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

The midweek fixtures of both Premier League and Champions League games are behind us, with top flight leaders Liverpool dropping points at Aston Villa.

This weekend, Arne Slot’s Reds face another tough away game at Manchester City, and Arsenal will fancy their chances of closing the gap further when they host West Ham on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Villa and Chelsea will do battle on Saturday night, while David Moyes will once again take on one of his former sides when Everton tackle Manchester United.

At the other end of the table, Ipswich will face Tottenham, Southampton will take on Brighton and Wolves will travel to high-flying Bournemouth.

Leicester, meanwhile, faced a challenge at home to Brentford on Friday evening.

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. 

Arsenal will be hoping to close the gap to the Reds when they face West Ham on Saturday

Our experts bring you all the latest ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action

SATURDAY

12.30pm: EVERTON v MANCHESTER UNITED

Goodison Park. Referee: Andy Madley.

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

Our expert’s view: It might be asking too much for United’s last-ever visit to Goodison Park to match the final Merseyside derby there, but they have had some great battles with Everton there over the years and it will be a privilege to witness this one. CHRIS WHEELER

Players to watch: Everton – Carlos Alcaraz. Everton’s January loan signing scored the winner at Crystal Palace last week and will be the main creative spark in the absence of Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye. 

Man Utd – Alejandro Garnacho. Scored the goal of the season with an overhead kick on his last visit to Goodison Park and is in good form again now.

Everton injury news: Abdoulaye Doucoure returns from suspension. Out: O Mangala, D McNeil, I Ndiaye (all knee), D Calvert-Lewin, N Patterson (both hamstring), A Broja (ankle), S Coleman (calf), Y Chermiti (thigh).

Man Utd injury news: Manuel Ugarte, Christian Eriksen and Leny Yoro return to the squad. Out: A Diallo (ankle), L Martinez (knee), M Mount (hamstring), K Mainoo, J Evans (both calf), L Shaw, A Bayindir (both muscle), T Collyer (knock).

Mail Sport prediction: Everton win.

3pm: ARSENAL v WEST HAM

Emirates Stadium. Referee: Craig Pawson.

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

Our expert’s view: Arsenal are expected to beat West Ham but, still, the potential impact a victory on Saturday could have on Liverpool is an intriguing subplot. Three points would close the gap between the two sides to five points ahead of the Reds’s crunch against Manchester City on Sunday. That surely will be on Liverpool’s psyche. ISAAN KHAN

Players to watch: Arsenal – Mikel Merino. After his two goals against Leicester last weekend as a striker, it will be interesting to see if Merino starts – and whether he will again take up a striker role.

It saved Arsenal that afternoon, having come on for Raheem Sterling, and could well do the same on Saturday.

West Ham – Evan Ferguson. The 20-year-old striker, on loan from Brighton, is in line to make his first start for West Ham. How he physically deals with William Saliba and Gabriel will be key.

Arsenal team news: Kai Havertz’s season is over after hamstring surgery. Ben White may be ready to start. Out: K Havertz, G Martinelli, B Saka (all hamstring), G Jesus, T Tomiyasu (both knee).

West Ham news: Lucas Paqueta is unavailable after injuring his ankle in a collision with Aaron Wan-Bissaka in training. Out: L Paqueta (ankle), N Fullkrug, C Summerville (both hamstring), M Antonio (leg). Doubt: V Coufal (hamstring).

Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.

3pm: BOURNEMOUTH v WOLVES

Vitality Stadium. Referee: Michael Salisbury.

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

Our expert’s view: Are AFC Bournemouth the best team in the world? It’s a question I’ve been wrestling with for the past couple of days, and only half-jokingly. With Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea beset by injuries or slight dips in form, Andoni Iraola’s entertainers are arguably the Premier League side you would least like your team to come up against at the moment.

Unfortunately for Vitor Pereira, he’s the man who’s got to do it this weekend — although Wolves gave a good account of themselves on another difficult trip, to Anfield, last time out. ALEX JENNINGS

Players to watch: Bournemouth – Dango Ouattara. The 23-year-old has been a revelation in 2025. Ouattara has managed nine goals and assists in his last 11 league games — as many as he produced in the 60 matches before that. A winger by trade, he has been deployed out of position in a more central role thanks to injuries to Evanilson and Enes Unal, but is looking the part in his new role.

Wolves – Jorgen Strand Larsen. The 6ft 4in striker is back after injury and could have an interesting battle with similarly giant centre back Dean Huijsen. And we can’t pick Matheus Cunha every week…

Bournemouth injury news. Julio Soler has returned from international duty but is not fully fit. Out: E Unal (knee), Evanilson (ankle), M Senesi (thigh), A Smith (muscle), J Araujo (hamstring). Doubt: J Hill (hamstring), J Soler (unknown).

