Summary

  1. 'Mount is a talent'published at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Leicester v Man Utd (Sun, 19:00 GMT)

    Manchester United

    Mason MountImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says Mason Mount could make the bench on Sunday as he recovers from his latest injury setback.

    "I really love Mason Mount. I see him and know how he suffered. I know how he does everything right - he eats right, his physical aspect is perfect. He’s trying too much. Maybe he is thinking too much about everything," said Amorim.

    "He was European champion, he is a talent. When a player does everything like he does, he will always have the support of everybody here at the club. We will try to manage the load. You saw players who had a lot of problems in time but they can then stay fit and I believe a lot in Mason Mount.

    "We need players like Mason Mount. I think he will be on the bench, we will see. We need him and every player. If he is fit I will take him. He cannot play too many minutes but just five minutes of Mason Mount is perfect. "

  2. Postpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Down at the other end of the table...

    Time is beginning to run out for Ipswich Town and Leicester City to bridge the gap to Wolves in their fight for survival.

    Ipswich host high-flying Nottingham Forest on Saturday, at the same time that Wolves travel to bottom side Southampton. Leicester host Manchester United on Sunday.

    Manchester United and Tottenham will both be looking to edge closer to the top half, while Everton and West Ham go head-to-head.

    Premier League bottom 10
  3. Chelsea's goalkeeping changespublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Chelsea v Arsenal (Sun, 13:30 GMT)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca started Filip Jorgensen in goal in the Europa League on Thursday but confirmed Robert Sanchez will return to the starting line-up for the trip to Arsenal.

    "Yes, it will be Robert [Sanchez] playing against Arsenal. Since we started, the idea was not to change the keeper but we have had to be flexible with our game plan since arriving.

    "We do this with the way we want to attack and defend - but we must also do this with players.

    "I think Robert needs some days off, or at least a rest mentally, now he is back we hope not to change until the end but I also am happy with both keepers."

  4. Jackson and Madueke will 'hopefully' return after international breakpublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (Sun, 13:30 GMT)

    Chelsea

    And in the blue corner... Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been discussing his team news and, first, how much his side have missed Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia.

    "Absolutely [we have missed them. Yes, absolutely. It is not an excuse, it is a reality. It is the same for all the clubs when you lose some important players. In one moment of the season, we lost three players who scored the most goals," Maresca said.

    "Nico [Jackson], Noni [Madueke] [are lost] to injuries and Cole [Palmer] at the moment struggles to score goals.

    "At the moment, we are in the last four or five weeks and the three guys who score goals for us - two are not available - and one is available and a bit unlucky and missing goals but there are other players that are doing well."

    On when Jackson and Madueke might return, Marseca said: "We hope after the international break".

  5. 'Saka is getting closer'published at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (Sun, 13:30 GMT)

    Arsenal

    And good news, Arsenal fans. Bukayo Saka is "getting closer" to returning from injury.

    "He is getting closer. He is making very good progress I would say. So let's see how he reacts when we throw him in with the team and how fit he can get," Arteta said.

    On Ben White's progress following his injury return, Arteta added: "He has been involved for the last two weeks almost and his knee is not reacting so that is very positive.

    "Ben is a really important players for us, he brings something very different to the team dynamic and I am thrilled to have him."

  6. Arteta's best linespublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (Sun, 13:30 GMT)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke on a wide range of topics, including:

    • He said he is "proud" of Myles Lewis-Skelly for first England call-up. "It is a huge moment for him and the club as well. Our graduates getting the call for England is a massive thing so I am very happy," Arteta said
    • Arteta also confirmed England and Ben White have had "positive conversations" as the defender eyes a future return to the Three lions squad
    • He called the Champions League draw "fascinating" and he is "very excited" to play Real Madrid in the quarter-finals
    • Arteta also said it is "very important" for Arsenal to have a strong contingent of England players
  7. Postpublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (Sunday, 13:30 GMT)

    The big fixture of the weekend sees second and fourth meet at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, when Arsenal host Chelsea.

