Premier League Projected Lineups: Gameweek 25 [UPDATED]

Premier League Projected Lineups: Gameweek 25 [UPDATED]

This article is part of our Soccer Picks series.

MATCHES (EST)

Wolverhampton vs. Leeds United

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Mateusz KlichLEEMHipGTD2/19/2021
Diego LlorenteLEEDStrainGTD2/19/2021
Robin KochLEEDKneeOUT2/23/2021
Kalvin PhillipsLEEMCalfOUT2/23/2021
Ian Carlo Poveda-OcampoLEEFAnkleOUT2/23/2021
Gaetano BerardiLEEDKneeOUT2/27/2021
Adam ForshawLEEMHipOUT2/27/2021
RodrigoLEEF/MUndisclosedOUT2/27/2021
Willy BolyWOLDHamstringOUT3/13/2021
Daniel PodenceWOLF/MGroinOUT3/20/2021
Raul JimenezWOLFHeadOUT4/17/2021

Wolverhampton Projected Lineup (3-4-3 v. Leeds United): Rui Patricio (GK), Conor Coady (DC), Romain Saiss (DC), Leander Dendoncker (DC), Nelson Semedo (MR), Jonny (ML), Ruben Neves (MC), Joao Moutinho (MC), Pedro Neto (FWL), Adama Traore (FWR), Willian Jose (FW)

Notes: Wolves repeat their lineup from the win against Southampton and continue with a three-man back line, which they've used the last two matches. Fernando Marcal could eventually join the XI, but Saiss and Dendoncker continue at center-back for another match.

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

Notes: There's a chance Marcelo Bielsa mixes things up after getting pounced by Arsenal, but guys like Helder Costa and Tyler Roberts have rarely started this season, so it's hard to see either coming into the XI.

Southampton vs. Chelsea

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Ibrahima DialloMUndisclosedOUT 3/1/2021
Theo WalcottF/MHamstringOUT 3/6/2021
Kyle Walker-PetersDHamstringOUT 3/13/2021
Michael ObafemiFStrainOUT 3/20/2021
William SmallboneMKneeOUT 5/23/2021

Southampton Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Chelsea): Alex McCarthy (GK), Ryan Bertrand (DL), Jan Bednarek (DC), Jannik Vestergaard (DC), Mohammed Salisu (DR), Takumi Minamino (ML), Oriol Romeu (MC), James Ward-Prowse (MC), Stuart Armstrong (MR), Nathan Redmond (FW), Danny Ings (FW)

Notes: Salisu gets the start for the injured Walker-Peters, but Jack Stephens is also in play, while Redmond remains up front next to Ings. Moussa Djenepo and Che Adams remain options to start, as well.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Tammy AbrahamFAnkleGTD 2/20/2021
Kai HavertzF/MUndisclosedGTD 2/20/2021
Christian PulisicF/MCalfGTD 2/20/2021
Thiago SilvaDStrainOUT 2/23/2021

Chelsea Projected Lineup (3-4-2-1 at Southampton): Edouard Mendy (GK), Andreas Christensen (DC), Antonio Rudiger (DC), Cesar Azpilicueta (DC), Ben Chilwell (ML), Jorginho (MC), Mateo Kovacic (MC), Reece James (MR), Mason Mount (AMC), Timo Werner (AMC), Olivier Giroud (FW)

Notes: Christensen stays in the XI with Silva out, while everything else is a moving piece, especially with Champions League ahead. Chilwell and James could be back, while Werner seems to play better in the AMC role, which means a start for Giroud, over the injured Abraham.

Burnley vs. West Bromwich Albion

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Ben MeeBRNDConcussionGTD2/20/2021
Matej VydraBRNFHamstringGTD2/20/2021
Chris WoodBRNFHamstringGTD2/20/2021
Grady DianganaWBAF/MHamstringGTD2/20/2021
Lee PeltierWBADAnkleGTD2/20/2021
Robbie BradyBRNMAchillesOUT2/28/2021
Johann Berg GudmundssonBRNMHamstringOUT2/28/2021
Erik PietersBRNM/DGroinOUT2/28/2021
Dale StephensBRNMUndisclosedOUT3/6/2021

Burnley Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. West Brom): Nick Pope (GK), Charlie Taylor (DL), James Tarkowski (DC), Ben Mee (DC), Matthew Lowton (DR), Dwight McNeil (ML), Ashley Westwood (MC), Jack Cork (MC), Josh Brownhill (MR), Ashley Barnes (FW), Jay Rodriguez (FW)

Notes: Mee is back from a concussion, while Taylor stays at left-back. After a couple more injuries midweek, it looks like Brownhill could play a role on the wing over the injured Brady and Gudmundsson.

West Bromwich Albion Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1 at Burnley): Sam Johnstone (GK), Conor Townsend (DL), Kyle Bartley (DC), Semi Ajayi (DC), Darnell Furlong (DR), Okay (DMC), Matheus Pereira (ML), Conor Gallagher (MC), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (MC), Robert Snodgrass (MR), Mbaye Diagne (FW)

Notes: It's mostly the same from the draw against Manchester United except for Furlong coming into the XI for the injured Peltier.

Liverpool vs. Everton

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Naby KeitaMHamstringGTD 2/20/2021
Diogo JotaFKneeOUT 2/28/2021
James MilnerMHamstringOUT 2/28/2021
FabinhoM/DStrainOUT 2/28/2021
Joe GomezDKneeOUT 4/3/2021
Virgil van DijkDKneeOUT 5/1/2021
Joel MatipDAnkleOUT 8/7/2021

Liverpool Projected Lineup (4-3-3 v. Everton): Alisson Becker (GK), Andrew Robertson (DL), Ozan Kabak (DC), Jordan Henderson (DC), Trent Alexander-Arnold (DR), Thiago Alcantara (MC), Georginio Wijnaldum (MC), Curtis Jones (MC), Sadio Mane (FWL), Mohamed Salah (FWR), Roberto Firmino (FW)

Notes: Liverpool don't have a ton of options and in a derby, nothing is expected to change from the midweek win against Leipzig. It looks like they've found some form and Jurgen Klopp won't want to change that.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Dominic Calvert-LewinFHamstringGTD 2/20/2021
Jean-Philippe GbaminMAchillesOUT 3/13/2021
Yerry MinaDCalfOUT 4/3/2021

Everton Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Liverpool): Jordan Pickford (GK), Lucas Digne (DL), Michael Keane (DC), Mason Holgate (MC), Ben Godfrey (DR), Allan (DMC), Abdoulaye Doucoure (DMC), Alex Iwobi (AMR), James Rodriguez (AMC), Richarlison (AML), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (FW)

Notes: Godfrey appears to be preferred to Coleman, while there's a chance Allan returns to the XI in a big spot. A 4-2-3-1 has been one of the preferred formations for Carlo Ancelotti this season and he'll use it if Calvert-Lewin is ready to start. If he wants more of a defensive approach against Liverpool, Gomes would likely take the spot of Iwobi.

Fulham vs. Sheffield United

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Tom CairneyMKneeOUT 2/28/2021
Aleksandar MitrovicFIllnessOUT 2/28/2021

Fulham Projected Lineup (4-4-2 v. Sheffield United): Alphonse Areola (GK), Ola Aina (DL), Tosin Adarabioyo (DC), Joachim Andersen (DC), Kenny Tete (DR), Mario Lemina (MC), Harrison Reed (MC), Ademola Lookman (ML), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (MR), Bobby Decordova-Reid (FW), Josh Maja (FW)

Notes: Scott Parker has seemed to have found something with this formation and he'll keep it the same. That leaves Antonee Robinson, Andre Zambo Anguissa and Ivan Cavaleiro on the bench again.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
John FleckMIllnessOUT 2/28/2021
Jack O'ConnellDKneeOUT 3/13/2021
Jack RobinsonDUndisclosedOUT 3/13/2021
Sander BergeMHamstringOUT 3/20/2021
John EganDToeOUT 5/1/2021

Sheffield United Projected Lineup (3-5-2 at Fulham): Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Phil Jagielka (DC), Chris Basham (DC), Ethan Ampadu (DC), Jayden Bogle (MR), Oliver Norwood (MC), John Lundstram (MC), Ben Osborn (MC), Enda Stevens (MR), David McGoldrick (FW), Billy Sharp (FW)

Notes: Sheffield United's forwards are a guessing game every match. Bryan could start for the injured Egan, but Phil Jagielka is also an option. The midfield stays the same since Fleck remains out.

West Ham United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Michail AntonioWHUFRestGTD2/21/2021
Fabian BalbuenaWHUDCalfGTD2/21/2021
Andriy YarmolenkoWHUF/MKneeGTD2/21/2021
Sergio ReguilonTOTDStrainGTD2/21/2021
Angelo OgbonnaWHUDAnkleOUT2/27/2021
Serge AurierTOTDCalfOUT2/28/2021
Giovani Lo CelsoTOTMStrainOUT2/28/2021
Arthur MasuakuWHUDKneeOUT3/20/2021

West Ham United Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Tottenham): Lukasz Fabianski (GK), Aaron Cresswell (DL), Craig Dawson (DC), Issa Diop (DC), Vladimir Coufal (DR), Declan Rice (DMC), Tomas Soucek (DMC), Said Benrahma (AML), Jesse Lingard (AMC), Jarrod Bowen (AMR), Michail Antonio (FW)

Notes: As long as Antonio starts, West Ham will use their preferred XI and formation. If not, things could look different again, involving Ben Johnson or Manuel Lanzini in the XI.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1 at West Ham): Hugo Lloris (GK), Ben Davies (DL), Toby Alderweireld (DC), Eric Dier (DC), Japhet Tanganga (DR), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (DMC), Moussa Sissoko (DMC), Son Heung-Min (AML), Lucas Moura (AMR), Tanguy Ndombele (AMC), Harry Kane (FW)

Notes: Ndombele moves back to an attacking role, which gets Sissoko into the XI again, similar to midweek. The same goes for center-back between Alderweireld and Dier, while Tanganga could start again after Matt Doherty started Thursday.

Aston Villa vs. Leicester City

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Timothy CastagneLEIDHamstringGTD2/21/2021
Kortney HauseAVLDFootOUT3/6/2021
Wesley MoraesAVLFKneeOUT3/6/2021
Wesley FofanaLEIDHamstringOUT3/6/2021
Wes MorganLEIDBackOUT3/6/2021
Ayoze PerezLEIF/MKneeOUT3/6/2021
Matty CashAVLDHamstringOUT3/13/2021
Dennis PraetLEIMHamstringOUT4/10/2021
James JustinLEIDKneeOUT5/23/2021

Aston Villa Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Leicester City): Emiliano Martinez (GK), Matt Targett (DL), Tyrone Mings (DC), Ezri Konsa (DC), Ahmed Elmohamady (DR), Douglas Luiz (DMC), John McGinn (DMC), Jack Grealish (AML), Ross Barkley (AMC), Bertrand Traore (AMR), Ollie Watkins (FW)

Notes: Elmohamady is the lone change for the injured Cash, while Villa keep their core.

Leicester City Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 at Aston Villa): Kasper Schmeichel (GK), Daniel Amartey (DR), Caglar Soyuncu (DC), Jonny Evans (DC), Ricardo Pereira (DL), Wilfred Ndidi (DMC), Youri Tielemans (DMC), Harvey Barnes (AML), James Maddison (AMC), Marc Albrighton (AMR), Jamie Vardy (FW)

Notes: Leicester had a strong side midweek, but that doesn't mean they'll change things for league play. Amartey has seemed to find a role at full-back, while everything else stays the same from the win against Liverpool. The stretch would be for both Pereira and Castagne to start at full-back.

Arsenal vs. Manchester City

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Thomas ParteyMStrainOUT 2/28/2021

Arsenal Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1 v. Manchester City): Bernd Leno (GK), Cedric Soares (DL), David Luiz (DC), Gabriel (DC), Hector Bellerin (DR), Granit Xhaka (DMC), Dani Ceballos (DMC), Emile Smith-Rowe (AML), Martin Odegaard (AMC), Bukayo Saka (AMR), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (FW)

Notes: Mikel Arteta isn't going to change anything from the win against Leeds unless Kieran Tierney is ready to start for Soares. They put out the same squad Thursday and if everyone is fit, it'll be the same against Man City.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Ilkay GundoganMGroinGTD 2/21/2021
Nathan AkeDUndisclosedOUT 2/27/2021

Manchester City Projected Lineups (4-3-3 at Arsenal): Ederson (GK), Oleksandr Zinchenko (DL), Ruben Dias (DC), John Stones (DC), Kyle Walker (DR), Rodri (MC), Bernardo Silva (MC), Kevin De Bruyne (MC), Raheem Sterling (FWL), Riyad Mahrez (FWR), Gabriel Jesus (FW)

Notes: Dias and Stones should start together again, while Cancelo and Gundogan get breathers ahead of Champions League. There's also the chance of more rotation, possibly seeing De Bruyne back in the XI, allowing Phil Foden a rare rest. Given the depth of the roster, every position could look different and no one would be surprised.

Manchester United vs. Newcastle United

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Edinson CavaniFStrainGTD 2/21/2021
Scott McTominayMUndisclosedGTD 2/21/2021
Donny van de BeekMStrainGTD 2/21/2021
Phil JonesDKneeOUT 3/6/2021
Paul PogbaMThighOUT 3/6/2021

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

Notes: A minor injury for Cavani moves Martial back into the XI, though that front three is fluid. Shaw and Lindelof will be ready after resting midweek.

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Federico FernandezDHamstringOUT 2/27/2021
Javier ManquilloDAnkleOUT 3/20/2021
Callum WilsonFHamstringOUT 4/3/2021
Fabian ScharDKneeOUT 5/1/2021

Newcastle United Projected Lineup (4-3-1-2 at Manchester United): Karl Darlow (GK), Jamal Lewis (DL), Ciaran Clark (DC), Jamaal Lascelles (DC), Emil Krafth (DR), Jonjo Shelvey (MC), Isaac Hayden (MC) Joe Willock (MC), Miguel Almiron (AMC), Allan Saint-Maximin (FW), Dwight Gayle (FW)

Notes: Jeff Hendrick is back, but he may not have a spot in the squad. They used a 4-3-3 against Chelsea and while that may not happen again, there's not a ton of rotation expected unless Ryan Fraser moves in for Gayle.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Crystal Palace

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Solomon MarchBHAMKneeOUT5/1/2021
Florin AndoneBHAFKneeOUT3/6/2021
Nathan FergusonCRYMKneeOUT3/6/2021
James TomkinsCRYDUndisclosedOUT3/6/2021
Connor WickhamCRYFUndisclosedOUT3/6/2021
Wilfried ZahaCRYF/MHamstringOUT3/6/2021
James McArthurCRYMUndisclosedOUT2/28/2021
Mamadou SakhoCRYDThighOUT2/28/2021
Jeffrey SchluppCRYMHamstringOUT2/28/2021
Tariq LampteyBHAM/DHamstringOUT2/27/2021
Alireza JahanbakhshBHAFUndisclosedGTD2/22/2021
Adam WebsterBHADAnkleGTD2/22/2021
James McCarthyCRYMStrainGTD2/22/2021

Brighton & Hove Albion Projected Lineup (4-1-3-2 v. Crystal Palace): Robert Sanchez (GK), Joel Veltman (DR), Lewis Dunk (DC), Ben White (DC), Dan Burn (DL), Yves Bissouma (DMC), Steven Alzate (MC), Alexis Mac Allister (MC), Pascal Gross (MC), Leandro Trossard (FW), Neal Maupay (FW)

Notes: Brighton moved to a four-man back line without Adam Webster and didn't skip a beat. Given recent results, there's no reason to change anything even with guys like Danny Welbeck and Adam Lallana ready to start.

