VAR dominated the Easter weekend Premier League football and we can only hope this MatchWeek is not impacted by video refs. Let’s get back to the skill and passion on the pitch which makes the world take notice of our great league rather than ineptitude by officials. Thankfully two of the inform sides meet first on BT Sport, it could be a special game:
Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Brentford Head Coach Thomas Frank mentioned Newcastle assistant coach Jason Tindall after the game last weekend, saying “We were also on purpose a little bit more active towards the fourth official. Again, if you’re talking about consistency, the guys who come here try to do it every single time. I don’t think it does me any good but we know Newcastle have the strategy – Jason Tindall always speaks in the fourth official’s ear about the game. We just have to be aware of that.” Some people viewed those comments as those of a man sore in defeat but on reflection he has a point, most Premier League teams only have the manager/head coach constantly standing in the technical area with his support staff sitting, analysing matters and only joining their boss with some words of wisdom. Newcastle though do have two men standing to attention all game, Tindall seems to be the aggressor but Howe chirps in too so it’s double bubble pressure wise creating a intimidating atmosphere for the match officials and opposing technical area. My worry is if this is being picked up by coaching units and they fight fire with fire against Newcastle then the job of a referee is only going to get worse, incidents like at Anfield with Robertson & Hatzidakis could be more common as sidelines become warzones.
PL Fixture Icons
Tommy Johnson – It took till November 1995, the third Villa Park matchup between these clubs for the home side to score and Johnson was the man who gave them a first half lead before Les Ferdinand equalised (1-1). Injuries and his selflessness to work the frontline meant he was never a prolific goal getter.
Malcolm Allen – The first Premier League meeting between these sides occurred in October 1993 and the away side were dominant (0-2). Welsh international Allen scored the first that day followed by the obligatory Andrew Cole finish. Allen’s career was cut short at 28 due to a ankle injury, the situation was made worse by the fact he was in the form of his career prior to the issue.
Game Narrative
The tactical switch by Eddie Howe at half time last weekend pairing Isak and Wilson worked and it will be interesting to see if he starts this game with the two of them. With Almiron and Saint Maximin injured their is a good chance he will, this sets up major issues for Mings or Konsa who will not enjoy the pressure placed on them by a dual strike force who can equal or better the strength/speed they possess. All season Newcastle have defended admirably but it can be argued they’ve not faced a forward unit in such a rich vein of form like Aston Villa’s, the dominant faction this Saturday should lead their team to victory.
The One to Watch – Bertrand Troare
Enjoying his best form for Villa since joining in 2020, he will be hoping he can score for the third game in a row. With his contract running out in 2024 this good spell may help attract suitors who wouldn’t have been there a few months ago.
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
Roberto De Zerbi has stepped into the head coaching job at Brighton seamlessly since taking over from Graham Potter and arguably has made them better. The issue with him currently is not his tactics but his temperament. Last Saturday was the second time he has been sent off in his short tenure and you start to wonder if he can’t maintain his discipline then why should the players. There is a opportunity for the Seagulls to finish in the top four, qualify for the Champions League plus win the FA Cup, it would a shame if this is thrown away by the squad losing their heads following the coaches example. The Italians fiery edge may also put off elite clubs looking to poach him, is he worth the risk as who’s to say his aggression may not go down well with pampered elite players.
PL Fixture Icons
Alvoro Morata – December 2017 saw these clubs go at it for the first time in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge with the home side winning with ease (2-0) and Spanish international Morata notching the first. The current Chelsea squad would love to have a number nine like Alvaro now despite his wastefulness he always was in the right place to have a go at goal.
Danny Wellbeck – It took until December 2021 for Brighton to score at Stamford Bridge (1-1) which was also the first away point. Former United player Welbeck will play a big part in this weekends game too.
Game Narrative
Chelsea’s poor league form and the fact this match is sandwiched between their Champions League quarter final with Real Madrid leaves Brighton with a massive chance to take all three points. They are organised, more rested and possess three or four players who can cause the home side major headaches, most prominent being Mitomo. Reece James did not enjoy the nimble footwork of Vinicius Jr Wednesday night and the Japanese international will dish up more of the same. With a mountain to climb at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday against Real, the Chelsea lineup will be of interest too, Chilwell is bound to start due to his looming Champions League ban but ageing stars like Kante, Kovacic and Silva surely will be rested with midweek in mind. That constant flip flopping of lineup will play even more so in the Seagulls favour.
The One to Watch – Lewis Dunk
One of the top defenders in the league when in possession this season he will be afforded plenty of time to progress the ball Saturday as we all know Chelsea have no threat down the middle on the centre backs shoulders.
Everton v Fulham
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is undoubtably one of the best English strikers in the Premier League but his football future due to ongoing injury issues must be questioned. The four seasons before 21/22 he averaged 34 games each term, over the last two it’s been 14! Regardless of which division Everton find themselves in next season they need to decide if it’s worth keeping hold of him, with two years to go on his contract it’s a ideal time to cash in on him even though the perception will be he is damaged goods. £30million with add ons considering his fitness concerns would be a fair fee and one that bar Manchester City & Liverpool would interest all Premier League clubs.
PL Fixture Icons
Duncan Ferguson – The one time hard man of Premier League football is now the vegan promoting manager of Forest Green. Back in March 2002 when he was the most feared forward in Britain he scored one of the goals when Everton beat Fulham (2-1) for the first time in the Premier League at Goodison Park.
Josh Maja – Valentines Day 2021 saw Fulham beat Everton for the first time at Goodison Park, no fans were in the stadium due to COVID and probably explains why that long run came to end, showing how important fans are in stadiums. The Bordeaux loanee Maja scored both goals (0-2), with his contract expiring this summer must surely be on the big board for many lower half Premier League sides and promotion hopefuls in the Championship.
Game Narrative
With Fulham on the beach Everton will view this as very winnable and will look to their usual formula of starting fast, no risks at the back, suffocating midfield and capitalising at set plays when playing at home to gain the much needed three points. Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson have lapped up the praise this season from the media but will be both be targets for Sean Dyche to expose down his sides right hand side, utilising Coleman, Iwobi and Grays strengths in possession.
The One to Watch – Dwight McNeil
The former Burnley man’s left foot will be a big key in Everton’s quest to stay up from set or open play. What he lacks in speed and dribbling ability is offset with his wand of a boot.
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Southamptons recruitment last summer centred on youthful talent which would come good in eighteen months time, the owners figured they would have enough to stay up like they always do but all signs are now leading to the Championship. Apart from Romeo Lavia, who was linked with top clubs after a few matches, all other arrivals will still be playing football at St Mary’s in August which will bode well for their chances to bounce straight back up. The pain felt by Saints fans now could well be rewarded with a vibrant team in the future. Both South Coast sides embroiled in the relegation dogfight have the best chances to get promoted back as their squads will largely be unaltered next season.
PL Fixture Icons
Gordon Watson – The diminutive forward worked the attacking third with plenty of passion but always lacked the threat in front of goal to really establish himself in the top flight. Widely known for his court case victory in 1998 after a double leg break during a game between Bradford & Huddersfield, caused by Kevin Gray. The injury basically ended his career, he was never the same player. One of his better days for Southampton was in May 1995 when he scored one of the goals against Crystal Palace (3-1).
James McArthur – Goals from the Scottish international are very rare, usually two a season but in 2017/18 he hit the dizzy heights of five and one of them was scored against Southampton at St Mary’s when Palace won there for the first time (1-2).
Game Narrative
We will find out this Saturday if Palaces second half scoring spree against Leeds was due to the home sides capitulation in defence or the Eze/Olise era is fully beginning for the Eagles. Due to both lads undisputed talent I would suggest they are now fully blossoming without Zahas tantrums and Vierras dour tactics. It’s hard to imagine Southamptons defence holding out against a rampant Palace unless they set out like they are the away team and seek the counter attack.
The One to Watch – Ainsley Maitland-Niles
The Arsenal loanee has always suffered for minutes due to his versatility but his England call up a few years ago showed he is highly regarded within the game. He could well be asked to keep the Palace flair players quiet but his quality in possession will equally be vital if Southampton can gain all three points.
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth
This weekend is a free hit for Bournemouth away to Spurs but thanks to the away win over Leicester last weekend their quest to avoid relegation is in their own hands. After Saturday they play West Ham, Southampton and Leeds plus Palace and Everton within the final three. They are seven clear of the Saints, five from Leicester and three from Forest, match those sides results and it’s all gravy. It would be an amazing achievement for Bournemouth to stay up considering how they started the campaign including the nine nil defeat to Liverpool. With the team loaded with Championship players surviving the drop will enable them to use the new owners and top flight cash to build a squad to maintain their seat at the top table for years to come.
PL Fixture Icons
Christian Eriksen – Since the inaugural meeting at White Hart Lane in March 2016 (3-0) a lot has happened to Eriksen who scored one of the goals that day. The world feared the worst when he collapsed in 2021 at the Euros, but now inwardly cheer for him every time he sets foot on the football field.
Harry Wilson – The Cherries have never won at White Hart Lane and the highlight among those visits was in November 2019 when they scored for the first time (3-2), both from Harry Wilson. Dynamite from set plays, the Welshman struggles to affect matches from open play.
Game Narrative
Gary O’Neill will be looking to compact the space between the lines so players like Son or Kulusevski cannot drive with the ball unopposed towards his sides penalty area, this is when Tottenham look their best. Phillip Billing will be viewed as the away teams best goal threat but he will need to revert back to his DM mindset albeit further forward. Ouattara will provide the creative spark as he should have a lot of space to run into due to Perisic’s attacking mindset. As always it’s a lottery which Spurs team will turn up on Saturday, if they turn it on and expose Bournemouths continual weakness aerially in defence then Kane should be the difference.
The One to Watch – Arunaut Danjuma
Barely played since arriving in January but Stellini has spoken this week he may feature Saturday, Bournemouth is one of his former clubs so he will love to put on a show against them.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brentford
Pontus Jansson only recently returned to regular first team action due to a injury incurred back in October and now the issue has flared up again, finishing his season. Brentford fans feared it could be the captains last game as rumours for months had swirled suggesting he wanted to return to Sweden. Those rumours become reality on Friday when the club announced Jansson would be joining his first club, Malmo once his contract expires in June. Outside of the Bees universe the swedes influence would have gone unnoticed but to Brentford supporters he is a modern day legend. When he joined from Leeds in 2019 it was a major coup, at Elland Road he was a big favourite with fans and long been discussed as a transfer target for Premier League clubs. Straight away he become captain at Brentford and subsequently led the club to its greatest years in its history. The fans will not see him don a red & white shirt again but will have so many fond memories, for me my favourites was seeing him score for the first time against Watford at the GTech (since he’d joined I always bet on him to score anytime and he always came so close) and the day Manchester United were thrashed four nil, when asked by the West Stand what the score was he held up the relevant fingers which angered World Cup winner Varane. Thank you Pontus you have been everything expected and so much more.
Fixture Icons
Ten years ago (Nov 2013) this was a league one fixture with the game finishing as a draw. Both clubs earned promotion that season which then begun the period of success they both benefit from now by competing in the Premier League. Who’s to say in ten years we may see this seasons League one contenders Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday or Plymouth in the top flight, the precedent has been set.
Game Narrative
Wolves fans would have feared not having Ruben Neves at their disposal last weekend against Chelsea but the squad stepped up and fully deserved the victory. They will have to do without their talisman again this Saturday which will be a tougher task due to Brentford’s highly organised mode of football. Two losses in a row will drive the visitors to make it a tough afternoon for Julen Lopeteguis team as they will slow the match speed, score on the break and spread the play wide at every chance.
The One to Watch – Ivan Toney
When facing his former side Newcastle last Saturday it wasn’t the day he hoped for, marginal offside, missed penalty and defeat. The positive was the fact he scored the second penalty he took, facing off against Killman and Dawson will be a matchup he will enjoy, loads of physicality but space behind them to attack.
Manchester City v Leicester City
Leicester City need a hero and the last remaining player from the Premier League Title winning team, Jamie Vardy has to roll back the years to save the club which helped make him a household name. With his contract expiring in 2024 and more than likely his last as a professional he will not want to be performing in the Championship. Taking on Manchester City will probably not earn Leicester any points but it’s the performance which is important, if selected Vardy needs to show future opponents like Wolves, Leeds & Everton he means business and is bang up for delivering headaches to defenders.
PL Fixture Icons
David Silva – Amazingly it wasn’t till March 2015 (2-0) when City beat Leicester for the first time at their own ground. Of course both clubs faced years outside the top flight but the meetings in the nineties at Maine Road were dominated by the Foxes. Spanish wizard Silva scored the first goal and it’s only now English fans realise how special a player he was.
Mark Robins – The fox in the box who kickstarted Alex Fergusons trophy winning era at Manchester United is now one of the most respected managers in the Championship an surely will earn a chance to take charge of a team in the Premier League one day. After falling out of favour at United and then Norwich he ended up at Leicester where during his first season he scored the only goal at Maine Road (0-1), January 1995.
Game Narrative
City’s victory in the Champions League Tuesday night over Bayern was magnificent, every player contributed and near the end of the match you could see many of them were spent physically. I fully expect a few changes to the lineup but not all of them can be rested so it will be interesting to see how those on double duty perform. Harvey Barnes being injured is a massive blow for Leicester as potentially he could have caused headaches for the home sides right side of defence. As mentioned above the best Dean Smith can hope for is the players put in a shift and react positively to the tactics he implements.
The One to Watch – Julian Alvarez
With one eye on Munich, Haaland could be rested so the Argentine World Cup winner should start Saturday night. At most other clubs it would be mad to think the 2021 South American Player of the Year is a back up player but this is what happens at City. You could argue after Haaland and Kane, Alvarez is the third best striker in the Premier League.
West Ham United v Arsenal
Winning is all Arsenal need to do right now if they are going to win the league, but after last Sundays second half performance they need to issue a statement to the fans, Pep and most importantly to themselves. Bookmakers favour City now and if Artetas squad are going to fall short it cannot be at the hands of clubs like West Ham. When we get to June the memory of Arsenals challenge prior to the World Cup will be distant, due to recency bias the form shown in April and May will be highlighted. Qualifying for the Champions League was the goal this term and they’ve achieved that, if they are going to finish second let that be in the guise of unlucky losers rather than chokers.
PL Fixture Icons
Paulo Di Canio – Lately all the chatter about Mitrovic touching and abusing the ref, makes me think of Di Canios shove on Paul Alcock when he was at Sheffield Wednesday which resulted in a eleven game ban. That incident meant the Italian joined West Ham which in turn resulted in the best club spell of his career. October 1999 saw the Hammers beat Arsenal for the first time at Upton Park with Paulo scoring both goals (2-1).
Tony Adams – Mr Arsenal has embraced his sobriety over the last thirty years, offering help to others suffering with addictions and even last winter took on the challenge of Strictly Come Dancing. I wish he was on the tv more talking football as his knowledge is superior to many who work for Sky or BT. Arsenals first away win over West Ham occurred in September 1994 (0-2).
Game Narrative
West Ham do not possess the talent to prevent Saka or Martinelli running rings round them out wide so they have to stop the supply line, which mainly comes via Odergaard and Zinchenko. Stopping those two playmakers dictate the ball will fall onto the shoulders of Rice, Soucek and Bowen by harassing the zones the Arsenal lads occupy. If this doesn’t happen the London Stadium will become toxic quick as the away side will run rampant. Sundays game is not a match for Hammers like Benrahma, Pacqueta or Ings, grafters who can offer some ball retention like Antonio, Downes and Lanzini have to take the field if the home side have any chance.
The One to Watch – Granit Xhaka
When the walls are falling around the Swiss international, he dusts himself down and responds postively. After Sky created a narrative he cost his team the win last Sunday it would not be a shock if he puts on a number eight showcase culminating with a goal.
Nottingham Forest v Manchester United
The 7th of January 1990 is the most important date in Manchester United history since the Matt Busby era. Leading up to the 3rd Round FA Cup fixture, fans and media were calling for Alex Fergusons head. They had not won since November the 18th and it was widely expected when United lost to the red hot Forest, Fergie would be gone after four stagnant years. Core injuries to the squad meant young players like Russell Beardsmore, Mark Robins and Lee Martin took to the field, admirably performing like men, ultimately kickstarting the most dominant football legacy in British football. Robins scored the winner versus Forest and Martin from left back grabbed the winner in the FA Cup Final replay versus Palace. After them other youth players came through and would be dubbed “The Fergie Fledgings”, none of those initial prodigies succeeded but five years later another crop would define the next fifteen ears. It’s easy dismiss one match as the catalyst for success but it’s hard to imagine the Red Devils becoming a force without Alex Ferguson. When Utd play Forest at the City Ground I will always think about the 1990 FA Cup meeting, it’s folklore.
PL Fixture Icons
Paul McGregor – I can hear you saying who? This is why I love delving back into the archives for the fixture icon, McGregor scored in November 1995 to earn Forest a draw (1-1). The striker enjoyed a nomadic career around the lower leagues once leaving Nottingham before retiring at 29. This wasn’t a risk though as he then went on to do what he truly loved, music. While playing he was in a Brit pop band and then formed a punk band Ulterior once leaving footy.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – The second week in a row Ole is the fixture icon, I don’t like repeating players but you cannot deny the impact he had when these two clubs last met at the City Ground in the Premier League, November 1999. Off the bench he scored four goals, while Yorke and Cole grabbed two each (1-8). Long-standing Forest fans will be hoping their is no repeat score line Sunday.
Game Narrative
Both sides have been hit by injuries, Forest more so due to the quantity while United face the fact several key men cannot play. Varane & Martinez will be missing at the back and main scoring threat Rashford will not lead the line, this does not level the playing field but offers the hosts a chance to scheme around it. Lindelof and Maguire will offer a soft centre with Brennan Johnson bound to be playing off the shoulder of the England international while a more physical player like Dennis or Ayew targeting the Swede. Not having to deal with Rashfords pace will be advantageous for the hosts but Forests defence need to work and concentrate harder than ever to offer a platform for the forwards to maybe earn a shock win.
The One to Watch – Anthony Martial
The Frenchman’s Sunday will go one of two ways, he will either fully replace Marcus Rashford by scoring the vital goals or leave the game after a hour with another injury.
Leeds United v Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has spoken on many occasions over the last few months about his and the teams future, never more so after the away draw with Chelsea when he said “No [I haven’t had a season like this], thank God, I wouldn’t be manager of Liverpool if I had a couple of these seasons. We have to get through it. That’s how life is. You have to fight to change your fortunes”. The big question is deep down does he have the fight to rebuild Liverpool? With finances tight they have dropped out of the Jude Bellingham chase, which is a sensible move as resources need to be distributed to rebuild their defence and midfield. The recruitment over the next two windows has to be bang on if The Reds are going to challenge for the title again in the next two years. Arsenal have shown it’s possible to turn things round quick but it requires complete player buy in and luck with transfers. Liverpool will always be competitive due to the array of forwards at their disposal and the home support, which is a reason for Klopp to stay but only the German inside knows how he feels about this project. It seems to me he wants to leave but at the same time feels a obligation to Anfield and would not want to walk away leaving the club weaker than he found it, which right now he would.
PL Fixture Icons
The first meeting during the Premier League era at Elland Road saw these two famous clubs play out a draw (2-2) and also in hindsight the beginning of the end for both teams Football League players prominence. It was expected both clubs would be the dominant forces within the newly formed top flight. The previous season Leeds had won the last Division One title while Liverpool had dominated the league for twenty years. Gary McAllister scored the opening goal and would go on to squeeze out another ten years of top flight football including a spell at Anfield but that Leeds team would swiftly disintegrate. Liverpools goal scorers Jan Molby and Ronnie Whelan were synonymous with 80’s Reds and many of those stars faded away at the start of the Premier League, leading to numerous periods of reinvention over the next 20+ years before they finally won the Premier League for the first time in 2020.
Game Narrative
When you concede five goals playing at home to Crystal Palace you do not want to face a forward line like Liverpools next, but this is Leeds fate. Over the last week defending would have been worked on extensively by Rudi Gracia at training but it’s the mindset of the players more than anything which needs to be addressed. Fourteen goals have been shipped in the last five games resulting in two wins, two defeats and a draw. The home fans will not like it but Mondays game and beyond have to be boring if they are to beat the drop, no more taking the game to the opposition, dogged defending and swift counter attacking should be on the menu only. Due to the previous two managers at Leeds the question mark is can those players perform like that or even want to, they was brought into the club for their manic skillsets which fitted those bosses playing style.
The One to Watch – Mo Salah
If Leeds perform like they did last Sunday then the Egyptian will have a field day cutting in from the right hand side and even if they do tighten up at the back he will be main threat as always for Liverpool.
Premier League Player Power Rankings
Jack Grealish has broken into the top ten, his form since January has been tantalising and the way he played against Southampton last Saturday with a constant smile on his face swung it for me, with Bruno Fernandes dripping out of the elite ten:
- Martin Odergaard non mover
- Erling Haaland up one
- Marcus Rashford down one
- Harry Kane non mover
- Bakary Saka Kaoru Mitomo up one
- Bakary Saka down one
- Ivan Toney non mover
- Solly March non mover
- Jack Grealish new entry
- Ben Mee down one
When watching matches this weekend remember Frank Beckenbauer once said “it is not the strong one that wins, the one that wins is strong”, that mindset sums up football in April & May when so much is on the line.