Premier League leaders Liverpool will bid to take another step closer to the title on Saturday when Arne Slot’s side welcome rock bottom Southampton to Anfield.
This weekend, third hosts fourth in a key match in the race for Champions League football when Nottingham Forest welcome Manchester City in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa look to boost their own European hopes when they travel to Brentford, before Wolves aim to pull further clear of the relegation zone when they face Everton at Molineux in a Saturday evening fixture.
Chelsea meet relegation threatened Leicester on Sunday, while Arsenal will bid to keep their fading title hopes alive when they meet Man United at Old Trafford.
Newcastle will continue their pursuit of European football next season on Monday night at West Ham, just days before Eddie Howe’s side face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
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.
Mohamed Salah will look to be among the goals when Liverpool host rock bottom Southampton
Pep Guardiola’s Man City side face Nottingham Forest in the race for the Champions League
Arsenal will look to keep their fading title hopes alive when they face Man United on Sunday
SATURDAY
12.30pm: NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER CITY
City Ground. Referee: Chris Kavanagh.
TV/radio: Live on TNT Sports and talkSPORT. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Forest’s strategy of defend and counter may not be enough to keep a clean sheet against City who, despite their issues this season, still have the attackers to hurt any team. They are far less reliable at the back, though, so a little more bravery could bring success for Forest. TOM COLLOMOSSE
Players to watch: Nottingham Forest – Matz Sels. No goalkeeper relishes going up against Erling Haaland yet Sels has been one of the best in the top flight this term, making several important saves at crucial times. A win here will boost Forest’s European prospects hugely and they are likely to need Sels at his best to achieve it.
Man City – Omar Marmoush. Forest looked closely at buying the Egyptian from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer and it will be one of the few regrets of an outstanding campaign that they did not take the final step.
Marmoush has the perfect opportunity to here to show Forest what they have missed out on.
Nottm Forest injury news: Nuno Espirito Santo has no new injury concerns following Monday’s FA Cup win over Ipswich. Out: C Miguel (thigh).
Man City injury news: Pep Guardiola expects Nathan Ake to be out for 10 weeks after having surgery on his foot. Out: Rodri (knee), M Akanji (groin), J Stones (thigh), N Ake (foot). Doubt: O Bobb (ankle).
Mail Sport prediction: City win.
3pm: BRIGHTON v FULHAM
Amex Stadium. Referee: Sam Barrott.
TV/radio: Live on talkSPORT 2. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Deep at the heart of the congested race for Europa League, both Brighton and Fulham have well-deserved notions of grandeur, and are very well-matched in almost every aspect across the board.
For Fulham the challenge will be coming down off the high of beating Man United in the FA Cup, while hosts Brighton will set out to continue their rampage of five wins on the bounce – including twice against Chelsea – since losing 7-0 to Nottingham Forest. DOMINIC HOGAN
Players to watch: Brighton – Yankuba Minteh. Had struggled for starts since returning from injury towards the end of 2024, but since late January has been arguably Brighton’s best player. Three goals and two assists in six league games, and a bundle of exciting energy down the right, his Player of the Month nomination is thoroughly deserved.
Fulham – Calvin Bassey. Fulham’s FA Cup hero plays with such irresistible swagger and smoothness that it is hard not to be drawn to him. But that smoothness comes with a tough edge; only six sides have conceded fewer goals than Fulham, and the Nigerian has been at the heart of that in all but one league game.
Brighton team news: Tariq Lamptey is serving a one-match ban following his red card at Newcastle last week. Out: F Kadioglu (ankle), I Julio, J Milner (both hamstring), J Steele (shoulder), L Dunk (rib), J Veltman (foot), M O’Riley (knee), T Lamptey (suspended).
Fulham news: Marco Silva will make a late decision on Adama Traore who injured his ankle last weekend. Out: H Wilson (foot), R Nelson (hamstring), K Tete (knee), S Lukic (suspended). Doubt: A Traore (ankle).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
3pm: CRYSTAL PALACE v IPSWICH
Selhurst Park. Referee: Simon Hooper.
TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Palace are officially the Premier League’s most inconsistent side: with nine wins, nine draws and nine defeats, you never know what you’re going to get.
Ipswich will certainly hope they get an easier ride from them than they did at Portman Road – where Palace’s 1-0 win in December came courtesy of a well-taken goal from Jean-Phillipe Mateta, who will be absent as he recovers from the awful challenge in the Cup at Millwall that saw him need 25 stitches to his face. BEN WINSTANLEY
Players to watch: Crystal Palace – Eddie Nketiah. Replaced Mateta at Millwall and scored. The former Arsenal forward will fancy his chances against one of the league’s leakiest defences.
Ipswich – Jaden Philogene. Flashes of promise since his arrival from Aston Villa in January, including two goals against Manchester United. Needs to help Liam Delap shoulder the goalscoring burden.
Crystal Palace injury news: Jean-Philippe Mateta is ‘recovering well’ and could return for Palace’s FA Cup tie at Fulham on March 29. Out: C Riad, C Doucoure (both knee), J Ward (calf), J Mateta (head), W Hughes (suspended).
