The race for Champions League qualification hots up this weekend, with consequential clashes between the likes of Manchester City, Brighton, Arsenal and Chelsea. 

English top-flight clubs have been buoyed by the prospect of the top five finishers earning a place at European football’s top table next term. It means that even Fulham – in 10th place but seven points behind fifth-place Man City – have faint hopes of qualification. 

The weekend’s slate sees a number of potentially season-defining fixtures, including Brighton’s trip to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon and the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday. 

However, the perfect end to the action comes in the form of the League Cup final, where Newcastle will be looking to end a 70-year wait for a major trophy. Their opponents Liverpool, meanwhile, are looking to retain the trophy they have won 10 times before and rebound from their bruising exit from the Champions League in midweek. 

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.

Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates on Sunday as they look to cement their place in the top five and dent the Blues’ hopes of Champions League qualification

Manchester City lost ground in the race for Champions League football last weekend after defeat by Nottingham Forest

Arne Slot is looking to get his hands on his first piece of silverware as Liverpool boss on Sunday

SATURDAY

3pm: EVERTON v WEST HAM UNITED

Goodison Park. Referee: Darren Bond.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: It’s rare a manager has enjoyed success in two different spells per team so the David Moyes derby should see him feted by home and away fans alike. There are other similarities between Everton and West Ham. They’ve both had disappointing seasons and want to finish strongly under new leadership to suggest better times lie ahead. JOE BERNSTEIN

Players to watch: Everton – Jack Harrison. Needs to impress in the remaining games to convince Moyes to turn his Leeds loan into a permanent move. West Ham – Aaron Cresswell. Merseysider has extra incentive to shine at Goodison; he grew up a Liverpool fan in Halewood, close to where Everton’s current Finch Farm training ground is situated.

Everton team news: Armando Broja is likely to make the bench. No other returnees for David Moyes’ first game against his former club. Out: O Mangala, D McNeil, I Ndiaye (all knee), D Calvert-Lewin (hamstring). Doubt: A Broja (ankle).

West Ham team news: Niclas Fullkrug is closing in on a return while Graham Potter has confirmed Crysencio Summerville will return after the international break. Out: C Summerville (hamstring), M Antonio (leg). Doubt: V Coufal, N Fullkrug (both hamstring).

Mail Sport prediction: Everton win.

3pm: IPSWICH v NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Portman Road. Referee: Michael Salisbury.

TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Nottingham Forest might be the story of the season and now with 10 to play and five places available for the Champions League they will have to deal with a little extra pressure. Can they hold their nerve and see this out? Opponents are already starting to treat them differently, respecting their pace and ruthlessness on the counterattack and power from set pieces. Ipswich did this well in the FA Cup tie they lost on penalties at the City Ground but they are without a Premier League win in 2025 and must find a way to compile points if they are to spark a late flurry of results to escape an instant return to the Championship. It is well poised and might be tense. And a trip to Portman Road is always a delight. MATT BARLOW

Players to watch: Ipswich – Liam Delap. Liam Delap, another who will hold aspirations of graduating to England and the Champions League after an impressive debut season in the Premier League, leading the line for a struggling team. Nottm Forest – Morgan Gibbs-White. Morgan Gibbs-White, has been outstanding whenever I have seen him this season. Creative with wonderful vision and industrious. He has every right to feel aggrieved to have been overlooked by the new England boss. It will be interesting to see his response.

Ipswich team news: No fresh injury concerns for Kieran McKenna. Out: C Ogbene (achilles), W Burns, C Chaplin (both knee), A Muric (shoulder), A Tuanzebe (muscle), S Szmodics (ankle).

Nottm Forest team news: Back-up goalkeeper Carlos Miguel remains the only absentee from Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad. Out: C Miguel (thigh).

Mail Sport prediction: Forest win.

3pm: MANCHESTER CITY v BRIGHTON

Etihad Stadium. Referee: Simon Hooper.

TV/radio: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: It’s beginning to become squeaky bum time at Manchester City and it’ll be fascinating to see how they react to last week’s defeat by Nottingham Forest. Lose against Brighton and the top five chase starts to look very shaky indeed. Brighton have snuck up on the Champions League pack over the past month. JACK GAUGHAN

Players to watch: Manchester City – Kevin De Bruyne. Pep Guardiola recently said the Belgian must be honest with himself when he makes a decision over his City future, with his contract expiring this summer. Yes he’s not the force he was, but if this is to be his last season in blue, enjoy him while you can. Brighton – Kaoru Mitoma. Won the Premier League’s Goal of the Month yesterday for his sensational control and finish in the win over Chelsea. Let’s see if he can do it again!

