This weekend’s Premier League action arrives with an unusual twist, as four sides sit out the round due to cup commitments.
Arsenal and Manchester City are set to meet in the EFL Cup Final on Sunday, while Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace also miss out on league action.
That leaves a reduced fixture list, but one still packed with importance at both ends of the table.
With fewer matches, the spotlight intensifies on the teams in action, offering a chance to gain crucial ground while others
pause.
It’s a weekend where momentum could quietly shift, even without some of the league’s biggest names on the pitch.
Bournemouth v Manchester United
Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams remain unavailable for the Cherries as they welcome Michael Carrick’s in-form Manchester United.
Cook is expected to return from his thigh injury after the upcoming international break.
Red Devils defender Noussair Mazraoui will be subjected to a late fitness test ahead of this encounter due to illness.
Carrick also provided updates on the club’s long-term absentees, with Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu still “a bit further down the line”, while Lisandro Martínez is expected to return after the international break.
Prediction: 1-2
Brighton v Liverpool
Kaoru Mitoma is a major doubt for the Seagulls due to an ankle injury that has kept him out for a few weeks.
Brighton will be looking to make it four wins from their last five games when they take on Liverpool on Saturday.
Liverpool comfortably dispatched Galatasaray 4–0 to progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The Reds now turn their attention back to the league, with Mohamed Salah a major doubt after being forced off during that victory. The Egyptian is still being monitored, with a final decision expected on Saturday morning.
Prediction: 2-2
Fulham v Burnley
Marco Silva will have an almost fully fit squad to call upon when Fulham take on Burnley this weekend.
Kevin Santos is the only confirmed absentee due to injury, while Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt after picking up a knock and is still being assessed.
The Cottagers currently sit level on points with tenth-placed Bournemouth.
Mike Trésor and Maxime Estève are doubts for the Clarets. Trésor is on his way back from a long-term injury and has been training for over two weeks, with a decision to be made based on his match fitness. Estève, meanwhile, is battling illness.
Prediction: 3-1
Everton v Chelsea
Tyrique George will be unavailable for Everton due to the inability-to-face-parent-club rule.
Centre-backs Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski missed the defeat against Arsenal last week, and it remains unclear whether they will be available for this clash.
Chelsea have been hit by a series of injuries in recent weeks, leaving them short in several areas.
Captain Reece James is expected to be sidelined for a considerable period due to a hamstring injury, while Malo Gusto is a doubt due to illness. Goalkeeper Filip Jørgensen has been ruled out for weeks with a groin injury.
In defence, long-term absentee Levi Colwill is still some way from returning, while his replacement Trevoh Chalobah is now sidelined for at least six weeks with an ankle injury.
Benoît Badiashile and Jamie Gittens are also doubtful for this clash.
Prediction: 1-1
Leeds v Brentford
Leeds have received a boost from the treatment room, with Noah Okafor cleared to return for this fixture after missing the club’s last four games with a thigh injury.
However, Gabriel Gudmundsson will be unavailable due to suspension following a red card against Crystal Palace.
Prediction: 2-2
Sunday
Newcastle v Sunderland
Newcastle will still be without a host of key players when they take on Sunderland in the Tyne–Wear derby.
Captain Bruno Guimarães, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär and Lewis Miley are all ruled out, while Sandro Tonali is a doubt after being forced off with an injury against Barcelona.
Sunderland also have several injury concerns, with multiple players facing late fitness tests.
Reinildo, Nordi Mukiele, Robin Roefs, Enzo Le Fée, Daniel Ballard and Wilson Isidor are all doubts ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated clash.
Prediction: 1-1
Aston Villa v West Ham
Aston Villa will be looking to end a poor run that has seen them lose their last three matches and fall behind Manchester United in the race for the top four.
Unai Emery’s side have struggled in recent weeks, with many pointing to player fatigue as a key factor in their dip in form.
Villa will remain without Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara due to injury.
West Ham, meanwhile, will once again be without key man Crysencio Summerville as they continue their fight to avoid relegation.
The Hammers have shown strong signs of improvement in recent weeks, losing just one of their last five matches and drawing level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, while sitting just one point behind 16th-placed Tottenham. Oliver Scarles is a doubt due to a knock.
1-2
Spurs v Nottingham Forest
Spurs take on Nottingham Forest on Sunday in a potential relegation ‘six-pointer’. Tottenham halted a run of five consecutive league defeats by picking up a point against Liverpool last week.
The result ensured Spurs remain just one point above Nottingham Forest and West Ham, who occupy 17th and 18th place respectively, as they battle to move clear of the relegation zone.
Dominic Solanke and João Palhinha are doubts for the North London side due to injury.
Nottingham Forest will remain without Chris Wood and Jair Cunha when they travel to London. Wood has returned to training as part of his recovery, but is still some way from being ready to rejoin the matchday squad.
Prediction: 2-1
