The Carabao Cup took centre stage this week but the focus is now, once again, on Premier League action.
By Sam McGuire
There are a number of intriguing match-ups this weekend. It is too early to talk about season-defining but positive results for certain teams here could completely change the narrative. With that in mind, here’s what to look out for this weekend.
Title winning mentality
If Arsenal are serious title contenders, the game against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon is a must-win.
The Gunners suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago and then twice gave up the lead against Liverpool last weekend in a 2-2 draw.
Mikel Arteta‘s side are five points off the pace in the race for the Premier League title. They need to keep within touching distance of leaders Manchester City so they’re in a position to capitalise on any dropped points by the reigning champions.
They’re coming up against an out-of-sorts Newcastle team. The Magpies are without a win in the Premier League since September 15th.
Eddie Howe’s men did beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup in midweek. And they did hold Manchester City to a draw at St James’ Park a little over a month ago. So they do have it in them to show up against the better teams.
A win in this early kick off could lift the Magpies up to eighth in the English top-flight. It would also leave them just three points behind Arsenal. It could be a season changing result for the Magpies.
The right time for Wolves?
Wolves are still winless in the Premier League. Gary O’Neil’s side did show great mental resilience last weekend to come from 2-0 down against Brighton to claim a point with just five minutes left to play.
This performance did highlight the fact the players still buy into O’Neil and his plans. They could’ve easily downed tools and played out their eighth loss of the season. Instead, they salvaged their second point of the campaign.
Wolves haven’t been as bad as results suggest. But results matter. They have the worst defence in the Premier League and are conceding, on average, 2.8 goals per 90.
They’re going to have to sort their defence out if they’re to have any chance of avoiding relegation. They host Crystal Palace in the evening game on Saturday.
The Eagles picked up their first win of the season last weekend, beating Spurs 1-0. They then followed it up with a 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa in midweek. So they’re in good form and will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce. It is a good opportunity for Oliver Glasner and his team to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
A results-based game
On paper, Aston Villa are having another good season while Spurs are struggling.
Unai Emery‘s side have 18 points on the board and are just five points behind league leaders Manchester City. By comparison, Spurs have picked up 13 points from nine matches. Ange Postecoglou‘s men have lost as many games as they have won (four).
Crystal Palace picked up their first win of the season against Tottenham last weekend, just one week after Postecoglou’s side had run riot against West Ham United in a 4-1 victory. It highlights how hit and miss they are as a team this season.
They hammered that idea home in midweek by beating Manchester City in the Carabao Cup while Aston Villa suffered a shock loss to Crystal Palace.
When looking at the underlying numbers, however, a different story starts to take shape.
Both teams have an Expected Points total of 16. They’re the joint-third best teams in the league so far. Villa have the results to match the performances. Spurs, at this current time, have performances but not the results.
Things could change when the two meet on Sunday.
The first and last time?
Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s Manchester United take on Chelsea this weekend. It could be the Dutchman’s only chance to manage the Red Devils in the Premier League with Rúben Amorim expected to be appointed as the man to succeed Erik Ten Hag.
The former PSV manager took charge of United against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, masterminding a 5-2 win over the Foxes.
It likely won’t be as straightforward for United when they host Chelsea at Old Trafford this weekend.
Chelsea have averaged 2.1 goals per 90, the second highest total in the Premier League. Key to that is Cole Palmer, the most productive player in the English top-flight this term with 12 goal involvements. If you’re going to stop Enzo Maresca and his players, you need to stop Palmer.
And United, surprisingly, have a good chance of doing this. The Red Devils have kept four clean sheets, a total that only Liverpool (five) can better.
Van Nistelrooy will want to go out on a high and getting one over a rival would be ideal.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from the Premier League on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.