Premier League: 10 things to watch out for this weekend

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A card trick from Guimarâes

Newcastle and the Brazilian midfielder will face a dilemma if Bruno Guimaraes is shown a yellow card against Tottenham at St James’ Park. Given Guimarão has nine yellow cards, a 10th card will trigger an automatic two-match suspension, leaving Eddie Howe without a key player in the upcoming matches at Crystal Palace and at home to Sheffield United. Alternatively, Guimaraes could ensure he receives a second yellow card and is sent off, ideally late in stoppage time. In such a red card scenario, the sanction would only be a one-match ban. Considering that Guimaraes has managed to avoid a yellow card in 10 matches since mid-January, the best solution would be to extend this run to 11 matches and then relax in the knowledge that after the 32nd match of the Premier League the booking backlog will be completely cleared. Tottenham’s visit to Newcastle. However, it would not be surprising if the Brazilian’s transgressions follow Anthony Gordon’s example. Gordon received eight yellow cards, although he picked up his ninth and 10th yellow cards in his team’s last 4-3 win at home to West Ham. The recovery of the second half, deep in stoppage time, enabled the yellow to become red, and although Gordon was sent off, the English winger remained on eight yellow cards. The current rules certainly seem open to manipulation. Louise Taylor

• Newcastle v Tottenham, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)

Wood ready to attack Wolves’ weaknesses

Wolves are going through a disappointing run, winless in their last four games, and although injuries will undoubtedly prevent them from establishing a place in Europe, individual errors at the back have been their downfall. Last week’s defeat against West Ham was marred by a contested disallowed equalizer in injury time, but despite Wolves’ dominance in the first 45 minutes, it was defensive errors that allowed West Ham to take the lead late in the second half. Gary O’Neil’s side, who have kept just two clean sheets in their last 32 league games, will be welcomed to the City Ground by Chris Wood, who has scored six goals against them in his career and has a history of tormenting them. The striker, who has scored 12 goals in the league this season, will try to address any mistakes or defensive weaknesses. Yara El-Shaboury

The story continues

• Nottingham Forest – Wolves, Saturday 15:00

Haaland’s reaction threatens Luton

Rodri said he needed rest after Tuesday’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Real Madrid, so expect the Spaniard to be dismissed along with other key players when Manchester City host Luton. Kevin De Bruyne’s “vomiting” (as Pep Guardiola explained) ruled him out of starting at the Santiago Bernabéu, so if he recovers you can expect him to be in the starting 11 against Rob Edwards’ side. The bad news for the relegation-battling team is that Erling Haaland’s absence in Madrid was not a serious incident, and he and Guardiola will intend to use the trip as a tune-up for Wednesday’s second leg. So expect a home victory, probably by a good margin. Jamie Jackson

• Manchester City v Luton, Saturday 15:00

Will Toney and Mbuemo shoot together?

Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo will make their first appearance together for Brentford as they take on Sheffield United for the first time in nearly a year. With Mbeumo returning to scoring form against Aston Villa following his recovery from injury and Toney reportedly back to his best, Brentford’s attack could finally be in full swing for the first time this season. However, Toney’s return from suspension did not progress as expected and after failing to score in seven consecutive starts, Toney found himself on the longest goal drought in the Premier League. Despite collecting 21 shots and making 36 touches into the opposition penalty area during this time, the elusive goal managed to elude him. With Mbeumo back and Toney hungry to end their barren streak, Brentford will aim to end a nine-game losing streak that has left their top-flight status hanging in the balance. A win against Sheffield United would reduce the risk of being dragged into the relegation battle. YES

• Brentford – Sheffield United, Saturday 15:00

Exit from Europe could boost Brighton

A clear week to prepare for the trip to Turf Moor will not be on Roberto De Zerbi’s wish list as the alternative was a place in the Europa League quarter-finals, but the evidence this season suggests Brighton will benefit from it. The demands of their first season in Europe took their toll on De Zerbi’s squad and their hopes of qualifying for next season faded after just three wins in 12 league matches. Burnley, the architects of last Saturday’s collapse at Everton, offer Brighton the opportunity to make some progress ahead of the test race. As their coveted manager said this week: “We are working hard, maybe more than last season, but we are not yet at the same level as last season and we have to accept that.” Andy Hunter

