Leeds and Tottenham open a busy Premier League weekend with fitness doubts
Leeds and Tottenham open the Premier League weekend at Elland Road on Saturday, and both sides are carrying a long list of fitness worries. Kick-off is 12:30pm, live on TNT Sports 1.
The Guardian's team news lists Leeds with four players doubtful: Stach (foot), Rodon (thigh), Calvert-Lewin (foot) and Okafor (thigh). Doubtful means a player may or may not be fit to start. Calvert-Lewin is also Leeds' top scorer this season with four goals. Joseph is out with a knee problem, and his return date is unknown.
Tottenham have their own worries. Adarabioyo is doubtful with a calf injury. Five players are injured, including Savio and Bergvall, who are both due back on 21 November, and Mudryk, who is also expected on 21 November with an ankle problem. Simons and Odobert are not expected until 16 January.
Leeds have one win, three draws and two defeats in their last six league games. Tottenham have three wins, one draw and two defeats in the same spell. The referee is John Brooks, who averages 5.83 cards per match this season. Cards are yellow warnings and red sendings-off.
The same day brings Arsenal against Hull at the Emirates, kicking off at 3pm, with Farai Hallam in charge. Arsenal have won five of their last six. Bukayo Saka is injured with a thigh problem, and his fitness is unknown. Hull have not won in six, and Crooks is suspended for one match.
At Craven Cottage, Fulham host Newcastle at 3pm with Rob Jones refereeing. Fulham are without Cairney, who has a knee injury of unknown length. Newcastle have Ramsey suspended for one match. Jaouen is out until 5 December, and Fernandez-Pardo and L Miley are doubtful.
Nottingham Forest meet Manchester City at the City Ground at 5:30pm, shown on Sky Sports Premier League. Forest are missing Dominguez until 2 December and Savona until 21 November. Igor Jesus is doubtful with a calf problem. City have won four of their last six, and Erling Haaland leads the division with nine goals. Semenyo is injured with a knee problem.
Brighton and Brentford play on Sunday at 2pm at the Amex Stadium, with Michael Oliver refereeing.
The weekend closes with Manchester United against Aston Villa on Sunday, 8 November, at 16:30 GMT. United's own preview confirms the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. United have lost only two of their 31 league games against Villa at Old Trafford. Last December, Villa won 2-1 at Old Trafford, with Morgan Rogers scoring twice.
For the neutral, the appeal is simple. Several squads are patched together, and a few results this weekend could change how the table looks by Sunday night.
