LONDON: This weekend's final Premier League matches before the World Cup will make England coach Gareth Southgate anxious while posing a difficult selection question for certain managers.

With only one week until the start of the World Cup, any injury sustained this weekend would result in a player's elimination from the competition. Southgate will be hoping none of the 26 players he named in his team on Thursday experience setbacks.

While waiting, some coaches might think about leaving out some of their international players to spare them the chance of missing one of their careers' pinnacles.

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, won't be in a similar predicament with striker Erling Haaland for his team's match against Brentford at home. The Norwegian will spearhead the City assault despite not travelling to Qatar due to a foot injury.

Kyle Walker, a defender, would likely appreciate playing time before the World Cup, while Ivan Toney, a striker for Brentford, has something to prove after not being selected for the England squad.

After several recent victories, in-form Newcastle United has moved up to third and might move closer to a Champions League spot when they play Chelsea. After being outplayed by Arsenal in the league last weekend and by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup this week, the Londoners made the lengthy trip up north.

Nathan Jones, the new Southampton coach, makes his away debut against Liverpool. Liverpool's coach Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged he dislikes playing against new managers because he never knows what strategies they will employ, but Liverpool are in fine position after defeating Tottenham last weekend.

Tottenham, which is fourth in the table but has lost three of its last five games, is in trouble, and manager Antonio Conte acknowledged this week that striker Harry Kane is "extremely fatigued" ahead of the World Cup.
Leeds United, who beat Bournemouth at home in a thrilling 4-3 match last weekend and won at Anfield, will visit Spurs this weekend.
With the loss, Bournemouth has now dropped to fourth from last place after four straight losses, effectively ending Gary O'Neil's chances of being hired permanently as caretaker coach.

Bournemouth should appoint a permanent coach during the World Cup break, and O'Neill will want to leave his team on a good note when they host Everton, who are only one spot above them.

Second-from-bottom Wolves welcome league leader Arsenal, who will have new coach Julen Lopetegui watching from the stands as he gets ready to take over next week.

When Fulham visited Manchester City last weekend, they were inches away from securing a draw. Fulham is a formidable opponent for Manchester United this Saturday.

Brighton's passing system is still appealing, but manager Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping that striker Danny Welbeck builds on his midweek penalty and establishes himself in the Premier League.

When an improving Leicester City travels to West Ham United, England midfielders James Maddison and Declan Rice, who will almost certainly start against Iran on November 21, will face off.

When mid-table Crystal Palace visits the City Ground after two morale-boosting victories, Nottingham Forrest will try to move up the table by defeating them.

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