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

With the festivities of December now behind us, the Premier League is well and truly back and another action-packed, dramatic weekend awaits us.

Runaway leaders Liverpool, six points clear at the top of the table and with a game in hand over their rivals, play host to Manchester United, who will hope to right some wrongs after a nightmare start for head coach Ruben Amorim.

Chelsea and Arsenal will look to keep the pressure on the summit. The Blues travel to Crystal Palace on the back of losing their last two matches while Mikel Arteta’s side make the trip down to the south coast to face Brighton on Saturday evening.

Tottenham will kickstart the round of fixtures at lunchtime and entertain a Newcastle outfit in fine fettle, having won their last five games while scoring 16 goals in the process. Spurs have a host of players out, adding to Ange Postecoglou’s headache.

At the bottom, Leicester take on Aston Villa, Southampton lock horns with Brentford at St Mary’s and Ipswich, fresh from their 2-0 win over Chelsea, play Fulham. 

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 their games.

SATURDAY

12:30pm: TOTTENHAM v NEWCASTLE

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Referee: Andy Madley.

TV/radio: Live on TNT Sports and talkSPORT. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: I’m looking forward to seeing Eddie Howe’s revitalised Newcastle for the first time this season. They have won the last five, including a Carabao Cup quarter final, scoring 16 and conceding only once. Howe’s team seem to have recaptured the balance lost under the physical and mental pressure of a Champions League campaign. Solid once more at the back, with a midfield trio in harmony, wingers are flying, and Alexander Isak is red hot. Newcastle though have taken only one point from four trips to London this season. MATT BARLOW

Players to watch: 

Tottenham – Dejan Kulusevski. Consistently Tottenham’s star performer in what has turned into a difficult second season for Ange Postecoglou. Whether creating or scoring goals from wide on the right or driving the team forward from a deeper and more central role in midfield the Swede has been exceptional. 

Newcastle – Alexander Isak. Another Sweden international and the Premier League‘s in-form striker with eight goals across six games in December to fire Newcastle into Champions League contention. He scored the winner against Spurs in September and free from niggling injuries is threatening to compile an unforgettable season.

Tottenham injury news: Destiny Udogie is the latest name to add to Tottenham’s injury crisis. Djed Spence returns. Out: G Vicario (ankle), W Odobert, Richarlison, M Van de Ven, D Udogie (all hamstring), C Romero, B Davies (both thigh), R Bentancur (suspended), M Moore (illness).

Newcastle injury news: Sven Botman is nearing a return while Fabian Schar misses out due to suspension. Out: J Lascelles, N Pope (both knee), E Krafth (shoulder), C Wilson (hamstring), F Schar (suspended). Doubt: S Botman (match fitness).

Mail Sport prediction: Newcastle win.

3pm: ASTON VILLA v LEICESTER

Villa Park. Referee: Jarred Gillett.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: This should be a good one for the neutral. Both clubs have looked unreliable in defence this term and Leicester are still without goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who has been their best player this season. Villa will be favourites but Leicester duo Bilal El Khannouss and Facundo Buonanotte can cause them problems – not to mention Jamie Vardy. So let’s get ready for 0-0, then… TOM COLLOMOSSE

Players to watch: 

Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins. One of the best forwards in Europe last season, Watkins has been displaced as first choice No 9 by Jhon Duran and boss Unai Emery admits he is low on confidence. But Watkins scored in the 2-2 draw with Brighton and with Duran and Morgan Rogers suspended, this is an ideal chance to go on a scoring run. 

Leicester – Harry Winks. If Winks plays well, so do Leicester. The former Tottenham midfielder is excellent at keeping the ball moving under pressure and finding team-mates in space. Yet he can look lightweight when defending and in the face of Villa’s powerful midfield, Winks will need to be at his best to help protect Leicester’s back four.

Aston Villa injury news: Pau Torres has been ruled out for a couple of months after suffering a metatarsal injury. Matty Cash returns. Out: J Duran, M Rogers (both suspended), P Torres, D Carlos (both foot), J Philogene (knock).

Leicester injury news: Wout Faes has returned to training and could feature. Jordan Ayew is available. Out: A Fatawu (knee), R Pereira (muscle), M Hermansen (groin), K McAteer (unknown), W Ndidi (hamstring).Doubt: W Faes (unknown).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw.

3pm: BOURNEMOUTH v EVERTON

Vitality Stadium. Referee: John Brooks.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: Bournemouth are looking to break a club record in the top-flight by extending their unbeaten run to eight consecutive games, and it’s highly possible Everton will provide them this pleasure. Andoni Iraola’s team are bursting with self-belief, compounded by their league-high total of 10 goals scored in the last five minutes of Premier League games. And despite facing a side gearing up for another relegation scrap, Everton’s toothlessness in front of goal and winless record at the Vitality Stadium should set the Cherries in good stead. TARA ANSON-WALSH

Players to watch: 

Bournemouth – Dango Ouattara. The Burkinabe’s late heroics were on full display once against last weekend, rescuing a point at Fulham in the 89th minute. Ouattara is enjoying his best return for goal involvements this season, and the Toffees will be reluctant to see him coming off the bench if he doesn’t get in the starting line-up. 

