PREMIER LEAGUE ULTIMATE WEEKEND GUIDE: Our experts tell you the team news, injury updates and players to watch, plus key stats and predictions
It’s the Premier League’s final round of fixtures before Christmas with teams at the top and the bottom of the table looking to give their fans an early gift this weekend.
League leaders Liverpool travel to Tottenham on Sunday night in the pick of the matches, with the clash coming after confirmation the two sides will meet in the Carabao Cup semi-finals next month.
Everton and Wolves will be hoping for a lift with both clubs entering a new eras. The Toffees face a daunting clash with in-form Chelsea in their first match since being taken over by the The Friedkin Group. Wolves will seeking a new manager bounce when Vitor Pereira takes charge for the first time against Leicester City in a crunch clash at the bottom of the Premier League table.
The weekend’s action begins with Aston Villa hosting Pep Guardiola’s out-of-form Manchester City side in a key battle for Europe.
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth will be seeking to continue their impressive seasons on the road against Brentford and Manchester United. On Saturday evening, Crystal Palace will seek to avenge their Carabao Cup quarter-final exit when they face Arsenal for the second time in a week.
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 to look out for and something all of our experts are looking forward to at the games they will be reporting from.
Arne Slot will take his Liverpool side to Tottenham in the stand out match of the weekend
Everton will hope to make a bright start to a new era after the club’s takeover was confirmed
Vitor Pereira will take charge of his first match as Wolves boss against Leicester on Sunday
SATURDAY
12:30pm: ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER CITY
Villa Park. Referee: Peter Bankes.
TV/radio: Live on TNT Sports and talkSPORT. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Yet more injury problems for Manchester City after Ruben Dias suffered a muscle problem late on in the derby defeat last Sunday so it’ll be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola re-jigs his back line given Manuel Akanji and John Stones aren’t fully fit. Villa should be licking their lips at this with so many question marks over so many City stars at the moment. Given both teams capitulated late on last week, something has to give. JACK GAUGHAN
Players to watch: Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins. If he gets the nod from Unai Emery he’ll be determined to start firing after just two goals in his last 12 appearances in all competitions – alien territory for a striker who’s been so big a part in making Villa the force they have become.
Man City – Bernardo Silva. An excoriating interview after the devastating derby collapse last week saw the Portuguese playmaker make zero excuses and blast his side as playing like Under 15s. Let’s see if he can lead the way for them here.
Aston Villa injury news: Out – J Ramsey (hamstring).
Man City injury news: Out – Rodri (knee), O Bobb (leg), N Ake (thigh), R Dias (muscle). Doubt – M Akanji (pelvis).
Mail Sport prediction: Aston Villa win.
3pm: BRENTFORD v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Gtech Community Stadium. Referee: Michael Oliver.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Forest have beaten Liverpool and Manchester United away but this is the real test of their travel prowess: Brentford have the best home record in the division with seven wins and a draw. Which set of fans will belt out Paul McCartney best – Brentford’s traditional rendition of Hey Jude or Forest with their anthem, Mull of Kintyre? JOE BERNSTEIN
Players to watch: Brentford – Bryan Mbuemo. One of the few given a rest in midweek at Newcastle, Mbuemo is his side’s post-Ivan Toney talisman.
Nottm Forest – Chris Wood. Only Salah, Haaland and Palmer have more goals than the 33-year-old Kiwi who is arguably the most surprising stand-out of the season.
Brentford injury news: Out – J Dasilva, R Henry (both knee), A Hickey, M Jensen, E Pinnock (all hamstring), G Nunes (back). Doubt – I Thiago (knee), S Van den Berg (groin).
Nottm Forest injury news: Out – I Sangare (hamstring), Danilo (ankle). Doubt – R Yates (ankle), Murillo (knock).
Mail Sport prediction: Brentford win.
3pm: IPSWICH v NEWCASTLE
Portman Road. Referee: Stuart Attwell.
TV/radio: Live on talkSPORT. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: No one at Ipswich thought the Premier League would be easy but then again, no one would have thought that Kieran McKenna’s side would reach December without a win at home. The Tractor Boys were agonisingly close a fortnight ago and I think this could be the weekend they finally break that duck, against a tired Newcastle side that played midweek. AADAM PATEL
Players to watch: Ipswich – Omari Hutchinson. I loved watching him run the show against Tottenham last month and he’ll offer a constant threat.
