Man City head to Anfield under a fresh spotlight

BBC Sport’s coverage of Manchester City’s legal aftermath dominates the weekend build-up, but FPL managers have clearer decisions around Arsenal, Brighton and injury flags.

Today in the Premier League

Manchester City travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their first match since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. BBC Sport reports that a hacker whose documents helped trigger the investigation will remain under witness protection, while managers Mikel Arteta, Michael Carrick and Enzo Maresca have each addressed the case.

BBC Sport also reports that Everton’s owners, The Friedkin Group, are exploring a sale less than two years after taking control.

On the pitch, Carlos Baleba is expected to make his Manchester United debut against Tottenham, according to BBC Sport. Arsenal are also seeking a response after their defeat by Brighton, with Arteta’s willingness to take greater risks under scrutiny.

What it means for FPL

There is no actionable FPL change from the City legal developments. The Anfield fixture remains a difficult one for both sides, with a 4/4 fixture rating, but it does not justify selling established assets solely because of the surrounding headlines.

Haaland remains the leading City captaincy option on numbers: he has a 4.95 expected goal involvement (xGI), the highest figure in the supplied data, although Liverpool is the toughest fixture in this round. Saka offers the stronger fixture case at home to Leeds and has 4.20 xGI. João Pedro is fit, but his 2.36 xGI and Chelsea’s home meeting with Bournemouth do not make him an automatic captaincy pick over those two.

The main squad action is to monitor flags rather than force transfers. Semenyo has a 75% chance of playing after an ankle injury, while Mykolenko carries the same probability with a leg issue. Isak remains injured with no confirmed return date. Managers should have a playing substitute available before the deadline.

Players moving onto the radar

Groß: Brighton’s midfielder combines a 15.5 form rating with 2.63 xGI and 33.9% ownership. Sunderland away is not an elite fixture, but the underlying attacking output supports keeping him firmly in consideration.
De Cuyper: His 2.22 xGI is notable for a defender, with a 30.2% ownership that suggests he is already widely recognised. Brighton’s trip to Sunderland offers upside without being a clear must-buy.
Kostoulas: A 10 form rating, 1.41 xGI and only 7.2% ownership make him the more speculative Brighton route.
Barry: Everton’s forward has 3.65 xGI and only 8.7% ownership. The trip to Hull provides a reasonable fixture, but the lower form rating means this is a watchlist name rather than an urgent transfer.

Risk desk

Semenyo: Listed as doubtful with an ankle injury and a 75% chance of playing. Avoid selling a high-upside asset before clearer information unless a replacement is already planned.
Mykolenko: Also carries a 75% chance of playing. Keep bench cover available.
Isak: Injured with an unknown return date. He is a genuine squad-management concern rather than a short-term captaincy option.
Cherki: His 2.26 xGI remains attractive, but his form rating is only 4.5 and City face Liverpool. Avoid chasing the fixture based on ownership alone.

Tomorrow's watchlist

Liverpool v Manchester City is the headline fixture. Haaland offers elite captaincy numbers, while Liverpool’s defensive assets face the same difficult matchup; Virgil has 16.1% ownership and Alisson Becker only 4.2%.

Everton’s visit to Hull is the friendlier fixture on paper, with Hull rated 3 for Everton’s attack and 2 for their defence. Tarkowski’s 11 form rating and 18.2% ownership make him the most secure Everton defensive hold in the supplied data, while Barry provides the greater attacking upside.

Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest is rated evenly at 3/3. No supplied signal makes it an immediate transfer priority.