BBC

Garnacho back for Man Utd; Tuanzebe starts against former club

Man Utd v Ipswich (19:30 GMT)

Simon Stone

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Old Trafford

Alejandro Garnacho and Leny Yoro return to the Manchester United starting line-up in place of Casemiro and Noussair Mazraoui. Ruben Amorin names only six outfield substitutes, including 17-year-old striker Chido Obi, who has featured in United's last two games.

Manchester United XI: Onana, De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Dorgu, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dalot, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund. Substitutes: Graczyk, Harrison, Eriksen, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Heaven, Lindelof, Obi.

Club captain Sam Morsy starts for Ipswich, who have yet to win a league game in 2025. Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe returns against his former club. Former England midfielder Kalvin Phillips misses out, as does defender Ben Godfrey.

Ipswich XI: Palmer, Davis, Tuanzebe, Greaves, O’Shea, Cajuste, Morsy, Clarke, Hutchinson, Philogene, Delap. Substitutes: Muric, Broadhead, Hirst, Johnson, Szmodics, Taylor, Luongo, Townsend, Woolfenden.

Who gets in Europe?

There will be at least seven English teams playing in Europe next season, although that figure could rise to 11. However, that latter scenario is unlikely and would require Premier League sides winning every European competition in 2024-25 with certain teams finishing outside the top five.

Normally the top four go into the Champions League, with the fifth-placed side going into the Europa League. However, the Premier League is currently on course to earn one of two extra Champions League spots, meaning a top-five finish would be enough.

But if English sides win both the Champions League and Europa League (and they do not finish in the top five) that could mean seven Premier League teams would be in Europe's top club competition.

In normal circumstances, two English sides will be in the Europa League, but that will rise to three if Chelsea win the Conference League (and finish outside the top five), with another team from England then going into the Conference League.

So, for arguments sake, let's say no English team wins a European competition, but the Premier League gets an additional Champions League spot.

Then, as it stands, this is who would be playing in Europe next season.

Champions League: 1. Liverpool, 2. Arsenal, 3. Nottingham Forest, 4. Chelsea, 5. Manchester City.

Europa League: 6. Newcastle, 7. Bournemouth.

Conference League: 8. Brighton.

(If a team from outside the top seven wins the FA Cup, they would go into the Europa League, Bournemouth would drop into the Conference League with Brighton missing out).

Memories of an Old Trafford humiliation

Manchester United v Ipswich Town (19:30 GMT)

Nearly 30 years ago, Ipswich Town played a top-flight game at Manchester United. It didn't go well.

On 4 March, 1995, United crushed Ipswich 9-0, with Andrew Cole scoring five of them, Mark Hughes got a double and Paul Ince and Roy Keane grabbed one apiece.

It was the biggest win in the competition since the top division was rebranded as the Premier League in 1992 and, although it has been matched on a few occasions, no-one has won by a bigger margin in the meantime.

United fans won't be expecting another nine goals tonight, while Ipswich supporters hope it's not another Old Trafford nightmare.

Recap Premier League build-up, team news & stats

That's all from us today.

You can click on the summary points towards the top of this page and scroll down the page for Premier League build-up, team news and key stats before Wednesday's games.

We'll be back this evening to bring you live text coverage of tonight's Premier League games from 18:00 GMT.

Alternatively, we'll be back tomorrow morning from 07:00 GMT to do it all over again.

See you then!

Former Liverpool executive on Salah's contact situation

Liverpool v Newcastle (20.15 GMT)

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter

When asked how to factor in Mohamed Salah's age into his contract situation at the FT Business of Football Summit, Ian Graham, former director of research at Liverpool said: “I helped with the work for the last contract extension which sees him through to this summer and, at the time, I thought for players of his age that I would recommend not to sign a contract.

"But this was the strength of the data that forces you to take an objective viewpoint and it surprises yourself. I was surprised at looking at his calibre of player and how they could go into their 30s performing at the same level.

"When those players drop off it tends to be a drop in minutes rather than quality. It tends to be a drop in minutes rather than performance. We decided to give him a contract in the summer of 2022 and that was a hard piece of work.

"I am delighted I am not responsible for that piece of work today. That’s the best piece not to do that today.”

Liverpool v Newcastle - Sutton's prediction

Liverpool v Newcastle (20:15 GMT)

This fixture has plenty of history behind it - Liverpool's 4-3 win at Anfield in 1996 will always be remembered as a Premier League classic.

