PREMIER LEAGUE ULTIMATE WEEKEND GUIDE: Our experts tell you the team news, injury updates and players to watch, plus key stats and predictions

With yet more European football behind us, the Premier League is once again back before the break for FA Cup action with 10 more matches.

From Saturday to Monday, all 20 top flight sides will be in action as plots continue to unfold, from the title race, to the hunt for Europe, to the fight to survive relegation.

With many of the big-hitters in action on Sunday, league leaders Liverpool are the main attraction on Saturday as Arne Slot‘s side face a tough trip to Bournemouth in a bid to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Elsewhere the likes of Nottingham Forest will look to get back to winning ways when they host Brighton, but the main attraction this weekend could be at the foot of the table.

Ipswich and Southampton will do battle in a high-stakes bottom-two scrap, while the winner of Everton‘s game versus Leicester will feel much more comfortable about their prospects of staying in the division. 

Here, Mail Sport tell you everything you need to know about the weekend’s action, including the latest injury updates and team news, the players you to look out for and something all of our experts are looking forward to at the games they will be reporting from. 

SATURDAY

12.30pm: NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BRIGHTON

City Ground. Referee: Simon Hooper.

TV/radio: Live on TNT Sports and talkSPORT. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: If Nottingham Forest are the real deal as disruptors of the Premier League‘s top four, they need to show last week’s 5-0 loss to Bournemouth was a freak result. They will get their chance to counter-attack today.

Brighton managed their highest possession of the season – 70.38 per cent – in the reverse fixture which ended 2-2 so let’s see if one of these contrasting styles can win this time. KIERAN GILL

Players to watch: Nottingham Forest – Anthony Elanga. If Brighton push their opponents back down the pitch, Elanga will be the one stretching his legs on the wing to get Forest forward again. He is one of the Premier League’s fastest and would be hard to catch if he can get a lead on his marker.

Brighton – Kaoru Mitoma. Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr have approached Brighton with a £54million approach for their 27-year-old Japan international. You do not get the sense that Mitoma is the type who will allow himself to lose focus on slaloming his way into Forest’s box.

Nottingham Forest injury news: Midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is expected to be available again after four months out with a hamstring injury. Callum Hudson-Odoi has a groin issue and will be a ‘big absence’, according to Nuno Espirito Santo. Out: C Hudson-Odoi (groin). Doubt: Sangare (thigh).

Brighton injury news: Striker Evan Ferguson is back in training — but could leave the club in the coming days. Out: F Kadioglu (foot), J Steele (shoulder), Igor, J Milner, M Wieffer (all hamstring), S March (muscle). Doubt: P Estupinan (unknown), E Ferguson (ankle).

Mail Sport prediction: Forest win.

3pm: BOURNEMOUTH v LIVERPOOL

Vitality Stadium. Referee: Darren England.

TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: The television companies will be kicking themselves for not choosing this as a pick for live coverage as it is the best fixture of the day on Saturday. Bournemouth have beaten Manchester City and Arsenal this season — plus a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest last week to boot.

Can they go for the jugular and topple the leaders, though? Why not? Whatever happens, this is the battle between the two managers of the season in the Premier League and should be a cracker, though I am expecting Liverpool to win. LEWIS STEELE

Players to watch: Bournemouth – Justin Kluivert. Not just because he was a good interview for Mail Sport last week… he’s great to watch. A nice chap and one of the shocks of the season in the division.

Liverpool – Ryan Gravenberch. If Kluivert he wants to thrive in this game, he will have to get the better of his good mate Gravenbercg and pop up in pockets of space behind his ex-Ajax colleague. Liverpool will try to slow the game down and play at their own tempo but teams have had some joy on the counter-attack against them this season.

Bournemouth team news: No fresh injury concerns for boss Andoni Iraola. Out: E Unal, A Scott (both knee), M Senesi (quad), J Hill, J Araujo (both hamstring), Evanilson (foot), J Soler (international duty), A Smith (muscle). Doubt: L Sinisterra (hamstring).

Liverpool team news: Curtis Jones felt discomfort when training on Thursday. Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez all have a chance of making Arne Slot’s squad after injuries and illness. Doubt: C Jones, D Jota (both leg), D Nunez (illness), J Gomez (hamstring).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw.

