Forest are in trouble, four points above the relegation zone and with their only win in their past five games coming against West Ham, the league’s current crisis-club. So a visit to Villa Park is the last thing they need because, after a dodgy few weeks, the home side righted themselves at Fulham last weekend, focused on converting a fine season into a Champions League place. Forest do, though, know how to play these kinds of matches, having won at Newcastle and given Arsenal and Manchester United scares. In Morgan Gibbs-White, they have a ball-carrier of pace and aggression, while Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi bring tricky directness and Taiwo Awoniyi converts his chances at a better rate than any striker in the division. All of this means Forest are well-placed to exploit Villa’s high line, but only if they can get enough of the ball to make it happen while staying solid at the back – both of which are far easier said than done.
- Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest, Saturday 3pm (all times GMT)
Not since the third week in September have Brighton won consecutive league games – a malaise they could scarcely have a better chance of remedying on Saturday, with last weekend’s win over bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United followed by the visit of fourth-bottom Everton. They will make it difficult for Brighton, defending deep and narrow, but in Simon Adingra, Roberto De Zerbi’s men have one of the form-players in world football whose speed, aggression and invention will be vital in getting down and around the sides of Sean Dyche’s well-drilled defence. And though Danny Welbeck is currently the preferred centre-forward, it is not hard to imagine him hitting the front-post runs of Evan Ferguson or cutting balls back for João Pedro and Julio Enciso, when they return from injury. With Kaoru Mitoma on the other flank, Brighton look a serious proposition going forward – so serious that you fear for Everton, without a league win since 16 December and struggling to generate any kind of momentum.
- Brighton v Everton, Saturday 3pm
Does a home game against Burnley represent an open goal for Oliver Glasner on his Premier League managerial debut, or a lose-lose situation as he attempts to replace a south London legend? It certainly feels like Crystal Palace have been here before and their previous attempt to move on from Roy Hodgson didn’t start well: Patrick Vieira got off to a stuttering start in 2021-22, winning just one of his first 10 games in all competitions. Glasner watched from the stands as Palace produced a far more promising display at Everton on Monday, earning a 1-1 draw, but he inherits a team low on confidence and high on injuries. Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi are all still doubtful for this game, yet Glasner will be expected to get off to a winning start without them.
- Crystal Palace v Burnley, Saturday 3pm
It feels emblematic of Manchester United’s current state under Erik ten Hag that an 18-year-old academy product has become so crucial to their fortunes after just 13 starts for the club. Almost everything United have done on the pitch this season, good or bad, has felt incidental, and thus Ten Hag’s job is on trial. Mason Mount was supposed to be the saviour in midfield but has barely featured because of injury, Casemiro’s form is declining at an alarming speed, while Bruno Fernandes continues blowing wildly hot and cold. Kobbie Mainoo could be the man to bring control to a chaotic United team – if only their tactical approach would allow it. United allow their opponents to set the tempo, dictate the terms and then they react. Virtually all of their players, bar Mainoo, appear either unable or unwilling to put a foot on the ball. Mainoo has ascended to a figure of permanence among a million moving parts at Old Trafford.
- Manchester United v Fulham, Saturday 3pm
It’s not coming easily for City at the moment – they drew with Chelsea, had to fight hard for two wins over Brentford and needed 71 minutes to take the lead against Everton. But over the past few weeks Pep Guardiola has slowly reintegrated John Stones, a return that may just hold the key to his team’s season. By stepping into midfield alongside Rodri, whether from full-back or centre-back, Stones gives City a physicality they’ve not previously had under Guardiola. His presence – along with that of defenders able to run fast – allows them to leave just three men at home so they can attack with one extra, secure in the knowledge that the two big lads are there to help sustain pressure and guard against counters. Because Stones, the man on whom that strategy depends, has only made 17 appearances this term, City haven’t been as devastating as before. But he’s back now, which means Bournemouth – and everyone else – should look out.