    The Gunners' title hopes appear all but over, with Liverpool 15 points clear at the summit and just 10 games remaining for Mikel Arteta's side to make that up.

    Chelsea begin the weekend two points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest - who face Ipswich - and two points above Manchester City.

  8. 'I love pressure'published at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Manchester City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Brighton will have the opportunity to replace Manchester City in the Premier League's top five with victory over Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday.

    Manager Fabian Hurzeler says he is embracing the pressure as his side chase the Champions League places.

    "Honestly, I love pressure. So, I always find a way to deal with it. I never feel pressure from the owner or from outside [influences] because I put it on myself. In the end, but the biggest pressure I put on myself because I'm the most demanding person," Hurzeler said.

    "I want the best for the club, which is success. We do this by our daily behaviour, pushing our limits every day and getting the best out of the group. And then we will see where we end in our season."

  9. Dunk 'getting closer' to Brighton returnpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Manchester City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Brighton & Hove Albion

    Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has offered a team news update before his side take on Manchester City on Saturday.

    He says that Lewis Dunk is out but is "getting closer", with hopes he will be able to play against Nottingham Forest after the international break.

    Other good news for the Seagulls is Tariq Lamptey is available after suspension.

    However, Matt O'Riley and Joel Veltman are both out.

  10. 'I want the best for Grealish'published at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Manchester City

    Finally from Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City boss was asked about Jack Grealish, who was benched last week and has been left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

    "I don’t know. I want the best for him. I cannot judge the reasons why he was left out by the England manager," said Guardiola.

    On whether Grealish is proving himself in training to get more game time: "Yeah."

  11. Extra training not impactingpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Manchester City

    One positive of Manchester City's early Champions League exit - if there can be one - is that pep Guardiola's side have had the luxury of a full week to focus on training.

    But Guardiola doesn't think that makes much difference, based on last weekend's result.

    "We had it last week against Nottingham Forest and we didn’t win," Guardiola said.

    "We have to prove we can do it without playing every couple of days."

  12. 'Not a surprise Brighton are doing really well'published at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Manchester City

    It is another significant game for Manchester City this weekend as Pep Guardiola's side look to keep hold of a Champions League place.

    But that won't be easy against a Brighton side with six consecutive wins in their last six games in all competitions to climb into contention.

    "Brighton are one of the best clubs in terms of work on and off the pitch. Exceptional young manager, who is doing incredible things," Guardiola said of Brighton.

    "It’s not a surprise because they are doing really well in the market and in the way they play.

    "It’s not a secret. In the table, they deserve to be there."

  13. 'We are not like we were'published at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been discussing his side's situation, after they appeared to show signs of improvement before losing to Nottingham Forest last time out.

    "We have to reach the highest possible level to qualify for Europe next season. We have to be consistent as possible," Guardiola said.

    "There are 10 games left, six at home and four away. They are tough games at home and we have to do better because there are many teams with the same target as us.

    "We are not like we were. When we don’t win it’s fine because I like to deserve to win and for success and last week [against Nottingham Forest] we didn’t deserve it."

  14. Big matches in battle for Europepublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Man City v Brighton (Saturday, 15:00 GMT)

    Let's get stuck into the weekend's Premier League action, shall we?

    Manchester City have a fight on their hands to secure Champions League football next season after losing to Nottingham Forest last weekend.

    Pep Guardiola's side begin the weekend in fifth - which is expected to provide the final Champions league spot in the Premier League this campaign - before facing seventh-place Brighton, who are just a point behind them.

    That really is a big one in the battle for European football, as is Sunday's showdown between Arsenal and Chelsea.

    Premier League top 10
  15. Chelsea & Man City meet four times in 12 dayspublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Chelsea v Man City (Sat, 12:15 GMT)

    Mayra Ramirez passes the ballImage source, Getty Images

    When Chelsea face Manchester City in the Women's League Cup final on Saturday, it will be the start of a 12-day battle, with the sides playing each other four times in a row.