Man City team news:  No changes to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Out: Rodri (knee), M Akanji (groin), J Stones (thigh), N Ake (foot). Doubt: O Bobb (ankle).

Brighton injury news: Tariq Lamptey returns after serving a one-match ban. Matt O’Riley remains sidelined with a knee injury. Out: F Kadioglu (ankle), I Julio, J Milner (both hamstring), J Steele (shoulder), L Dunk (rib), J Veltman (foot), M O’Riley (knee).

Mail Sport prediction: Draw.

3pm: SOUTHAMPTON v WOLVES

St Matry’s Stadium. Referee: Robert Jones.

TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Both these sides have changed their managers since they met in November, a match which saw Wolves’ first win of the season at the 11th time of asking. They’ve had the improvement they needed since then and this feels like the weekend they could secure their top-flight survival. Victory, with other results going their way, could put them nine points clear of the drop. A win is unlikely to change Southampton’s fate but at least it would take them past Derby’s all-time record and allow them to say they aren’t the worst Premier League team of all time. JAMES SHARPE

Players to watch: Southampton – Aaron Ramsdale. Named yesterday in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, the goalkeeper is likely to have another busy day – only Brentford’s Mark Flekken has made more saves this season. But he has also kept just two clean sheets. Wolves – Jorgen Strand Larsen. Quietly having a decent season, with seven goals, but hasn’t actually found the net in 2025 and will be looking to step up with Matheus Cunha serving the second of his three-match suspension.

Southampton team news: Jan Bednarek will not recover in time for the game. Will Smallbone has picked up a groin issue that rules him out. Out: R Fraser (knee), J Bree (hamstring), J Bednarek (concussion), W Smallbone (groin). Doubt: R Stewart, J Larios (both fitness).

Wolves injury news: Marshall Munetsi is fit and available, while Matheus Cunha serves the second game of his ban. Out: Y Mosquera, E Gonzalez, S Kalajdzic, L Chiwome (all knee), M Cunha (suspended).

Mail Sport prediction: Wolves win.

5.30pm: BOURNEMOUTH v BRENTFORD

Vitality Stadium. Referee: Craig Pawson.

TV/radio: Live on Sky Sports and BBC 5 Live Sports Xtra. Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Two of the league’s success stories, this should be a good one. Bournemouth can go sixth with a win with Newcastle not in league action this weekend and enhance Andoni Iraola’s reputation even further. They’ve actually only won one of their last five league games, while Brentford’s away form has picked up nicely – they failed to take a point from their first seven this season but have won their last three on the road. It’s a hard one to call. BEN WINSTANLEY

Players to watch: Bournemouth – Justin Kluivert. A superb operator going forward who has thrilled Cherries fans all season. Along with Evanilson he’s lit up the division. Brentford – Yoane Wissa. Fourteen goals this season, including two in the 3-2 win over Bournemouth when they met at the Gtech.

Bournemouth team news: Illia Zabarnyi returns from suspension. Marcos Senesi and Julian Araujo have returned to training but the visit from Brentford comes too soon for the pair. Out: E Unal (knee), M Senesi (thigh), A Smith (calf), J Araujo (hamstring).

Brentford team news: Sepp van den Berg has trained all week and Thomas Frank said there’s a ‘good chance’ he will feature. Out: A Hickey, R Henry (both thigh), J Dasilva, I Thiago (both knee), G Nunes (back), F Carvalho (shoulder), M Kayode (knock). Doubt: S van den Berg (knee).

Mail Sport prediction: Bournemouth win.

SUNDAY

1.30pm: ARSENAL v CHELSEA

Emirates Stadium. Referee: Chris Kavanagh.

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: I’m looking forward to seeing how Mikel Arteta utilises his left flank. Against PSV on Wednesday, he played Myles Lewis-Skelly, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney. Tierney played left wing, which was an unusual move. Who he plays and how he fits such players into the line-up will be interesting. ISAAN KHAN

Players to watch: Arsenal- Myles Lewis-Skelly. On the back of receiving his first England senior call-up, much attention will be on the left back. The 18-year-old’s fast rise has been remarkable and he will want to show exactly why he was called up with a strong display on Sunday. Chelsea – Cole Palmer. After taking the Premier League by storm earlier in the season, Palmer has not scored or provided an assist in his last seven league matches. Now would be the perfect time to step up again.

Arsenal team news: Raheem Sterling won’t be able to build on his positive midweek performance as he is unable to face his parent club. Bukayo Saka is closing in on a return. Out: K Havertz, B Saka (both hamstring), G Jesus, T Tomiyasu (both knee), R Sterling (ineligible).

Chelsea team news: Romeo Lavia has been training and may feature. Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are targeting a return after the international break. Out: N Madueke, N Jackson, M Guiu (all hamstring), M Mudryk (suspended). Doubt: M Gusto (ankle).

Mail Sport prediction: Arsenal win.

1.30pm: FULHAM v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Craven Cottage. Referee: Andy Madley.

TV/radio: Live on BBC 5 Live Sports Xtra. Highlights on Match of the Day 2, BBC One 10.30pm

Our expert’s view: Every time I think this Fulham side are about to kick on and nail down a European spot they seem to throw a spanner in the works. They need to find some consistency at home but I think this game will suit them, not least given Tottenham’s Europa League exertions this week. I watched Bournemouth carve Spurs open with ease last weekend and can’t see that it will be any different seven days on. HENRY CLARK

Players to watch: Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe. It has taken him a bit of time to get going in a Fulham shirt – unsurprising given how little football he played at the back end of his spell at Arsenal – but he has shown glimpses of that magic that set tongues wagging when he first broke onto the scene. Tottenham – Wilson Odobert. The signing of Wilson Odobert last summer raised some eyebrows but he marked his return from a lengthy injury lay-off in emphatic fashion against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night.

Fulham team news: Adama Traore could get some minutes this weekend after missing the defeat to Brighton due to an ankle injury. Out: H Wilson (foot), R Nelson (hamstring), K Tete (knee), S Lukic (suspended). Doubt: A Traore (ankle).

Tottenham team news: Rodrigo Bentancur returns after serving a one-game ban in the Europa League. Out: R Dragusin (knee), Richarlison (calf), D Kulusevski (foot), K Danso (hamstring).

Mail Sport prediction: Fulham win.

7pm: LEICESTER v MANCHESTER UNITED

King Power Stadium. Referee: Thomas Bramall.

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: At last, flashes of promise for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United team as they (eventually) swept aside Real Sociedad. Fans have been waiting a while to see football like that and this is a great opportunity to repeat the trick against a Leicester side who have been ineffective for far too long. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team look doomed…but can he use his brief time with those players earlier this season to plot a way to beat them? BEN WINSTANLEY

Players to watch: Leicester – Wilfried Ndidi. Needs to help the Foxes get a grip on the midfield battle, where he’s likely to be up against Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, who have both been in form recently. Manchester United – Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman has looked sharp in recent weeks and his link-up play was superb against Sociedad. After months of ridicule, the forward is playing with a spring in his step and will hope to shine again.

Leicester team news: Long-term absentee Abdul Fatawu is the only player currently out for the Foxes after Ricardo Pereira made his return at Stamford Bridge. Out: I Fatawu (knee).

Man Utd team 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: Man Utd win.

CARABAO CUP FINAL

SUNDAY, 4.30pm: LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE

Wembley. Referee: John Brooks.

TV/radio: Live on ITV1, Sky Sports, BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT.

Our expert’s view: Newcastle might feel the cards haven’t fallen in their favour as they bid to end their famous 70-year trophy drought, with Lewis Hall and Sven Botman both out with injury and Anthony Gordon banned. But it’s easy to forget there is plenty of pressure on Liverpool too, as Arne Slot goes for his first trophy since joining last summer. Crashing out of Europe was not part of the plan – but they have not lost to Newcastle since 2015. LEWIS STEELE

Players to watch: Liverpool – Mohamed Salah. PSG showed the way to stifle him across two legs, but can tomorrow’s opponents do the same? He has scored 10 goals and eight assists against them in his 17 matches. Newcastle United – Harvey Barnes. Anthony Gordon missing out on the final after a silly sending-off against Brighton could prove very significant, but Barnes is likely to step in and what better opportunity to make a mark?

Liverpool team injury news: Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out leaving Arne Slot without a recognised right-back for the final, with Conor Bradley also sidelined. Out: J Gomez (hamstring), C Bradley (thigh), T Alexander-Arnold (ankle).Doubt: I Konate (fitness).

Newcastle injury news: Anthony Gordon remains out after picking up a red card for violent conduct against Brighton. Alexander Isak is fit and ready to go. Out: S Botman, J Lascelles (both knee), L Hall (ankle), A Gordon (suspended).

Mail Sport prediction: Liverpool win.