- Bournemouth v Manchester City, Saturday 5.30pm
When Newcastle last visited the Emirates, in January 2023, they deployed every trick in the defensive manual to frustrate Mikel Arteta’s side and emerged with an ultimately deserved goalless draw. Would Eddie Howe get away with the same approach this time around? It would appear dicey given the Magpies’ recent leakiness: they have conceded 19 goals in their last seven top-flight games and injuries in several departments have played havoc with Howe’s attempts at mustering some cohesion. Fabian Schär is the latest defensive player to have been in the wars although he should be passed fit for Saturday night. There may be good news at the sharp end in the form of a return for Alexander Isak, who has missed Newcastle’s last three matches, and perhaps having a go at Arsenal will be a more worthwhile approach than attempting to bolt the door this time. The hosts are in free-scoring form domestically and barely gave Crystal Palace, West Ham or Burnley a sniff; Newcastle have the tools to offer a sterner examination though and, with wins needed to ignite any European push, Howe may be best served going on the attack.
- Arsenal v Newcastle, Saturday 8pm
Against a Wolves side who were the first team vanquished by Sheffield United earlier this season – and who can struggle at home against the Premier League’s lesser lights – Chris Wilder will sniff an opportunity to put last week’s shellacking by Brighton behind him. Wolves have become masters of the counterattack, as exhibited by João Gomes’ free-running second goal at Tottenham – created by the pace of Pedro Neto. Gary O’Neil’s side, though, must adapt to their opponents, with Wilder set to implement a rigid back five and a firm focus on shackling the dangerous Neto and Hwang Hee-chan to disrupt Wolves’ rhythm. For the hosts, it will be an entirely different challenge to their recent buccaneering displays against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
- Wolves v Sheffield United, Sunday 1.30pm
Liverpool produced a terrific second-half performance to turn a one-goal deficit into a 4-1 win over intensified sense of mission. But at Wembley they cannot generate the atmosphere that at Anfield covers a multitude of flaws, and Chelsea, themselves settling into something approaching a rhythm, have very clear routes to victory. In midfield – and if they stay close together – Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández and Conor Gallagher have the legs and intelligence to dominate the ball, especially with Cole Palmer wandering in off the right. And down the left, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling will be ganging up on Conor Bradley – the 20-year-old right-back may be in for a taxing afternoon – while Nicolas Jackson, though an unreliable finisher, has the movement to take defenders away, thereby creating space for more composed teammates. Of course the likeliest outcome remains a Liverpool win on penalties because that is generally how these things end, but Chelsea are a live dog.
- Chelsea v Liverpool, Sunday 3pm
The destination of the first trophy of the season looked a foregone conclusion 23 days ago when Liverpool overwhelmed and outclassed Chelsea. It still might be, given the league leader’s growing desire, momentum and ability to withstand key injuries. But the impressive response of Mauricio Pochettino’s team to shipping eight goals in five days to Liverpool and Wolves has raised hope of a genuine contest at Wembley. Pochettino lamented the absence of the basics after the defeat at Anfield and admitted the final would go the same way should Chelsea again fail to match Liverpool’s aggression. Having had a free week to prepare for the final, in contrast to their opponents, there are no excuses for Chelsea on that score. Strength of character may well determine whether Pochettino lands his first trophy in English football or Jürgen Klopp signs off with at least one more and only Liverpool’s is unquestionable.
Mohammed Kudus has gone off the boil since the Africa Cup of Nations. While West Ham were happy to have the forward back quickly after Ghana made an early exit from the tournament, Kudus has been ineffective in his recent outings. He won a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth but was below par in defeats to Arsenal, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. West Ham need him back to his best when Brentford, their bogey team, visit the London Stadium on Monday. Kudus was excellent before the turn of the year, scoring 10 goals in all competitions, and Brentford saw his threat when he scored a stunning overhead kick against them in November. That said, Thomas Frank’s side won that day and have four consecutive victories in the league over West Ham, who are winless in eight games in 2024. David Moyes must find a way to turn the tables.
- West Ham v Brentford, Monday 8pm
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