The Premier League returned with a bang last weekend. Expectations have been altered, perceptions have been skewed and there is even pressure mounting on some teams, and we’re only two weeks into the new campaign. With this in mind, a look at five talking points for this round of fixtures.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
An early six-pointer
It is never too early to claim a match is a six-pointer, is it? Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United kick off matchday two on Friday night with both having suffered losses in their opening games.
The Blades struggled against Crystal Palace. Paul Heckingbottom’s side managed just eight shots, created zero big chances and finished with an Expected Goals total of 0.51 in the 1-0 loss. They have added reinforcements this week with the arrivals of Gustavo Harmer and Tom Davies, but they are going to need an improved performance.
Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, lost to Arsenal but caused one of the title favourites a lot of issues. They created more big chances (two to zero) and had a higher xG (1.18 to 0.83). Taiwo Awoniyi was only given 20 minutes at the Emirates but he scored the goal to give Forest a chance of salvaging something late on. Expect him to start what is a potential early six-pointer at the City Ground. After all, the No9 was key to their survival last season, he could be vital again.
Ange-ball versus Ten Hag-ball
This is going to be an intriguing match-up. Both managers have a distinct style that they are famed for but only one of the teams managed to execute this during matchday one. Oddly enough, it wasn’t from the team who are one year into their project.
United claimed victory over Wolves but it wasn’t pretty. Erik Ten Hag’s men, playing at Old Trafford, were out-shot (23 to 15) and finished with a lower xG (2.21 compared to the away side’s 2.35).
The Red Devils were forced to take Lisandro Martinez off at half-time with an ankle injury, though his performance in the first half alone probably justified the early withdrawal. He was booked and won just two of his seven duels.
By comparison, Spurs really caught the eye in their season opener against Brentford. They may have only managed a 2-2 draw but there were real signs that the players understood their new roles within Ange Postecoglou’s system. Yves Bissouma and Emerson Royal caught the eye in their new roles, with both attempting over 100 passes in the game. The latter even scored the equaliser.
If the hosts are able to impose themselves onto Manchester United, it will be a statement performance that makes a lot of people sit up and take notice.
A top-of-the-table clash?
Newcastle United laid down a marker during their opening-day victory over Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe’s men ran riot at St James’ Park against European hopefuls Villa, romping to a 5-1 win. Alexander Isak netted twice in a 5-1 win as the Magpies racked up the second-highest xG of the weekend (3.41). Newcastle’s high energy could pose a number of problems for Manchester City.
The reigning champions picked up all three points against Burnley on Friday night and they did so at a canter. City looked back to their ruthless best with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Rodri running the show from midfield – he attempted over 100 passes and finished with a 97% success rate. The Spanish midfielder also chipped in with a goal and an assist. However, a long-term injury to Kevin De Bruyne could well nullify some of City’s attacking threat in the short-term and it is no wonder they’ve reportedly sped up the process to sign Lucas Paqueta.
This has the potential to be one of the games of the season, though, and the outcome could go some way to determining what sort of campaigns these two sides have.
Righting the wrongs of last weekend
There’s more than just three points at stake as Aston Villa host Everton this weekend.
As we’ve mentioned above, Villa were rocked by a hungry Newcastle United side on Saturday evening. The heavy 5-1 loss also saw Unai Emery’s men lose Tyrone Mings to a long-term knee injury and the Villans are already without Emi Buendia. They are going to want to kick off their campaign at Villa Park with a good performance otherwise all of the pre-season excitement will have disappeared within two weeks.
Good home form will be vital for a European push.
Everton, by comparison, deserved better in their season opener against Fulham. The Toffees lost, at home, to Fulham in one of the most one-sided games witnessed at Goodison for quite some time. Bernd Leno was in inspired form for the visitors, saving nine shots with an Expected Goals on Target total of over three.
They need to build on the performance rather than the result and getting something away to a team tipped for a European place would be a big statement. However, this is a must not lose match for Sean Dyche’s men. They can’t kick off the campaign with back-to-back defeats.
The Gunners under the microscope and under pressure
Mikel Arteta will want a better performance from his side this weekend as they travel to Crystal Palace. Arsenal controlled the ball against Forest but weren’t as threatening as they should’ve been. Both of their goals in the 2-1 win arrived as a result of individual brilliance rather than anything else and if a team becomes reliant on that it is a recipe for disaster.
The loss of Jurrien Timber will be a blow, the summer signing had looked right at home playing as a left-back for the Gunners so it will be interesting to see how they adapt to that.
Roy Hodgson will no doubt be looking at Odsonne Edouard again to put in yet another big performance. He scored the winner against Sheffield United and had seven shots during the game. The former Celtic man looked sharp and hungry. If he’s on it at Selhurst Park, he could cause the Arsenal defence some issues.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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