Who are the main injury doubts? Who is in form? And how do OUR experts see the big games going? Read Mail Sport’s Ultimate Weekend Guide ahead of the Premier League matches

Perhaps the strangest Manchester derby awaits on Sunday evening as an out-of-sorts United travel to the Etihad to take on an even more out-of-sorts City. 

The respective league positions of the two sides belies the magnitude of a fixture that has produced so many showstopping moments in recent years. But after a week of unwanted off field headlines at Old Trafford and the dramatic loss of form at City, Sunday’s clash is incredibly difficult to call. 

Elsewhere, Premier League leaders Liverpool will be looking to capitalise on the slip-up of rivals Arsenal last week, who only managed to draw against the opponents they welcome to Anfield on Saturday afternoon. 

Arne Slot was unhappy with his side’s performance in their midweek win over Girona and he will be acutely aware of the threat Fulham can cause on their day. 

The Gunners, meanwhile take on the side the Reds should have faced last weekend, but for the intervention of Storm Darragh. Everton will not be expected to further derail Arsenal’s title aspirations but Sean Dyche will certainly do his best to try and upset the Premier League establishment. 

Further down the table there’s another crunch match for Gary O’Neil and Wolves, who welcome Ipswich to Molineux. 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.

SATURDAY

3pm: ARSENAL v EVERTON

Emirates Stadium. Referee: Craig Pawson

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

Our expert’s view: The league’s two best set-piece teams go head-to-head – quite literally – at the ground where there is now a mural to Arsenal’s innovator-in-chief, Nicolas Jover. The hosts’ rotating cast of defenders (nine different back fours in 15 league games) could welcome Gabriel back on Saturday, which will be a boost in both penalty boxes. GEORGE BOND

Players to watch: Arsenal – Bukayo Saka. Quieter than usual in midweek against Monaco, and still ended up with two goals and an assist. Should have ample opportunity to add to his league-leading 10 assists here. 

Everton – Iliman Ndiaye. Wingers, especially those on the right flank, have been able to get at Arsenal this season – 24-year-old Ndiaye is a real threat and offers speed on the break.

Arsenal injury news: Out – B White, T Tomiyasu (both knee). Doubt – Gabriel, O Zinchenko (both muscle), R Calafiori (groin).

Everton injury news: Out – J Garner (back), T Iroegbunam (foot). Doubt – Y Chermiti (foot).

Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win

3pm: LIVERPOOL v FULHAM

Anfield. Referee: Tony Harrington

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

Our expert’s view: In terms of entertainment, this fixture was one of my favourites last season — Liverpool winning 4-3 despite trailing in the 88th minute — and Marco Silva produced what would have been dubbed a tactical masterclass for 90 per cent of the game. LEWIS STEELE

Players to watch: Liverpool – Luis Diaz: Should get the nod at No 9, and after having started the season well he has not chipped in with enough goals in the last six weeks. 

Fulham – Alex Iwobi: The former Everton man is a class act and will cause problems for Liverpool, I am sure.

Liverpool injury news: Out – K Tsmikas (ankle), I Konate (knee), C Bradley (hamstring), A Mac Allister (suspended). Doubt – F Chiesa (fitness), D Jota (chest).

Fulham injury news: Out – H Reed (knee), J Andersen (calf), R Nelson (hamstring), C Bassey, T Cairney (both 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 expert’s view: It’s been a difficult few days for Eddie Howe on the back of a 4-2 defeat at Brentford and big injuries to key players such as Nick Pope and Callum Wilson. But when Newcastle have needed to respond to adversity this season, they have – and they certainly need a response here to kick off a pivotal week. CRAIG HOPE

Players to watch: Newcastle – Sandro Tonali: He was left out at Brentford on grounds of fatigue but will return and needs a big performance following a week in which he was linked with a move back to Italy. 

Leicester – Jamie Vardy: He once got a standing ovation from the home crowd at St James’ and his type is appreciated on Tyneside.

