Subs: Adrian, Collins, Masuaku, Carroll, Feghouli, Zaza, Nordtveit
Some tricky selection decisions for Slaven Bilic today. Hints are being dropped that Andy Carroll may start. I think that Ashley Fletcher ought to retain his starting place. He’s been the one bright spark in our season so far and his goal on Wednesday will have given him tremendous confidence coming into this game. To be dropped to the bench would not only be grossly unfair but also threaten that confidence. OK, Carroll scored a hattrick against Arsenal last year, but let’s bring him on in the second half if we need to.
In midfield we are without Cresswell and Antonio. Fernandes or Masuaku will play on the left, with either Ayew or Feghouli coming in on the right. There are rumours of a training ground bustup between Bilic and Ayew over his fitness, so there’s a questionmark over whether he will feature.
I can’t come to the game today, which I’ve very annoyed about! I agreed to speak at a dinner in Hertfordshire tonight thinking I’d have plenty of time to get there after the game finishes. Then they moved it to 5.30. Typical.
You have until 4.25 to enter the Predictor League.