Maybe the strangest Manchester derby awaits on Sunday night as an out-of-sorts United journey to the Etihad to tackle an much more out-of-sorts Metropolis.
The respective league positions of the 2 sides belies the magnitude of a fixture that has produced so many showstopping moments lately. However after per week of undesirable off subject headlines at Previous Trafford and the dramatic lack of kind at Metropolis, Sunday’s conflict is extremely tough to name.
Elsewhere, Premier League leaders Liverpool can be trying to capitalise on the slip-up of rivals Arsenal final week, who solely managed to attract towards the opponents they welcome to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Arne Slot was sad together with his facet’s efficiency of their midweek win over Girona and he can be conscious about the menace Fulham could cause on their day.
The Gunners, in the meantime tackle the facet the Reds ought to have confronted final weekend, however for the intervention of Storm Darragh. Everton is not going to be anticipated to additional derail Arsenal’s title aspirations however Sean Dyche will definitely do his finest to attempt to upset the Premier League institution.
Additional down the desk there’s one other crunch match for Gary O’Neil and Wolves, who welcome Ipswich to Molineux. Right here, we let you know the whole lot you should know concerning the weekend’s motion, together with the newest harm updates and staff information, the gamers you should look out for and one thing all of our consultants are trying ahead to on the video games they are going to be reporting from.
Manchester Metropolis welcome Manchester United to the Etihad on Sunday in drastically completely different kind to their assembly final time period
United boss Ruben Amorim is in search of his second win over Pep Guardiola in as many months
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a late winner for Liverpool towards Fulham at Anfield final time period
SATURDAY
3pm: ARSENAL v EVERTON
Emirates Stadium. Referee: Craig Pawson
TV/radio: Stay on talkSPORT 2. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: The league’s two finest set-piece groups go head-to-head – fairly actually – on the floor the place there’s now a mural to Arsenal’s innovator-in-chief, Nicolas Jover. The hosts’ rotating solid of defenders (9 completely different again fours in 15 league video games) might welcome Gabriel again on Saturday, which can be a lift in each penalty bins. GEORGE BOND
Gamers to observe: Arsenal – Bukayo Saka. Quieter than normal in midweek towards Monaco, and nonetheless ended up with two targets and an help. Ought to have ample alternative so as to add to his league-leading 10 assists right here.
Everton – Iliman Ndiaye. Wingers, particularly these on the suitable flank, have been in a position to get at Arsenal this season – 24-year-old Ndiaye is an actual menace and affords velocity on the break.
Arsenal harm information: Out – B White, T Tomiyasu (each knee). Doubt – Gabriel, O Zinchenko (each muscle), R Calafiori (groin).
Everton harm information: Out – J Garner (again), T Iroegbunam (foot). Doubt – Y Chermiti (foot).
Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win
3pm: LIVERPOOL v FULHAM
Anfield. Referee: Tony Harrington
TV/radio: Stay on BBC 5 Stay. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: By way of leisure, this fixture was one in every of my favourites final season — Liverpool profitable 4-3 regardless of trailing within the 88th minute — and Marco Silva produced what would have been dubbed a tactical masterclass for 90 per cent of the sport. LEWIS STEELE
Gamers to observe: Liverpool – Luis Diaz: Ought to get the nod at No 9, and after having began the season properly he has not chipped in with sufficient targets within the final six weeks.
Fulham – Alex Iwobi: The previous Everton man is a category act and can trigger issues for Liverpool, I’m certain.
Liverpool harm information: Out – Okay Tsmikas (ankle), I Konate (knee), C Bradley (hamstring), A Mac Allister (suspended). Doubt – F Chiesa (health), D Jota (chest).
Fulham harm information: Out – H Reed (knee), J Andersen (calf), R Nelson (hamstring), C Bassey, T Cairney (each suspended).
Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win
3pm: NEWCASTLE v LEICESTER
St James’s Park. Referee: Tom Bramall
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: It’s been a tough few days for Eddie Howe on the again of a 4-2 defeat at Brentford and large accidents to key gamers reminiscent of Nick Pope and Callum Wilson. However when Newcastle have wanted to answer adversity this season, they’ve – they usually actually want a response right here to kick off a pivotal week. CRAIG HOPE
Gamers to observe: Newcastle – Sandro Tonali: He was disregarded at Brentford on grounds of fatigue however will return and desires a giant efficiency following per week during which he was linked with a transfer again to Italy.
Leicester – Jamie Vardy: He as soon as acquired a standing ovation from the house crowd at St James’ and his kind is appreciated on Tyneside.
Newcastle harm information: Out – E Krafth (shoulder), J Lascelles, S Botman (each knee), C Wilson (hamstring), E Krafth (shoulder). Doubt – J Willock (hamstring), N Pope (knee).
