premier League Projected Lineups: Gameweek 20 [UPDATED]

Premier League Projected Lineups: Gameweek 20 [UPDATED]

This article is part of our Soccer Picks series.

MATCHES (EST)

Crystal Palace vs. West Ham United

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Cheikhou KouyateCRYDPersonalGTD1/26/2021
Wilfried ZahaCRYF/MUndisclosedGTD1/26/2021
Jeffrey SchluppCRYMHamstringOUT1/30/2021
James TomkinsCRYDUndisclosedOUT1/30/2021
Nathan FergusonCRYMKneeOUT2/13/2021
Wayne HennesseyCRYGUndisclosedOUT2/13/2021
Martin KellyCRYDUndisclosedOUT2/13/2021
Connor WickhamCRYFUndisclosedOUT2/13/2021
Mamadou SakhoCRYDThighOUT2/27/2021
Arthur MasuakuWHUDKneeOUT3/20/2021

Crystal Palace Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. West Ham United): Vicente Guaita (GK), Tyrick Mitchell (DL), Gary Cahill (DC), Cheikhou Kouyate (DC), Joel Ward (DR), Eberechi Eze (ML), James McArthur (MC), Luka Milivojevic (MC), Andros Townsend (MR), Wilfried Zaha (FW), Christian Benteke (FW)

Notes: Kouyate should return for Tomkins, who misses out with injury, while Zaha is the biggest question. This has been Palace's trusted XI through the last few weeks and if everyone is healthy, it's what Roy Hodgson will likely use, also featuring Benteke up front.

West Ham United Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Crystal Palace): Lukasz Fabianski (GK), Aaron Cresswell (DL), Craig Dawson (DC), Angelo Ogbonna (DC), Vladimir Coufal (DR), Declan Rice (DMC), Tomas Soucek (DMC), Pablo Fornals (AML), Said Benrahma (AMC), Jarrod Bowen (AMR), Michail Antonio (FW)

Notes: There's a chance Fornals and Benrahma are moved out of the XI after going a full 90 in the FA Cup, though their backups also started over the weekend, namely Manuel Lanzini and Andriy Yarmolenko.

Newcastle United vs. Leeds United

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Javier ManquilloDUndisclosedGTD 1/26/2021
Ciaran ClarkDUndisclosedOUT 1/30/2021
Paul DummettDUndisclosedOUT 1/30/2021
DeAndre YedlinDNot Injury RelatedOUT 1/30/2021
Federico FernandezDHamstringOUT 2/15/2021

Newcastle United Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Leeds United): Karl Darlow (GK), Jamal Lewis (DL), Fabian Schar (DC), Jamaal Lascelles (DC), Emil Krafth (DR), Ryan Fraser (ML), Matthew Longstaff (MC), Isaac Hayden (MC), Miguel Almiron (MR), Allan Saint-Maximin (FWc), Callum Wilson (FW)

Notes: Newcastle keep changing things up with the hope of getting back to form. Due to injuries, the back line has to stay the same, while Fraser and Saint-Maximin enter to provide a spark. Krafth comes in for the injured Manquillo.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Illan MeslierGUndisclosedGTD 1/26/2021
Robin KochDKneeOUT 2/6/2021
Gaetano BerardiDKneeOUT 2/20/2021
Adam ForshawMHipOUT 2/20/2021

Leeds United Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1 at Newcastle United): Illan Meslier (GK), Ezgjan Alioski (DL), Luke Ayling (DC), Liam Cooper (DC), Stuart Dallas (DR), Kalvin Phillips (DMC), Jack Harrison (ML), Mateusz Klich (MC), Rodrigo (MC), Raphinha (MR), Patrick Bamford (FW)

Notes: Phillips returns from suspension, while everything else is the same for Marcelo Bielsa, who has kept a steady lineup over the last month.

