Bukayo Saka and Matthijs de Ligt are both doubts for the festive fixtures (Image: Getty)
The Premier League is back this week with a festive twist as all 20 teams return to action.
Fresh on the back of their nine-goal thriller in north London, Liverpool return to Anfield as they look to go one step closer to Premier League glory.
Arsenal will hope to have a say in proceedings, but Mikel Arteta and co. were rocked when Bukayo Saka limped off during the Gunners’ weekend victory over Crystal Palace.
At the opposite end of the table, Oliver Glasner’s outfit and Leicester City are fighting for their lives, whereas Manchester City are looking to end a run of one win from 12 matches.
Ahead of Gameweek 18, Express Sport have provided an FPL injury update…
Bukayo Saka
Any Saka owners might want to sell as quickly as they can, as according to manager Arteta, the Englishman won’t be seen in action for ‘many weeks’.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Ipswich Town on Friday, Arteta said: “It is not looking good. He is going to be out for many weeks.”
No official timescale has been placed on his return, but it’s likely we won’t be seeing Saka until well into the New Year.
Danny Welbeck
One of the surprise stars from the 2024 season so far, Danny Welbeck has bagged an impressive six goals from 14 matches this term.
Now at 34 years old, time is beginning to catch up with the veteran striker, making regular appearances in the XI that little bit harder.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler revealed he’s ‘hoping’ to have Welbeck back for the Friday night clash with Brentford, but the signs aren’t particularly great.
Danny Welbeck has been an unlikely star for Brighton this term (Image: Getty)
Emile Smith Rowe
Fulham looked a shell of themselves in the goalless draw with basement club Southampton last weekend – a match they were without Emile Smith Rowe for.
The ex-Arsenal ace has been a revelation since arriving in west London and Marco Silva is confident the midfield maestro will be back on the pitch soon.
He said: “We really believe he’ll be back soon. It’s matter for us to take a decision if he’ll be at Chelsea or Bournemouth.”
Eberechi Eze
Ruled out of Saturday’s defeat against Arsenal through injury, Eberechi Eze is in contention to feature for Crystal Palace when they travel to high-flying Bournemouth this week.
Glasner admitted things were ‘looking good’ as far as Eze’s return is concerned, with the German coach admitting his talisman has trained.
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Ederson
Given City’s form in recent weeks, the Premier League champions winning a match could be considered a Christmas miracle.
They might be without goalkeeper Ederson again though, with Pep Guardiola stating ‘he doesn’t know’ if the players that missed the Aston Villa game will return on Boxing Day.
Matthijs de Ligt
Having missed the previous two matches, Manchester United fans will be keen for Matthijs de Ligt to return to the starting XI on Boxing Day against Wolves.
The United faithful could be forced to wait a little longer though, as Ruben Amorim stated “[Matthijs] is still sick” when quizzed on the Dutchman’s availability.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1992805/fpl-injury-update-saka-welbeck-smith-rowe-eze