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

After an action-packed week filled with scintillating European fixtures, the Premier League has finally returned. 

From Ruben Amorim‘s underwhelming debut in the Man United dugout to Man City losing a record-breaking fifth game in all competitions, there was plenty to talk about last time out.

This week, Amorim will take charge of his third competitive match as United boss when the Red Devils host Everton on Sunday afternoon – with just five points separating the sides.

Later on in the day comes a blockbuster fixture, as Man City travel to top of the table Liverpool in the hopes of ending their winless run and closing the gap on the Reds.

There’s plenty of action on Saturday afternoon as well – with the London derby between West Ham and Arsenal the key fixture to look out for. 

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.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side will have to beat league leaders Liverpool in order to do so

Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim is preparing to take charge of his third match as Man United boss 

SATURDAY

3pm: BRENTFORD v LEICESTER

Gtech Community Stadium. Referee: Michael Oliver.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm

Our expert’s view: Expect plenty of cuts to the stands on Match of the Day with new Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy set for a watching brief. First-team coach Ben Dawson will take charge of the Foxes for this one instead. How does a Ben Dawson team set up, you ask. Well, your guess is as good as mine. Will Van Nistelrooy take over a team in Ruud health, or will it be a Ruud awakening for the task that lies ahead? Given Brentford’s superb home form, I suspect the latter. ALEX JENNINGS

Players to watch:

Brentford – Igor Thiago. OK, he’s unlikely to start – and don’t put him in your FPL team just yet – but for most home fans, this is likely to be their first glimpse of Brentford’s record signing. The Brazilian was poached for £30million from Club Bruges to replace Ivan Toney’s goals but tore his meniscus in pre-season. After a cameo off the bench away to Everton last weekend, this is a first real chance for Thiago to show Bees supporters what he can do – and Brentford don’t sign many duds.

Leicester – Facundo Buonanotte. The young winger is a terrific talent and will have to bear even more of Leicester’s attacking load now Abdul Fatawu is out for the season with a knee injury. He returns from suspension here – and will be keen to make an immediate impression on his new manager.

Brentford injury news: Out – R Henry (knee), K Ajer (foot), G Nunes (back), J Dasilva (knee), A Hickey (hamstring). Doubt – None.

Leicester injury news: Out – H Winks (groin), A Fatawu (knee), R Pereira (hamstring), J Stolarczyk (ankle). Doubt – None.

Mail Sport prediction: Brentford win.

3pm: CRYSTAL PALACE v NEWCASTLE

Selhurst Park. Referee: Darren England.

TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live, Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm

Our expert’s view: Newcastle have shown themselves to be more dangerous when they don’t have the ball and can play on the break, using the pace of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. And there is a suspicion that being back on the road might just suit them, like it did at Nottingham Forest before the November break. It will be fascinating to see how they respond to the disappointment of Monday’s home defeat by West Ham. CRAIG HOPE

Players to watch: 

Crystal Palace – Marc Guehi. Newcastle have shown themselves to be more dangerous when they don’t have the ball and can play on the break, using the pace of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. And there is a suspicion that being back on the road might just suit them, like it did at Nottingham Forest before the November break. It will be fascinating to see how they respond to the disappointment of Monday’s home defeat by West Ham.

Newcastle – Anthony Gordon. So important is he to the team, the winger needs to find a more consistent level of form – and it needs to happen quick.

Crystal Palace injury news: Out – C Riad (knee), M Franca, A Wharton (both groin), D Kamada (suspended). Doubt – None.

Newcastle injury news: Out – E Krafth (shoulder), J Lascelles, S Botman (both knee). Doubt – B Guimaraes (glute), J Willock (leg).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw.

3pm: NOTTINGHAM FOREST v IPSWICH

City Ground. Referee: Tony Harington.

TV/radio: Live on talkSPORT 2, Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm

Our expert’s view: Ipswich are pleasing on the eye and become many people’s second-favourite team. There will be goodwill towards them extending their unbeaten league run to five games at The City Ground but Forest shouldn’t be cast as the bad guys. They’re also exceeding expectations under Nuno Espirito Santo and Marmite owner Evangelos Marinakis. JOE BERNSTEIN

Players to watch:

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood. Fresh again having started on bench at Arsenal to recover from long-haul duty for New Zealand.

