Premier League fixtures today – your guide to Wednesday’s games

The first midweek offering of Premier League action this season will serve as a prelude to the hectic festive schedule.

With Christmas just around the corner, fixtures are set to roll around at an unrelenting rate. There are still Carabao Cup quarter-finals and European group stage matches to be played, too.

The bulk of the Premier League’s maiden midweek coverage arrives on Wednesday night with six fixtures being played. Here’s a guide to all of the action, which will be broadcast live in the UK on Amazon Prime Video.

The writing was on the wall for Paul Heckingbottom after he oversaw an utterly abject performance at Turf Moor on Saturday as Sheffield United were beaten 5-0 by fellow strugglers Burnley.

Heckingbottom has since received his marching orders and the returning Chris Wilder will be in charge when Liverpool visit on Wednesday night.

The Reds harbour hopes of a title challenge and the late comeback they staged on Sunday at home to Fulham will embolden claims that Jurgen Klopp’s side are in for a special campaign. They’ll be looking to put the Blades to the sword in this one.

With just one win in 13 games, Steve Cooper is on the brink at Nottingham Forest. His side were beaten 1-0 at home to Everton at the weekend, and murmurs are building of a potential departure if things don’t go his way at Craven Cottage. Julen Lopetegui has been touted as a potential replacement.

Nevertheless, Wednesday’s trip to Fulham is a winnable one for Forest, who haven’t been so dire on the road this term.

Still, Fulham secured a big home win last week against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Marco Silva’s side impressed at Anfield on the weekend. They seem to be on the rise.

Speaking of rises, how about Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth? The former Rayo Vallecano boss looked set for the sack after an uninspiring start to the campaign, but the Cherries are now one of the Premier League’s form teams.

Iraola’s men have picked up ten points from their last six games, and they should’ve beaten Aston Villa at the weekend.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, notched a point amid a forgettable clash at the London Stadium against West Ham United on Sunday. Roy Hodgson is struggling to cope with several key players out, but the Eagles have got to continue to scrap away. They remain in a pretty secure position in 12th, nine points clear of the drop.

Brighton are not enjoying the Thursday-Sunday schedule as they dropped points again off the back of a Europa League fixture, this time losing at Chelsea.

Roberto De Zerbi still has several injuries to contend with, although he does welcome Lewis Dunk back on Wednesday after the defender served a one-game suspension. Kaoru Mitoma is also working his way to full fitness.

Nevertheless, Brentford will prove stingy opposition for the Seagulls. Thomas Frank’s side recorded a much-needed win over Luton Town on Saturday after falling to back-to-back defeats.

Old Trafford hosts the battle of the fallen giants with Chelsea visiting Manchester United.

Whispers of discontent surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future are starting to saturate rumour mills, and the Dutchman desperately needs to oversee a pretty drastic response against the Blues after their dire showing at Newcastle.

The Magpies’ victory brought an end to United’s totally unconvincing winning run, although they do still sit above Chelsea in the Premier League table.

However, despite winning just five of their 14 league games this term, there’s reason for Blues supporters to believe they’ve got the right guy to oversee a rebuild in Mauricio Pochettino.

As it’s no longer 2010, Manchester United vs Chelsea isn’t the standout fixture on Wednesday night. Oh, no. That honour instead goes to the duel at Villa Park between Aston Villa and Manchester City as fourth hosts third.

While Villa’s previous two away outings have brought about concerns, their form at home has been sensational in 2023, racking up 13 consecutive victories at Villa Park.

This is certainly a good time to face City with Rodri once again suspended. Pep Guardiola must find an alternative solution in search of midfield balance, with his side struggling to exert all-out control in recent outings even with Rodri. City have drawn their last three games and conceded eight goals in the process.

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