21 December 2023 , 06:30
905
0
More than 30 players are at risk of being suspended for the Boxing Day fixtures after receiving four yellow cards to date.
The final round of Premier League fixtures before Christmas Day takes place between Thursday and Sunday, with 18 teams in action. The game between Manchester City and Brentford has been postponed due to the former's involvement in the Club World Cup.
Premier League players will receive a one-match suspension if they pick up five yellow cards before the 20th round of fixtures, with 36 players currently sitting on four bookings. Those who receive 10 cautions before Matchday 33 will serve a two-game ban.
Of those 36, 31 are eligible to play in Matchday 18. Two of those who won't be involved in the upcoming round of fixtures are Brentford pair Kristoffer Ajer and Saman Ghoddos thanks to Pep Guardiola's side winning the Champions League last season.
Luton skipper Tom Lockyer has picked up four bookings this season but remains in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during his team's match at Bournemouth last Saturday. That fixture was suspended and will be replayed at a later date.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward and Newcastle midfielder Joelinton have also been cautioned four times this term but are both carrying hamstring injuries and aren't expected to be involved in Matchday 18. It's unclear how long both players will be out for.
The first Christmas suspensions could be picked up at Selhurst Park on Thursday, as Crystal Palace welcome bitter rivals Brighton. Palace's Joachim Andersen and Jordan Ayew - as well as Brighton's Lewis Dunk, Billy Gilmour and Kaoru Mitoma - are all on four yellows.
Four Sheffield United players will receive a one-match ban if they're booked against Aston Villa on Friday (Getty Images)What's your predictions for Matchday 18? Let us know in the comments below!
Ayew has actually picked up six bookings, but his most recent cards came as a pair in Palace's loss to Liverpool. He served a one-match ban in their draw at Manchester City and the Premier League have confirmed his record stands at four yellows and one red.
Title chasers Aston Villa will hope Matty Cash Jhon Duran and John McGinn all avoid the referee's attention during their game against Sheffield United on Friday. The Blades have the most players on four yellows (four), with Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jayden Bogle, Gustavo Hamer, William Osula all in danger of receiving an unwanted Christmas present.
West Ham's Vladimir Coufal will need to avoid a booking against Manchester United, and the same applies for Antonee Robinson in Fulham's game against Burnley. Both of those fixtures, along with four other games, take place on Saturday.
Kai Havertz of Arsenal, Marco Senesi of Bournemouth, Ashley Young and Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton, Darwin Nunez of Liverpool, Issa Kabore of Luton, Jamaal Lascelles and Sean Longstaff of Newcastle, Orel Mangala and Ibrahim Sangare of Nottingham Forest, and Cristian Romero and Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham are all living dangerously.
There's just one game taking place on Christmas Eve - the clash between Wolves and Chelsea. Wolves pair Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hwang Hee-Chan and Chelsea trio Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling have all received four bookings.