3pm: EVERTON v LEICESTER

Goodison Park. Referee: Darren Bond.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Sean Dyche hadn’t won three-in-a-row at Everton since April yet it’s within David Moyes’ grasp having just walked in the door. The caveat is he’ll have to do so without injured striker Dominic Calvert-Lewis while Leicester look trickier opponents than they did a week ago.

Having lost seven in a row, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men beat Spurs away and another three points will put them within three points of the Merseysiders as the relegation issue hots up. JOE BERNSTEIN

Players to watch: Everton – Iliman Ndiaye. Would be a popular goal scorer, if only to see whether he can pull a fox impression out of the drawer. His seagull flap against Brighton went down well with everyone except the referee.

Leicester – Jamie Vardy. Having reminded Spurs fans that he’d won the Premier League and they haven’t, he could make the same point to another of English football’s underperforming giants at Goodison.

Everton injury news: David Moyes has been rocked by an injury crisis. Orel Mangala is out for the season after tearing his ACL. Out: A Broja (ankle), D McNeil, O Mangala (both knee), Y Chermiti (thigh), D Calvert-Lewin (hamstring), S Coleman (calf). Doubt: T Iroegbunam (ankle).

Leicester injury news: A major boost for boss Ruud van Nistelrooy as first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has recovered from his groin injury. Wilfred Ndidi is nearing a return too but this game comes too soon for the Nigerian. Out: Fatawu (knee), Pereira (thigh), Ndidi (thigh). Doubt: Hermansen (thigh).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw.

3pm: IPSWICH v SOUTHAMPTON

Portman Road. Referee: Michael Oliver.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Is there really any hope that Southampton can avoid relegation? If there is, they simply have to start by winning at Portman Road. The situation isn’t quite as drastic for Ipswich in their own survival fight but with points at a premium they won’t get a better chance to take three than here.

The two sides drew 1-1 in September after Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy snaffled a late equaliser and you’d expect a nervy afternoon awaits for the hosts. BEN WINSTANLEY

Players to watch: Ipswich – Julio Enciso. On loan from Brighton, he came off the bench against Liverpool and delivered the corner for their late consolation. The 21-year-old Paraguay midfielder could start here and Kieran McKenna will be hoping he brings some more attacking threat. After 45 Premier League appearances he would bring more top-flight experience than most of their squad.

Southampton – Jan Bednarek. Unlikely source of goals in their last two games and Southampton have started to find the net with four in the last three, but the centre back will need to stop them going in at the other end: under Ivan Juric they’ve shipped three in each of those games.

Ipswich injury news: Wes Burns won’t play again this season after suffering an ACL tear, but Leif Davis has recovered from the illness that saw him taken off at half-time against Liverpool. Out: C Chaplin, W Burns (both knee), S Szmodics (ankle), C Ogbene (achilles).

Southampton injury news: Tyler Dibling and Kamaldeen Sulemana returned to training on Thursday and should feature. Out: R Stewart (hamstring), N Wood, R Fraser (both knocks). Doubt: A Ramsdale (muscle), A Gronbaek (fitness).

Mail Sport prediction: Ipswich win.

3pm: NEWCASTLE v FULHAM

St James’ Park Referee: Chris Kavanagh.

TV/radio: Live on talkSPORT 2. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Newcastle were beaten 4-1 by Bournemouth last time out at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe said that was in part down to fatigue. Well, on the back of a clear week this time there should be no excuses. And, if they are to maintain a push for Champions League football, such slip-ups at home (defeats also to Brighton and West Ham this season) have to be avoided. CRAIG HOPE

Players to watch: Newcastle – Sandro Tonali. The Italian’s move to a No 6 position has transformed Newcastle’s season and Howe made a point of singling him out for praise last weekend. He got his first Premier League goal of the season then and that is the challenge now, to add the goals he can undoubtedly score.

Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe. On target in the reverse fixture (a 3-1 win for the Cottagers) and four goals this season perhaps undersells his talent. Always a threat in a side who have only failed to find the net in three games this season – perhaps surprisingly those were at home to Southampton and both games against Manchester United.

Newcastle injury news: Callum Wilson has stepped up his recovery from a long-term hamstring issue and could feature in next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Arsenal. Out: J Lascelles (knee), C Wilson (hamstring), H Barnes (thigh).