Ipswich injury news: Kieran McKenna could be without 10 players at Selhurst Park. Out: C Ogbene (Achilles), W Burns, C Chaplin (both knee), A Muric (shoulder), A Tuanzebe (muscle), S Szmodics (ankle). Doubt: C Burgess (calf), K Phillips (calf), J Enciso, O Hutchinson (both knee).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
3pm: LIVERPOOL v SOUTHAMPTON
Anfield. Referee: Lewis Smith.
TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Arne Slot says his side should treat this as the first of three Cup finals Liverpool will play this week but realistically he will not be expecting anything but a convincing win. That would put them 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League – for context, that’s as far ahead as Celtic are of Rangers in Scotland.
If Southampton somehow pull off a victory it will go down as one of the biggest shocks in top-flight history – albeit, with them marooned at the bottom, probably one of the less consequential. LEWIS STEELE
Players to watch: Liverpool – Alisson. Sensational display against PSG put the Reds in pole position for another Champions League quarter-final. Cynics might suggest he should bring his deck chair for this one but to be fair, Southampton did score twice and created a host of chances when the sides met in November.
Southampton – Aaron Ramsdale. Thomas Tuchel and his staff have been looking at the keeper ahead of England squad selection this week and you’d imagine he’ll have plenty of chances to showcase his ability here.
Liverpool injury news: Arne Slot is crossing his fingers Cody Gakpo will be cleared to return. Out: J Gomez (hamstring), T Morton (shoulder), C Bradley (thigh). Doubt: C Gakpo (ankle).Mail Sport prediction: Fulham win.
Southampton injury news: Lesley Ugochukwu returns after being ineligible to face parent club Chelsea. Jan Bednarek is also back. Out: R Fraser (knee), J Bree (hamstring), R Stewart (fitness). Doubt: A Lallana (thigh).
Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win.
5.30pm: BRENTFORD v ASTON VILLA
Gtech Community Stadium. Referee: Jarred Gillett
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Aston Villa should be flying after their late win in Bruges but Brentford will eye an opportunity given Unai Emery’s side have a poor record in the Premier League after a European midweek tie. They beat Wolves back in September after thumping Young Boys, but since then they’ve drawn three and lost four of their games post-Champions League. AADAM PATEL
Players to watch: Brentford – Yoane Wissa. Goals against Leicester and Brentford this month have moved the Congolose attacker into the top 10 Premier League scorers this season (he now has 13). Two more and he’ll catch team-mate Bryan Mbeumo.
Aston Villa – Youri Tielemans. As Mail Sport highlighted this week he has played every game for Villa in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League this season and his midfield battle with Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard should be intriguing.
Brentford injury news: Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen are back in the squad. Out: A Hickey, R Henry (both thigh), J Dasilva, I Thiago, S van den Berg (all knee), G Nunes (back).
Aston Villa injury news: Amadou Onana has returned to training but remains unavailable, along with Ross Barkley. Out: A Onana (hamstring), R Barkley (knee). Doubt: P Torres (foot).
Mail Sport prediction: Brentford win.
8pm: WOLVES v EVERTON
Molineux. Referee: Stuart Attwell.
TV/radio: Live on TNT Sports and talkSPORT> Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Wolves are the only team outside the relegation zone who could still be sucked in with three points needed to banish any lingering fears. However, they’ll be without star man Matheus Cunha, red-carded against Bournemouth last weekend and facing a lengthier conduct ban for improper conduct. So, at least no ‘Saturday night’s alright for fighting’ from him! Everton will provide a stiff test – they haven’t been beaten on their travels since David Moyes returned. JOE BERSTEIN
Players to watch: Wolves – Rayan Ait-Nouri. Made for the left wing-back role with plenty of speed and technical quality to cause problems.
Everton – Jarrad Branthwaite. Would like to be one of the beneficiaries of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad on Friday and a clean sheet at Molineux should seal the deal.
Wolves injury news: Rodrigo Gomes, Goncalo Guedes and Emmanuel Agbadou return. Out: Y Mosquera, E Gonzalez, S Kalajdzic, L Chiwome (all knee), H Hee-chan (hamstring), M Cunha (suspended). Doubt: M Doherty (knock).
Everton injury news: Seamus Coleman is nearly fit again but this game may come too soon. Out: O Mangala, D McNeil, I Ndiaye (all knee), A Broja (ankle), D Calvert-Lewin (hamstring), Y Chermiti (thigh). Doubt: S Coleman (calf).
Mail Sport prediction: Everton win.
SUNDAY
2pm: CHELSEA v LEICESTER
Stamford Bridge. Referee: Tim Robinson.
TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Chelsea could do with showing some personality in their football. The first half of their Conference League win over Copenhagen was beyond dull. Oh look, there’s a sideways pass. Oh look, there’s another. They need to get fans excited for going to games, and when a relegation candidate comes to your home, you should be willing to express yourselves. KIERAN GILL
Players to watch: Chelsea – Moises Caicedo. Maresca insists he is going to use Moises Caicedo, despite Chelsea’s midfielder being a caution away from a two-game ban. The Blues’ next two matches? Arsenal and Tottenham. Let’s see how Caicedo copes with walking on a tightrope when we’re so used to seeing him fly into challenges.
