This weekend has the potential to be a seismic one in the grand scheme of things in the Premier League. Results will have consequences to both the top and bottom of the table. Depending on what happens, managerial changes may be afoot too. That is if Storm Darragh doesn’t play havoc with the fixture list.
By Sam McGuire
So, what is there to look forward to?
The Mohamed Salah show tours at Goodison Park
Liverpool are top of the Premier League table, seven points clear of Chelsea and Arsenal following their entertaining 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday evening. The Reds have performed well this term and the team has been fairly solid, with and without the ball. But the real difference maker for Arne Slot’s side has been Mohamed Salah.
He, again, got Liverpool out of a pickle against the Magpies. He assisted Curtis Jones for the leveller, scored the second equaliser for the Reds and then put the away side ahead. The three-time Golden Boot winner has now been involved in at least one goal in his last seven Premier League appearances. In four of those games, he’s had at least two goal involvements.
Salah leads the way for goal involvements in the Premier League (21). He’s the top scorer (13) and only Bukayo Saka (10) has more assists than the 32-year-old (eight). It isn’t quite as straightforward as saying if you stop Salah, you stop Liverpool. But you aren’t far off it. If he’s nullified, the Reds aren’t anywhere near as much of concern.
Everton aren’t having the best campaign but they did romp to a 4-0 win over Wolves on Wednesday. Backed by a home crowd and with windy conditions aiding them, they could cause Liverpool some trouble on Saturday afternoon, and with this being the last Derby scheduled at the historic Goodison, you can be sure they’ll be out to do that.
Arsenal’s bogey team
This might be a little premature given the sample size isn’t the largest, but Fulham could be Arsenal’s bogey team. Marco Silva’s side went unbeaten against the Gunners last term, picking up a 2-2 draw at the Emirates and recording a 2-1 win over the title hopefuls at Craven Cottage in December 2023.
The two teams face off at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Fulham, once again, have the chance to dent Arsenal’s title dreams. The Cottagers are having a surprisingly good campaign. They’re sixth in the Premier League and find themselves just six point off of their visitors. For added context here, they are just one point behind the Gunners when looking at Expected Points this term, highlighting how well Silva’s side are doing.
Arsenal had a bit of a rough patch a few weeks ago but Martin Ødegaard’s return has sparked a run of victories in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s side have won three on the bounce in the English top flight, scoring nine goals and conceding just two in the process.
If results go their way, Arsenal could finish this weekend just four points off the summit with momentum on their side. This match means a lot.
Consistency matters
An afternoon clash on Sunday sees two consistent sides face off. Sort of.
Spurs are consistently inconsistent. Chelsea are consistently consistent.
Tottenham lost to Ipswich Town before hammering Manchester City 4-0 at the Etihad. It was supposed to be a springboard for their season but they’ve since failed to win any of their three matches across all competitions. They drew with Roma and Fulham before losing to Bournemouth on Thursday evening.
The defeat against the Cherries leaves them in 10th position in the Premier League. They could finish the weekend in 13th. This was not what was supposed to happen in Ange Postecoglou’s second season in charge of Spurs. Not when the club backed him in the transfer market this summer.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are on an unbeaten run of six games in the Premier League.
The Blues have lost just twice all season – at home to reigning champions Manchester City and away at league leaders Liverpool. They’re currently second in the Premier League and have scored the most goals (31).
Things are clicking for Enzo Maresca and his side.
Jobs on the line
West Ham host fellow strugglers Wolves on Monday night in what is shaping up to not only be a six-pointer, it could also spell the end for whichever manager loses.
The Hammers won the 2024 summer transfer window but find themselves just six points outside of the relegation zone. Their 2-0 win over Newcastle was an outlier.
They drew with Everton and lost to a struggling Leicester City team last time out, though the Hammers did perform well. They have a six point gap over their visitors heading into this game. Extending it to nine potentially keeps Julen Lopetegui in a job.
Wolves have been in freefall over the past week. They have conceded eight in their last two to bring a four match unbeaten run to an end. Gary O’Neil’s men lost 4-0 to relegation battlers Everton last time out.
Wolves have conceded 36 goals in 14 Premier League matches this season, their most at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1964-65. They have the worst defensive unit in the English top-flight but they have scored 22 goals though, the most of any team in the bottom 10. They do possess the players to cause some damage, it is just whether or not they can limit the number of goals they do concede.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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