Bournemouth vs Watford and Aston Villa vs Man City are on Super Sunday
Friday 17 January 2020 11:39, UK
Team news, key stats and predictions as the Premier League returns.
Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham is expected be out for up to three months with a knee injury. Wales international Mepham is thought to have suffered ligament damage during the FA Cup third-round win over Luton.
Norway forward Joshua King (hamstring) and Jack Stacey (thigh) have added to a packed treatement room - with Nathan Ake (hamstring), Adam Smith (foot), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), David Brooks (ankle), Arnaut Groeneveld (foot) and Charlie Daniels (knee) also continuing their own recovery.
Nathaniel Chalobah has shaken off a knock and will be available for Watford's trip to the south coast. Chalobah was withdrawn at half-time during last Saturday's 3-3 draw FA Cup draw against Tranmere, but has trained this week.
Craig Cathcart is also set to feature, but Kiko Femenia (hamstring), Christian Kabasele (suspended), Sebastian Prodl (shin), Daryl Janmaat (knee), Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Tom Cleverley (foot) are all sidelined.
Stat of the match: Seven of the nine Premier League meetings between Bournemouth and Watford have finished level (78 per cent), the highest ratio of any fixture to be played more than twice in the competition.
How to watch: Bournemouth vs Watford is live on Super Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 2pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Danny Drinkwater could make his Aston Villa debut when they host Manchester City on Sunday. The midfielder joined on loan from Chelsea this week and is available to face the champions. Matt Targett (hamstring) is also back but Jonathan Kodjia (illness) is likely to miss out.
Keinan Davis (hamstring) is sidelined along with Tom Heaton and Wesley, who both had surgery on season-ending knee injuries this week, as well as John McGinn (fractured ankle) and Jed Steer (Achilles).
Kevin De Bruyne has been given the all-clear for Manchester City's trip to Villa Park. The Belgium playmaker left the field after suffering a nasty blow in the closing stages of City's Carabao Cup victory at Manchester United in midweek.
Goalkeeper Ederson is likely to return after four games out due to a combination of rotation, illness and suspension. Defender Aymeric Laporte and winger Leroy Sane (both knee) are still out but both are back in training.
Stat of the match: Aston Villa have lost nine of their last 11 Premier League meetings with Manchester City, winning 3-2 in September 2013 and drawing 0-0 in November 2015.
How to watch: Aston Villa vs Manchester City is live on Super Sunday from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction: 0-5 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