Fulham injury news: Marco Silva says Harry Wilson could be out for at least 10 weeks with a metatarsal stress fracture. Out: K Tete (knee), H Wilson (foot). Doubt: R Nelson (hamstring).

Mail Sport prediction: Newcastle win.

5.30pm: WOLVES v ASTON VILLA

Molineux. Referee: Andy Madley.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and second half live on BBC 5 Live (after Ireland v England in the Six Nations). Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Aston Villa have managed to win only one league game this season that has followed a Champions League fixture and they may struggle to buck that trend given their lengthy injury list. With Wolves in the bottom three, boss Vitor Pereira needs all the help he can get and this many be the break he needs. TOM COLLOMOSSE

Players to watch: Wolves – Matheus Cunha. Who else? Arguably the most talented attacker in the bottom half of the table, Wolves will be keeping everything crossed that this is not Cunha’s final game in their colours. The Brazilian is one of several forwards on Villa’s list, which brings added spice to a West Midlands derby felt keenly by both sets of fans.

Aston Villa – Boubacar Kamara. In his unfussy way, Kamara has been one of the best midfielders in the country this season but is likely to have to fill in at centre back against Wolves, as he did in the win over Celtic last Wednesday. Unai Emery was mightily impressed with the Frenchman’s display that night and will hope for something similar.

Wolves injury news: Vitor Pereira insists he won’t change his system despite striker Jorgen Strand Larsen’s hamstring injury. Out: Y Mosquera, S Kalajdzic (both knee), C Forbs (ankle), J Gomes (suspended), Strand Larsen (hamstring), M Lemina (personal). Doubt: B Traore (illness).

Aston Villa injury news: Matty Cash could miss up to a month of action after limping off against Celtic in midweek. Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley are close to returning but this game comes too soon. Out: P Torres (foot), A Onana (hamstring), T Mings (knee), M Cash (calf), R Barkley (thigh).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw.

SUNDAY

2pm: BRENTFORD v TOTTENHAM

Gtech Community Stadium. Referee: Jarred Gillett.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Tottenham must end this desperate run of form. They have won only once and taken only five points from 11 games. They have sunk down the Premier League to the point where they will be in relegation trouble if they sink any lower and they cross London to the Gtech Community Stadium, where Brentford have been outstanding for much of this season.

It is beautifully poised. The Bees will test Tottenham’s character, and such tests have not always been passed with flying colours this season. For Ange Postecoglou, a return to the scene of his first game as Spurs boss in August 2023. MATT BARLOW

Players to watch: Brentford – Brian Mbeumo. Y Red hot this season with 14 Premier League goals and a habit of finding the net against Spurs. His pace will threaten the space behind their high line. His intensity in the press will make life uncomfortable for Postecoglou’s defensive unit, including goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, as they try to play out from the back. His lethal finishing and combinations with Yoan Wissa make him a genuine threat as he has been in every game for Thomas Frank’s team. They have not looked back since losing Ivan Toney.

Tottenham – Micky van de Ven. Made his return from three months of hamstring trouble with 45 minutes against Elfsborg in the Europa League on Thursday and will be involved again, although not likely for 90 minutes. He is vital to the team and his return has lifted spirits because his aggression stepping out of the back line and the insurance of his recovery pace allows the team to play its natural game, pushed forward on the front foot. He has suffered setbacks before, and so he will be tentative about it but Postecoglou hopes to reset the season in the next couple of weeks with Van de Ven leading half a dozen more injured players back into the team.

Brentford injury news: Christian Norgaard and Kevin Schade have both been passed fit after recovering from minor issues. Out: R Henry, A Hickey (both hamstring), G Nunes (back), I Thiago, J Dasilva (both knee).

Tottenham injury news: Radu Dragusin is the latest addition to Spurs’ lengthy injury list. Out: D Solanke, R Dragusin (both knee), G Vicario (ankle), J Maddison, B Johnson (both calf), D Udogie, T Werner, W Odobert (all hamstring), C Romero (thigh).

Mail Sport prediction: Brentford win.

2pm: MANCHESTER UNITED v CRYSTAL PALACE

Old Trafford. Referee: John Brooks.

TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Little by little Ruben Amorim is beginning to get more of a consistent tune out of his players having won two of their last three Premier League games. United dominated the ball in Bucharest in the Europa League midweek and will want to bring that dominance back to Old Trafford on Sunday. NATHAN SALT

Players to watch: Manchester United – Kobbie Mainoo. The Manchester United academy product thrived in a new No 10 role away in Bucharest this week, ending the night with a goal and an assist. Ruben Amorim is looking for difference makers in attacking areas and Mainoo has given him plenty of pause for thought.

Crystal Palace – Ismaila Sarr. Pace has proven to be an issue for this Manchester United rearguard and it was pace that almost secured rock-bottom Southampton a shock win at Old Trafford. That said, former Watford man Sarr will need to bring his top speed to put pressure on this ever-improving United side.

Manchester United team news: Ruben Amorim’s men emerged from Thursday’s trip to Steaua Bucharest unscathed. Out: M Mount (thigh), J Evans (muscle). Doubt: L Shaw (calf), V Lindelof (unknown).

Crystal Palace injury news: Star man Eberechi Eze is set to miss out, while Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad have been ruled out for the rest of the season. Out: C Doucoure, C Riad (both knee), J Ward (calf), A Wharton, M Franca (both groin), E Eze (knock).

Mail Sport prediction: United win.

4.30pm: ARSENAL v MANCHESTER CITY

Emirates Stadium. Referee: Peter Bankes.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: The various factors at play here make this match an almighty clash. There’s the last game between these two sides which ended with both teams clashing at full-time; Erling Haaland telling Mikel Arteta to ‘stay humble’; the fact that a Manchester City win would put them within three points of Arsenal; the brewing rivalry at play behind the scenes. It’s a compelling match-up. ISAAN KHAN

Players to watch: Arsenal – David Raya. He missed Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday due to a muscular injury. His replacement Neto, who became Arsenal’s oldest debutant in 110 years, made a series of errors. It will be very interesting to see if Raya plays — he should do — and if his fitness has any impact on his performance.

Manchester City – Abdukodir Khusanov. The new signing had a tricky game against Chelsea and was subbed off on 54 minutes. The promise is certainly there, but if selected to play – either from the start or from the bench – can the 20-year-old show his worth against Arsenal? It’s certainly a good barometer of his ability.

Arsenal injury news: Myles Lewis-Skelly is available for selection after his suspension was overturned on appeal. David Raya missed the trip to Girona with injury but should return here. Out: G Jesus, B White, T Tomiyasu (all knee), B Saka (hamstring). Doubt: D Raya (unknown).

Man City injury news: Pep Guardiola says City’s absentees are ‘the same’ as last weekend. Out: Rodri (knee), R Dias (adductor), J Doku (unknown), N Ake (muscle). Doubt: O Bobb (leg).

Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.

MONDAY

8pm: CHELSEA v WEST HAM UNITED

Stamford Bridge. Referee: Stuart Attwell.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and talkSPORT.

Our expert’s view: All eyes are on Graham Potter, coming back to Stamford Bridge with the aim of exacting revenge after lasting less than seven months as Chelsea manager. But truth be told, this could depend on whether Enzo Maresca’s players decide now is the time to turn clinical and convert the umpteen chances they create, so the focus is you, too, Nicolas Jackson. KIERAN GILL

Players to watch: Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson. Chelsea’s disappointing run of results coincides with Jackson not scoring. His last goal was against Brentford on December 15. Seven Premier League games later, they are not only out of the title race, but looking up at the top four as well. He needs to find his shooting boots.

West Ham – Lucas Paqueta. Just over two years ago a United winger announced himself on the scene with an exhilarating last-minute winner at Fulham. Alejandro Garnacho’s future is up in the air but Diallo has been their main man for a rescue act this season and at 22 is already the man many fans – and perhaps team-mates – look to for inspiration.

Chelsea injury news: Enzo Maresca has the same players to choose from as he did for the Blues’ loss at Manchester City. Out: M Mudryk (suspended), R Lavia, B Badiashile, W Fofana (all hamstring).

West Ham injury news: Lucas Paqueta picked up a groin issue in the draw at Aston Villa but key man Jarrod Bowen could return here. Out: N Fullkrug (hamstring), J-C Todibo (unknown), M Antonio (leg), C Summerville (hamstring). Doubt: J Bowen (foot), L Paqueta (groin).

Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win.