Ipswich – Liam Delap. A younger version of Wood as a proper centre-forward and the division’s stand-out newcomer.

Nottm Forest injury news: Out – Danilo (ankle), I Sangare (hamstring). Doubt – A Elanga (knock), E Anderson (foot), M Gibbs-White (ankle).

Ipswich injury news: Out – C Ogbene (achilles), G Hirst (knee), J Donacien (ankle). Doubt – K Phillips (muscle), B Johnson (knock), N Broadhead (groin).

Mail Sport prediction: Nottingham Forest win.

3pm: WOLVES v BOURNEMOUTH

Molineux. Referee: Peter Bankes

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm

Our expert’s view: After beating Man City at the start of the month, Bournemouth have lost their last two in a row, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they can bounce back against a Wolves side, that are undefeated in their last four. Before that, there was plenty of talk surrounding Gary O’Neil’s job but his side have turned up in recent weeks. AADAM PATEL

Players to watch:

Wolves – Matheus Cunha. Gary O’Neil said ‘there’s no limits to where he can go’ and it’s fair to say that right now, he’s one of the best players in the league.

Bournemouth – Evanilson. The Brazilian didn’t score last week but had plenty of chances. With three goals in his last four, he’s in top form.

Wolves injury news: Out – Y Mosquera, S Kalajdzic, B Traore, B Meupiyou (all knee). Doubt – P Lima (ankle).

Bournemouth injury news: Out – A Scott (knee), L Sinisterra, J Araujo (both hamstring), A Semenyo (suspended). Doubt – None.

Mail Sport prediction: Wolves win.

5.30pm: WEST HAM v ARSENAL

London Stadium. Referee: Anthony Taylor.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports, Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.25pm

Our expert’s view: No one expected West Ham to go to Newcastle and get a result but, boy, did Julen Lopetegui need that win with the pressure building and the vultures circling. There’s just as much again on the visit of Arsenal, but this time for both sides, especially with how desperate the Gunners are to get their title bid back on track. Nine points behind leaders Liverpool already and Mikel Arteta cannot afford to fall even further behind. Everyone thought this would be the season Arsenal would take that final step and clinch the title but they are still behind a Manchester City side that’s not won a game in over a month. JAMES SHARPE

Players to watch:

West Ham – Carlos Soler. The midfielder, who joined from PSG on loan in the summer, had only started one league game before the win at Newcastle and was dragged at half-time in it but, at St James’ Park, put in a masterful performance of holding on to the ball and moving it forward with purpose. The Hammers will need that again if they are to get something against Arsenal.

Arsenal – Martin Odegaard. An 82-minute performance against Nottingham Forest was enough to show just how much a difference the Arsenal captain makes to Mikel Arteta’s side. Twice as many passes as any other forward player, six chances created and an assist for Buyako Saka inside 15 minutes.

West Ham injury news: Out – M Kudus (suspended), N Fullkrug (calf). Doubt – J-C Todibo (knock).

Arsenal injury news: Out – B White, T Tomiyasu (both knee). Doubt – Gabriel (knock).

Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.

SUNDAY

1.30pm: CHELSEA v ASTON VILLA

Stamford Bridge. Referee: Stuart Attwell.

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

Our expert’s view: Chelsea consider this a Champions League-chasing clash with Aston Villa, with Enzo Maresca saying these two clubs are vying for fourth as he believes Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal will all finish in the top three. Maresca adds his team are exceeding expectations so let’s see how they fare against Villa, having only lost to City and Liverpool this season. KIERAN GILL

Players to watch:

Chelsea – Enzo Fernandez. You suspect Enzo Fernandez will keep his place in midfield over Romeo Lavia after his performance at Leicester last week, with another big showing needed from Chelsea’s £106.8million man.

Aston Villa – Morgan Rogers. Cole Palmer’s close mate who also performs the ‘cold’ celebration when he scores, not that Chelsea want to see it from him. Now tied down to a new deal until 2030, Rogers will threaten the Blues’ back line.

