News Script

Injury Alert: Premier League Stars Set for Final Showdown as Fantasy Football Deadline Nears

5/22/2026 · Sport

Manchester United's Casemiro is ruled out of the season finale, while Arsenal's Gabriel inches closer to breaking a Premier League record. Fantasy Premier League managers face last-minute decisions as Gameweek 38 kicks off Sunday at 4pm BST.

The Premier League’s curtain call on Sunday arrives with a flurry of injury uncertainty, reshaping the final Fantasy Premier League (FPL) standings just hours before the deadline. Manchester United’s lineup will be missing midfield enforcer Casemiro, whose season ends with a red card against Chelsea last week, while Brighton’s Mats Wieffer hopes to return from a two-week layoff.

38 minutesRemaining until the FPL transfer window closes on Sunday at 11:30 BST

At the Amex Stadium, Brighton v Manchester United (4pm BST) headlines the six fixtures, with both clubs locked in mid-table battles. Brighton’s Wieffer, suspended last weekend, has trained fully this week and is set to reclaim his place, while Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas, and Adam Webster remain sidelined with hamstring issues. For United, Benjamin Sesko’s shin splints cast doubt over his availability, though manager Michael Carrick insists there are “no new injury concerns” outside the squad.

📋 Injury Watch

  • Casemiro (Man Utd) — Red card suspension ends season
  • Wieffer (Brighton) — Return likely after suspension
  • Sesko (Man Utd) — Shin issue unresolved
  • Mitoma, Tzimas, Webster (Brighton) — Hamstring setbacks

Fantasy managers eyeing Brighton forwards will note Danny Welbeck’s career-best 13 goals this season, including a strike against United at Old Trafford. His price tag of £6.4m has yielded 3.5 FPL points per game, making him a must-consider if fit. For United, Bruno Fernandes is flying, equalling the Premier League assist record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne with his 20th goal assist of the season.

PlayerStatusImpact
Danny WelbeckLikely to play13 goals, 3.5 FPL pts/game
Bruno FernandesConfirmed20 assists, record-tying
CasemiroDoubt, suspendedNo return

Further north, Burnley and Wolves meet at Turf Moor in a relegation six-pointer, with Wolves needing a win to secure European football. Burnley’s Connor Roberts, sidelined since January with a groin injury, made a surprise under-21 appearance last week and is “edging closer” to a first-team return. Wolves’ Mateus Nunes, however, is out with a calf strain, leaving manager Rob Edwards to reshuffle his midfield. Fantasy picks may lean toward Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, who has netted three goals in his last five games.

💡 Pro Tip

If you’re transferring in before the 11:30 BST deadline, prioritize midfielders with assist potential. Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha are top-tier for points per minute and set-piece influence.

Crystal Palace face Arsenal at Selhurst Park with European dreams hanging in the balance. The Eagles’ Chris Richards, who tore two ankle ligaments last month, is out, jeopardizing his participation in both the Conference League final and the World Cup qualifiers. Arsenal’s defensive record remains unmatched, with Gabriel leading the league with 208 FPL points and eyeing Andrew Robertson’s 2018/19 defender record of 214. A clean sheet would seal it.

Key Points

  • ✅ Gabriel needs six more points to break the FPL defender record
  • ⚡ Richards’ injury threatens his World Cup hopes
  • 💡 Arsenal midfielders Arteta and Ødegaard likely to rotate ahead of midweek final

At Craven Cottage, Fulham and Newcastle meet with survival already secured. Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, who played just 20 minutes last weekend, is a late fitness test after withdrawing with a calf issue. Joelinton’s thigh knock is also under review. Fulham’s Antonee Robinson scored his first Premier League goal last week — a penalty — while Harry Wilson continues his best-ever FPL season with 164 points and eight goals at home.

  1. Antonee Robinson — First Premier League goal in 175 apps
  2. Harry Wilson — Eighth in midfielder rankings, 164 points
  3. Joelinton — Thigh issue, status unclear

At Anfield, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker is nearing a return after a five-game absence with a calf strain, while Alexander Isak could make his first appearance since March after a minor fitness issue. Brentford, already safe, welcome the Reds with Rico Henry still unavailable after a hamstring tear in March. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai has racked up 92 FPL points since Gameweek 20, the fourth-best return of any midfielder in that span.

92 pointsDominik Szoboszlai’s FPL haul since Gameweek 20 — fourth-best among midfielders

Lastly, Manchester City and Aston Villa close the season at the Etihad. City will confirm a late fitness test for Rodri, who limped off in midweek, while Villa’s Ollie Watkins eyes his 26th goal of the season. The game carries no title implications but serves as a final test for both squads ahead of the Champions League.

Premier LeagueFantasy FootballInjuriesGameweek 38FPL