…As West Ham Tackle Brentford, Liverpool Host Leicester City Today
PREMIER League and English Football League clubs are set to wear black armbands and hold a minute’s applause to honour Brazil football legend Pele.
The three-time World Cup winner passed away on Thursday at the age of 82.
Tributes have poured in from across the world and Brazil has declared three days of national mourning.
The Premier League’s next round begins with two matches on Friday and concludes on Sunday, with all 10 games paying tribute.
The EFL said it would hold a minute’s applause before EFL fixtures on Friday and on 1 and 2 January, while players will wear black armbands “in memory of the life of Pele”.
West Ham vs Brentford
West Ham forward Gianluca Scamacca and defender Nayef Aguerd face fitness tests after injury and illness respectively.
Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet are not yet fit enough to feature.
Brentford pair Kristoffer Ajer and Aaron Hickey are on the verge of a return from injury but this game comes too soon for them.
Frank Onyeka faces a late fitness test on a hamstring injury, but Shandon Baptiste remains out.
Liverpool vs Leicester City
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is available for selection after having time off following the World Cup final.
Roberto Firmino, Curtis Jones and James Milner are not yet fit enough to return from injury, while Arthur, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota remain on the sidelines.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled out midfielders James Maddison and Dennis Praet through injury.
The Foxes are without long-term absentees Jonny Evans, Ryan Bertrand, James Justin and Ricardo Pereira.