Leicester harm information: Out – A Fatawu (knee), R Pereira (muscle), W Ndidi (hamstring), B Soumare (suspended), J Stolarczyk (ankle). Doubt – H Winks (groin).
Mail Sport prediction: Newcastle win
3pm: WOLVES v IPSWICH TOWN
Molineux. Referee: Simon Hooper
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: Two groups stage on factors however one supervisor, Gary O’Neil of Wolves, underneath all types of strain and the opposite Kieran McKenna exempt due to consecutive promotions. Does added rigidity work as a motivator or energy-sapper in a relegation six-pointer? We’re about to search out out. JOE BERNSTEIN
Gamers to watch: Wolves – Matheus Cunha: Targets have dried up after explosive sequence however the Brazilian hasn’t gone 4 video games with out scoring this season and will not need to begin now.
Ipswich – Sam Morsy. Captain will must be at his combative finest in midfield so the guests have an opportunity to precise themselves additional ahead.
Wolves harm information: Out – Y Mosquera, S Kalajdzic, B Traore, E Gonzalez (all knee), J Gomes (suspended), J Sa (shoulder), P Sarabia (calf).
Ipswich harm information: Out – C Ogbene (achilles), G Hirst (knee), A Tuanzebe (hamstring). Doubt – Okay Phillips, B Johnson (each knocks).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw
5.30pm: NOTTINGHAM FOREST v ASTON VILLA
Molineux. Referee: Sam Barrott
TV/radio: Stay on Sky Sports activities and BBC 5 Stay. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: Ever since they had been promoted in 2022, Forest have checked out Villa as the instance to comply with. Not even essentially the most optimistic supporter might have anticipated they might be above them within the desk in December, particularly given the performances of each golf equipment in 2023-24. However this received’t be straightforward for Villa at a vibrant Metropolis Floor. TOM COLLOMOSSE
Gamers to observe: Nottingham Forest – Chris Wooden: Fourteen targets in as many video games for membership and nation within the final three months, capped by the essential third purpose at Previous Trafford final weekend.
Aston Villa – Matty Money: Ever since Villa signed Money from Forest in 2020, it appears like they’ve been looking for an improve. But not solely is Money nonetheless there, he’s nonetheless a part of Unai Emery’s first-choice XI, and was singled out for reward by the Villa boss for his show within the 3-2 win over Leipzig within the Champions League. He’ll be decided to stick with it towards his outdated membership.
Nottingham Forest harm information: Out – Danilo (ankle), I Sangare (hamstring), A Moreno (ineligible)
Aston Villa harm information: Out – J Ramsey (hamstring). Doubt – L Bailey (hamstring), O Watkins (undisclosed).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw
SUNDAY
2pm: BRIGHTON v CRYSTAL PALACE
Amex Stadium. Referee: Michael Oliver
TV/radio: Stay on Sky Sports activities and BBC 5 Stay. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: Extremely, the general head-to-head document within the A23 derby is nearly deadlocked. 141 matches, 51 wins for Crystal Palace, 50 wins for Brighton. You’d count on Brighton to even that up on Sunday, particularly given their glorious current document at house. However this Crystal Palace facet has the standard to spring a shock, particularly if Eberechi Eze is on the races. HENRY CLARK
Gamers to observe: Brighton – Danny Welbeck: The 34-year-old has aged like wonderful wine and is now just one purpose away from equaling his haul from final season.
Crystal Palace – Dean Henderson: They are saying you’ve acquired to be a bit mad to be a goalkeeper and Henderson is one who proves that concept – he’ll use any a part of his physique, together with his face, to cease the ball getting in his web.
Brighton harm information: Out – J Milner (hamstring). Doubt – J Veltman (undisclosed), F Kadioglu (toe), J Hinshelwood, S March (each knee), A Webster (hamstring).
Crystal Palace harm information: Out – M Franca, A Wharton (each groin), R Holding (unknown). Doubt – J Ward (calf), C Riad (knee).
Mail Sport prediction: Brighton win
4.30pm: MANCHESTER CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED
Etihad Stadium. Referee: Anthony Taylor
TV/radio: Stay on Sky Sports activities and BBC 5 Stay. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: Is it doable for each groups to lose? That is going to be a tense, nervy affair and – let’s be sincere – you’d count on errors (plural) to settle it. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see whether or not Kevin De Bruyne performs once more after doing a full 90 minutes in midweek. It doesn’t really feel like Pep Guardiola’s acquired every other alternative actually. And the way Metropolis go about approaching this with solely three match defenders. JACK GAUGHAN
Gamers to observe: Man Metropolis – Matheus Nunes: An unfamiliar position at proper again is probably going because of the harm disaster in defence. He doesn’t have a excessive bar to clear after Kyle Walker’s current shows there.