• Burnley v Brighton, Saturday 15:00

Cherry and United focus on off-field renovations

When Manchester United arrived at Bournemouth, they were facing more noise about their off-field plans than their on-field woes. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s change upstairs continues as this week marks director of football John Murtough’s final role after 11 years at the club. The trio of Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox are set to shape the future of the club, but none of them are currently in that position. Berrada and Ashworth have received leave from Manchester City and Newcastle respectively, while United continue talks with Southampton over Wilcox’s compensation. Bournemouth are also making moves with billionaire owner Bill Foley to travel from Las Vegas this week to visit their new training base, where they will move and start play in the autumn. “It will be one of the best facilities in the league,” he said. “It will be incredible.” Ben Fisher

• Bournemouth – Manchester United, Saturday 17.30

Is Jota the most welcome player to return to Liverpool?

Welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s selection dilemmas: now there’s a problem. The Liverpool manager is quick to admit that his team would not be in a position to challenge for the title without Caoimhín Kelleher and Conor Bradley seizing opportunities in the absence of the injured Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. While the first-choice goalkeeper and right-back could both make their first league appearances since the start of February, the unforgiving nature of the title race means both impressive subs may have to step aside against Crystal Palace. Adapting to the fit-again Diogo Jota may be a more pressing concern for Klopp, given the profligacy at Manchester United last Sunday that cost Liverpool two valuable points. A more composed striker than Darwin Núñez or Luis Díaz, Jota scored five goals in six games before suffering a knee injury at Brentford. His return could be decisive. AH

• Liverpool – Crystal Palace, Sunday 14:00

Tosin must step in for flawed Fulham

Two leaky teams meet at the London Stadium. West Ham have kept a clean sheet in the league in 2024 and could be tired after the trip to Bayer Leverkusen. However, Fulham have conceded seven goals in their previous three games and their season is in danger of ending in failure. Marco Silva has to make it difficult for his team to break down in away games. Tosin Adarabioyo needs to show why many teams want to sign him this summer. Tosin’s contract expires at the end of the season and West Ham are monitoring the centre-back. They have a chance to get a good look at it this weekend. Jacob Steinberg

• West Ham – Fulham, Sunday 14:00

Emirates tests Emery’s balancing act

“It’s not possible.” Unai Emery gave a clear answer when asked if Aston Villa had an eye on Arsenal despite their Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg against Lille on Thursday. “We are talking about the match in the Europa Conference League. We don’t think that [Premier League] The match we will play. No way. This is not good for us, for me, or for anyone. I want to focus [Lille] just.” Villa have won just one of their last five league games and, although their recent form has not been great, this was to be expected given that this is their first season under Emery in which they have juggled European and domestic commitments. Maintaining the consistency they showed earlier in the season in a challenging fixture schedule is always a challenge. It was going to be a difficult task and Villa now face a balancing act. Their consolation? Sunday’s opponents Arsenal are on a similar learning curve. YES

• Arsenal – Aston Villa, Sunday 16.30

Dyche prepares to stall Chelsea once again

Sean Dyche has a history of frustrating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. José Mourinho, Maurizio Sarri and Thomas Tuchel continued to grumble about Dyche’s negative tactics, tough tackles and touchline scuffles following the home draw with Burnley. Football is rarely easy on the eyes and Todd Boehly was less than impressed after seeing Graham Potter flounder against Ginger Mourinho last season. A 2-2 draw with Everton all but sealed Potter’s fate and Chelsea will have to be careful when hosting Dyche’s struggling team. Hurt and angry after their latest point deduction, Everton will not lack determination. Having drawn 2-2 with Sheffield United and Burnley in the last two weeks, Chelsea will have to be less careless to avoid losing further points against another relegation battler. J.S.

• Chelsea – Everton, Monday 20:00