The Premier League action continues to come thick and fast, with the top flight straight back to business this weekend following a full round of midweek action.
There was plenty of drama over recent days, with Arsenal closing the gap on Liverpool to seven points, while Chelsea again outlined their credentials for a shock title challenge with a 5-1 thumping of Southampton despite making seven changes.
This time out, the Blues take on Tottenham in a blockbuster London derby on Sunday, which comes after Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was involved in a confrontation with some travelling fans following a disappointing defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday.
There is also the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park to look forward to, while Ruben Amorim will attempt to get back to winning ways when Man United host Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Monday night sees the battle of two managers who are under huge pressure in Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil when West Ham entertain Wolves.
Here, we tell you everything you need to know about the weekend’s action, including the latest injury updates and team news, the players you need to look out for and something all of our experts are looking forward to at the games they will be reporting from.
Chelsea face Tottenham in a London derby in what is perhaps the standout game of the weekend
Everton will also entertain Liverpool in the final ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park
Arsenal will try to keep the pressure on Liverpool after reducing their lead at the top of the table
SATURDAY
12:30pm: EVERTON v LIVERPOOL
Goodison Park. Referee: Michael Oliver.
TV/radio: Live on TNT Sports and talkSPORT. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm
Our expert’s view: It is a cliche but form goes out of the window in this fixture. And Liverpool’s early-season romping form may get completely blown away amid Storm Darragh, which will play into the hands of set-piece specialists Everton. The Reds have conceded five goals in their last two away games and the Derby makes it a leveller — but I am still expecting Liverpool to dominate possession. LEWIS STEELE
Players to watch: Everton – Vitalii Mykolenko. Liverpool – Mohamed Salah. I’m looking forward to watching this battle. On paper, it looks like a mismatch — but the Ukrainian full back has history of stepping up against the big boys. He needs the game of his life to thwart in-form Salah here, though, with the Egyptian on 15 goals and 12 assists for the season.
Everton injury news: Out – J Garner (back), T Iroegbunam, Y Chermiti (both foot). Doubt – M Keane (knee).
Liverpool injury news: Out – F Chiesa (fitness), D Jota (chest), K Tsimikas (ankle), I Konate (arm), C Bradley (hamstring), Alisson (hamstring).
Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win.
3pm: ASTON VILLA v SOUTHAMPTON
Villa Park. Referee: Darren Bond.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm
Our expert’s view: There will be a morbid fascination in seeing how many passes Southampton can string together inside their own penalty area with Ollie Watkins breathing down their necks. Aston Villa returned to winning ways in midweek and their eyes will be lighting up having the bottom team coming to their place. JOE BERNSTEIN
Players to watch: Aston Villa – Morgan Rogers. A new hair colour coincided with a man-of-the-match performance against Brentford and he’ll be full of confidence. Southampton – Joe Aribo. Saints need aggression and running power to avoid being blitzed and that’s where Aribo can make his mark.
Aston Villa injury news: Out – J Ramsey (hamstring). Doubt – A Onana (foot).
Southampton injury news: Out – W Smallbone, A Lallana (both thigh), A Ramsdale (finger), G Bazunu (achilles), J Stephens (suspended). Doubt – P Onuachu (unknown), J Bednarek (knee).
Mail Sport prediction: Aston Villa win.
3pm: BRENTFORD v NEWCASTLE
Gtech Community Stadium. Referee: Tim Robinson.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm
Our expert’s view: The battle for mid-table superiority. Eleventh plays 12th, separated by a single goal difference, two inconsistent sides but with two different levels of expectation. A thrilling draw against league leaders Liverpool showed what Newcastle can do – they could even have won it had the referee not blown his full-time whistle as the Magpies broke away – but they have just not shown it anywhere near enough. Brentford have won more points than any other side at home this season. JAMES SHARPE
Players to watch: Brentford – Yoane Wissa. The Brentford striker has been in red-hot form since his return from injury. He’s scored in each of his last six PL home games for Brentford, netting eight goals in total. Newcastle – Anthony Gordon. The England winger’s strike against Liverpool was his first goal since September but showed how thrilling and deadly he can be when he’s at the top of his game.
Brentford injury news: Out – J Dasilva, R Henry (both knee), A Hickey (hamstring). Doubt – K Ajer (foot), C Norgaard (knock), M Jensen (hamstring),
Newcastle injury news: Out – E Krafth (shoulder), J Lascelles, S Botman (both knee). Doubt – K Trippier (illness).
