Gameweek 2 Predicted Lineups: The XIs to Watch

Five fixtures worth building a gameweek around, and the team news that’s likely to shape all of them. Deadline is 18:30 BST Friday, so there’s time for late changes, but this is the shape each XI is heading toward.

A predicted lineup is a forecast, not a promise. Check the teamsheet before you lock anything in.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Friday, 20:00 BST)

The gameweek’s curtain-raiser doubles as the deadline anchor: 90 minutes after this kicks off, transfers lock across the board. Palace are without a key centre-back through injury, which should open space for City’s front line even away from home. Expect Haaland to lead the line with City’s summer signings, Cherki included, pushing hard for more minutes after his impact off the bench in Gameweek 1.

Manchester United vs Ipswich Town

Michael Carrick is unlikely to make wholesale changes after one bad afternoon, and the more interesting question is whether Ipswich set up defensively as they did against Sunderland or take a more open approach at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha should all start, with Harry Maguire and the back line under pressure to prove Hull was the exception rather than the pattern.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Liverpool racked up 27 shots and just under 3.0 expected goals in the draw at Newcastle, so the underlying attacking numbers were healthier than the scoreline suggested. Dominik Szoboszlai took every corner and free kick in that match and looks set to keep both duties. Forest travel with question marks over Christian Norgaard and Tim Iroegbunam in midfield, which could leave them short of the legs they need to contain Liverpool’s transitions.

Chelsea vs Brighton

Xabi Alonso’s first home league game in charge comes against the form side in the division. Wesley Fofana’s suspension is the confirmed absence at the back, with Chelsea’s front line expected to stay settled around Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro. Brighton arrive full of confidence after their 4-0 win and should set up in the same advanced-fullback shape that made De Cuyper the week’s top defensive scorer.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal (Monday, 20:00 BST)

The gameweek’s Monday night finale. Arsenal should field an unchanged front line after the Coventry win, with Saka, Odegaard and Havertz all having found the net already this season and Christos Tzolis pushing for more minutes after setting up Saka’s goal in Gameweek 1. Villa need a response after their 4-0 opening-day defeat, but a striker-light squad gives Unai Emery limited options to change that on paper.

Lineups firm up after Friday’s press conferences. Check the confirmed teamsheets before the 18:30 deadline rather than locking in a prediction the night before.