Eight speaking factors forward of the Premier League weekend, that includes the Manchester Derby, Chelsea’s bogey staff, and an enormous Midlands matchup.
Set-piece specialists meet on the Emirates
Arsenal’s dead-ball risk has been so distinguished that the membership’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, has been honoured with a mural outdoors the Emirates. Sure, actually.
Rival followers have mocked the tribute however Arsenal’s set-piece objectives have stored the Gunners within the title dialog this season. This weekend will see the North Londoners tackle one other facet with excellence from such conditions. Arsenal (8) are the one facet to have scored extra set-piece objectives than Everton (6).
The Toffees reliance on set-pieces is so excessive that 42% of their objectives have come on account of set-plays in 2024/25. Pointless fouls and nook concessions from each groups will must be averted, although it’s maybe an even bigger concern for Arsenal. For all of the plaudits the Gunners have acquired, simply three groups have conceded extra set-piece objectives than Mikel Arteta’s males this season.
‘Context’ can’t save O’Neil forward of one other six-pointer
Gary O’Neil was defiant in his defence of Wolves after defeat at West Ham, insisting the context of the membership’s off-the-pitch enterprise should be considered.
“I’m not involved,” O’Neil informed BBC Sport when he was requested about his place.
“The membership has been by means of an unbelievable transition since I got here in. We’ve signed some gamers who can be actually good for this membership for the long run, however we’ve misplaced an terrible lot. It makes it more durable. [Since I’ve been here] we’ve misplaced £200m value of expertise. We perceive it will likely be robust. We are going to knuckle down and get going once more. Each time this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be pleased with it.”
O’Neil has a legitimate level however context will solely take him to date. After shedding successive video games to struggling sides round them, Wolves subsequent face Ipswich and Leicester in a six-pointer double-header. If outcomes don’t enhance instantly, the axe might fall earlier than Christmas.
One other Christmas cracker at Anfield?
Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Fulham final December was one of many video games of the Premier League season. Seven objectives, an exhilarating late comeback, and a list of spectacular objectives made it one to recollect at Anfield. The groups additionally performed out an engrossing Carabao Cup semi-final over two legs, whereas each groups have scored in seven of the final 9 conferences.
Liverpool are in good goalscoring type having netted 2+ in seven straight league video games, whereas Fulham haven’t blanked for the reason that opening weekend. Although each have impressed defensively this season, objectives may very well be on the festive menu.
Forest aiming excessive forward of giant Midlands matchup
After a mini-wobble, Nottingham Forest bounced again with a win at Manchester United final weekend. Forest secured their first win at Manchester United in 30 years and have now claimed victory at Anfield and Previous Trafford this season. Fifth within the desk, some are daring to dream of European nights returning to the Metropolis Floor.
This weekend Forest tackle an Aston Villa facet who laid the blueprint for upsetting the established order final season. A top-four end secured Champions League soccer, with Villa the second non-Huge Six staff to gatecrash the highest 4 in three seasons. Unai Emery’s facet, who path Forest on objective distinction within the league, have carried out admirably in Europe to shut in on qualification to the Spherical of 16. A Forest win this weekend could be one other assertion from the shock package deal of the marketing campaign to date.
Hurzeler should discover method in opposition to struggling sides
Brighton are positioned properly within the combine for European soccer with Fabian Hurzeler having made a robust begin. The Seagulls, nonetheless, have come unstuck when dealing with groups decrease down the desk.
Six of the membership’s final seven wins have come in opposition to groups beginning the day within the high half, whereas Brighton have been much less spectacular in opposition to those that haven’t. When taking up groups seventeenth or decrease, they’ve drawn 5 consecutive video games. Fierce rivals Crystal Palace are the guests this weekend with the Eagles struggling in seventeenth. Hurzeler should discover a methodology to unlock deeper-lying defences if Brighton are to stay within the European hunt.
A Manchester derby of dread?
Hardly ever, if ever, can we keep in mind a Manchester derby that each groups have entered at such a low ebb. The Premier League period has largely consisted of a minimum of one Mancunian powerhouse chasing titles, however this weekend’s encounter is one which each groups will dread defeat in.
Manchester Metropolis are on an unprecedented run of unhealthy type below Pep Guardiola, which prolonged to at least one win in 10 video games after defeat at Juventus in midweek. Their sorry state is such that San Marino, worldwide soccer’s most well-known whipping boys, have received extra video games than Metropolis of their final 10 fixtures.
Ruben Amorim, in the meantime, is making an attempt to show round Manchester United’s worst-ever begin to a Premier League marketing campaign. A Rasmus Hojlund brace prevented the Crimson Devils from shedding for the third consecutive sport at Viktoria Plzen within the Europa League on Thursday night time. Confidence is brittle on each side of the derby divide. Defeat this weekend might shatter it additional.
Postecoglou strain obvious
Simply days in the past, Ange Postecoglou stated he ‘wouldn’t criticise a participant publicly’. Discussing Cristian Romero’s criticism of the Spurs board, the Australian stated: “He realises that plenty of what he stated was good however some wasn’t the suitable means of coping with it. The identical means I wouldn’t criticise a participant publicly.”
That stance modified quickly on Thursday night time. After hauling off Timo Werner at half-time in opposition to Rangers, Postecoglou slammed the ahead’s efficiency as ‘unacceptable’ post-match. The strain of a torrid run for Spurs is starting to point out on Postecoglou, who’s firmly below the microscope proper now. Accidents, a scarcity of depth, and criticism over his refusal to adapt are all slights aimed in his path.
This weekend, he takes on a struggling Southampton facet, whose personal supervisor has confronted criticism over his tactical stubbornness…
Maresca meets Blues’ bogey staff
It’s a weekend stuffed with derby clashes and West Londoners Chelsea and Brentford meet on Sunday night. The neighbours have hardly ever crossed paths till current seasons, however Brentford’s consolidation within the high division has seen the capital golf equipment collide regularly.
Chelsea would possibly declare themselves to be London’s greatest membership however Brentford have confirmed to be awkward opposition. The Bees are unbeaten within the final 5 league conferences and have received on every of their three visits to Stamford Bridge since promotion.
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