What to look out for in the Premier League this weekend

The Premier League returns with plenty to get our teeth into. Matthew Chivers digs into what to expect

Eddie Howe, bottom left, desperately needs results from his injury-ravaged squad (Getty)

The Premier League is trying something a little different this weekend as it serves up the first instalment of a split matchweek of games over the next fortnight, with every fixture shown live on UK TV, to cater for the new mid-season break.

Four fixtures take place this weekend – Everton vs Crystal Palace, Brighton vs Watford, Sheffield United vs Bournemouth, Manchester City vs West Ham – before the remaining six split over the next weekend, culminating in Chelsea vs Manchester United on Monday 17 February.

Ahead of this weekend’s games, here are the big talking points: