It promises to be another exciting weekend of Premier League action, with five games being played across Saturday and Sunday which will include some mouthwatering ties.
Manchester City can move within two points of leaders Liverpool with a win against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday evening.
Tottenham have the chance to leapfrog their north London rivals Arsenal and move into the top four with victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Luton will move out of the relegation zone if they beat fellow relegation strugglers Burnley on Friday night at Turf Moor.
Mail Sport covers all the major talking points as we take a look at eight things to keep an eye out for during this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
Kevin De Bruyne could make his long-awaited return to play for Man City during their clash against Newcastle this weekend
Eddie Howe’s side welcome the defending champions to St James’ Park on Saturday
De Bruyne’s return can power City to fourth straight title
Under Pep Guardiola, City have been known to run rampant in the final months of the season, blowing opponents away on their way to winning titles.
Ahead of City’s clash with Newcastle, the return of a fully fit De Bruyne will no doubt ensure the defending champions repeat their previous strong form in the second half of Premier League seasons.
It took De Bruyne just 17 minutes to assist Jeremy Doku with a precise cross after coming on as a second-half substitute in their 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddlersfield last weekend.
Although the midfielder turns 33 in June there is no doubt his return will influence the title race.
With clashes against Liverpool and Arsenal to come, the Belgian’s return could prove decisive having scored and assisted in wins over both sides last season.
De Bruyne has proved his world class status and rises to the occasion time after time.
The same will need to be repeated if City are to charge to a fourth straight title and beat Newcastle on Saturday in the battle of the billionaires.
Luton could move seven points clear of Burnley
Before a ball had been kicked this season many gave Luton Town no chance of Premier League survival in their first season in the top-flight.
A win at Turf Moor on Friday night would see the Hatters move out of the relegation zone and above Everton with the Toffees not playing until Sunday.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Clarets and defeat will leave them seven points behind their relegation rivals.
However, they did beat Luton 2-1 in the reverse fixture in October to gain their first Premier League win of the season.
Currently, all three promoted sides occupy the Premier League relegation places. The last time all three newly promoted sides were relegated from the Premier League the following season was in the 1997-98 season.
Both sides will be hoping this record isn’t broken this season and Friday’s clash has a feeling of a classic six-pointer.
Rob Edwards’ Luton take on Burnley and can leapfrog Everton to move out of the relegation zone
Palmer must respond after Middlesbrough setback
Cole Palmer’s deadline day move to Chelsea was viewed as a signing for the future, however, a few months on Palmer has become the Blues’ most influential player.
Palmer has proven his class this season returning eight goals and four assists in 17 Premier League apperances.
As Mauricio Pochettino’s team attempt to transform their stuttering season and climb the table, the 21-year-old will be key in doing so.
He has proven himself to be Chelsea’s playmaker with the Argentine now opting to use him as a No 10 to maximise his influence in central areas of the pitch.
Their Carabao Cup defeat against Middlesbrough in the week saw Palmer miss a sitter to equalise. And it will be interesting to see how he responds against Fulham.
However, his importance and influence is clear to see – no Chelsea player has more goal involvements for the club than Palmer so far in the 2023-24 campaign – and he only signed in August.
Cole Palmer has been Chelsea’s top playmaker this season, but he missed a chance to score during their 1-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in midweek
Werner can deliver for Postecoglou
Timo Werner is in line to make his Tottenham debut on Sunday at Old Trafford.
After Ivan Perisic’s season ending injury and Son Heung-min’s unavailability due to the Asian Cup, Spurs were left extremely short and Ange Postecoglou believes he can get the best out of Werner.
The German’s flexibility across the front-line and frightening pace should suit the Australian’s attacking style.
His top speed recorded at Chelsea was 22mph which would make him the joint-fastest player in the league this season.
If Werner can use his pace and ability to run in behind United’s defence on Sunday, there is every chance he can mark his return to English football in style and prove a smart signing for Spurs.
Tottenham announced the signing of Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig earlier this week
Goals galore at Old Trafford?
Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities this season as well as Spurs’ attacking style under Ange Postecoglou means Sunday’s clash is expected to be a thriller.
United have only won one of their last five Premier League matches and pressure is mounting on Erik Ten Hag as Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to watch his first game in person since his minority purchase of the club.
The last time Spurs won at Old Trafford was in 2020 when Jose Mourinho humiliated his former side 6-1.
Postecoglou will be hoping he can repeat that famous win and, given United’s poor form this season, his side will no doubt fancy themselves regardless of the absence of captain Son.
Tottenham could also call upon Radu Dragusin after getting his £25m move over the line on Thursday evening.
Ange Postecoglou’s side will travel to take on Erik ten Hag’s Man United, in what could be an enthralling match at Old Trafford
A first Fulham win since 1979 at Stamford Bridge to cause further misery for Pochettino
After Tuesday’s defeat at the Riverside Stadium, Pochettino’s Chelsea will look to bounce back immediately in the west London derby.
Fulham haven’t beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for 45 years and would move within a point of Chelsea with a win.
Although Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly not currently in danger of losing his job, results must improve to ensure a return to European football next season.
The Argentine’s 46 per cent win rate as Chelsea manager is the second worst of any permanent Chelsea manager this century, with Graham Potter’s 39 per cent being the worst.
Both sides will be desperate to bounce back after disappointing Carabao Cup results in the week and it could be a tight contest for the bragging rights in west London.
Watkins vs Calvert-Lewin
With the 2024 Euros fast approaching the competition to be Harry Kane’s deputy for England has never been more competitive.
Brentford star Ivan Toney is also poised to make his return from an eight-month gambling suspension next week.
But two strikers hopeful of securing a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad this summer will meet on Sunday at Goodison Park.
Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be battling it out for a place in Southgate’s squad over the coming months, and the likes of Toney, Callum Wilson, Jarrod Bowen, Eddie Nketiah, and Tammy Abraham will also be vying for a spot on the plane with them.
Ollie Watkins (L) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (R) will both be looking to impress Gareth Southgate as they go head-to-head on Sunday
Sunday’s clash has significant ramifications for both sides as Watkins targets a top-four finish with Villa, while Calvert-Lewin will be hoping his goals can steer Everton away from the relegation zone.
With nine goals in the Premier League this season compared to Calvert-Lewin’s three, Watkins is heavily fancied for a place in Southgate`s squad. Despite that, the Everton forward will be aiming to prove his case when he faces Watkins’ Villa on Sunday.
Caicedo faces midfield destroyer Joao Palhinha
Since his British record £115million move from Brighton in the summer, Moises Caicedo has failed to reach the level of performances he produced that helped Brighton to European football last season for the first time in their history.
Frequent trips to South America to play for his country have limited the time he has been able to spend working with coaching staff at Cobham.
Moises Caicedo has struggled to impress for Chelsea since his £115million signing from Brighton
It is easy to forget that Caicedo is only 22 years old and must be given time to settle in at his new club.
However, he will certainly be in for a fierce midfield battle on Saturday. The experienced Joao Palhinha is arguably Fulham’s most influential player and the Ecuadorian will know he is in for a game with the physical holding midfielder.
The match may be decided by the midfield battle and if Caicedo is to start justifying his transfer fee, this is a duel he must win.
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