Newcastle injury news: Out – E Krafth (shoulder), J Lascelles, S Botman (both knee), C Wilson (hamstring), E Krafth (shoulder). Doubt – J Willock (hamstring), N Pope (knee).

Leicester injury news: 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 expert’s view: Two teams level on points but one manager, Gary O’Neil of Wolves, under all sorts of pressure and the other Kieran McKenna exempt because of consecutive promotions. Does added tension work as a motivator or energy-sapper in a relegation six-pointer? We’re about to find out. JOE BERNSTEIN

Players to watch: Wolves – Matheus Cunha: Goals have dried up after explosive sequence but the Brazilian hasn’t gone four games without scoring this season and won’t want to start now. 

Ipswich – Sam Morsy. Captain will need to be at his combative best in midfield so the visitors have a chance to express themselves further forward.

Wolves injury news: Out – Y Mosquera, S Kalajdzic, B Traore, E Gonzalez (all knee), J Gomes (suspended), J Sa (shoulder), P Sarabia (calf).

Ipswich injury news: Out – C Ogbene (achilles), G Hirst (knee), A Tuanzebe (hamstring). Doubt – K Phillips, B Johnson (both knocks).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw

5.30pm: NOTTINGHAM FOREST v ASTON VILLA

Molineux. Referee: Sam Barrott

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

Our expert’s view: Ever since they were promoted in 2022, Forest have looked at Villa as the example to follow. Not even the most optimistic supporter could have expected they would be above them in the table in December, especially given the performances of both clubs in 2023-24. But this won’t be easy for Villa at a vibrant City Ground. TOM COLLOMOSSE

Players to watch: Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood: Fourteen goals in as many games for club and country in the last three months, capped by the crucial third goal at Old Trafford last weekend. 

Aston Villa – Matty Cash: Ever since Villa signed Cash from Forest in 2020, it feels like they have been trying to find an upgrade. Yet not only is Cash still there, he is still part of Unai Emery’s first-choice XI, and was singled out for praise by the Villa boss for his display in the 3-2 win over Leipzig in the Champions League. He’ll be determined to keep it up against his old club.

Nottingham Forest injury news: Out – Danilo (ankle), I Sangare (hamstring), A Moreno (ineligible)

Aston Villa injury news: 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: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Incredibly, the overall head-to-head record in the A23 derby is almost deadlocked. 141 matches, 51 wins for Crystal Palace, 50 wins for Brighton. You would expect Brighton to even that up on Sunday, especially given their excellent recent record at home. But this Crystal Palace side has the quality to spring a surprise, especially if Eberechi Eze is at the races. HENRY CLARK

Players to watch: Brighton – Danny Welbeck: The 34-year-old has aged like fine wine and is now only one goal away from equaling his haul from last season. 

Crystal Palace – Dean Henderson: They say you’ve got to be a bit mad to be a goalkeeper and Henderson is one who proves that theory – he will use any part of his body, including his face, to stop the ball going in his net.

Brighton injury news: Out – J Milner (hamstring). Doubt – J Veltman (undisclosed), F Kadioglu (toe), J Hinshelwood, S March (both knee), A Webster (hamstring).

Crystal Palace injury news: Out – M Franca, A Wharton (both 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: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Is it possible for both teams to lose? This is going to be a tense, nervy affair and – let’s be honest – you’d expect mistakes (plural) to settle it. It’ll be interesting to see whether Kevin De Bruyne plays again after doing a full 90 minutes in midweek. It doesn’t feel like Pep Guardiola’s got any other choice really. And how City go about approaching this with only three fit defenders. JACK GAUGHAN

Players to watch: Man City – Matheus Nunes: An unfamiliar role at right back is likely due to the injury crisis in defence. He does not have a high bar to clear after Kyle Walker’s recent displays there. 

