Premier League news LIVE: Erling Haaland latest and injury updates from today’s press conferences
The Premier League is back following the international break as Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool kicks off the weekend’s fixtures
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana are set to be fit as the Premier League returns from the November international break this weekend.
All three players withdrew or were absent from their international squads over the past fortnight but are set to be available for their respective fixtures. Haaland was considered to be an injury doubt after picking up a knock in Norway’s friendly win against the Faroe Islands, but Pep Guardiola is hopeful he will be ready to face Liverpool in Saturday’s top-of-the table clash.
The battle between Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp kicks off when should be a fascinating run of fixtures leading up to Christmas and beyond. Along with the fight for first place, there’s the battle for fourth with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Newcastle and Brighton all chasing down Tottenham who currently sit in the final Champions League place. Villa face Spurs this weekend while United host Everton.
Speaking of the Toffees, they are once again in the midst of a relegation battle having been deducted 10-points for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules. The deduction sees them drop down to 19th above Burnley, and puts them two points away from safety.
Follow along for the latest updates and injury news from the Premier League:
Mikel Arteta reveals Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus updates before Brentford clash
Arsenal are hoping both Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus will be available to face Brentford on Saturday, as Mikel Arteta confirmed goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will start with David Raya unable to face his parent club.
Odegaard has not started a Premier League game since the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on October 21, with the Arsenal captain missing the last three fixtures before the international break due to a concussion and hip problem.
Jesus, meanwhile, has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring in the victory in Seville last month, although the striker returned to action as he played the full match in Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta reveals Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus updates before Brentford clash
Arteta also confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will start, with David Raya unable to face his parent club
Howe on how injuries affected his team and the return of Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle have won four in a row and kept four clean sheets at St. James’ Park which is a run that Eddie Howe is proud off especially with the injuries to key defenders in his team.
“Among everything that’s going on you can lose track of the positive things,” he said. “We’ve [had a] changed back four. Last year we were able to keep a solid unit but this year players have come in and shown their worth.
“We’ll be potentially stretched again this weekend but I’d back the team to perform well.”
Bruno Guimaraes has served his suspension and will be available to start for Newcastle on Saturday with the Brazilian a key figure in the heart of their midfield.
“He’s a real catalyst for us and the supporters,” said Howe. “You take that player away and I think there is a big hole.
“The added thing for us is we’re missing Sandro [Tonali] and we were stretched for Bournemouth. [Guimaraes] coming back is a massive lift.”
Aaron Ramsdale set for Arsenal lifeline, but ‘charisma and personality’ won’t be enough
Aaron Ramsdale has increasingly found himself in an unenviable position, left out in the cold by Mikel Arteta’s team selection policy and facing a battle for his future at Arsenal.
His father was left to lament that the goalkeeper has “lost his smile” as he has been left to stew on the bench while loan signing David Raya has consolidated his place in the starting line up.
Raya is ineligible against parent club Brentford on Saturday, allowing Ramsdale a rare chance to impress the manager.
Aaron Ramsdale set for Arsenal lifeline, but ‘personality’ won’t be enough
Ramsdale has only played four Premier League matches for Arsenal this season but will return to the starting line-up against Brentford on Saturday
Pedro Neto close to return but not fit to face Fulham
Pedro Neto is closing in on a return for Wolves but will not make Monday’s trip to Fulham.
Portugal international Neto had started the campaign in flying form and produced seven assists in 10 Premier League matches before he sustained a hamstring injury in last month’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
There were initial fears Neto may not play again in 2023 and while he is not yet available, it will not be long before he is back.
“Pedro won’t make Monday,” head coach Gary O’Neil told reporters at a press conference. “He’s got a little bit more work to do. Pedro will stay with the physios and fitness staff for a bit longer.
“There’s no exact time frame, but Monday he won’t be available. Hopefully it’s weeks. It’s hard because there’ll be tests done, he goes for other check-ups and scans and you’re sort of guided by them, how quickly he’s healing, but he’s healing very well.
“He’s probably ahead of where they would have wanted him to be at this point.
“We’re pleased with the progress he’s made, but with the nature of the injury, we need to make sure everything’s ticked off properly before he’s back with the group.”
Wolves do have other injury concerns ahead of their journey down to London, but the Monday night game should ensure O’Neil has a largely fully-fit squad to select from.
Craig Dawson is ruled out through suspension after he collected his fifth yellow card of the season in the last-gasp win over Tottenham, and Joseph Hodge (shoulder) remains sidelined alongside Nathan Fraser (quad), but Matt Doherty and Mario Lemina are set to shake off knocks.
O’Neil added: “I think everyone came back OK. Nathan Fraser’s still out. Mario rolled his ankle on international duty, but should be fine.