Southampton vs. Arsenal

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Nathan RedmondMUndisclosedGTD 1/26/2021
Ryan BertrandDSuspensionSUS  (Premier)1/30/2021
Oriol RomeuMCalfOUT 1/30/2021
Jannik VestergaardDKneeOUT 2/2/2021
Moussa DjenepoF/MHamstringOUT 2/6/2021
Nathan TellaF/MStrainOUT 2/6/2021
Kyle Walker-PetersDQuadricepsOUT 2/6/2021
Mohammed SalisuDStrainOUT 3/6/2021
Michael ObafemiFStrainOUT 3/20/2021
William SmallboneMKneeOUT 5/23/2021

Southampton Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Arsenal): Alex McCarthy (GK), Jake Vokins (DL), Jan Bednarek (DC), Jack Stephens (DC), Yan Valery (DR), Theo Walcott (ML), Ibrahima Diallo (MC), James Ward-Prowse (MC), Stuart Armstrong (MR), Che Adams (FW), Danny Ings (FW)

Notes: These teams just played over the weekend and after winning in the FA Cup, but because of injury and suspension to Walker-Peters and Bertrand, Valery and Vokins are forced into rare starts at full-back.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Pierre-Emerick AubameyangF/MPersonalGTD 1/26/2021
Dani CeballosMCalfGTD 1/26/2021
Pablo MariDCalfOUT 1/30/2021

Arsenal Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Southampton): Bernd Leno (GK), Kieran Tierney (DL), Gabriel (DC), Rob Holding (DC), Hector Bellerin (DR), Thomas Partey (DMC), Granit Xhaka (DMC), Gabriel Martinelli (AML), Emile Smith-Rowe (AMC), Bukayo Saka (AMR), Alexandre Lacazette (FW)

Notes: Mikel Arteta will likely need someone to take the place of Aubameyang and that could be Martinelli after he was subbed off first on the weekend. Nicolas Pepe and Willian are also options after going a full 90 in the 1-0 FA Cup loss.

West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Karlan GrantFFootGTD 1/26/2021
Matthew PhillipsMIllnessGTD 1/26/2021
Grady DianganaF/MStrainOUT 1/30/2021
Conor TownsendDKneeOUT 1/30/2021

West Bromwich Albion Projected Lineup (4-4-1-1 v. Manchester City): Sam Johnstone (GK), Kieran Gibbs (DL), Semi Ajayi (DC), Kyle Bartley (DC), Dara O'Shea (DR), Robert Snodgrass (ML), Romaine Sawyers (MC), Jake Livermore (MC), Conor Gallagher (MR), Matheus Pereira (AMC), Callum Robinson (FW) 

Notes: Snodgrass is eligible again and takes over for Grosicki, while everything else stays the same. West Brom lack depth and there's not much Sam Allardyce can do to stop Man CIty.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kyle WalkerDHipGTD 1/26/2021
Sergio AgueroFIllnessOUT 1/30/2021
Nathan AkeDUndisclosedOUT 1/30/2021
Kevin De BruyneMHamstringOUT 2/21/2021

Manchester City Projected Lineup (4-3-3 at West Bromwich Albion): Ederson (GK), Joao Cancelo (DR), Ruben Dias (DC), John Stones (DC), Oleksandr Zinchenko (DL), Rodri (MC), Ilkay Gundogan (MC), Bernardo Silva (MC), Raheem Sterling (FWL), Phil Foden (FWR), Gabriel Jesus (FW)

Notes: Kyle Walker and Zinchenko are the questions along the back line, though after neither featured over the weekend, it's more likely the latter gets the call due to the former's minor injury. Kevin De Bruyne is out, but City still have plenty of options with Silva likely taking up a bigger role on the ball.

Burnley vs. Aston Villa

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Charlie TaylorBRNDHamstringOUT1/31/2021
Wesley MoraesAVLFKneeOUT1/31/2021
Kortney HauseAVLDFootOUT2/13/2021

Burnley Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Aston Villa): Nick Pope (GK), Erik Pieters (DL), Ben Mee (DC), James Tarkowski (DC), Matthew Lowton (DL), Dwight McNeil (ML), Ashley Westwood (MC), Josh Brownhill (MC), Robbie Brady (MR), Chris Wood (FW), Ashley Barnes (FW) 

Notes: Pieters is set for another start at left-back, while Gudmundsson, Brady and McNeil continue to fight for time on the wings. Gudmundsson and McNeil started on Sunday.

Aston Villa Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Burnley): Emiliano Martinez (GK), Matt Targett (DL), Ezri Konsa (DC), Tyrone Mings (DC), Matty Cash (DR), Douglas Luiz (DMC), John McGinn (DMC), Jack Grealish (AMC), Anwar El Ghazi (AML), Bertrand Traore (AMR), Ollie Watkins (FW)

Notes: This seems like the perfect spot for El Ghazi to return to the XI to replace Barkley, who would be starting three matches in eight days if he gets the call, which usually isn't the best strategy returning from a month-long hamstring injury. 

Chelsea vs. Wolverhampton

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Olivier GiroudCHEFAnkleGTD1/27/2021
N'Golo KanteCHEMHamstringOUT1/31/2021
Daniel PodenceWOLF/MCalfOUT2/2/2021
JonnyWOLM/DKneeOUT2/6/2021
Fernando MarcalWOLM/DAbdomenOUT2/13/2021
Raul JimenezWOLFHeadOUT2/20/2021

Chelsea Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Wolverhampton): Edouard Mendy (GK), Ben Chilwell (DL), Kurt Zouma (DC), Thiago Silva (DC), Reece James (DR), Jorginho (MC), Mateo Kovacic (MC), Mason Mount (MC), Christian Pulisic (FWL), Hakim Ziyech (FWR), Tammy Abraham (FW)

Notes: Abraham gets another start after bagging a hat-trick in the FA Cup, while both Kovacic and Jorginho are used in hopes of fixing defensive woes.

Wolverhampton Projected Lineup (3-4-1-2 at Chelsea): Rui Patricio (GK), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ML), Willy Boly (DC), Conor Coady (DC), Romain Saiss (DC), Nelson Semedo (MR), Leander Dendoncker (MC), Joao Moutinho (MC), Adama Traore (AMC), Pedro Neto (FW), Fabio Silva (FW)

Notes: While it hasn't worked of late, Wolves could return to a three-man back line after using that to beat Chelsea a little more than a month ago (they also used it Friday in the FA Cup).

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Fulham

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Aaron ConnollyBHAFHamstringGTD1/27/2021
Adam LallanaBHAMIllnessGTD1/27/2021
Antonee RobinsonFULDSuspensionSUS1/30/2021
Tom CairneyFULMKneeOUT2/3/2021
Jose IzquierdoBHAF/MKneeOUT2/6/2021
Terence KongoloFULDUndisclosedOUT2/6/2021
Alireza JahanbakhshBHAFUndisclosedOUT2/13/2021
Tariq LampteyBHAM/DHamstringOUT2/13/2021
Danny WelbeckBHAFUndisclosedOUT2/13/2021
Florin AndoneBHAFKneeOUT3/6/2021

Brighton & Hove Albion Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 v. Fulham): Robert Sanchez (GK), Lewis Dunk (DC), Adam Webster (DC), Dan Burn (DC), Solomon March (ML), Ben White (MC), Pascal Gross (MC) Joel Veltman (MR), Leandro Trossard (AMC), Alexis Mac Allister (AMC), Neal Maupay (FW)

Notes: Brighton stick with what works after they beat Leeds 1-0 last week. Mac Allister has played well and continues up front paired with Trossard.

Fulham Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion): Alphonse Areola (GK), Ola Aina (DC), Joachim Andersen (DC), Tosin Adarabioyo (DC), Ademola Lookman (ML), Harrison Reed (MC), Andre Zambo Anguissa (MC), Kenny Tete (MR),  Bobby Decordova-Reid (AMC), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AMC), Ivan Cavaleiro (FW)

Notes: While the XI is set, Fulham don't have a preferred left-back because of the suspension to Antonee Robinson, unless Joe Bryan gets another start. 

Everton vs. Leicester City

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Dominic Calvert-LewinEVEFHamstringGTD1/27/2021
Fabian DelphEVEMHamstringGTD1/27/2021
Nampalys MendyLEIMNeckGTD1/27/2021
Abdoulaye DoucoureEVEMSuspensionSUS1/30/2021
Niels NkounkouEVEDUndisclosedOUT1/30/2021
Jean-Philippe GbaminEVEMAchillesOUT2/3/2021
AllanEVEMHamstringOUT2/8/2021
Jamie VardyLEIFHipOUT2/13/2021
Wes MorganLEIDUndisclosedOUT2/21/2021
Dennis PraetLEIMHamstringOUT4/10/2021

Everton Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Leicester City): Jordan Pickford (GK), Lucas Digne (DL), Michael Keane (DC), Yerry Mina (DC), Seamus Coleman (DR), Tom Davies (MC), Andre Gomes (MC), Alex Iwobi (MC), Richarlison (FWL), James Rodriguez  (FWR), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (FW)

Notes: Calvert-Lewin is back to boost the forwards and that allows Iwobi to play more of a midfield role. The center-backs change by the matchup and have been impossible to project.