Newcastle – Sandro Tonali. All eyes on him after an all-action display against Brentford with two goals and where he showed exactly why he cost £52m.
Ipswich injury news: Out – C Ogbene (achilles), G Hirst (knee), A Tuanzebe (hamstring), L Delap (suspended).
Newcastle injury news: Out – J Lascelles, S Botman, N Pope (all knee), E Krafth (shoulder), C Wilson (hamstring), Joelinton (suspended).
Mail Sport prediction: Newcastle win.
3pm: WEST HAM UNITED v BRIGHTON
London Stadium. Referee: Rob Jones.
TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: If Fabian Hurzeler’s superb start at Brighton had us all purring, their recent drop-off has gone under the radar: they’ve not won in four matches and are only five points ahead of today’s visitors with only one more win to their name. It will be fascinating to see if Julen Lopetegui – who has breathing room after two much needed wins in his last five games – can mastermind another positive result for the Hammers here. BEN WINSTANLEY
Players to watch: West Ham – Jarrod Bowen. Most good things about West Ham come through him and he will only become more important in the absence of Michail Antonio.
Brighton – Kaoru Mitoma. His two goals in consecutive games at the end of November are a distant memory after two defeats and a draw that have followed. But the exciting left winger has the potential to be a constant danger.
West Ham injury news: Out – M Antonio (health), C Soler (suspended). Doubt: J Todibo (groin).
Brighton injury news: Out – F Kadioglu (toe), J Milner (hamstring), J Hinshelwood, S March (both knee), D Welbeck (ankle). Doubt – A Webster (hamstring).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
5.30pm: CRYSTAL PALACE v ARSENAL
Selhurst Park. Referee: Simon Hooper
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: How Crystal Palace deal with Arsenal’s set-piece threat will be fascinating to watch. In Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash between the two sides, Palace left three players up the pitch on corners to give themselves on an outlet on the break. It seemed to work. Will they do that again and, if so, how do the Gunners adapt? ISAAN KHAN
Players to watch: Crystal Palace – Jean-Phillipe Mateta. He caused Jakub Kiwior a world of problems on Wednesday night and opened the scoring on four minutes. If Palace are to get anything from this match, they will need Mateta to be on song once again.
Arsenal – Gabriel Jesus. His hat-trick heroics this week stand him in good stead to put in another top performance — particularly against the same opponents. It would be harsh if Mikel Arteta decided to drop him. But even from the bench, he should make an impact.
Crystal Palace injury news: Out – M Franca, A Wharton (both groin), R Holding (unknown), E Eze (foot), D Munoz (suspended). Doubt – C Riad (knee).
Arsenal injury news: Out – B White (knee). Doubt – T Tomiyasu (knee), O Zinchenko (muscle).
Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.
SUNDAY
2pm: EVERTON v CHELSEA
Goodison Park. Referee: Chris Kavanagh.
TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Everton have won seven of their last 10 home league games against Chelsea — would you believe it — and come here with a significant spring in their step after news that the club has been taken over by big-money The Friedkin Group. To say Goodison Park will be rocking would be an understatement. Can title-chasing Chelsea prove their mettle to get over that and win? LEWIS STEELE
Players to watch: Everton – Ashley Young. I’m picking a player who is old enough to be the dad of the opposition star I’m choosing — but at 39, Young has arguably been Everton’s star of the season at right back. Time for his team-mates to up their game, too.
Chelsea – Cole Palmer. Simply a joy to watch, which is crazy considering I remember watching him play live for Manchester City many times and he looked like a talent but nothing special. Shows why I am not a scout, then, as I thought City had ripped Chelsea off when they sold him… now it looks like the bargain of the decade!
Everton injury news: Out – J Garner (back), T Iroegbunam (foot), A Broja (ineligible). Doubt – D McNeil (knee), Y Chermiti (foot).
Chelsea injury news: Out – R James, W Fofana (both hamstring), B Badiashile (unknown), M Cucurella, M Mudryk (both suspended). Doubt – R Lavia (muscle), C Chukwuemeka (illness).
Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win.
