Absences and tired legs could play a role in the round of Premier League matches this weekend, with some teams playing after midweek matches while others are able to rest.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea complained about the fact that his side had to visit Crystal Palace on Wednesday, while Sunday’s rivals Arsenal have enjoyed a week to prepare for the match at the Emirates Stadium.
The league leaders will be filled with morale after beating Tottenham last weekend and they will be helped by the fact that Manchester United will be without the suspended Casemiro, which will make their job in midfield considerably easier given than neither Fred nor Scott McTominay are at Casemiro’s level.
The round of matches kicks off on Saturday lunchtime with Liverpool at home to Chelsea.
Liverpool improved from last weekend’s humiliation in Brighton with an FA Cup win away to Wolves, while Chelsea will hope the arrival of striker Mykhaylo Mudryk makes a difference in attack.
West Ham’s home game against Everton has all the ingredients for drama. Both sides are in the bottom three and the losing coach could face sacking. Meanwhile West Ham coach David Moyes faces the club where he made his name, while Everton boss Frank Lampard needs to beat the team where he began his playing career.
If that wasn’t enough, Moyes has been tipped as a possible replacement for Lampard if West Ham win what promises to be a close encounter.
Brighton’s win against Liverpool lifted them to seventh in the table and they have a good chance of taking points from the visit to Leicester City.
Southampton’s win at Everton last weekend gave Nathan Jones’ side hope of survival and they will again look to James Ward Prowse for inspiration against Aston Villa, who will give a first start to new arrival Alex Moreno after his move from Betis.
Three wins and a draw from four matches have lifted Nottingham Forest to 13th in the table, with attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White looking better with every game.
Forest visit a Bournemouth side that has dropped to 17th after a run of four defeats highlighted the lack of depth in their squad.
Newcastle have to navigate the difficult visit to Crystal Palace without Bruno Guimaraes in midfield.
There is a duel between Spanish coaches on Sunday as Julen Lopetegui’s improving Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Manchester City, who on Thursday came back from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at home to Tottenham.
City coach Pep Guardiola was unhappy with his side despite the win and Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker will be back in the side on Sunday, as they look to put some pressure on Arsenal.
Leeds United are likely to have their record signing Georginio Rutter available for the home game against Brentford and coach Jesse Marsch needs Rutter’s arrival and the return of Patrick Bamford can give his side the punch they have lacked for most of the campaign.
The last game is on Monday when Fulham have the chance to increase the pain on Tottenham, who have lost to both Arsenal and Manchester City in the past week.
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