“Matt Doherty has a tight hamstring but will be fine. Hugo Bueno is back involved, as he was just before, he’s doing well.
“Hodgey is doing well, he’s back on the grass, but it comes a bit too quick for him. We’re pretty much as we were as long as nothing happens the next couple of days.”
Reporting by PA.
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Saturday
12.30pm - Manchester City vs Liverpool
3pm - Burnley vs West Ham
3pm - Luton vs Crystal Palace
3pm - Newcastle United vs Chelsea
3pm - Nottingham Forest vs Brighton
3pm - Sheffield United vs Bournemouth
5.30pm - Brentford vs Arsenal
Sunday
2pm - Tottenham vs Aston Villa
4.30pm - Everton vs Manchester United
Eddie Howe gives Newcastle injury update
Newcastle take on Chelsea this weekend in a big clash that could see the Magpies move into the top four if results go their way.
Speaking ahead of that fixture, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe updated the press on the status of the injuries in his squad saying:
“Fabian [Schär] was more precautionary rather than any injury, we saw him yesterday – he seemed good. Miggy [Miguel Almiron] has worked really well since his hamstring.
“Kieran [Trippier] is fine, he has trained with us since his return from England. We will check on Sean [Longstaff] before tomorrow.”
Ramsdale to start against Brentford
Mikel Arteta’s press conference is well underway and the Arsenal boss has confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will be in the starting XI for their trip to Brentford on Saturday.
He said of Ramsdale: “My job is to try and help people in the very best possible way everyday to make him better and give them the best possible chance to fulfil the potential in their career and get to the highest possible position.
“There is no expectation with any player.”
Arteta confirmed Ramsdale will start against Brentford with David Raya ineligible due to being on loan from the Bees.
How Pep Guardiola borrowed from Jurgen Klopp to elevate Manchester City
In 2021, Pep Guardiola was reflecting on an epic managerial rivalry that then only lasted a mere eight years. “He made me a better manager,” he said of Jurgen Klopp. When he registered his greatest achievement since leaving Barcelona, it owed something to Klopp, too.
In swift succession, his captain lifted the Premier League, the FA Cup and then the Champions League. A decade after scoring for Klopp in a Champions League final at Wembley, Ilkay Gundogan struck twice for Guardiola in an FA Cup final at Wembley. Gundogan felt like a footballing soulmate of Guardiola – as well as a neighbour in the same deluxe Manchester apartment block – but a diplomat had links in each camp: Klopp often texted his former midfielder congratulations when Manchester City won something, just as he got in touch when Liverpool drew Guardiola’s team in the Champions League in 2018.
Gundogan is gone now – to Guardiola’s old club and spiritual home, Barcelona – but he remains an example of how the Catalan has been influenced by the manager who has beaten him most often. As Guardiola’s haul from the seasons when they have faced each other stands at five Premier League titles and two Bundesligas, Klopp is likelier to defeat him over 90 minutes than nine months. That Guardiola has always tended to have greater resources is a factor: a mantra of Klopp’s is that he has never wanted to be the best team in the world as much as beat the best. And, with great regularity, that is how he describes City.
How Pep Guardiola borrowed from Jurgen Klopp to elevate Manchester City
With Liverpool once more City’s closest rivals the tactical battle between Klopp and Guardiola has been renewed
Sean Dyche insists Everton points deduction ‘feels disproportionate’
Everton boss Sean Dyche has expressed shock at the “disproportionate” 10-point penalty imposed on the club but insisted he and his players are ready to take on the latest challenge put in front of them.
Dyche was trying to enjoy a short break during the international window when he got word of the unprecedented sanction handed down by an independent commission for breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules – a penalty that Everton will appeal against.
Speaking publicly for the first time on the matter, Dyche said: “I think like everyone, certainly in these parts, I was shocked and seemingly from the wave of noise after that, most people in football are shocked by the enormity of it.
Sean Dyche insists Everton points deduction ‘feels disproportionate’
The club were docked 10 points last week for breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
Erik ten Hag prepared for Everton to be ‘mad’ and urges Man Utd to match them
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag knows Everton’s players and fans will be “mad” about the 10-point penalty imposed on the club and has challenged his team to meet fire with fire on Sunday.
United make the short trip to Goodison Park this weekend to face a Toffees team fuelled by a sense of injustice after an independent commission imposed the sanction on the club a week ago for a breach of Premier League profitability and sustainability rules.
For the Red Devils, it is the first of three challenging away games in the space of six days.
Erik ten Hag prepared for Everton to be ‘mad’ and urges Man Utd to match them
Everton were sanctioned by an independent commission last Friday
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