Leicester – Mads Hermansen. Leicester’s goalkeeper thrived under Maresca last season, playing more passes than any other goalkeeper on record in Championship history. Hermansen will know Maresca has had his goalie issues at Chelsea this term, and here’s a chance for him to perform well and say: miss me?
Chelsea injury news: Enzo Maresca hopes Malo Gusto will be fit after being forced off in Thursday’s win at Copenhagen. Out: N Madueke, N Jackson, M Guiu (all hamstring), M Mudryk (suspended). Doubt: M Gusto (unknown), R Lavia (hamstring).
Leicester injury news: Ricardo Pereira could return to the squad after four months out with a hamstring injury. Woyo Coulibaly is also back in contention. Out: I Fatawu (knee). Doubt: R Pereira (hamstring).
Mail Sport prediction: Chelsea win.
2pm: TOTTENHAM v BOURNEMOUTH
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Referee: John Brooks.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm
Our expert’s view: Andoni Iraola will not be far from the top of the list of candidates if Spurs decide it is time for change this year. His success at Bournemouth with a fast and exciting style of play will have caught the eye.
They are regularly cited as the example of a club out-performing a small turnover in sharp contrast to Tottenham, but there are valid questions about whether that would transfer to a bigger club with greater levels of expectation, chasing in all competitions and facing opponents who set up specifically to stop them in a way Bournemouth often don’t. So, this should be intriguing. Spurs lost at the Vitality this season. They have some back from injury but form is still far from fluent. MATT BARLOW
Players to watch: Tottenham – Micky van de Ven. An unused sub in Alkmaar on Thursday, his long-anticipated return may yet hold the key to the final weeks of this disappointing season for Spurs. They are a different team with him in, more aggressive and able to play 20 yards further forward with the insurance of his recovery speed at the back.
Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo. He seems to have grown significantly in stature this season, thriving under Iraola’s guidance. He typifies the style of the team with his explosive pace and powerful running in wide areas and could cause damage against a team like Spurs who like to throw the full backs forward, especially at home.
Tottenham injury news: Dominic Solanke hurt his back at AZ Alkmaar but may recover. Ben Davies also faces a late fitness test. Out: R Dragusin (knee), Richarlison (calf), D Kulusevski (foot). Doubt: D Solanke (back), B Davies (hamstring).
Bournemouth injury news: Ryan Christie may miss out as he continues to manage a thigh issue. Out: E Unal (knee), M Senesi (thigh), A Smith (calf), J Araujo (hamstring), I Zabarnyi (suspended). Doubt: R Christie (thigh).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
4.30pm: MANCHESTER UNITED v ARSENAL
Old Trafford. 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: With Arsenal’s title challenge over and Manchester United safe from relegation worries, there won’t be as much at stake as usual when these two old rivals clash again. But this fixture rarely disappoints in terms of intensity and drama, as we saw when United’s 10 men knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties earlier this season. CHRIS WHEELER
Players to watch: Manchester United – Rasmus Hojlund. Now into the 21st hour of a barren run at United, the Dane is desperate for a goal – if young Chido Obi doesn’t replace him in the starting line-up.
Arsenal – Ethan Nwaneri. The Arsenal winger will be relishing the chance to get at a tired and injury-hit United, and even more so with left-back Patrick Dorgu suspended.
Manchester United injury news: Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte will be assessed. Out: A Diallo (ankle), L Martinez (knee), M Mount (hamstring), K Mainoo, J Evans (both calf), L Shaw, A Bayindir (both muscle), P Dorgu (suspended). Doubt: H Maguire, M Ugarte (both knocks).
Arsenal injury news: Myles Lewis-Skelly returns from suspension. Out: K Havertz, G Martinelli, B Saka (all hamstring), G Jesus, T Tomiyasu (both knee).
Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.
MONDAY
8pm: WEST HAM UNITED v NEWCASTLE
London Stadium. Referee: Michael Salisbury.
TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and talkSPORT.
Our expert’s view: This is Newcastle’s last chance to generate some momentum and feel-good ahead of the Carabao Cup final. Eddie Howe will be naming his strongest XI available on the back of a bruising week, as the pursuit of Champions League football resumes. CRAIG HOPE
Players to watch: West Ham – Lucas Paqueta. Training again after missing two matches with an ankle. While they won both for their only consecutive wins in the league this season, having Paqueta back cannot be a bad thing.
Newcastle – Joelinton. When the enforcer-in-chief is fit and in form, Newcastle look all the better for it. This is his first league game back after injury and the team need him, especially on the road.
West Ham injury news: Lucas Paqueta returns from an ankle injury. Out: N Fullkrug, C Summerville (both hamstring), M Antonio (leg). Doubt: V Coufal (thigh).
Newcastle injury news: Eddie Howe has lost Sven Botman for eight weeks and Lewis Hall for the rest of the season. Anthony Gordon begins a three-game ban. Out: S Botman, J Lascelles (both knee), L Hall (ankle), A Gordon (suspended).
Mail Sport prediction: Draw.
