Premier League fixtures: Marcus Rashford’s injury hurts United’s plan for Liverpool as bottom two collide

Seven things to know this weekend: Chelsea have the chance to take another small step towards securing Champions League qualification and

1) Rashford injury scuppers Solskjaer’s Liverpool plans

Marcus Rashford’s goal at Old Trafford in October is the only reason why Liverpool have not made a perfect 21-game start, and Manchester United’s ability to cause the league leaders problems at Anfield on Sunday will be hampered by a potential back injury to their top scorer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks he has found “a nice way of playing” against Jurgen Klopp’s side. He is undefeated in two meetings, to be fair, having defended deep and countered quickly on both occasions. But if Rashford is unavailable then United will lose a large part of their threat on the break and another surprise result would seem unlikely. (Mark Critchley)

2) Chelsea have golden chance to tighten top-four grip

After a valuable point at Molineux last time out in the Premier League (snapping a three-game losing streak), Steve Bruce will have been thrilled to see a more fluid display from Newcastle midweek. Against an admittedly overmatched Rochdale in the FA Cup third round replay, Miguel Almiron continues to purr after a slow start to life in England with his second goal in as many games. While, crucially, Joelinton finally broke an agonising dry spell for his first goal since August. Now it’s Chelsea at home, who clicked in equally impressive fashion at home against a hapless Burnley side plummeting towards the relegation zone. But should Bruce’s side revert back to their more reactive shape, this game could resemble something often seen by the Blues at Stamford Bridge this season, where they are tasked with probing resilient opponents. But with Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi starting to burst with confidence, Frank Lampard may have unearthed more cutting edge out wide, which will be needed at St James’ Park. Chelsea will be especially eager to secure the points, knowing fifth-placed United have a daunting trip to Anfield to come on Sunday, meaning their five-point cushion in fourth could grow yet further. (Jack Rathborn)

3) The most important game this weekend...

Liverpool are playing Manchester United this weekend, but there can be no doubt what is the most important fixture. Bottom-placed Norwich welcome next-to-bottom Bournemouth knowing they cannot barely afford anything but a win if they are to stay up this season. Yet Bournemouth are sinking without a trace and they too are desperate for all three points; Eddie Howe’s future might depend on it. Neither side have a win in their past six games, so this match may not be high on quality, but you can be sure it will be overflowing with tension and emotion. ​(Lawrence Ostlere)

4) Palace up against freescoring City – and Aguero

City have won the past five matches in all competitions and look to be approaching their best once again as we hit the second half of the campaign. Sergio Aguero was at his ruthless best a week ago in the routing of Aston Villa and as capable as Gabriel Jesus was in the Argentine’s injury-enforced absence, the champions don’t quite feel like the champions when he’s not in the side. Palace famously won at the Etihad a year ago, Andros Townsend’s stunner proving the difference that day, but the chances of Roy Hodgson’s side, without a win in four, repeating the feat appear unlikely. (Ben Burrows)

5) Brighton and Villa meet in gladiatorial duel

If you’re old enough to remember the TV show Gladiators, you'll recall one of its simplest and greatest disciplines: Duel. Contestants and gladiators stood on top of tall plinths attempting to whack each other off with sticks. Often the contestant would be battered off the podium in seconds, but occasionally they would put up a good fight, and it would all come down to the same crucial moment: they would sway forwards on to the edge, clinging on with their toes, as the Gladiator prepared to unleash an almighty, decisive blow. Which brings us tenuously to Brighton and Aston Villa, who are locked in a tense moment not dissimilar as two teams who have climbed high in the Premier League but are beginning to wobble. Villa, in particular, feel like they are in a precarious position, down in 18th after that 6-1 shellacking by Manchester City and rocked by major injuries to goalkeeper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley. Brighton, 14th and three points ahead, have the opportunity to land a significant blow this weekend at the Amex as they begin a run of winnable fixtures that could come to define their survival hopes. Then again, the Gladiators didn’t always win. Sometimes the attempted final hit only sent them toppling over themselves. Villa will have to soak up plenty of pressure, but if they can then they still have the firepower to bring down the Seagulls. ​(Lawrence Ostlere)

6) Arsenal attempt to cope without Aubameyang

How to cope without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? Mikel Arteta is already scrambling to sign a new full-back this window, and yet it's the 14-goal shaped void which will be impossible for the manager to replace this weekend. Just five games into his career as a head coach, it is arguably the biggest test, at least tactically, that he has faced so far. The three-game run without the player who has so often proven Arsenal's saviour this season begins against Chris Wilder's mightily impressive Sheffield United. The Blades are currently a far superior side, brilliantly organised in defence and sharp to counter, playing off David McGoldrick's relentless, if goal dry, work upfront.

Despite all the rapid improvements Arteta has instilled, if his side are to drop points again after last week's draw at Crystal Palace, with a visit to Stamford Bridge to follow, the positive air that's welcomed Arteta could soon start to sour. So it will fall on him to improvise an answer: either to push Alexandre Lacazette forwards into the box where he can end his month-long goal-drought, or throw his belief behind teenager Gabriel Martinelli. Neither option comes with any guarantees but will go a long way to determining the renewed sense of momentum the club can sustain. (Tom Kershaw)