    They will go head-to-head in three competitions.

    The season's first piece of silverware will be won at Derby's Pride Park (12:15 GMT kick-off), before a two-legged quarter-final showdown in the Women's Champions League, with a league meeting sandwiched in between.

    Chelsea are used to playing against City for silverware, having faced them in both domestic cup finals in 2022. They have been rivals in the Women's Super League too with Chelsea pipping City to the title last season on goal difference.

  16. Rivals collide in women's League Cup finalpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Chelsea v Man City (Saturday, 12:15 GMT)

    Nusken and Park battle for the ballImage source, Getty Images

    The Women's League Cup final will take place on Saturday and it will see two of English football's greatest rivals battle it out.

    Chelsea and Manchester City have been in some incredible matches against one another in recent seasons and tomorrow promises to be no different.

    City will be hoping the new manager bounce aids them. Boss Gareth Taylor was sacked earlier this week with former manager Nick Cushing taking interim charge.

    And Chelsea have added motivation as they still remain unbeaten across all competitions so far this season. They have won all but two games and those two draws came against Leicester and Brighton in the Women's Super League.

  17. 'We are going to do our best to get this trophy'published at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Bruno GuimaraesImage source, Getty Images

    Also speaking to the media this morning, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes was asked what his message to the fans was before the final: "It is a good opportunity. We feel the same as them, we just want to make the fans happy.

    "We know football sometimes can affect you in every way but my message is to stay positive. We are going to do our best to get this trophy back to the city."

    And on how the team has changed from two years ago when they were last in the League Cup final: "I feel we have more confidence. When we have made a final before, we knew have more experience. We have changed some players but the base is still there. We are in our best moment.

    "Hopefully we can go there and play our best football because on our best day I think we are really a great team."

  18. Contrasting fortunes at Wembleypublished at 13:58 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United and Liverpool have had contrasting fortunes at Wembley. One side has been immensely successful, and the other not so much.

    The Magpies have lost five major domestic cup finals (2x league cup and 3x FA Cup) since they last won a major domestic trophy in 1955 against Manchester City.

    Conversely, the Red have enjoyed a lot of success at Wembley as they are participating in their 15th League Cup final, winning 10 and losing on four occasions.

    Liverpool taking on Newcastle United at Anfield.Image source, Getty Images
  19. 'It feels different this time'published at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Liverpool v Newcastle (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie HoweImage source, Getty Images

    Two years ago, Newcastle fell agonisingly short in their bid to end the club's wait for a trophy, losing 2-0 to Manchester United at Wembley.

    On how he is feeling before this final, Eddie Howe said: "I am feeling very good thanks. I think it does feel different [from two years ago].

    "I think the whole thing this season has felt different in the sense that I think we have gone about our business in a really calm, controlled way.

    "We have had a really tough run of fixtures in the Carabao Cup. I think to attack those games in the way that we did and in the midst of a busy campaign with Premier League, FA Cup, we have gone from round to round. Now we have ended up in the final.

    "There has been a lot less emotion, a lot less noise outside of in here. Hopefully that helps us in the performance of the game."

  20. Not injured, just a bit of tightness - Isakpublished at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March

    Liverpool v Newcastle United (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Alexander IsakImage source, Getty Images

    There had been some concern over Alexander Isak's availability in recent weeks, but the Newcastle striker has dismissed any fears surrounding his fitness.

    "I feel good. It's probably been put out a bit more dramatic than it has been. I haven't been injured, I've just had a little bit of tightness which can be normal when you play a lot of games. But I feel good and I am really excited for the game," Isak told the media.

    On what his training has been like: "I think the best way to prepare is to train as normal, be a part of the team and just train every day like you are fully fit which I am."

    And on if Liverpool being knocked out of the Champions League will affect the Reds: "I think every game will affect you in some way but we can't know or speculate too much about whether it is going to be positive or negative. I think it will come down to what we do as a team, that is what we have to focus on and that is what will be the difference."