Crystal Palace Projected Lineup (4-4-2 at Brighton): Vicente Guaita (GK), Patrick van Aanholt (DL), Scott Dann (DC), Gary Cahill (DC), Nathaniel Clyne (DR), Eberechi Eze (ML), Luka Milivojevic (MC), Jairo Riedewald (MC), Andros Townsend (MR), Jordan Ayew (FW), Michy Batshuayi (FW)

Notes: Palace have yet to score without Wilfried Zaha this season and that likely means Roy Hodgson will continue to tinker after some down results. Townsend is a possibility to return to the wing, while no defender is safe for the starting XI. It's best to assume things will stay the same, but that's rarely been the case for Hodgson's crew.

Leeds United vs. Southampton

Injury Report

PlayerTeamPosInjuryStatusEst. Return
Mateusz KlichLEEMHipGTD2/19/2021
Diego LlorenteLEEDStrainGTD2/19/2021
Robin KochLEEDKneeOUT2/23/2021
Kalvin PhillipsLEEMCalfOUT2/23/2021
Ian Carlo Poveda-OcampoLEEFAnkleOUT2/23/2021
Gaetano BerardiLEEDKneeOUT2/27/2021
Adam ForshawLEEMHipOUT2/27/2021
RodrigoLEEF/MUndisclosedOUT2/27/2021
Ibrahima DialloSOUMUndisclosedOUT3/1/2021
Theo WalcottSOUF/MHamstringOUT3/6/2021
Kyle Walker-PetersSOUDHamstringOUT3/13/2021
Michael ObafemiSOUFStrainOUT3/20/2021
William SmallboneSOUMKneeOUT5/23/2021

Leeds United Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1 v. Southampton): Illan Meslier (GK), Ezgjan Alioski (DL), Liam Cooper (DC), Luke Ayling (DC), Jamie Shackleton (DR), Pascal Struijk (DMC), Jack Harrison (ML), Mateusz Klich (MC), Stuart Dallas (MC), Raphinha (MR), Patrick Bamford (FW)

Notes: Phillips remains a doubt, but Diego Llorente is healthy and could move back into the starting XI, which would push Ayling out wide and Shackleton to the bench.

Southampton Projected Lineup (4-4-2 at Leeds: Alex McCarthy (GK), Ryan Bertrand (DL), Jan Bednarek (DC), Jannik Vestergaard (DC), Jack Stephens (DR), Takumi Minamino (ML), Oriol Romeu (MC), James Ward-Prowse (MC), Stuart Armstrong (MR), Che Adams (FW), Danny Ings (FW)

Notes: There's always a chance of rotation, or not, so while we could see Stephens and Adams come in, it's certainly possible they don't depending on their first fixture of the gameweek.

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.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only Soccer Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire Soccer fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
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.
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 19
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 19
DraftKings EPL DFS Preview for Boxing Day: Stocking Full of Tickets
DraftKings EPL DFS Preview for Boxing Day: Stocking Full of Tickets
Premier League Preview: Chelsea vs. Fulham Predictions, Odds, & Notes
Premier League Preview: Chelsea vs. Fulham Predictions, Odds, & Notes
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 18
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 18
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 18
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 18
Fantrax Finds & Sleeper Adds: Waiver Wire Pickups for Gameweek 18
Fantrax Finds & Sleeper Adds: Waiver Wire Pickups for Gameweek 18