The injuries are starting to rack up now as the season wears on, and it is making a real difference to team selection and thus form.
Just ask Chelsea, who are finding out as Leicester did the importance of a player like N’Golo Kante, while Liverpool missed the guile of Sadio Mane last week as they attempted to unlock the door of Jose Mourinho’s metaphorical parked bus.
So who else will be missing in action this weekend?
Chelsea vs Watford (Saturday, 12:30pm)
A quick turnaround from Wednesday’s Champions League with Roma means that a couple of Chelsea players are struggling to shake off knocks: David Luiz will need a late fitness test on a calf injury, although Tiemoue Bakayoko is expected to be ready despite a tight groin.
N’Golo Kante and Victor Moses are both definitely out for the champions, and may not be seen again in October.
Watford have four defenders – Sebastian Prodl, Younes Kaboul, Craig Cathcart and Tommy Hoban – out plus defensive midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah and the man with the most ironic surname since Dennis Wise and Peter Crouch in Isaac Success.
Stoke City vs Bournemouth (Saturday, 3pm)
Despite a 2-7 shellacking at Manchester City last time out, Stoke at least have the consolation prize of coming out of the game unscathed by injuries. Joe Allen should return here after suffering a concussion while on international duty, although Ryan Shawcross is still a few weeks away from first team action.
It’s a case of as you were for Bournemouth, with Tyrone Mings, Callum Wilson, Adam Federici and Brad Smith all unavailable, although Ryan Fraser could be fit enough for a return to the squad.
Manchester City vs Burnley (Saturday, 3pm)
Good news for Man City fans: the hectic Premier League-Champions League schedule has not brought about any new injury problems, and so Benjamin Mendy is the only long-term absentee. Vincent Kompany is being treated on a day-by-day basis, but a return is nigh.
Burnley’s injury problems are the same as last week’s: Dean Marney and Nakhi Wells have not yet built up their match fitness, while Tom Heaton and Jonathan Walters are still some weeks away from a return.
Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3pm)
Newcastle are still without their pair of first choice left backs in Paul Dummett and Massimo Haidara, while Dwight Gayle will need to pass a late fitness test on his calf injury.
Christian Benteke believes he is a couple of weeks away from full fitness, although Connor Wickham will not be seen until the new year. Wayne Hennessey should return in place of Julian Speroni in goal, however.
Swansea City vs Leicester City (Saturday, 3pm)
Renato Sanches could return for Swansea after recovering from a thigh strain, although Wilfried Boy is expected to need another week to recuperate from the same injury. Leroy Fer is suspended.
At least the caretaker manager, Michael Appleton, does not have too many injury problems to worry about at Leicester. Matty James is a week or two away from completing his rehab after his foot injury, while Robert Huth’s injury agony continues with no return date in sight.
Huddersfield vs Manchester United (Saturday, 3pm)
Huddersfield aren’t scoring goals at the moment and the reason is clear: Steve Mounie and Collin Quaner are still sidelined by injury. Kasey Palmer and Michael Hefele are also out until November, while the talented Phillip Billing also faces a spell in the stands with an ankle injury.
Jose Mourinho is unable to call upon Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick, while Eric Bailly and Marcus Rashford could also miss out on the trip to Yorkshire.
Southampton vs West Brom (Saturday, 5:30pm)
The Saints have a myriad problems but injuries aren’t one: only Jeremy Pied is currently sidelined.
West Brom have injuries to their two first choice goalkeepers – Ben Foster and Boaz Myhill – although one of those is likely to be pressed into playing against Southampton. Oliver Burke and James Morrison are definitely out.
Everton vs Arsenal (Sunday, 1:30pm)
The diagnosis from Thursday’s defeat to Lyon is still being confirmed, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Jonjoe Kenny both nursing knocks. James McCarthy is nearing a first team return but is still shy of fitness, while messrs Barkley, Coleman, Bolasie and Funes-Mori are still some way from returning.
Arsenal should have Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez available after their varied ailments, although Shkodran Mustafi and Dany Welbeck remain on the treatment table.
Tottenham vs Liverpool (Sunday, 4pm)
Sunday’s blockbuster TV game could be boosted by the return of Mousa Dembele, who faces a late fitness test for Spurs. Ben Davies should have recovered from illness in time, although this game comes too soon in Victor Wanyama’s recovery.
Liverpool’s issues are all medium-term: Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana may not be seen until after the next international break, while Nathaniel Clyne’s return may not arrive until December.