Mail Sport prediction: Newcastle win.
3pm: CRYSTAL PALACE v MAN CITY
Selhurst Park. Referee: Rob Jones.
TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm
Our expert’s view: A win over Nottingham Forest got City back on track after a horror run but it will be fascinating to see if they can back that up in what would usually be seen as a routine game. City have lost their last five away in all competitions – they haven’t lost six on the spin since 1994. BEN WINSTANLEY
Players to watch: Crystal Palace – Jean-Philippe Mateta. The centre forward had to wait until Tuesday night against Ipswich for his first away goal of the season but he has 14 in 14 home league games since Oliver Glasner took over – and two in his last two against City. Man City – Kevin De Bruyne. Scotched talk of a rift with Pep Guardiola and scored and set up a goal against Forest. With so many key men injured, it feels like influential displays from the Belgian will be crucial if City are to revive their title challenge.
Crystal Palace injury news: Out – C Riad (knee), M Franca (groin), D Kamada (suspended), A Wharton (groin).
Man City injury news: Out – Rodri (knee), O Bobb (leg), M Kovacic (unknown), P Foden (illness), N Ake (thigh). Doubt – J Stones (foot), J Doku (quad), M Akanji (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Manchester City win.
5.30pm: MANCHESTER UNITED v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Old Trafford. Referee: Darren England.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm
Our expert’s view: Ruben Amorim has had his first taste of defeat at Manchester United and he will be looking to right the ship as soon as possible. Under the Old Trafford lights, expect his side to put their foot on the accelerator in search of goals. NATHAN SALT
Players to watch: Manchester United – Amad Diallo. The tricky Ivorian has been the stand-out player so far under Ruben Amorim and looks a menace in a right wing-back role. Has three assists through three league games under his new boss and Forest need to keep him quiet if they are to win. Nottingham Forest – Morgan Gibbs-White. The England midfielder was a real thorn in United’s side when these sides met last season at the City Ground. Will fancy his chances of picking up space between the lines as United get to grips with this new 3-4-3 system.
Man Utd injury news: Out – V Lindelof (hamstring), L Shaw (undisclosed), J Evans (knock).
Nottm Forest injury news: Out – Danilo (ankle), I Sangare (hamstring).
Mail Sport prediction: Manchester United win.
SUNDAY
2pm: FULHAM v ARSENAL
Craven Cottage. Referee: Chris Kavanagh.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Seeing Arsenal go up against a side who have a number of their ex-players will be enjoyable. While Reiss Nelson can’t feature for the Cottagers due to being on loan from the Gunners, Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi and Bernd Leno — who have all played for Arsenal at various points — are in line to start. It’s an interesting dynamic. ISAAN KHAN
Players to watch: Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe. Since leaving Arsenal in the summer, the midfielder has kicked on and realised the potential he showed at the Gunners. He struggled for game time in the latter seasons under Mikel Arteta and will likely relish the chance to perform well against his old boss. Arsenal – Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian has been in stunning form of late, since returning from an ankle injury. He has been at the fore of his side’s attacking play, and will be looking to continue his purple patch against a team who beat Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage last season.
Fulham injury news: Out – H Reed (knee), J Andersen (calf), R Nelson (hamstring). Doubt – R Sessegnon (knock), J Cuenca (knock)
Arsenal injury news: Out – B White, T Tomiyasu (both knee). Doubt – Gabriel (knock). R Calafiori (knee).
Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.
2pm: IPSWICH v BOURNEMOUTH
Portman Road. Referee: Michael Salisbury.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: It’s been a bruising seven days for Ipswich after back-to-back defeats and Kieran McKenna’s men are still searching for that elusive first home win despite some positive displays at Portman Road. It won’t be easy though against a confident Bournemouth side who have eyes on Europe following impressive wins over Wolves and Tottenham. WILL PICKWORTH
Players to watch: Ipswich – Omari Hutchinson. Much has been made of Liam Delap and rightly so, but when Hutchinson is on form everything works so much better for the Tractor Boys, as shown by that stunning strike against Manchester United last month. Bournemouth – Evanilson. After a bedding in period, Evanilson is starting to show his quality and is key in leading Bournemouth’s press, while the three penalties he won against Wolves mean the £40.2million man already has a Premier League record.