Wolves injury news: Emmanuel Agbadou is out for up to a month with a hamstring injury. Out: Y Mosquera, E Gonzalez, S Kalajdzic, L Chiwone (all knee), H Hee-chan, E Agbadou (both hamstring), R Gomes (knock). Doubt: J Strand Larsen (muscle).

Mail Sport prediction: Bournemouth win.

3pm: FULHAM v CRYSTAL PALACE

Craven Cottage. Referee: Rob Jones.

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

Our expert’s view: I always love a trip to Craven Cottage – a ‘proper’ football ground – but I’m looking forward to this trip more so than usual to have a closer look at Marco Silva’s side. I’m a big fan of his and how he’s got this Fulham side playing – I don’t think it’s long until one of the Premier League’s big boys are knocking on his door.

My view on Crystal Palace seems to change by the week, but they have played a lot better away from home than they have at Selhurst Park so far this season. HENRY CLARK

Players to watch: Fulham – Adama Traore. A friend of mine who has a season ticket at Fulham reckoned Traore’s performance against Nottingham Forest last week was one of his most complete in a Fulham shirt. Let’s hope for more of the same this week.

Crystal Palace – Adam Wharton. Came off the bench for his first Premier League appearance since his injury last weekend but should be ready from the off here. A player of enormous quality who just hasn’t had the run of games he’s needed this season.

Fulham injury news: Reiss Nelson could be out for the rest of the season after hamstring surgery this week. Out: H Wilson (foot), R Nelson (hamstring), K Tete (knee).

Crystal Palace injury news: Oliver Glasner is confident Eberechi Eze will be ready to start. Out: C Riad, C Doucoure (both knee), J Ward (calf).

Mail Sport prediction: Fulham win.

3pm: IPSWICH v TOTTENHAM

Portman Road. Referee: Tim Robinson.

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

Our expert’s view: Tottenham’s win over Manchester United doesn’t mean a corner has been turned but with players back they’re certainly well set to attack the end of the season. Ipswich, meanwhile, are running out of games to survive but are perhaps a better side than their results suggest. They’ve only won one at home but their first of just three Premier League win this season came at Spurs and heightened the pressure on Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs have more quality, still, but Ipswich’s never-say-die spirit could see them get something here, just as they did with 10 men at Villa last week. File this one under ‘banana skin for Spurs’. BEN WINSTANLEY

Players to watch: Ipswich – Omari Hutchinson. Liam Delap has been ‘player to watch’ here so often he might start asking for royalties so let’s go for another attacking dangerman. Hutchinson’s return of two Premier League goals this season doesn’t reflect his talent and Spurs will do well not to give him too much space.

Spurs – Mathys Tel. With Dominic Solanke still out, the 19-year-old on loan from Bayern is likely to lead the line and will look to bag his first Premier League goal after after opening his account with a consolation against Villa in the Cup a fortnight ago.

Ipswich injury news: Julio Enciso faces up to a month on the sidelines with a knee injury. Out: W Burns, J Enciso (both knee), C Ogbene (achilles), C Walton (groin), A Tuanzebe (suspended). Doubt: C Chaplin (knee).

Tottenham injury news: Rodrigo Bentancur, Kevin Danso and Son Heung-min are OK despite picking up knocks last weekend. Out: D Solanke, R Dragusin (both knee), M Van de Ven (hamstring), Richarlison (calf), C Romero (thigh). Doubt: T Werner (hamstring).

Mail Sport prediction: Tottenham win.

3pm: SOUTHAMPTON v BRIGHTON

St Mary’s Stadium. Referee: Darren Bond.

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

Our expert’s view: I was at the City Ground when Brighton lost 7-0 to Nottingham Forest and was also at their subsequent wins over Chelsea in the FA Cup and Premier League. Their response has been perfect, and what better way to build on that than visiting a Southampton side circling the Premier League drain. KIERAN GILL

Players to watch: Southampton – Aaron Ramsdale. T Strange to choose a goalkeeper as one to watch, perhaps, but then Aaron Ramsdale is one of the few reasons why Southampton supporters can hope to get something out of Premier League games nowadays. Were it not for him last weekend, Bournemouth would have scored at least six.

Brighton – Kaoru Mitoma. His first touch before opening the scoring over Chelsea last week was so sublime, it would not have looked out of place in a Dennis Bergkamp showreel. Brighton ignored the multimillion-pound advances from Saudi Arabia in January for a reason, and the Japanese winger who wrote a thesis on dribbling is a marvel worth watching.

Southampton injury news: Flynn Downes returns after clearing the air with manager Ivan Juric. Captain Jack Stephens is also back.Out: A Lallana, R Stewart (both hamstring), R Fraser (knee), T Harwood-Bellis (ankle).

