The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. It encapsulates drama, with any team at the bottom more than capable of stunning the teams at the very top. Manchester City have won four Premier League titles in a row — they are hoping to make it five this campaign — but suspensions can completely change that.
The 2024/2025 season has already a seen a number of sendings offs and suspensions, with key players for teams up and down the Premier League missing crucial fixtures. Here’s an outline of which players are currently suspended, which are close to a ban and who are just returning from sitting on the sidelines.
Suspended Players
Four players are unavailable
Suspended Players | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Player | Offence | Return Date | Return Match |
Mohammed Kudus | Violent conduct | 25th November | Newcastle (A) |
Edson Alvarez | Second bookable offence | 25th November | Newcastle (A) |
Will Hughes | Five yellow cards | 23rd November | Aston Villa (A) |
Kalvin Phillips | Second bookable offence | 24th November | Man Utd (H) |
Four players will miss this weekend’s Premier League action. Mohamed Kudus is one of them, after he was sent off in the latter stages of their London derby against Tottenham on the 19th October. He received a three-match ban for violent conduct.
The West Ham winger pushed Micky van de Ven, which prompted the initial yellow card to be upgraded to red. He also then proceeded to push the face of Pape Matar Sarr during a frantic head-loss. Due to this, he will miss a minimum of three matches, but he could receive retrospective action for the following push on Sarr.
“The FA can then take retrospective action about the second offence. He will get done twice. He has hit two different players,” former referee Dean said, believing it could result in further punishment. The FA feel the 24-year-old’s three-match ban isn’t sufficient for his violent conduct, and are currently deliberating whether to extend the suspension by a further two or three matches, TBR Football have revealed. It could make West Ham’s horrible season take another painful turn.
Two weeks later, his teammate, Edson Alvarez, was sent off during their 3-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest. After going 1-0 down through a goal from the in-form Chris Wood, the Mexican picked up a second yellow card after a reckless tackle on Anthony Elanga. To make matters worse, he had to endure an extended walk of shame as he forgot where the tunnel was and mistakenly walked down to the corner flag. He will miss one match, coming at home to Everton.
Kalvin Phillips was also sent off on the 2nd November for two yellow cards. Ipswich were leading against Leicester through Leif Davis when Phillips took a bad touch and went lunging in on Ricardo Pereira to receive a second yellow card. It looked harsh from referee Tim Robinson as Phillips tried to pull out at the last minute, but rules stipulate VAR could not overturn. Leicester went onto score a last-minute equaliser, as The Tractor Boys continue to search for their first win. The on-loan midfielder will miss their challenging match away to Tottenham this weekend.
Finally, Will Hughes will miss Crystal Palace’s match at home to Fulham after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season during their 2-2 draw with Wolves. However, he will return after the international break when they travel to Aston Villa, who they beat in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Players at Risk of Suspension
Five yellow cards in the first half of the season will result in a one-match ban
If a player is shown five yellow cards before the 19th gameweek of the campaign – the halfway mark – they pick up an automatic one-match ban. This can’t be appealed. If 10 yellow cards are picked up before the 33rd match of the season, a player will be banned for a further two games. Typically, some fans think that yellow cards do not have any impact if they avoid being sent off, but it can create long-term problems for clubs.
With the Premier League being eight weeks into the new season, a glut of players are already at risk of earning a suspension for accumulation. Notably, Man United’s promising youngster Kobbie Mainoo is already close to picking up a one-match ban, whilst fellow midfielders Sam Morsy, Sasa Lukic and Joelinton are in the same boat.
Selected Premier League Players at Risk of Suspension | ||
|---|---|---|
Player | Club | Yellow Cards |
Kobbie Mainoo | Manchester United | 4 |
Sasa Lukic | Fulham | 4 |
Sam Morsy | Ipswich Town | 4 |
Joelinton | Newcastle United | 4 |
Dan Burn | Newcastle United | 4 |
Nelson Semedo | Wolves | 4 |
Joao Gomes | Wolves | 4 |
Players Back From Suspension
Harry Clarke has served his one-match ban
Just one Premier League player is returning from suspension this weekend. Ipswich’s Harry Clarke is once again available for selection after serving a one-match ban. The defender endured a wretched afternoon in their 4-3 defeat at Brentford. Making his first start of the campaign, the defender was sent off for two bookable offences and conceded a penalty.
It meant he missed their 1-1 draw at home to Leicester, which proved crucial due to Ipswich’s defensive injury crisis, but he can play when they make the daunting trip to Tottenham and N17. They are still searching for their first win of the season, despite consistent performances.
Meanwhile, two managers are free to return to the touchlines this weekend. Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will be back in the technical area when Newcastle United come calling after completing a three-match ban for using improper manner and abusive words towards a fourth official. Leicester’s Steve Cooper will also be allowed in the technical area at Old Trafford after serving a one-match touchline ban at Portman Road.