Everton – Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker is in the depths of a 14-game scoreless run but is likely to come back in and lead the line in place of Armando Broja. With the January transfer window open and his contract up in the summer, this could be the 27-year-old’s audition for a move away after a tumultuous last couple of years at Goodison Park.

Bournemouth injury news: Justin Kluivert is back after his ban. Tyler Adams has been passed fit. Out: J Araujo, L Sinisterra, M Tavernier (all hamstring), A Scott (knee), M Senesi (thigh), A Smith (muscle).

Everton injury news: Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner and Seamus Coleman remain sidelined, while Dwight McNeil’s return to full fitness has also been tricky. Out: J Garner (back), T Iroegbunam (foot), D McNeil (knee), S Coleman (calf).

Mail Sport prediction: Bournemouth win.

3pm: CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

Selhurst Park. Referee: Tim Robinson.

TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: Can Chelsea turn their chances into goals? There has to be a game where, for all the attempts they have, a bundle go in. The Blues failed to score in their last two away games versus Ipswich and Everton. Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Co need to show a ruthless streak. KIERAN GILL

Players to watch: 

Crystal Palace – Jean-Phillipe Mateta. After seeing Liam Delap rough up Chelsea’s backline it will be interesting to see if Mateta can do likewise ploughing a lone furrow up front. A different player, of course, and goals have been hard to come by this season but at 6ft 3in he certainly offers an aerial and physical presence. 

Chelsea – Jadon Sancho. The South London lad who grew up playing in cages. He will be up for this, and should come back into the team after Joao Felix failed to impress from the left wing in that dismal 2-0 defeat to Ipswich. He is very much part of the A team.

Crystal Palace injury news: The positive in Marc Guehi returning from suspension is tempered by Trevoh Chalobah’s inability to face his parent club. Out: M Franca, A Wharton (both groin), R Holding (unknown), W Hughes (foot), T Chalobah (ineligible).

Chelsea injury news: Romeo Lavia is nearing a return. Wesley Fofana could be out for a long while. Out: W Fofana (hamstring), B Badiashile (unknown), M Mudryk (suspended), K Dewsbury–Hall (knock). Doubt: R Lavia (thigh), C Chukwuemeka (illness).

Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win.

3pm: MAN CITY v WEST HAM

Etihad Stadium. Referee: Michael Salisbury.

TV/radio: Live on talkSPORT2. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: Eyes are on the transfer market at Manchester City but Pep Guardiola knows his squad must back up Sunday’s victory at Leicester with another if they are to edge away from this slump. A West Ham without Jarrod Bowen, licking their wounds from the shellacking handed out by Liverpool, ought to be perfect opposition but the Hammers have picked up some noticeable results on the road so far this term. JACK GAUGHAN

Players to watch: 

Man City – Savinho. An exciting start to his City career has faded in their slump but he registered his first goal for the club at Leicester last time out and could hurt the Hammers here. 

West Ham – Lucas Paqueta. The creative star City wanted to sign last year will be even more important to the visitors and in the coming weeks in the absence of the injured Jarrod Bowen.

Man City injury news: No major updates to City’s injury list. Ruben Dias is nearing a return but this game comes too soon. Out: Rodri (knee), O Bobb (leg), R Dias (muscle). Doubt: M Nunes, Ederson (both unknown), J Stones (foot).

West Ham injury news: Jarrod Bowen will be out for the foreseeable after fracturing his foot against Liverpool. Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez return after serving bans. Out: M Antonio (health), L Fabianski (concussion), J Bowen (foot).

Mail Sport prediction: Man City win.

3pm: SOUTHAMPTON v BRENTFORD

St Mary’s Stadium. Referee: Stuart Attwell.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: This has ‘last game on Match of the Day’ written all over it! The hosts have the world home record in the division (4 points from 9 games) and the visitors have the joint-worst away record (2 points from 9). But the early signs are that Southampton have become slightly more solid under Ivan Juric so it will be fascinating to see whether they can start turning that into wins before it’s too late. BEN WINSTANLEY

Players to watch: 

Southampton – Tyler Dibling. Admired by Newcastle and no wonder. You suspect the exciting winger will be off if they go down. 

Brentford – Mikkel Damsgaard. Bees fans rave about the midfielder, who has set up six of their goals this season as well as chipping in with two himself.

Southampton injury news: Mateus Fernandes misses out due to suspension while Flynn Downes is a concern for the Saints. Out: R Stewart (hamstring), G Bazunu (achilles), J Stephens (knock), M Fernandes (suspended). Doubt: F Downes (thigh), W Smallbone (hamstring).

Brentford injury news: No new changes to the Bees’ lengthy injury list. Out: J Dasilva, R Henry, I Thiago (all knee), E Pinnock, A Hickey (both hamstring), K Ajer (ankle), B Mee (muscle), F Carvalho (groin), G Nunes (back).

Mail Sport prediction: Brentford win.