Man Utd – Andre Onana: A howler against Forest last week, then Viktoria Plzen manager Miroslav Koubek said they deliberately targeted the Cameroonian on Thursday, when his fluffed pass let in the opening goal. Erling Haaland is his next assignment.

Man City injury news: Out – Rodri (knee), O Bobb (leg), N Ake (thigh), R Lewis (suspended), J Stones (foot). Doubt – M Akanji (pelvis).

Man Utd injury news: Out – L Shaw (undisclosed).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw

7pm: CHELSEA v BRENTFORD

Stamford Bridge. Referee: Peter Bankes

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

Our expert’s view: I’m looking forward to goals! It’s the Premier League’s top scorers versus the second-top at Stamford Bridge so we can only hope we’re in for a Sunday night of chaotic scoring. It’s amusing to think how Chelsea seriously considered hiring Thomas Frank in the summer as he got down to their final-four shortlist. You suspect they do not regret going with Enzo Maresca now amid their surprise title push. KIERAN GILL

Players to watch: Chelsea – Noni Madueke: Madueke needs to work his way back into Maresca’s A-team by playing much better than he has been and here’s his chance with Pedro Neto suspended. 

Brentford – Kevin Schade. Schade is going through a rebirth and he could harm Chelsea from the wing if Marc Cucurella inverts into midfield to leave a large gap.

Chelsea injury news: Out – R James, O Kellyman, W Fofana (all hamstring), P Neto (suspended). Doubt – M Mudryk (illness), R Lavia (muscle), J Felix (knock)..

Brentford injury news: Out – J Dasilva, R Henry (both 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: Live on TNT Sports. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: All eyes on Tottenham’s response to the gauntlet thrown down by Ange Postecoglou. It is rare these days for a manager to employ those tactics. And fascinating to see which way it goes. Will he start with Werner after his ‘unacceptable’ performance at Rangers? Or cast him aside. Will his captain Son Heung-min and vice-captain Jams Maddison step up? Neither have been in great form recently and Postecoglou has made it clear he needs them. MATT BARLOW

Players to watch: Southampton – Adam Armstrong: Spurs give you chances and if Saints are clinical enough to take them they can put pressure on the visitors. Armstrong was prolific in the Championship last season and up and finding his range again with three in his last seven games. 

Tottenham – Dejan Kulusevski: Everything Spurs are doing well at present seems to revolve around Kulusevski. He only played the second half at Rangers with Postecoglou desperately trying not to burn him out. Creating goals and scoring them and the man most likely to turn this poor spell of form around.

Southampton injury news: Out – W Smallbone, A Lallana, R Stewart (all hamstring), A Ramsdale (finger), G Bazunu (achilles), J Stephens (suspended).

Tottenham injury news: Out – R Bentancur, Y Bissouma (both 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: Live on Sky Sports and talkSPORT

Our expert’s view: West Ham’s win at home to Wolves was not just a fine tribute to team-mate Michail Antonio, watching on from his hospital bed following his car crash, but also a huge victory in the future of Julen Lopetegui. The big question is whether they can sustain it or, once again, it’ll be a case of one step forward and two back for the under-pressure manager. Going in their favour is that West Ham have won nine of their last 10 league games on a Monday night. The downside is that every league win this season has been followed by a defeat for the Hammers while Bournemouth are excellent at home under Andoni Iraola, with wins already there over Tottenham, Man City and Arsenal. JAMES SHARPE

Players to watch: Bournemouth – Justin Kluivert: His side’s leading goal scorer this season with five while also setting a record as the first player in PL history to score a hat-trick of penalties in one game. 

West Ham – Jarrod Bowen: Boring, perhaps, but there really is only one consistent avenue of excitement, threat and quality in attack for the Hammers.

Bournemouth injury news: Out – A Scott (knee), M Tavernier, L Sinisterra, J Araujo (all hamstring), M Senesi (thigh).

West Ham injury news: Out – Emerson (suspended), M Antonio (leg).

Mail Sport prediction: Bournemouth win