Matchweek 29: Premier League injury update as title contenders, top four hopefuls & relegation battlers sweat over key absences

The Premier League’s relentless schedule rolls into midweek with Matchweek 29, and the treatment rooms are as busy as the dressing rooms. While Manchester United celebrated a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace that lifted them to third—their highest perch since May 2023—and Wolves stunned Aston Villa 2-0 to keep survival hopes flickering, a growing casualty list threatens to reshape the run-in for every section of the table.

United, now unbeaten in seven under interim boss Michael Carrick (W6, D1), have concerns over Jack Grealish (foot), Carlos Alcaraz (unspecified) and veteran Seamus Coleman (knock). Villa, reeling from the Molineux defeat, must plan without Boubacar Kamara (knee), Youri Tielemans (ankle), Andres Garcia (hamstring) and Harvey Elliott (unspecified) when they travel to Chelsea for a pivotal top-four clash.

Liverpool, preparing for a tricky trip to buoyant Wolves, will monitor Wataru Endo (ankle), Alexander Isak (leg), Conor Bradley (knee) and teenage defender Giovanni Leoni (knee). The hosts, fresh from watching their relegation rivals all lose at the weekend, are without Dennis Cirkin (thigh), Reinildo Mandava (knee), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Brian Brobbey (groin), Nordi Mukiele (calf) and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle).

Chelsea’s lengthy absentee roster includes Estevao (hamstring), Jamie Gittens (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Levi Colwill (ACL), while Ben White (knock), Declan Rice (knock) and Martin Odegaard (knee) are doubtful. Manchester City could again be without Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture), Mateo Kovacic (ankle) and Max Alleyne (knock), with Erling Braut Haaland (knee) and Nico O’Reilly (ankle) rated doubtful.

Newcastle’s European push has been dented by Emil Krafth (knee), Fabian Schar (ankle), Valentino Livramento (hamstring), Bruno Guimaraes (muscle) and Lewis Miley (knee), while Tottenham’s lengthy lay-offs include Wilson Odobert (knee), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Lucas Bergvall (ankle/foot), Ben Davies (ankle), Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and James Maddison (ACL).

Crystal Palace travel to face opponents still to be confirmed without Cheick Doucoure (knee), Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Jean-Philippe Mateta (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (hamstring). Burnley’s survival bid is hampered by Josh Cullen (knee), Connor Roberts (calf), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Axel Tuanzebe (calf), Armando Broja (ankle), Jordan Beyer (hamstring) and Mike Tresor (ankle), while Joe Rodon (hamstring) and James Justin (cut) are doubtful.

Elsewhere, Brentford list Fabio Carvalho (knee), Antoni Milambo (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee) and Vitaly Janelt (knock) as out, with Aaron Hickey (knock) and Caoimhin Kelleher (personal reasons) doubtful. Nottingham Forest are without Chris Wood (knee), John Victor (knee), Stefan Ortega (calf) and Nicolo Savona (knee), while Everton’s Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) join the long-term list, and Mason Mount (knock), Lisandro Martinez (calf) and Luke Shaw (ankle) remain doubtful.

With every point critical at both ends of the table, the coming days could hinge as much on medical bulletins as match tactics.