5.30pm: BRIGHTON v ARSENAL

Amex Stadium. Referee: Anthony Taylor.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: Arsenal are hitting speed again with four straight wins, but the jury is out on whether they can find an enduring solution to Bukayo Saka’s absence. Brighton are in a trickier spot after taking only five points from the past seven games and conceded leads in four. RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

Players to watch: 

Brighton – Joao Pedro. No goals during seven winless games – needs to put his elbows out, but not in the way he did against Brentford. 

Arsenal – Ethan Nwaneri. Only 17 but excellent in midweek in the Saka role.

Brighton injury news: This match comes too soon for new signing Diego Gomez. Out: J Milner (hamstring), F Kadioglu (toe), E Ferguson, M Wieffer (both knock), D Gomez (match fitness), J Hinshelwood (knee). Doubt: D Welbeck (ankle), P Estupinan (illness).

Arsenal injury news: It’s likely Kai Havertz will be fit in time for the trip to the south coast. Jurrien Timber misses out due to suspension. Out: B White, T Tomiyasu, R Sterling (all knee), J Timber (suspended), B Saka (hamstring). Doubt: K Havertz (illness).

Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.

SUNDAY

2pm: FULHAM v IPSWICH

Craven Cottage. Referee: Darren Bond.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.20pm

Our expert’s view: Fulham are well in the mix for the European spots at the halfway stage of the season – just imagine where they could be if they didn’t keep drawing games and dropping points. No side have dropped more points from winning positions this season than the Cottagers (19) nor drawn as many games (8). They need more of those last-minute Rodrigo Muniz winners at Chelsea. Ipswich beat Chelsea, too, in their last time out and showed they have it in them to survive in this division under Kieran McKenna. JAMES SHARPE

Players to watch: 

Fulham – Harry Wilson. Fulham’s man for the clutch moments. Five goals in his last 10 Premier League games, all of them in the second half and four of them either giving Fulham the lead or equalising.

Ipswich – Liam Delap. The next Harry Kane, as some are affectionately calling the Ipswich striker, has scored seven goals already, more than double of any of his team-mates. If they are to survive, their hopes rest firmly on his young shoulders.

Fulham injury news: No big changes to Fulham’s squad. Harrison Reed has returned to training with the team but needs more time. Out: H Reed, K Tete (both knee), R Nelson (hamstring), S Berge (ankle).

Ipswich injury news: Conor Chaplin picked up a knock in training and is set for a couple of weeks on the sidelines. Out: C Ogbene (achilles), G Hirst (knee), A Tuanzebe (hamstring), J Donacien (foot), C Chaplin (knock). Doubt: M Luongo (illness).

Mail Sport prediction: Fulham win.

4.30pm: LIVERPOOL v MAN UTD

Anfield. 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: If the weather holds up, I’m looking forward to seeing how many Liverpool can put past Manchester United. I don’t support either of the teams – far from it – but it is exciting going to a match where there is a real feeling there could be a hammering. On the other hand, a 0-0 wouldn’t surprise me. LEWIS STEELE

Players to watch: 

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah. Let’s see whether he can match last season’s goal tally on his 19th league match of this term. He is seemingly getting better with age. 

Man Utd – Rasmus Hojlund. He needs to up his game and may be up against Jarell Quansah with Joe Gomez injured. It would be Quansah’s third league start of the season and a big test for him.

Liverpool injury news: Dominik Szoboszlai returns from suspension. Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate have both returned to training and could make a return. leaving Joe Gomez as the only certain absentee. Out: J Gomez (hamstring). Doubt: I Konate (knee), C Bradley (hamstring).

Man Utd injury news: Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte return from suspension. Out: M Mount (thigh), L Shaw (muscle), V Lindelof (undisclosed).

Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win.

MONDAY

8pm: WOLVES v NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Molineux. Referee: Peter Bankes.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and talkSPORT.

Our expert’s view: Many Wolves were happy to see Nuno Espirito Santo go when he left at the end of a difficult 2020-21 season – but most would take him back with open arms. Nuno’s Forest are pushing for Champions League football while Wolves just want to survive, though they have collected seven points from Vitor Pereira’s first three games as boss. TOM COLLOMOSSE

Players to watch: 

Wolves – Jorgen Strand Larsen. With Matheus Cunha suspended, Wolves need a forward to step up and Strand Larsen is the likeliest candidate. The Norwegian has had a quietly excellent first season in English football, scoring seven goals for a team who have struggled desperately. He’ll be a serious challenge for Forest’s impressive back line. 

Nottm Forest – Morgan Gibbs-White. He has been targeted by Wolves fans ever since he left his boyhood club for Forest in summer 2022 – and he loves to give a bit back. The playmaker seems to enjoy the needle with his former club and as he is in a strong run of form, the home crowd might think twice about winding him up.

Wolves injury news: Matheus Cunha starts a two-game ban. Mario Lemina is likely to also miss out. Out: Y Mosquera, B Traore (both knee), P Sarabia (calf), M Cunha (suspended), T Gomes (hamstring), M Lemina (calf).

Nottm Forest injury news: Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi are likely to return after missing Sunday’s win at Everton. Ryan Yates returns from suspension. Out: I Sangare (hamstring), Danilo (ankle). Doubt: Murillo (hip), C Hudson-Odoi (knock).

Mail Sport prediction: Forest win.