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Watch out for some tactical yellow cards this weekend… there are no less than 11 Premier League players with World Cup ambitions who are one booking away from a one-match suspension.
That would mean sitting out the final round before the tournament starts, protecting them from the grief of an 11-hour injury.
The list includes the England captain Harry Kane. Given Gareth Southgate’s reliance on his star striker, the Three Lions boss would no doubt welcome a warning from Kane when Spurs entertain Liverpool on Sunday.
Harry Kane is one of many World Cup candidates only one booking away from a suspension that would see them miss the last game before leaving for the tournament in Qatar
Southgate already have a number of players who could miss the World Cup, including Chelsea duo Ben Chilwell and Reece James, as well as Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips.
The Three Lions boss would not want to lose his captain and main striker to injury and it would be particularly painful if that happened when they face Leeds in Qatar’s final game next weekend.
Another player to watch out for in Tottenham’s clash with Liverpool is the Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.
Gareth Southgate wouldn’t complain too much if Kane were to miss next week’s match with Leeds, given concerns about players suffering last-minute injuries before the World Cup kicks off
Rodrigo Bentancur (left) like Kane could miss the last game before the break if he books against Liverpool
The 25-year-old has secured a booking in a third of Spurs’ appearances in all competitions this season, and in what promises to be a fierce battle in the middle of the park against Jürgen Klopp’s side, it would come as no surprise to see see he grabs a yellow one.
Also on Sunday, Manchester United travel to the West Midlands to play against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
United fullback Diogo Dalot is one booking away from a one-match suspension, and a yellow card would see him miss next week’s game with Fulham.
Portuguese international Diogo Dalot hopes to get through the next matches unscathed
Arsenal pair William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus could be banned if they get yellow against Chelsea
Although Dalot often played second fiddle to Joao Cancelo in Portugal’s 11th base, he was one of the star players for United under Ten Hag and will be sure to send the squad to Qatar when he is fit.
League-leaders Arsenal have a huge clash against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday, but they also have two players one card away from suspension.
Brazil ahead Gabriel Jesus and French international William Saliba will miss next weekend’s trip to Wolves if booked against the Blues.
Brazil is one of the favorites to win the World Cup this winter, and Jesus will desperately help his country win the trophy for the first time since the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.
Breaking into the French international team this year, Saliba is looking to avoid a late injury so he can play his first World Cup as his country looks to defend the trophy they took in Russia four years ago.
German international Thilo Kehrer one booking away from suspension after yellow last week
Fabian Schar was concerned after his hamstring injury against Aston Villa, but he is fit to play and is just one yellow card away from a one-match suspension for Newcastle in form.
Elsewhere, West Ham’s Thilo Kehrer will be one to watch when the German plays against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The 26-year-old was last booked against Manchester United and would once again see their clash against Leicester at the London Stadium in the final game before the break.
Fabian Scharo is one of the most in-form defenders in the Premier League for Newcastle this season, and he will hope he doesn’t suffer a last-minute injury before traveling with the Swiss side to the World Cup.
There was a slight concern after Newcastle’s last game after he felt some hamstring pain in their 4-0 win over Aston Villa.
On Friday, Eddie Howe offered some reassurance to all Switzerland fans when he said Schar was fit to play Southampton on Sunday.
Meanwhile, there are four players to watch out for on Saturday, including Fulham’s Alexsandar Mitrovic.
Aleksandar Mitrovic took yellow against Everton and now has four for the season
The fiery Serbia international was last booked against Everton for a late challenge, and another yellow card away from Manchester City would see him miss their Old Trafford game against Man United next week.
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister is another player with ambitions for the World Cup.
His impressive performances have seen him regain his place in the international fold for Argentina this year – after going several years without a performance.
Mac Allister and Brighton are traveling to Wolves and if he got a booking he would miss their match with Aston Villa next week.
Chris Mepham are expected to be part of the Welsh squad for their first World Cup appearance since 1958.
Alexis Mac Allister could miss the last game before the break with a booking this weekend
Chris Mepham hopes to be part of the Wales squad in their first World Cup squad since 1958
Amadou Onana could get a call-up for Belgium after receiving his first cap this year
A booking away from Leeds for the Bournemouth player would see him miss next week’s game with Everton.
Finally Everton’s Amadou Onanawho made his international debut for Belgium in June could miss the last game before the World Cup break if he is shown a yellow card against Leicester.
There will be major concerns among Premier League players with World Cup aspirations that they will sustain an injury in the final games before the tournament starts.
While the summer tournaments elapse a few weeks between the end of the domestic season and the World Cup, there is only one week left for this year’s competition in Qatar.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was particularly vocal on the subject during a speech on CBS Sports as part of their Champions League coverage.
Jamie Carragher is one of football’s loudest figures to voice concerns about players sustaining injuries in the final matches before the tournament kicks off in Qatar
He said: “I think it’s an absolute shame that the World Cup is in the position it is in for various reasons.
“It was corrupt that Qatar got the World Cup, we knew that at the time.
“They campaigned to have it in the summer, it’s impossible there to have a World Cup in the summer with the temperature, it’s being moved to the situation where it’s now in the middle of the season.
‘Players who dream all their lives of playing in a World Cup and could be now’ [out injured] – as we’ve seen with Son and players around the world.
“Varane came off the pitch at Stamford Bridge crying. That’s how close we are to a World Cup.
“An injury, an injury lasting ten days or two weeks, keeps players out of a World Cup and that shouldn’t happen.
“And it all started with FIFA giving Qatar the World Cup and then moving it. I find it absolutely disgusting.’