Leicester City Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1 at Everton): Kasper Schmeichel (GK), James Justin (DL), Wesley Fofana (DC), Jonny Evans (DC), Timothy Castagne (DR), Wilfred Ndidi (DMC), Harvey Barnes (ML), Youri Tielemans (MC), James Maddison (MC), Marc Albrighton (MR), Kelechi Iheanacho (FW)

Notes: Iheanacho didn't start Sunday and that possibly means he enters the XI Wednesday for the injured Jamie Vardy.

Manchester United vs. Sheffield United

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Marcus RashfordF/MKneeGTD 1/27/2021
Marcos RojoDCalfOUT 2/2/2021
Phil JonesDKneeOUT 2/8/2021
Brandon WilliamsDUndisclosedOUT 2/8/2021

Manchester United Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Sheffield United): David de Gea (GK), Luke Shaw (DL), Harry Maguire (DC), Victor Lindelof (DC), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR), Fred (DMC), Paul Pogba (DMC), Anthony Martial (AML), Bruno Fernandes (AMC), Mason Greenwood (AMR), Edinson Cavani (FW)

Notes: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is slowly figuring things out with Pogba and that's led to some success. This is the preferred XI with Pogba and Fred in deeper roles, while Greenwood starts over Rashford, who suffered a knee injury over the weekend.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Oliver McBurnieFShoulderGTD 1/27/2021
Lys MoussetFUndisclosedGTD 1/27/2021
Ben OsbornMCalfGTD 1/27/2021
John EganDSuspensionSUS  (Premier)1/30/2021
Jack RobinsonDUndisclosedOUT 2/6/2021
Jack O'ConnellDKneeOUT 3/6/2021
Sander BergeMHamstringOUT 3/20/2021

Sheffield United Projected Lineup (3-5-2 at Manchester United): Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Chris Basham (DC), Ethan Ampadu (DC), George Baldock (DC), Enda Stevens (ML), Oliver Norwood (MC), John Fleck (MC), John Lundstram (MC), Jayden Bogle (MR), Oliver Burke (FW), David McGoldrick (FW)

Notes: The suspension to John Egan leaves some questions, but Baldock is healthy again and could get a rare start at center-back. That would allow Bogle to stay on the right and Stevens to stay on the left.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Dele AlliTOTMUndisclosedGTD1/28/2021
Serge AurierTOTDUndisclosedGTD1/28/2021
Matt DohertyTOTDUndisclosedGTD1/28/2021
Jordan HendersonLIVMUndisclosedGTD1/28/2021
Naby KeitaLIVMStrainGTD1/28/2021
Giovani Lo CelsoTOTMStrainOUT1/31/2021
Diogo JotaLIVFKneeOUT2/6/2021
Virgil van DijkLIVDKneeOUT3/6/2021
Joe GomezLIVDKneeOUT4/3/2021

Tottenham Hotspur Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Liverpool): Hugo Lloris (GK), Sergio Reguilon (DL), Eric Dier (DC), Davinson Sanchez (DC), Serge Aurier (DR), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (DMC), Moussa Sissoko (DMC), Son Heung-Min (AML), Tanguy Ndombele (AMC), Steven Bergwijn (AMR), Harry Kane (FW)

Notes: Harry Winks is an option for the midfield and there's always the chance Jose Mourinho turns defensive, but Liverpool are ripe for the taking and he'll keep his trusted formation.

Liverpool Projected Lineup (4-3-3 at Tottenham Hotspur): Alisson Becker (GK), Andrew Robertson (DL), Joel Matip (DC), Fabinho (DC), Trent Alexander-Arnold (DR), Georginio Wijnaldum (MC), Jordan Henderson (MC), Thiago Alcantara (MC), Sadio Mane (FWL), Mohamed Salah (FWR), Roberto Firmino (FW)

Notes: Liverpool are edging closer to health and that means more of the same for the starting XI, assuming Henderson is healthy enough to start.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Andrew M. Laird plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: kingmorland, DraftKings: andrewmlaird, Yahoo: Lairdinho. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew is a former RotoWire contributor. He was the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
Adam Zdroik
Adam, a multiple-time finalist for FSWA's Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's soccer editor. He runs RotoWire's Bracketology and partakes in various NFL content. He previously worked at ESPN and Sporting Kansas City, and he is a former Streak for the Cash winner and Michigan State graduate.
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