2pm: FULHAM v SOUTHAMPTON
Craven Cottage. Referee: Tim Robinson.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: The Saints’ first league game of the post-Martin era is a trip to Fulham who might only have one win in four, but don’t be deceived; the other three were draws against Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool. Marco Silva’s side have come through their toughest spell unbeaten, but must beware a Southampton that showed promising signs of improvement in their late surge in midweek against Liverpool, but we will have to wait for a new manager in the dugout with former Roma boss Ivan Juric set to join and take charge on Boxing Day. DOMINIC HOGAN
Players to watch: Fulham – Antonee Robinson: One of the hardest working full backs in the league, expect the USA international to fly up and down the left flank throughout – and make his impression at both ends of the pitch.
Southampton – Tyler Dibling. Like Robinson, the youngster has reportedly piqued some transfer interest for his brilliance in what has been a frustrating Saints side. This kid has buckets of talent and hasn’t been wary of showing it thus far.
Fulham injury news: Out – H Reed, K Tete (both knee),R Nelson (hamstring), A Pereira (suspended). Doubt – J Andersen (calf).
Southampton injury news: Out – W Smallbone, R Stewart (both hamstring), G Bazunu (achilles), J Stephens (suspended). Doubt – A Ramsdale (finger).
Mail Sport prediction: Fulham win.
2pm: LEICESTER v WOLVES
King Power Stadium. Referee: Anthony Taylor.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: If not now for Wolves, then when? New boss Vitor Pereira knows his struggling side probably need to win this one to stay in touch, as their next six fixtures are against fixtures are against Manchester United, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal. Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is struggling with injury and his absence would be a huge boost for Wolves. TOM COLLOMOSSE
Players to watch: Leicester – Jamie Vardy. The Foxes’ greatest player turns 38 next month but shows no signs of slowing down and he will be desperate to get stuck into a defence that has conceded a league-high 40 goals this season.
Wolves – Nelson Semedo. Handed the armband after Mario Lemina’s meltdown against West Ham, Semedo led the side in the 2-1 defeat by Ipswich but is not certain to keep the job under Pereira. A strong display at Leicester would help his cause no end.
Leicester injury news: Out – A Fatawu (knee), R Pereira (muscle), W Ndidi (hamstring). Doubt – M Hermansen (hip), O Edouard (unknown).
Wolves injury news: Out – Y Mosquera, S Kalajdzic, B Traore, E Gonzalez (all knee), P Sarabia (calf), R Ait-Nouri (suspended). Doubt – J Sa (shoulder).
Mail Sport prediction: Leicester win.
2pm: MAN UTD v BOURNEMOUTH
Old Trafford. Referee: Craig Pawson.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Ruben Amorim has fans eating out of the palm of his hand after a decisive start on and off the pitch. But the reality is Manchester United are in the bottom half of the table and he needs to put a run of wins together to change that. NATHAN SALT
Players to watch: Manchester United – Amad Diallo. There’s only one applicable answer right now and it is the in-form Ivorian. Amad was carefully managed, if put politely, by Erik ten Hag but he has emerged as the diamond of this team under Ruben Amorim’s tutelage. He is carrying this team on his back right now.
AFC Bournemouth – Evanilson. The Cherries rolled the dice on a big-money striker after Dominic Solanke headed to Tottenham and Brazilian ace Evanilson has been a big hit on the south coast. The former Porto frontman is a real livewire and can cause United plenty of problems.
Man Utd injury news: Out – Shaw (calf), Mount (undisc). Doubt – Evans (undisc), Mazraoui (knock).
Bournemouth injury news: Out – Scott (knee), Sinisterra, Tavernier, Araujo, Senesi (all thigh).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
4.30pm: TOTTENHAM v LIVERPOOL
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Referee: Sam Barrott.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day. 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: I’m looking forward to getting entertained. There’s been 14 goals in Spurs’s last two home games and with the league leaders in town, this should be a fascinating battle. Liverpool will be out for revenge too after they were infamously robbed by VAR here last time out and I think Arne Slot’s men will be too strong. AADAM PATEL
Players to watch: Tottenham – Dominic Solanke. He was superb against Man Utd and expect him to want to prove a point against his former side. He’s never scored in eight games against Liverpool.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah. Who else? The best player in the league this season and will be looking to add to the 12 goals he’s already scored against Tottenham.
Tottenham injury news: Out – G Vicario (ankle), W Odobert, Richarlison, M Van de Ven, B Davies (all hamstring), C Romero (thigh), R Bentancur (suspended). Doubt – T Werner (illness).
Liverpool injury news: Out – Konate (knee), C Bradley (hamstring).
Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win.