Newcastle come into it in good shape after a good win over Nottingham Forest, but the way Liverpool beat Manchester City was extremely impressive.

It was such a mature performance by Arne Slot's side to soak up City's possession and be so clinical in front of goal.

I think we know by now that Slot's side will be hard to beat, while Newcastle are still quite up and down - they were very poor when they went to Etihad Stadium last week.

They are capable of giving Liverpool a good game but I am going to say that the leaders will take the points, and carry on their title charge.

Along with Forest striker Chris 'The Wood Chopper' Wood, Newcastle's Alexander Isak has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, but there is only one candidate to be crowned Player of the Year.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah's numbers are extraordinary and he looks as hungry as ever. He has been relentless, and he is not done yet.

Chris Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Bradley out for 'a few weeks'

Liverpool v Newcastle (20.15 GMT)

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister sustained bruising to his face during the weekend win over Manchester City but he is expected to be available.

Conor Bradley will remain sidelined for a "few weeks" with a muscle injury, according to head coach Arne Slot.

Newcastle pair Sven Botman and Joelinton could both return from the knee injuries that have kept them out since the beginning of the month.

Fit-again midfielder Sandro Tonali made his comeback as a substitute against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Tottenham v Man City - Sutton's prediction

Tottenham v Man City (19:30 GMT)

How on earth am I supposed to predict what will happen here?

It's a fascinating game but it's impossible to call because it could end up 3-0 to either team.

Manchester City were subdued against Liverpool and while Jeremy Doku looked bright on their left flank, they didn't offer much of a threat elsewhere.

Tottenham put four goals past Ipswich but they could have conceded a few themselves, and you have to think City will have opportunities here.

Spurs thumped Pep Guardiola's side 4-0 in November, but I am going for City to take the points this time. It will be close but they might just nick it.

Chris Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Man Utd v Ipswich - Sutton's prediction

Man Utd v Ipswich (19:30 GMT)

Manchester United drew at Ipswich in November, in Ruben Amorim's first game in charge.

Three months on, Ipswich will head to Old Trafford thinking they have a decent chance of beating them. No-one fears United at the moment.

You just don't know which United side is going to turn up and, in the first half against Everton on Saturday, they were absolutely woeful.

United do deserve some credit for the way they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Goodison Park but I am not convinced by them at all.

Ipswich ended up losing 4-1 to Tottenham at the weekend but they created a ridiculous amount of chances in that game, and they will get opportunities here too because Liam Delap is such a handful.

A win for the Tractor Boys would be huge, especially now the gap to fourth-bottom Wolves has grown to five points, but despite United's many problems I just have a feeling Amorim will get a win, somehow.

Chris Sutton's prediction: 2-1

How long has Drogba known Mourinho?

Earlier, when posting a statement in support of Jose Mourinho, Drogba said he knew Mourinho for "xx" years.

However, since Drogba's initial post, he has since edited it and changed xx to 25 years.

Mourinho first signed Drogba from Marseille for Chelsea in July 2004 from Marseille.

After departing Chelsea in 2012, Drogba returned for the 2014-15 season under Mourinho, where Chelsea won the fourth of their five Premier League titles.

In the season prior to the duo joining Chelsea in 2004, Drogba played twice against Mourinho while at Marseille when Mourinho managed Porto. Porto won both Champions League ties, but Drogba did score one goal.

Forest v Arsenal - Sutton's prediction

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (19:30 GMT)

Saturday's home defeat by West Ham was a real hammer blow for Arsenal's title hopes.

They need to bounce back and find a way of beating Nottingham Forest but this is a tough trip after such a devastating result, and I am not so sure they will take the points here either.

Forest are not in great form themselves, and got a bit of a walloping by Newcastle. Nuno Espirito Santo was clearly unhappy with some of his side's defending in that game.

But how are Arsenal going to score goals? I don't know at the moment.

If Gunners boss Mikel Arteta needs a left-back, he has got a few of them on the bench. Unfortunately he needs a centre-forward, and there is not one of those to be seen.

Chris Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Nothing to say Son will slow down - Postecoglou

Tottenham v Man City (19:30 GMT)

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou does not see winger and captain Son Heung-min slowing down any time soon.

Son provided two assists for Brennan Johnson during Saturday's win at Ipswich Town and while the South Korea international has not scored in his last seven games, he has provided three assists in that time.

Postecoglou said: "Sonny's benefitted from the fact he's been able to have a break between games. We saw that on the weekend - he was outstanding, particularly in the first half.

