Eight speaking factors forward of the Premier League weekend, that includes a postponed Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, acquainted faces for Arsenal, and El Sackico.Merseyside Derby off – Assist or hindrance to Liverpool?
The Merseyside Derby has been postponed this weekend as a result of mass disruption brought on by Storm Darragh. Authorities have known as off the sport amid security issues, with Everton vs Liverpool to be rescheduled.
Will the postponement assist or hinder Liverpool’s title problem? A weekend of relaxation is rare amid the hectic festive schedule, and choices may very well be replenished by the point Liverpool subsequent play with Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa all nearing returns.
That mentioned, the conflict will have to be squeezed in someplace down the road. The place this fixture falls may very well be essential because the Reds purpose to compete on all fronts.
Arne Slot’s league leaders additionally miss out on the possibility to increase their benefit within the early kick-off, and will see their lead slashed to 4 factors by the tip of the weekend. May that influence mentality in future fixtures? Time will inform.
The significance of De Bruyne
Rodri’s absence has been felt at Manchester Metropolis this season with Pep Guardiola’s staff with out the Ballon d’Or winner after a season-ending knee damage. Undoubtedly integral, he’s not the one participant the Residents have struggled with out.
Kevin De Bruyne marked his return to the beginning aspect with a purpose and help towards Nottingham Forest in midweek, a reminder of his class at a time when Metropolis have been struggling. The underlying numbers level to his significance, with Metropolis having received all 5 video games the Belgian has began this season.
Within the 9 video games he has not featured from the beginning, Guardiola’s aspect boasts a win proportion of simply 33%. Metropolis rating extra objectives (2.8 to 1.2), concede fewer objectives (0.6 to 1.8) and common extra factors (3 to 1.2) with De Bruyne in from the beginning. His return is well timed.
Arsenal cautious of acquainted Fulham faces
Fulham are flying excessive within the Premier League this season and rose to sixth after beating Brighton in midweek. Marco Silva has constructed an entertaining aspect, largely because of the Arsenal academy.
The make-up of his midfield has featured Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi this season, with the latter excellent within the win over Brighton. With Reiss Nelson additionally an choice for Fulham on the flanks, there are many acquainted faces awaiting Arsenal at Craven Cottage this weekend.
Ipswich want to search out house comforts
Ask most managers and so they’ll inform you the key to a profitable season is strong house type. Nevertheless, as Christmas comes round, Ipswich stay and not using a win on house soil. The Tractor Boys are one among simply three groups in England’s prime 4 divisions, alongside QPR and Morecambe, to haven’t received in entrance of their very own supporters this season.
It’s a statistic Kieran McKenna should change if Ipswich are to have an opportunity of survival, beginning with Bournemouth this weekend. Ipswich host the Cherries earlier than a relegation six-pointer towards Wolves, two fixtures that should ship factors. It’s Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea in successive video games to comply with.
Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester to vow leisure?
Ruud van Nistelrooy kickstarted his Leicester reign with a 3-1 win over West Ham this week, a dream begin for the Dutchman on the King Energy Stadium. The outcome gives Leicester with a four-point cushion from the relegation locations, although the Foxes rode their luck to say the factors.
Extremely, simply as soon as this season have Leicester conceded a better Anticipated Targets determine (3.1) with West Ham totalling 31 photographs on purpose. The optimistic, nevertheless, is Leicester have been environment friendly on the different finish of the pitch. Leicester recorded seven alternatives deemed ‘huge possibilities’ towards the Hammers and scored 3+ objectives for simply the second time this season. Will Van Nistelrooy persist with the high-risk, high-reward method?
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s managerial profession continues to 𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑰𝑽𝑬 👔🔥
After a profitable spell as Man United’s caretaker supervisor, he has now turned his first sport at Leicester right into a 𝑾 🦊
Stress on Postecoglou to get issues proper
Ange Postecoglou, unsurprisingly, has been defiant within the wake of defeat at Bournemouth. After a post-match altercation with a fan, he has insisted he has ‘no curiosity’ whether or not followers again him – so long as his aspect is supported.
There’s rising unrest at Tottenham, who’ve received one among their final six in all competitions. That win was a 4-0 thrashing of Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad, the most effective results of Postecoglou’s tenure, but it surely has been surrounded by fluctuating performances and frustration. There’s a way that some are shedding religion within the Australian who stays unwavering on how he sees the sport. A derby defeat to Chelsea this weekend can be a hammerblow to their season.
“I didn’t like what was being mentioned”
Ange Postecoglou addresses his altercation with the Tottenham supporters 🗣️
Historical past says Maresca is true – however Chelsea on observe to problem
Enzo Maresca has insisted regardless of sitting second as we head into the festive fixtures. Chelsea are the youngest aspect within the Premier League this season and have been answerable for the 14 youngest lineups named in 2024/25. They’ve performed simply 14 video games. Extremely, Tosin Adarabioyo – who turned 27 in September – is the oldest participant to play a Premier League minute this season.
Chelsea have had a mean age of 23 years and 234 days previous this season. Simply three groups have ever received the Premier League with a mean age of lower than 26, with the youngest common being Chelsea’s 2004/05 classic at 25 years and 250 days. This season could be too quickly for the Blues, however their promise is evident.
El Sackico on the London Stadium
Julen Lopetegui seems to have been granted a keep of execution, although his place is beneath actual menace as West Ham tackle Wolves on Monday evening. A dismal defeat at Leicester leaves West Ham 14th within the desk and nearer to the relegation locations than Europe.
It’s been a troublesome begin for the Spaniard and there are query marks towards the choice to nominate Lopetegui as David Moyes’ successor in the summertime.
🗣️ “I perceive all of the issues round soccer and the way my foremost accountability is to be able to face a troublesome, arduous match”
Julen Lopetegui on stories that he has ‘one sport to avoid wasting his job’ at West Ham ⚒️
West Ham face Wolves on Monday, one other aspect with a myriad of issues. The travelling followers chanted for Gary O’Neil to be sacked following a 4-0 hammering at Everton in midweek, a loss that leaves Wolves nineteenth within the desk. The loser of this conflict may very well be in actual bother.
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