Ipswich injury news: Out – C Ogbene (achilles), G Hirst (knee), J Donacien (ankle), A Tuanzebe (thigh). Doubt – K Phillips (muscle), B Johnson (knock), N Broadhead (groin).
Bournemouth injury news: Out – A Scott (knee), L Sinisterra, J Araujo (both hamstring). Doubt – L Cook (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Bournemouth win.
2pm: LEICESTER v BRIGHTON
King Power Stadium. Referee: Stuart Attwell.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Ruud van Nistelrooy could not have hoped for a better impact in his first game as Foxes boss. A win, lots of goals – and lots of luck. West Ham had 31 shots and managed only one goal. If Leicester allow Brighton a similar number of attempts on target, the result will surely be different. TOM COLLOMOSSE
Players to watch: Leicester – Bilal El Khannouss. Rated the best player in Belgium last season, many observers felt Leicester had picked up a bargain when they bought the Moroccan midfielder for £20million – and they are starting to be proven right. His balance and vision tormented West Ham and you sense that the he will only get better – especially if he wears his lucky Jamie Vardy socks. Brighton – Carlos Baleba. The midfielder is one of the breakout stars of the Premier League season and has been tipped to be Albion’s next £100m-plus sale. Before that happens, Brighton hope he can help them qualify for Europe again. Baleba scored in the 3-1 defeat at Fulham on Thursday and he will be confident of contributing again at Leicester, hopefully with a happier outcome.
Leicester injury news: Out – H Winks (groin), I Fatawu (knee), R Pereira (muscle), J Stolarczyk (ankle), F Buonanotte (ineligible).
Brighton injury news: Out – F Kadiolgu (foot), J Hinshelwood, A Webster, S March (all knee), J Milner (thigh). Doubt – J Veltman (knock), B Gruda (illness), D Welbeck (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Brighton win.
4.30pm: TOTTENHAM v CHELSEA
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Referee: Anthony Taylor.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Best of luck, Anthony Taylor. Chelsea have a, shall we say, colourful history with the referee and now he’s in charge of this, a London derby which usually delivers fireworks. Good for the neutrals, worrying for the managers in that anything can happen. I’ll be fascinating to see how the two styles clash, after Ange Postecoglou’s dedication to his philosophy last season resulted in that 4-1 win for Chelsea, then managed by Mauricio Pochettino. KIERAN GILL
Players to watch: Tottenham – Dominic Solanke. One of Chelsea’s own who never got the chance to be their striker. But he can get his own back with Tottenham this weekend. Chelsea – Cole Palmer. We all know how special he is, and now it’s time for him to turn it on in the biggest game of all. Become the Blues hero.
Tottenham injury news: Out – R Bentancur (suspended), G Vicario (ankle), W Odobert, Richarlison, M Van de Ven (all hamstring), M Moore (illness). Doubt – C Romero (toe), B Davies (thigh).
Chelsea injury news: Out – R James, O Kellyman (both hamstring), W Fofana (thigh). Doubt – M Mudryk (illness)
Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win.
MONDAY
8pm: WEST HAM v WOLVES
London Stadium. Referee: John Brooks.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and talkSPORT.
Our expert’s view: The Sack Race, El Sackico. Call it what you want, the result of this game could see one manager losing their job. Julen Lopetegui has been handed a stay of execution after two days of talks between West Ham bosses. Meanwhile, Gary O’Neil’s job at Wolves is also hanging by a thread and defeat at the London Stadium will likely see him sacked. Both clubs are believed to have held talks with Graham Potter so, whatever the result, maybe he’ll be the real winner. JAMES SHARPE
Players to watch: West Ham – Niclas Fullkrug. He’s been out most of the season with injury but came off the bench to score his first goal for the club in a late consolation against Leicester. How Lopetegui needs him back and firing, to make sure he isn’t the next subject of one. Matheus Cunha – Wolves. O’Neil will also need his top man firing. Brazil striker Cunha has bagged seven goals and three assists this season and is at the heart of all Wolves’ attacking play.
West Ham injury news: Doubt – J-C Todibo (knock).
Wolves injury news: Out – Y Mosquera, S Kalajdzic, B Traore, E Gonzalez (all knee)
Mail Sport prediction: West Ham win.
