Manchester City vs Aston Villa
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Saturday, 26-10-2019 @2:30pm
Referee: Graham Scott
After Leicester City humiliated Southampton 9-0 on Friday night, Man City will start the day in third and will be hoping to be second by the end of 90 minutes in their contest at home to Aston Villa.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri suffered a hamstring injury in midweek and is expected to be out until after the November international break. Oleksandr Zinchenko faces a lengthier spell on the sidelines following knee surgery, but John Stones could make his first start since mid-September.
Aston Villa defender James Chester is available for the first time this season, while Jonathan Kodjia and Kortney Hause are also fit again. Villa’s only absentee is winger Jota. The Spaniard is continuing his rehabilitation after a hernia operation.
Manchester City have won nine successive Premier League home games against Aston Villa by an aggregate score of 30-4. Their last home league defeat in this fixture came in April 2007. City could equal their longest top-flight home winning streak against a single opponent, while Villa are in danger of matching their club top-flight record for consecutive away defeats versus the same team. Villa have failed to score in seven of the last nine Premier League meetings home and away.
City have not lost consecutive home league fixtures since February 2016. Pep Guardiola has never lost back-to-back home league games in his managerial career. Manchester City have dropped five points at home after four matches, two more than they did in the whole of last season. They haven’t lost at home against a promoted team since a 2-0 defeat by Reading in February 2007. Sergio Aguero has scored six goals in his past four league games against Aston Villa, including five in three appearances at the Etihad. Gabriel Jesus has scored in seven successive league and cup starts for Manchester City. Raheem Sterling is the club’s leading scorer this season with 12 goals in 13 appearances. Fernandinho’s next Premier League appearance will be his 200th.
Brighton vs Everton
The American Express Community Stadium, East Sussex
Saturday, 26-10-2019 @5pm
Referee: Andy Madley
Brighton could secure their first back-to-back victories against Everton, having won 1-0 in this fixture last season. It was their first triumph against the Toffees since 1982. Everton have not won at Brighton since a 2-1 top-flight victory in 1983. The Seagulls have won just three of their 15 fixtures with Everton in all competitions (D5, L7), with every win coming at home.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Aaron Mooy serves a one-match ban after being sent off at Aston Villa. Jose Izquierdo and Bernardo remain out but there are no fresh injury concerns.
Everton defender Yerry Mina is a major doubt after sustaining a knee injury against West Ham, with Mason Holgate set to deputise. Midfielders Fabian Delph and Morgan Schneiderlin are back in contention following minor injuries, while Seamus Coleman returns from suspension.
Watford vs AFC Bournemouth
Vicarage Road, London
Saturday, 26-10-2019 @5pm
Referee: Mike Dean
Watford forward Danny Welbeck has been ruled out for “months rather than weeks” with the hamstring injury sustained last weekend. Troy Deeney remains out and Jose Holebas is suspended, but Sebastian Prodl, Etienne Capoue and Isaac Success are in contention following injury.
Bournemouth welcome back Jefferson Lerma, who has recovered from a hip injury suffered on international duty. David Brooks, Charlie Daniels and Junior Stanislas are still sidelined.
The home side has yet to win after eight Premier League meetings (D6, L2). Watford are winless in five home league encounters against Bournemouth since a 6-1 triumph in the second tier in August 2013. Bournemouth can win successive away league matches at Vicarage Road for the first time since 1948.
West Ham United vs Sheffield United
London Stadium, London
Saturday, 26-10-2019 @5pm
Referee: David Coote
West Ham won their most recent Premier League fixture at home to Sheffield United in November 2006, but it’s their only victory in the past seven London meetings in all competitions (D5, L1). The sides last met in the League Cup second round at Upton Park in August 2014, when then-League One Sheffield United progressed on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
West Ham full-back Aaron Cresswell is expected to be available following a groin strain. Winston Reid is set to step up his recovery from a long-term knee injury with an appearance for the Under-23 side next week.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has no fresh injury concerns. Wilder has selected the same back five in every league game this season but he may again make changes in the attacking positions.
Burnley vs Chelsea
Turf Moor, Burnley
Saturday, 26-10-2019 @7:30pm
Referee: Mike Oliver
Chelsea have won six successive games in all competitions, the best winning run of Frank Lampard’s managerial career. They can win four straight league fixtures for the first time in more than a year. Chelsea could set a new club top-flight record of winning four consecutive away matches while scoring three or more goals. The Blues have kept back-to-back clean sheets in all competitions for the first time under Lampard. Chelsea have let in 28 goals in 13 Premier League away trips in 2019, the most they have conceded in a calendar year since 1997.
Burnley’s solitary victory in their 10 Premier League meetings with Chelsea was 3-2 at Stamford Bridge in August 2017 (D3, L6). Chelsea are unbeaten in their five Premier League trips to Turf Moor, scoring at least twice in each of their four victories. Burnley’s last home win against the Blues came in 1983 in the Second Division.
Burnley are set to welcome back Jack Cork and Ashley Barnes, who are in contention following respective shoulder and groin injuries. In-form striker Chris Wood faces a fitness test due to a tight hamstring, while Danny Drinkwater will resume full training next week.
Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante remains out after missing the wins against Newcastle and Ajax with a groin injury. Ross Barkley, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are also sidelined.
The other games
Friday, 25-10-2019
-Southampton 0-9 Leicester City
Sunday, 27-10-2019
-Newcastle United vs Wolves @5pm
-Arsenal vs Crystal Palace @7:30pm
-Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur @7:30pm
-Norwich City vs Manchester United @7:30pm