Chelsea injury news: Out – R James, O Kellyman (both hamstring). Doubt – None.

Aston Villa injury news: Out – J Ramsey (hamstring). Doubt – None.

Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win.

1.30pm: MANCHESTER UNITED v EVERTON

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: Ruben Amorim is off and running after his first win as Manchester United boss – but he has seen that there is a lot of work still to do. Players still don’t look totally comfortable and he will know Everton – as toothless as they have been of late – remain dangerous. NATHAN SALT

Players to watch:

Manchester United – Rasmus Hojlund. With just one Premier League goal this season, Hojlund must build on his brace and man-of-the-match display in midweek. Played 3-4-3 at Atalanta and needs to nail down the No 9 role now.

Everton – Jarrad Branthwaite. A dream target for Manchester United and Ineos, plenty of eyes will be on the defender and how he gets on up against Hojlund. The winner of the match-up could go a long way to deciding the outcome.

Man Utd injury news: Out – V Lindelof (hamstring). Doubt – L Yoro (foot), H Maguire (calf), J Evans (knock).

Everton injury news: Out – J Garner (back), T Iroegbunam, Y Chermiti (both foot), S Coleman (hamstring). Doubt – A Broja (achilles).

Mail Sport prediction: Manchester United win.

1.30pm: TOTTENHAM v FULHAM

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Referee: Darren Bond.

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

Our expert’s view: I’m looking forward to finding out which Spurs turn up… the one that crashed five past Manchester City, the one that lost to Ipswich or the one that couldn’t hold a lead against Roma. The last three games have produced a little bit of everything from Ange Posteocglou’s side and yet for a neutral viewer they are the golden ticket. Who wouldn’t want to see a breathless, unpredictable game with jeopardy all the way, regardless of the opposition? And seeing Fulham for the first time this season. From afar, they are putting together an impressive campaign, well balanced with flashes of flair. And in Marco Silva they have a coach who is certain to cross London with a plan to attack Tottenham’s weaknesses. MATT BARLOW

Players to watch:

Tottenham – Fraser Forster. The goalkeeper performed ably throughout and made one fabulous save against Roma in the first appearance since Guglielmo Vicario broke an ankle but this time he doesn’t step aside after a European cameo. He will enjoy the opportunity to establish some competitive rhythm and Postecoglou will find out how urgently he must address the goalkeeping position in the January market.

Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe. Secured a place in Arsenal hearts with a goal against Spurs three years ago – and now among a cluster of former Gunners in the Fulham dressing room. Tottenham’s high defensive line and commitment to a relentless attacking style will offer chances to the creative players in Silva’s team. Can he take advantage?

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 (foot).

Fulham injury news: Out – H Reed (knee), J Andersen (calf), J Cuenca (knock). Doubt – S Berge (knock).

Mail Sport prediction: Tottenham win.

4pm: LIVERPOOL v MANCHESTER CITY

Anfield. Referee: Chris Kavanagh.

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

Our expert’s view: I am looking forward to seeing what on earth Pep Guardiola comes up with to solve his problems this year. In years gone by and previous slumps, he has come up with false nines, inverted full backs and centre backs becoming midfielders. This time, it feels like he needs a miracle to topple Liverpool. Erling Haaland versus Virgil Van Dijk will be a fun battle, too! LEWIS STEELE

Players to watch:

Liverpool – Andy Robertson. The left-back has been receiving some stick from fans who believe his best days are behind him with the Scotsman giving away two cheap penalties this week to Southampton and Real Madrid. He will need to up his level here with Kostas Tsimikas, who nudged him out the XI recently, injured.

Manchester City – Josko Gvardiol. Robertson’s opposite number has also had a tricky fortnight. The Croatian has been world class since his move to City but struggled of late — and must bring his A game up against Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool injury news: Out – F Chiesa (fitness), D Jota (chest), K Tsimikas (ankle), I Konate (arm), C Bradley (hamstring). Doubt – Alisson (hamstring).

Man City injury news: Out – Rodri (knee), O Bobb (leg), M Kovacic (unknown). Doubt – J Stones (foot), J Doku (quad).

Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win.