Man Utd – Andre Onana: A howler towards Forest final week, then Viktoria Plzen supervisor Miroslav Koubek stated they intentionally focused the Cameroonian on Thursday, when his fluffed move let within the opening purpose. Erling Haaland is his subsequent project.
Man Metropolis harm information: Out – Rodri (knee), O Bobb (leg), N Ake (thigh), R Lewis (suspended), J Stones (foot). Doubt – M Akanji (pelvis).
Man Utd harm information: Out – L Shaw (undisclosed).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw
7pm: CHELSEA v BRENTFORD
Stamford Bridge. Referee: Peter Bankes
TV/radio: Stay on talkSPORT and Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: I’m trying ahead to targets! It’s the Premier League’s high scorers versus the second-top at Stamford Bridge so we are able to solely hope we’re in for a Sunday night time of chaotic scoring. It’s amusing to assume how Chelsea severely thought-about hiring Thomas Frank in the summertime as he acquired all the way down to their final-four shortlist. You believe you studied they don’t remorse going with Enzo Maresca now amid their shock title push. KIERAN GILL
Gamers to observe: Chelsea – Noni Madueke: Madueke must work his method again into Maresca’s A-team by enjoying significantly better than he has been and right here’s his probability with Pedro Neto suspended.
Brentford – Kevin Schade. Schade goes by way of a rebirth and he might hurt Chelsea from the wing if Marc Cucurella inverts into midfield to depart a big hole.
Chelsea harm information: Out – R James, O Kellyman, W Fofana (all hamstring), P Neto (suspended). Doubt – M Mudryk (sickness), R Lavia (muscle), J Felix (knock)..
Brentford harm information: Out – J Dasilva, R Henry (each knee), A Hickey (hamstring), M Jensen (hamstring).
Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win
7pm: SOUTHAMPTON v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
St Mary’s Stadium. Referee: Darren England
TV/radio: Stay on TNT Sports activities. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our skilled’s view: All eyes on Tottenham’s response to the gauntlet thrown down by Ange Postecoglou. It’s uncommon today for a supervisor to make use of these ways. And interesting to see which method it goes. Will he begin with Werner after his ‘unacceptable’ efficiency at Rangers? Or solid him apart. Will his captain Son Heung-min and vice-captain Jams Maddison step up? Neither have been in nice kind not too long ago and Postecoglou has made it clear he wants them. MATT BARLOW
Gamers to observe: Southampton – Adam Armstrong: Spurs provide you with possibilities and if Saints are medical sufficient to take them they’ll put strain on the guests. Armstrong was prolific within the Championship final season and up and discovering his vary once more with three in his final seven video games.
Tottenham – Dejan Kulusevski: Every little thing Spurs are doing properly at current appears to revolve round Kulusevski. He solely performed the second half at Rangers with Postecoglou desperately making an attempt to not burn him out. Creating targets and scoring them and the person most probably to show this poor spell of kind round.
Southampton harm information: Out – W Smallbone, A Lallana, R Stewart (all hamstring), A Ramsdale (finger), G Bazunu (achilles), J Stephens (suspended).
Tottenham harm information: Out – R Bentancur, Y Bissouma (each suspended), G Vicario (ankle), W Odobert, Richarlison, M Van de Ven (all hamstring), C Romero (thigh). Doubt – B Davies (hamstring).
Mail Sport prediction: Tottenham win
MONDAY
7pm: BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM UNITED
Vitality Stadium. Referee: Chris Kavanagh
TV/radio: Stay on Sky Sports activities and talkSPORT
Our skilled’s view: West Ham’s win at house to Wolves was not only a wonderful tribute to team-mate Michail Antonio, watching on from his hospital mattress following his automobile crash, but in addition an enormous victory in the way forward for Julen Lopetegui. The large query is whether or not they can maintain it or, as soon as once more, it’ll be a case of 1 step ahead and two again for the under-pressure supervisor. Going of their favour is that West Ham have received 9 of their final 10 league video games on a Monday night time. The draw back is that each league win this season has been adopted by a defeat for the Hammers whereas Bournemouth are glorious at house underneath Andoni Iraola, with wins already there over Tottenham, Man Metropolis and Arsenal. JAMES SHARPE
Gamers to observe: Bournemouth – Justin Kluivert: His facet’s main purpose scorer this season with 5 whereas additionally setting a document as the primary participant in PL historical past to attain a hat-trick of penalties in a single recreation.
West Ham – Jarrod Bowen: Boring, maybe, however there actually is just one constant avenue of pleasure, menace and high quality in assault for the Hammers.
Bournemouth harm information: Out – A Scott (knee), M Tavernier, L Sinisterra, J Araujo (all hamstring), M Senesi (thigh).
West Ham harm information: Out – Emerson (suspended), M Antonio (leg).
Mail Sport prediction: Bournemouth win
