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Man United and Liverpool stars among 25 Premier League players at risk of Boxing Day ban

With the festive fixtures just around the corner, several Premier League players will have to be on their best behaviour this weekend.

There is just one gameweek remaining before the Christmas calendar takes centre-stage, with all 20 top-flight teams in action between December 26 and 28.

Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai could face a suspension heading into Christmas week

Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai could face a suspension heading into Christmas weekCredit: AFP

Each team will be desperate to bring their fans some festive joy, and they will need their best stars on hand to do so.

But no fewer than 25 players are at risk of missing out on the fun, as they find themselves one yellow card away from suspension.

Premier League rules mean that players receive a one-match ban if they accumulate five yellow cards in their opening 19 matches.

And there could be some huge names missing from teamsheets up and down the country, if they are unable to

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Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo are among the leading names at risk of picking up a suspension.

Here are the other stars who are dangerously close to having to sit out over the festive period.

Which players are close to a suspension?

As mentioned, there are 25 Premier League players who are just one yellow card away from receiving a one-game suspension.

Currently on four bookings, Szoboszlai headlines the list of booking-prone players, having picked up his yellows against Everton, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Man City.

Another headline act on the brink of suspension is Donnarumma, who has received three of his four bookings for dissent, and the other for time-wasting.

Remarkably, if the Italian is cautioned in Man City’s next six games, he will become the first goalkeeper to receive a one-match ban for accumulating five Premier League bookings.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is at risk of recording a Premier League first for a goalkeeper if he receives one more booking

Antoine Semenyo was shown a yellow card against Man United after appearing to grab Diogo Dalot by the throat

Antoine Semenyo was shown a yellow card against Man United after appearing to grab Diogo Dalot by the throatCredit: AFP

He is joined by another of his Citizens teammates here, with club captain Bernardo Silva also sitting on a tally of four cautions.

Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo has been one of the Premier League's standout players this term, scoring seven goals and assisting three times in 15 games this term.

But he has been a regular name in the book too, receiving yellow cards against Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Manchester United.

Elsewhere, Man United and Newcastle both risk being without a key player for their Boxing Day clash - the only fixture on the day.

Red Devils left-back Patrick Dorgu has amassed four bookings in his 15 league appearances, while Magpies captain Bruno Guimaraes has brought up the same number in as many games.

Sunderland and Brighton meet on Saturday, and the availability of six players will depend on their conduct in this league clash.

Patrick Dorgu has started on the bench in Man United's last four matches

Patrick Dorgu has started on the bench in Man United's last four matchesCredit: Getty

The two sides stand the most to lose on Christmas week, with both having three players currently on four yellow cards.

For the Black Cats, Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhaka will all be hoping to avoid a booking to avoid missing their clash with Leeds on December 28.

As for the Seagulls, Carlos Baleba, Ferdi Kadioglu and Mats Wieffer are one yellow card away from missing their away trip Arsenal on December 27.

There are plenty of defensive worries across the league too, with 12 players on four cautions heading into the weekend.

Among those at risk of suspension are Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash, Tottenham's Pedro Porro and Brentford captain Nathan Collins.

Casemiro picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Man United's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth

Casemiro picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Man United's 4-4 draw with BournemouthCredit: Getty

Who is suspended in the Premier League this weekend?

While plenty of stars are hoping to avoid suspension ahead of Christmas week, four players will have a totally clean slate for gameweek 17 in the Premier League.

That is because these players have already brought up five bookings this season, and will therefore sit out their side's next match.

The quartet of stars missing out on this week's league action are Brighton duo Lewis Dunk and Diego Gomez, Man United midfielder Casemiro and Wolves centre-back Yerson Mosquera.

Sunderland's Luke O'Nien is another player who is suspended this weekend, following his red card against Man City on December 14.

But with the midfielder receiving a straight red card for dangerous play, he was handed a three-match ban, meaning he will miss both of the Black Cats' next two clashes - against Brighton and Leeds.

Players currently suspended:

Lewis Dunk (Brighton)

Diego Gomez (Brighton)

Casemiro (Manchester United)

Yerson Mosquera (Wolves)

Luke O'Nien (Sunderland)*