After a controversial couple of weeks for Premier League referee Michael Oliver, he is set to be back in action once more. Just 10 days on from being at the centre of Liverpool's dramatic Merseyside derby draw to Everton, the senior official will take charge of Chelsea next.

Oliver's last game as the main referee involving Enzo Maresca's side was November's 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal. Since then he has issued three red cards, including one to Myles Lewis-Skelly - which was later overturned - after his foul on Matt Dohery against Wolves at the end of January.

Last week he dismissed both Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure at Goodison Park following a brawl in the aftermath of James Tarkoswki's late leveller in the final match between Liverpool and Everton at the stadium. The result offered a glimmer of hope to Arsenal's Premier League title hopes as the gap at the top was only extended to seven points rather than nine.

By the time Liverpool kick off against Manchester City on Sunday evening the difference could be just four points if Arsenal beat West Ham on Saturday. Oliver also sent off Liverpool manager Arne Slot - although that is pending a review before he is given a touchline ban - as well as his assistant coach.

Unlike last week, which saw Oliver act as VAR for Chelsea's 3-0 loss to Brigthon on Friday, February 14, before then taking up the same role at Stockley Park during Aston Villa's 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town less than 24 hours later, he will only be involved in one game during Matchday 26. It does not impact either Arsenal or Liverpool on this occasion but will have a bearing on other areas of the league.

Oliver, who is from just outside of Newcastle, will instead be the man in the middle for Chelsea's visit to Villa Park. That game is slated for 5.30pm on Saturday.

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Should Chelsea fail to win in the Midlands, Newcastle United could overtake them and jump up to at least sixth place in the table with victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. It comes amid a tight battle to secure Champions League qualification.

Finishing fifth is expected to be enough to secure a place in Europe's elite club competition this season. Chelsea are in the middle of a crisis under Maresca, though, and have crashed down from being second in mid-December to scrapping around just four points above Fulham in eighth and six ahead of Brighton at the bottom of the top half.

Oliver reviewed Enzo Fernandez's disallowed goal in the first half at the Amex Stadium after Chris Kavanagh deemed there to have been a foul in the build-up. The incident was not referred to the pitchside monitor with an official explaination for the decision being: "The referee’s call of no goal following a foul for a push by Enzo Fernandez on Joël Veltman was checked and confirmed by VAR."

Arsenal vs West Ham will be overseen by Craig Pawson with Peter Bankes on VAR. Liverpool's clash with City has been handed to Anthony Taylor and Stuart Attwell in the booth at Stockley Park.

Oliver has become public enemy No.1 for Arsenal in recent years after sending off Gabriel Martinelli for two yellow cards in the same move away to Wolves in 2022. He was also the man in charge when Leandro Trossard was given a second booking for kicking the ball away at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season.