Brighton injury news: Pervis Estupinan and Solly March return but Lewis Dunk remains unavailable with a rib issue. Out: I Julio, J Milner (both hamstring), F Kadioglu (ankle), J Steele (shoulder), L Dunk (rib).

Mail Sport prediction: Brighton win.

5.30pm: ASTON VILLA v CHELSEA

Villa Park. Referee: Michael Oliver.

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

Our expert’s view: Aston Villa haven’t lost at home since October, Chelsea haven’t won away since the start of December. No prizes for guessing the favourites here. Enzo Maresca called his squad in this week to emphasise how important Champions League qualification is but the reality says they’re only going one way with defeats on the road at Brighton (twice), Manchester City and Ipswich over the last few weeks…it’ll be fascinating to see if they can arrest the slump. BEN WINSTANLEY

Players to watch: Aston Villa – Marcus Rashford. Made his first start for the club against Liverpool and there’s a buzz around him again. The Blues are one of his favourite opponents – he has six goals against them for Manchester United and has only scored more against Liverpool and Leicester.

Chelsea – Cole Palmer. His drop-off has been stark in the last month – no goals in his last five matches after scoring 14 before that and making it all look so simple. Easy to forget he is only 22 but if Chelsea are to find form, you feel he will be the man to make it happen.

Aston Villa injury news: Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey face late fitness tests. Axel Disasi can’t play against his parent club. Out: P Torres (foot), R Barkley (calf), A Onana (unknown), B Kamara (muscle), A Disasi (ineligible). Doubt: E Konsa (hamstring), L Bailey (unknown).

Chelsea injury news: Noni Madueke is set to be out for a month with a hamstring injury. Out: M Guiu, N Jackson, N Madueke, W Fofana, R Lavia, B Badiashile (all hamstring), M Mudryk (suspended). Doubt: M Gusto (hip).

Mail Sport prediction: Villa win.

SUNDAY

2pm: NEWCASTLE v NOTTINGHAM FOREST

St James’s Park. Referee: Jarred Gillett.

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: This is a Champions League showdown and Newcastle know that defeat, and allowing Forest to move nine points clear, could be an irreversible gap. Win and it’s just three points. This is a huge game, for both sides. CRAIG HOPE

Players to watch: Newcastle – Anthony Gordon. When Gordon is on his game, it sets the tone. He, like many others, was off it at Man City last weekend. A big response is needed here.

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood. Who would have thought the former Newcastle striker would have outscored Alexander Isak this season? Wood netted a hat-trick at St James’ last term. He is the dangerman, again.

Newcastle injury news: Eddie Howe does not expect Sven Botman to be ready for this match. Joelinton is doing ‘really well’ as he recovers from a knee injury. Out: S Botman, Joelinton, J Lascelles (all knee).

Nottm Forest injury news: Taiwo Awoniyi has been cleared to play but will wear a mask to protect his broken nose. Nuno Espirito Santo has no fresh injury concerns. Out: C Miguel (hamstring).

Mail Sport prediction: Newcastle win.

4.30pm: MANCHESTER CITY v LIVERPOOL 

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: How do Manchester City combat the attacking prowess of Liverpool? To explain their issues this year, this is the first time since at least 2020 that the defending champions have gone into a home match as underdogs with the bookies.

They don’t look the same unit without Erling Haaland, who is a doubt, but Arne Slot‘s slight edginess in public over recent days suggests that Liverpool are still heading to Manchester with some nerves. JACK GAUGHAN

Players to watch: Man City – Nico Gonzalez. Their signing from Porto shone in the 4-0 win over Newcastle last weekend and grabbed a consoluation goal in Madrid. A natural replacement for the injured Rodri, he will look to keep play ticking over but against Liverpool’s midfield that will be no easy task.

Liverpool – Dominik Szoboszlai: It remains to be seen whether Darwin Nunez gets the nod up top after his bad miss at Villa (and Arne Slot’s subsequent criticism) but whether it’s him or Diogo Jota, the Hungarian should be behind them in the No 10 role, and Gonzalez may be needed to help keep him as quiet as possible.

Manchester City injury news: Pep Guardiola will decide on Saturday if Erling Haaland is ready to play. John Stones may need surgery to treat a thigh injury sustained in midweek. Out: Rodri (knee), M Akanji (groin), J Stones (thigh). Doubt: O Bobb (ankle), E Haaland (knee).

Liverpool injury news: Cody Gakpo should be back in the squad but Conor Bradley is out after being forced off at Aston Villa. Out: J Gomez (hamstring), C Bradley (thigh). Doubt: C Gakpo (foot).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw.