We may only be three weeks into the 2023/24 campaign but we have our first six-pointer of the season. Ahead of matchday three, a look at some of the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
The pressure mounts on Pochettino
A home match against Luton Town should be viewed as a banker for any club with European aspirations. All of the pressure is on Chelsea and manager Mauricio Pochettino heading into this game on Friday night.
The Blues are yet to win a game this season having drawn with Liverpool and lost to West Ham United. Pochettino needs to figure out a way to get his team firing, and quickly. In their 3-1 loss to the Hammers last weekend, Jackson Martinez won more tackles (3) than he had shots (2) and he failed to have an effort in the second half when the Blues were chasing the game. The former Villarreal man is the focal point of the attack and if he’s failing to threaten the opposition, Chelsea aren’t going to be a threat.
This isn’t necessarily a free hit for Luton but few expect them to take anything from a game at Stamford Bridge. There’s nothing for them to lose in this situation and everything for them to win. It is a perfect storm for a shock result, so let’s see if they can pull it off.
A chance to build momentum
Spurs have had a decent start to life under Ange Postecoglou. They drew their opener against Brentford and followed that up with a 2-0 win over Manchester United. By comparison, Andoni Iraola is still winless as Bournemouth boss. The Cherries picked up a point against West Ham to kick off their campaign and then, despite taking a shock lead at Anfield, they fell to a 3-1 defeat on Merseyside.
There have been signs of improvement though under the Spanish tactician and there’s a clear identity with their playing style. For example, they rank sixth in the Premier League for possessions won in the final third and this points to an aggressive high press. For a little context here, Spurs rank 10th for this metric.
Both teams are in the bottom half for Expected Goals so far this season. Spurs have mustered chances with a value of three while Bournemouth have managed to create chances worth 2.7. It is going to be interesting to see how this game pans out with both teams no doubt wanting to assert their dominance on proceedings.
The six-pointer
Wolves and Everton head into this game propping up the table. Both teams are on zero points and suffered heavy defeats in their second matches of the season.
Gary O’Neil will feel a little unlucky though. His team have the fourth highest Expected Goals total in the Premier League (4.5) but have scored just once. They are also tied for the most big chances missed (5). The fact they’ve created this number of chances is all the more impressive when you consider they’ve come up against Manchester United and Brighton. They just aren’t able to convert their opportunities.
It is a similar story with Everton too. The Toffees are yet to score this season despite creating opportunities with an Expected Goals total of 3.4. They have also missed four big chances with a number of those coming in the 1-0 loss to Fulham. Sean Dyche’s side do have defensive issues though. They have an Expected Goals conceded total of 4.5, the second-highest in the league behind Fulham.
With the game being at Goodison Park, the pressure is on Everton to get something from this match. If they don’t, it could well be yet another struggle this season in the Premier League.
The Seagulls and The Hammers
Brighton are the form team in the Premier League. They’ve scored four goals in back-to-back games to kick off their campaign and they have the highest Expected Goals total in the English top-flight with 6.2.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men are averaging 10 shots on target per game, comfortably the most of any team in the Premier League. Solly March is the joint-top scorer in the league with three, Julio Encisco, Kaoru Mitoma and Pervis Estupiñán all have two assists – the most in the league – while the former has the highest FotMob average in the Premier League with 8.84.
Everything is just clicking the Seagulls but the visit of West Ham will be a tricky one for them to navigate. The Hammers are undefeated so far this season and ran out 3-1 winners over Chelsea in their last outing. They’re a threat from set pieces with James Ward-Prowse now responsible for dead ball situations.
One thing to note, however, is that David Moyes’ side Expected Goals battle against Bournemouth and Chelsea but came away with four points. They will need to shore things up defensively against a rampant Brighton team if they’re to get anything from this game.
Newcastle United versus Liverpool
Newcastle lost both times against Liverpool last season, falling to a 2-1 loss at Anfield and a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park.
They are going to be looking to bounce back from the loss to Manchester City last weekend. Eddie Howe’s men did manage to limit the champions, with Pep Guardiola’s men creating chances with an xG of just over one. However, the flip side to that is that they failed to really threaten City.
Newcastle did run riot in their season opener in front of home fans, picking up a 5-1 win over Aston Villa. They are a threat at home and Liverpool will be wary of this.
Furthermore, the Magpies have created eight big chances this term, only Brighton (9) have managed more. Howe’s side have the most yellow cards (9) too, so that will be something to keep an eye on.
Liverpool fell behind to Bournemouth but bounced back to record a comfortable 3-1 win over the Cherries to take their tally for the season to four points. They will be with Alexis Mac Allister after the midfielder’s red card was overturned, so that is a positive for Jurgen Klopp.
Mohamed Salah has six goals and four assists against the Magpies in 12 appearances for Liverpool. He is without a goal against them in three matches though.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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