Friday: Manchester United v Newcastle (midnight kick-off, Saturday)
Ruben Amorim has asked his players to "step up" in the absence of linchpin Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal midfielder has been an ever-present for United in the league this season, but is expected to be out for around a month with an apparent hamstring injury.
Newcastle head to Old Trafford with boss Eddie Howe calling for more consistency after his team threw away a two-goal lead last weekend against Chelsea. The Magpies have won five of their past six meetings against United in all competitions.
Prediction: Newcastle 2 Man United 1
Saturday: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (4.30pm)
Forest have a five-point buffer above the relegation zone despite losing Monday's game against Fulham. Sean Dyche's side have already taken the scalps of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur this season and will be looking for another.
That will be a tall order against a rampaging City side who have won their past five league games and with star striker Erling Haaland back among the goals with a brace in the win against West Ham. City are hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal, sitting two points behind the Gunners.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0 Man City 3
Arsenal v Brighton (7pm)
Arsenal secured their place in the League Cup semi-finals courtesy of a shoot-out victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Attentions return to the league in which Mikel Arteta's side sit at the summit and ready to welcome back Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus.
They take on a Brighton struggling to stop their slide down the table. Fabian Hurzeler's side have lost two and drawn two of their past four league games.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 Brighton 0
Brentford v Bournemouth (7pm)
Brentford secured a rare away win last time out at bottom club Wolves but return to the Gtech Stadium where they boast five wins a
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