This week English clubs started to flex their muscles in the European competitions after a slow start and this form does not bode well for the rest of the Premier League. No Saturday lunchtime game which brings a refreshing, old school feeling with the 3pm kick off being our starting point :
Bournemouth v Leicester City
Leicester enter this matchup brimming with confidence after beating Nottingham Forest and will see this as winnable even though Bournemouth are becoming game by game harder to beat. The next step the Cherries need to take is progress from cautious to expansive when attacking. Home games are when points should be gained and another draw this weekend will leave them feeling they’ve dropped four points from the last six. Stylistically the away sides possess the skill players on display and should be able to deal with the enclosed Vitality Stadium enabling them to win a second game on the bounce. If your watching the game Saturday keep a eye out for Cherries keeper Neto, he’s a master of the dark arts.
Player to Watch – Lewis Cook
Last weekend against Brentford the former England youth level starlet produced a display where he dominated the midfield scrap, these type of performances need to occur more consistently if his team have any hope surviving the drop and on a personal level push for England selection. His partnership with Phillip Billings has been building for a few years now and whatever happens this year they will both me playing in the Premier League next season.
Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers
The Graham Potter era is beginning to take form with Aubameyang relishing being the main man in attack. He is taking the chances being presented to him, finally Stamford Bridge have a striker it seems. The last three games between these clubs have ended in draws but it’s hard to see that run continuing. Wolves have been poor off the pitch recruitment wise for a while and this has manifested on the pitch now. Since Jimenez suffered his horrific injury versus Arsenal two years ago they have been short a striker and it’s not been addressed. If he plays Diego Costa will be disruptive like he has always been but rampant goal scorer he’s not. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been playing regular this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is starting to enter Gareth Southgates thoughts as a possible standby option for the World Cup.
Player to Watch – Jose Sa
The Wolves players have seen off Bruno Lage but the onus now will be on the players futures! Sa was one of the standout surprising stars last season but his form has dropped dramatically this term. If he is good as past standards his performances need to improve ASAP starting with this difficult away game v Chelsea.
Manchester City v Southampton
FPL players will be captaining Haaland and why not this fixture shouts rout for the home side. It’s hard to find any reason why Southampton will even score (they’ve scored one goal in their recent run of three defeats) let alone gain a positive outcome from the game. The victory in this one will be keeping the score down but that may not be enough to keep Hussenhuti in a job. City could afford to play numerous youngsters in the Champions League during the week, it would not be a surprise if they are seen again this weekend.
Player to Watch – James Ward-Prowse
Possession will be limited for Southampton in this game so their one man who can hold onto and recycle the ball HAS to perform. It may not help his side win or draw the match but on a personal level offer a statement display to maintain a possible England World Cup squad slot.
Newcastle United v Brentford
The Geordies capitalised last weekend on the early sending off and finally showed the league what they are capable of in attack. Brentford will be a tougher nut to crack especially at fullback where they possess two of the leagues most underrated players in Hickey & Henry. Ivan Toney will of course thrive playing against his former side but his supporting cast need to elevate their games if the West Londoners are to grab even a draw, too often against Bournemouth last weekend Mbuemo and Jensen wasted final third possession. St James Park is a fortress when the home side click into action, the first goal will decide who wins this game.
Player to Watch – Bruno Guimaraes
Last season at The Community Stadium Guimaraes produced a eye opening display which set him up becoming one of the key players at Newcastle. Brentford’s midfield has struggled lately and if the Brazilian dominates the game like he can then it will lead his side to victory.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur
Brighton were rampant in attack last Saturday but could not prevent goals being conceded and if they continue that style will find this matchup not very advantageous. Spurs are much better defensively than Liverpool and can boast attackers on a par with Salah & co. It remains to be seen though how expansive Conte will allow his side to be, recent form shows they will rely on attacking on the break. This is a coin flip match and any result will not be a surprise. Trossard has enjoyed goal scoring success in the past against Spurs and surely will be tightly watched by Romero. With Emerson Royal out suspended, Doherty & Spence out of favour, we could see Perisic play on the right which will be fun battle between him and Estupinan.
Player to Watch – Harry Kane
When the England captain plays well so does Tottenham, linking play from deep and ultimately finishing the move off with a effort at goal. The last few games has seen Kane at his worst, subsequently wins have not happened.
Crystal Palace v Leeds United
Leeds last won this fixture in the Premier League back in 1998 with Rod Wallace and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring the goals, this current Leeds unit would give anything for a striker like those two. They have a playing style but like so many teams in the league lack a goal scorer. They will penetrate with pace and desire but so often already this term it’s not enough. Palace on the other hand despite their many shortcomings can boast numerous players who can grab goals or turn the game with brilliance at vital times. Palace enter a very favourable run of games now till the World Cup break which should ease any pressure on Patrick Viera.
Player to Watch – Wilfred Zaha
Zaha has been at his whining best this season, yes he is targeted by defenders but he needs to shrug this off and put in a performance over the entire 90 minutes. He has scored four goals already which is a great start but makes you wonder what he can do if he wasn’t berating referees continually when someone dares tackle him. Leeds defenders are average therefore Palaces talisman has a great opportunity to send the Selhurst Park faithful home happy.
West Ham United v Fulham
Fulham have caused problems for the opposition this season but cannot turn the performances into a positive winning run, in the last five games they have won two and lost three. History is against them too as they have only won once away in this fixture and that was the first meeting twenty one years ago. They are likely to be without Mitrovic and that will mean they will be toothless going forward. West Ham on the other hand enter Sundays game with confidence, this is when playing twice a week is a positive as form can be turned around quickly. The summer signings are starting to find their feet and like Palace & Leicester, West Ham could start shooting up the league table.
Player to Watch – Jarrod Bowen
For the second week running Bowen is the player to watch, last weekend he produced and he holds the key against a Fulham side who’s fullbacks prefer to attack than defend. His ability to cut inside and deliver thunderbolts rapidly at goal could and should result in a multi goal day.
Arsenal v Liverpool
This is the marquee game of the weekend and another statement day for the league leaders, too often this fixture has meant heartache for the North London club but all signs suggest they will win this Sunday. It’s clear Saido Mane leaving has been a major burden for Jurgen Klopps side and it will be felt even more so versus Arsenal as he was always the thorn in their side. The glimmer of hope will be how Manchester United beat the leaders last month, if they follow that blueprint their league season may finally be kickstarted. Salah and Dias are quick and skilful like Rashford and Antony while Thiago can protect the ball just like Eriksen. Saka will benefit from Andrew Robertson not playing as Tsimikas is clearly not a able replacement. He is already a game influencer of the highest order but surely will see more of the ball than normal , Martinelli coming in from the left will benefit from his delivery.
Player to Watch – Jesus
He is the main man for Arsenal, the tempo is set by the Brazilian and even if he is having a off day in possession his work rate opens up play for his teammates. The worrying matter for all Arsenal fans is if he’s injured, no one can replace him! Centring on this game the lack of form displayed by Liverpools centre backs could offer a multitude of success for the home team in their pursuit of the league title.
Everton v Manchester United
Buoyed from a two game winning run, Everton clearly will be confident but despite all Uniteds shortcomings while Ten Hag finds his way they are clearly better than what the home side have beaten so far. The unusual kick off time may offer a similar strange result like the usual BT Sport slot of Saturday lunchtime but that is clutching at straws when the away sides bench is so much stronger than the hosts starting eleven. Ronaldo is not the player he was but being able to introduce him with twenty minutes to go is the trump card. Onana and Iwobi have been effective all season, their energy and will drive will cause United issues but they need to produce more quality within the final third.
Player to Watch – Marcus Rashford
Going into the derby game last week, Rashford was struggling fitness wise and he had no impact on the game. Another week of training will bring the England man nearer to 100%. Everton have defended a lot better this term thanks in part to Conor Coady but the pace Rashford possess will cause issues for whoever plays for the Toffees on Sunday night.
Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa
Monday Night Football has always offered a showcase for sides not always televised but so often the match has been a major damp squid, this one has that feel to it. You can argue the case that both coaches need the win more than the other which will likely mean a very cagey affair. By the time they meet again in April I feel both Cooper and Gerrard will not be employed by these teams, Forest could be relegated by that time too. Villa face a hiding to nothing, everyone expects them to win but to do so Watkins or Ings need to rediscover their shooting boots. Forest on the other hand need one of the many attackers recruited to finally show their worth, Jesse Lingard being the obvious choice.
Player to Watch – Dean Henderson
Henderson has been Forests best player this season but even his displays have not been enough to stem the goals conceded. Villas attack are not firing but still possess enough quality to penetrate the home sides defenders, this is where Henderson needs to produce a SuperNova performance and hope someone in attack can grab a goal.
With another rail strike this weekend I hope everyone gets to their game of choice whatever the level safely and enjoys themselves.