"You never want to try to predict with players like Sonny how long he will go for because those kind of players always defy whatever odds there are.

"Even this year, as difficult as it has been for us, I think his numbers still stack up. You weigh him up against any winger in the league, he's still going to be top five.

"Those are the facts and if he's continuing to do that, there's nothing to say he should slow down."

Ipswich have won their last four Premier League games against Tottenham. They last won five consecutive top-flight meetings with an opponent vs Norwich, between 1984 and 1993.

Tottenham have won just one of their last six away league games against Ipswich (D2 L3), picking up a 3-1 victory in August 1994 under Ossie Ardiles.

Tottenham lost the reverse fixture against Ipswich 2-1 in November – the only promoted sides to complete the Premier League double over Spurs are Birmingham City (2007-08) and Wolves (2009-10).

No side has won fewer games (1) or scored fewer goals (9) at home in the Premier League this season than Ipswich Town. Since beating Chelsea in December, they’ve lost their last three at Portman Road by an aggregate score of 10-1.

After a run of one win in 11 Premier League games (D2 L8) that saw them concede 24 goals, Tottenham have won their last two (2-0 v Brentford, 1-0 v Man Utd). They last won three in a row in December 2023, while they last did so without conceding in May 2022.

Ipswich remain the only side without a win in the Premier League so far in 2025, drawing two and losing four of their six games. They last had a longer run without a league victory from the start of a calendar year in 1990 (8 games).

Only Everton (63%) have scored a higher share of their Premier League goals this season in the first half of games than Ipswich (61% - 14/23). Meanwhile, Tottenham have conceded a higher share of their goals in the opening 45 minutes than any other side (57% - 21/37).

Only Chris Wood (43.9%) has scored a higher share of his team’s goals in the Premier League this season than Ipswich’s Liam Delap (43.5% - 10/23). Delap’s 10 goals this season is the joint second most by an Ipswich player in a single Premier League campaign, behind only Marcus Stewart in 2000-01 (19).

Ipswich’s Leif Davis is one of just two players (along with Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans) to create 20+ chances from both open play (23) and set pieces (20) in the Premier League this season.

Against Man Utd last time out, 19-year-old Mathys Tel became the seventh different teenager to feature for Tottenham in the Premier League this season. It’s the joint-most different teens they’ve fielded in a single campaign in the competition (also seven in both 1992-93 and 1993-94).

Friday night - Loftus Road, Saturday lunchtime - Plough Lane, Saturday evening - Selhurst Park, Sunday afternoon - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Four venues, three leagues, more than six hours of football, almost 67,000 steps and all in less than 48 hours.

That was American superfan Andrew Smith's itinerary fresh off the back of a 10-and-a-half-hour, 5,500-mile flight from San Diego into London Heathrow on Friday.

Taking the love of the game and pushing it right to the limit.

"Some people might wonder why I would spend my time doing this, but to me as a cultural voyeur and at times interloper in the community, it's very interesting and different to what we have in America," he said.

"In terms of the game itself, the quality is so much higher over here and the understanding of the fanbases is much more developed. The differences between the tiers is very interesting and the differences between the grounds - fantastic.

"To my eyes it's like travelling to see a natural or historic site, it's a cultural phenomenon I appreciate."

The 47-year-old teacher is a self-confessed football obsessive and a big Tottenham fan.

So much so that he launched his own fans' group on Facebook to create a small network of supporters to watch the club's games in their local English-themed pub.

The project grew and with the help of co-founder Ben Forman, the group is now affiliated as the San Diego Spurs Official Supporters' Club.

It has taken him around the US to the likes of Denver, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Nashville and Los Angeles, and has even seen his beloved team play in San Diego.

Smith tries to watch every game at the club's pub of choice in the southern California city, no matter the time.

"I would just hand out a slip of paper and speak to Tottenham fans, I never envisioned it would grow to become an official club," he said.

Friday afternoon. Touchdown at Heathrow at midday, get to the hotel in Paddington - quick nap, then up and out to walk the three-mile journey to Shepherd's Bush.

Smith likes to explore his surroundings, take in the sights and meet people along the way.

The Championship match between Queens Park Rangers and Derby itself is a drubbing; a miserable return to Loftus Road for new Rams boss John Eustace, whose side are dismantled 4-0 in west London.

"I sat with wonderful people who welcomed me back wholeheartedly after a 4-0 victory. My favourite chant in the whole weekend was definitely 'Sacked in the morning' to [John Eustace] on his return [to Derby]," he said.

Saturday morning, and it's an almost seven-mile walk south of the river to the Cherry Red Records Stadium as AFC Wimbledon host Salford City in a big game at the top of League Two.

This has a different feel. Loftus Road is a "tenured" stadium, whereas Wimbledon's relatively new ground is "clean and compact".

Smith sits next to a man called Jake and his soon-to-be father-in-law. When Matty Stevens scores the only goal of the game for the hosts, he and Jake share a warm embrace as the regular match-going fans savour the big moment.

Smith had even considered trying to squeeze in a 3pm visit to Leyton Orient for their home game against Lincoln before making the (correct) decision that this would have been too much.

Having decided against that, it was a train back into central London and then out again later that afternoon to Selhurst Park for his first taste of the Premier League on the trip - Crystal Palace v Everton.

"I was an American sitting between two Turkish-Germans to one side and a Dutch couple to the other, a season-ticket holder behind me and another American voice two rows behind," he said.

"It really showed the reach the Premier League has compared to other leagues."

The visitors won the match through a late Carlos Alcaraz goal on his first start for the Toffees.

The day ended with almost 29,000 steps on the clock for Smith, but the main event was yet to come.

Smith's love of the game has now taken him to 10 UK football grounds across several different levels of the pyramid, including Anfield, Wembley, Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium, Cheriton Road, home to Isthmian League Folkestone Invicta, and of course the old White Hart Lane.

Despite his hectic weekend in the capital, he's shown no signs of slowing down - already in Edinburgh for part two of his holiday - although this time there's a break from football.

"Football is a game of moments, the moment when a stranger hugged a stranger at League Two Wimbledon because a goal was scored, I will probably never see Jake again in my life but we had a moment where we could celebrate a goal," he said.

"The moments of talking to people at QPR who skipped Valentine's Day because football is first for them.

"Standing amongst the other Tottenham supporters in the South Stand. I'll never be a Londoner, I'll never be a local but in that moment I feel like I'm unified in supporting my team.

"The quote rings true - 'of all the least important things, football is the most important'. Why not choose it as something to enjoy, pursue, feast upon? And I can do it in a unique way."

More than 1,000 Tottenham supporters attended a protest against the club's ownership and chairman Daniel Levy before Sunday's match against Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

There were chants of "Levy out" and "Enic out" as fans brought flags and banners to the protest, which included a march to the stadium, and was organised by a smaller Spurs fan group called Change for Tottenham.

There is due to be a sit-down protest after the match, when supporters will stay behind in the ground.

Banners - which have also been seen in home and away sections of recent Spurs games - read "Time for change" and "24 years, 16 managers, one trophy".

One of the organisers, Jay Coughlin, told BBC Sport: "I think all of the fans are done with how the club is being run. We want to be winning on the field. There are positives off the field, but we deserve better on it.

"These managers have not been backed sufficiently and there is a track record with this ownership.

"For us, there is no change with Daniel Levy. For us, change means a change in the boardroom. They have more than quadrupled their investment, so it is time to move on and cash in."

One of Change for Tottenham's founders, Lynden Wade, added: "We ultimately want Levy out but we know with the shares he has in Tottenham that it may not be realistic. But there are other things that could change to make a positive impact for the fans."

Spurs were 15th in the Premier League table before the United match, having won just one of their past eight matches.

They have won one trophy - the League Cup in 2008 - since Levy and Enic took over the club from Sir Alan Sugar almost 25 years ago.

However, Tottenham are the most profitable Premier League club over that same period and Levy has delivered a £1.2bn stadium and a state-of-the-art training ground.

Sitting 14th and 13th in the Premier League in February is not where either Tottenham or Manchester United would have expected to be at this stage of the season.

But inconsistent form and injuries means the two clubs meet at Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday with few being able to say with any certainty who might come out on top.

While the two sides go head-to-head on the pitch, we asked our fan writers for each club to go head-to-head off it.

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games against Man Utd (W2 D2) and are looking to complete the league double over the Red Devils for the first time since 1989-90.

Manchester United have conceded at least twice in each of their last four Premier League games against Spurs – the last side they conceded multiple goals against in 5+ consecutive league games was Arsenal (5 between 1975 and 1978).

Tottenham have already beaten Manchester United twice in all competitions this season, 3-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup quarter-final. Not since 1989-90 have Spurs beaten Man Utd three times in a single campaign, while the last side overall to defeat the Red Devils three times in a season were Chelsea in 2012-13.

After their 2-0 win over Brentford, Tottenham are looking to win back-to-back Premier League games for just the second time this season, previously doing so in September – when their two wins were over Brentford and then Manchester United.

Tottenham are winless in their last seven Premier League home games (D2 L5), their longest such run in the competition since going eight without a win from March to October 2008. Their five defeats in these last seven games are more than they suffered in their previous 17 at home in the league (W13 D0 L4).

Since Ruben Amorim took charge in November, only five sides have picked up fewer points in the Premier League than Manchester United (14). Amorim is only the fourth manager to lose 7+ of his first 13 top-flight games in charge of the Red Devils, along with AH Albut (7), John Chapman (10), and Jimmy Murphy (7).

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is unbeaten in all three of his Premier League games against Manchester United – only three managers have ever remained unbeaten in each of their first four against the Red Devils (Ruud Gullit, Nuno Espírito Santo and Unai Emery).

After his assist for Pape Sarr’s goal against Brentford, Son Heung-min became Tottenham’s outright leading assister in the Premier League (69), overtaking Darren Anderton (68). Son has seven assists in the competition this season, only recording more in a single campaign in 2019-20 (10), 2020-21 (10), and 2023-24 (10).

No player has scored more goals (6) or provided more assists (6) for Manchester United in the Premier League this season than Amad Diallo. However, the Ivorian hasn’t scored or assisted in any of his last three league games, only attempting two shots over this time while creating 10 chances without any leading to a goal.

Dominic Solanke has scored in each of his last three Premier League games against Manchester United, netting in both meetings with Bournemouth last season and the reverse fixture for Tottenham this term. The only players to score in 4+ successive appearances against the Red Devils in the competition are Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (5), Sergio Agüero (4), and Mohamed Salah (5).

Tottenham Hotspur has been given the go-ahead to build a new training ground despite campaigners arguing it would destroy a park.

The football club plans to fence off a section of Whitewebbs Park in Enfield, north London, and build a new women's academy, with 11 pitches and a new clubhouse.

There were 296 objections sent to Enfield Council, with many comments about the loss of green space and the impact on wildlife in the area. Objectors to the plans included The Woodland Trust.

Enfield Council decided to grant a 25-year lease to the football club, and said the development would include "improving the surrounding parkland landscape".

Concerns about the scheme had included the blocking of views, limiting access to public spaces and not preserving ancient parkland and wildlife.

Campaign group Friends of Whitewebbs Park said the character of the park - which was bought for the benefit of the people of Enfield by Middlesex Council in 1931 - would be permanently altered, and it "would be irreversible".

The group's chairperson, Sean Wilkinson, described the "supposed benefits" to the community as "minimal".

Enfield Council's Labour leader, Ergin Erbil, said the project would "bring exciting opportunities to Enfield, including job opportunities, apprenticeships, and enhanced sports facilities".

"We look forward to the next steps, to ensure the project achieves long-term benefits for everyone in Enfield," he said.

A spokesperson for Tottenham Hotspur said the club was "delighted" by the approval.

The Premier League club promised the development would "improve local access to nature and habitats, provide new facilities for visitors, community groups, and sports clubs, and put Enfield on the map as a champion of the women's and girls' game with a best-in-class academy".

King Charles has visited the home of Tottenham Hotspur to highlight the Premier League club's work supporting local businesses.

The King met guests including Gina Moffatt, 48, an ex-offender who turned her life around with help from the King's Trust - formerly the Prince's Trust - and now runs a restaurant in Tottenham, north London.

Ms Moffatt informed the head of state he was "bigger than Beyoncé", referring to the US superstar's upcoming performances at the stadium.

King Charles also took the opportunity to have a go at throwing an American football - receiving mixed feedback.

The football club is collaborating with America's National Football League (NFL) - which stages games at the arena - in supporting local businesses and good causes.

During the visit the King met students from the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, a state-funded high achieving sixth form on the stadium campus.

On the pitch he was handed a ball by the longest-serving British NFL player Efe Obada, who praised the "energy" of the King's throw but added that his "technique wasn't immaculate".

"I wanted him to get a little closer to the target so he could get it in but he was having a great time and got a good reception," he said.

Watch a "disappointed" Ange Postecoglou reflect on his Tottenham side being knocked out of a second cup competition within a week following a 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa.

WATCH MORE: Aston Villa reach FA Cup fifth round with win against Spurs