1
Coulibaly in for robust night
The winter arrival of Woyo Coulibaly from Parma underwhelmed Leicester followers because the left-back’s CV didn’t precisely counsel he was capable of flip their season round single-handedly. The Frenchman has made 4 substitute appearances, his newest coming off the bench towards Arsenal after James Justin was pressured off within the first half, going through as much as Raheem Sterling on the right-hand facet of Leicester’s defence. If Justin doesn’t get well in time for Brentford’s go to, it appears possible that Coulibaly will as soon as once more be thrust into motion as a result of Ruud van Nistelrooy has very restricted choices. Contemplating the type of Brentford’s Kevin Schade, the French defender can count on to have a troublesome afternoon. Nonetheless, it is usually a possibility to show he’s worthy of being a Premier League participant but when it doesn’t work out, there will probably be even better strain on the much-criticised director of soccer, Jon Rudkin. Will Unwin
Leicester v Brentford, Friday 8pm (all instances GMT)
2
Moyes waves to outdated membership from above
Ruben Amorim has taken 14 factors from 14 Premier League video games as Manchester United supervisor, guiding the membership from thirteenth to fifteenth within the desk. David Moyes has gained 13 factors from six league matches accountable for Everton, lifting a relegation-threatened workforce from sixteenth to 14th within the course of. At this charge Sir Jim Ratcliffe might want the Scot again at Previous Trafford. Moyes is now trying down on two golf equipment that disbursed along with his providers, with Everton’s revival additionally taking them above West Ham, and Saturday presents a possibility to take one other huge step in the direction of security. A depleted squad won’t wash as an excuse for Amorim on this event – Everton even have an damage disaster that necessitates placing untested academy gamers on the bench – and he wants a response to the defeat at Tottenham regardless. Doubts are rising though, as the newest struggling United supervisor stands alongside one among his predecessors at Goodison Park, Amorim and Moyes would possibly share a typical perception that maybe United’s greatest drawback will not be the person of their place. Andy Hunter
Everton v Manchester United, Saturday 12.30pm
3
Wolves ought to take a danger with Munetsi
Vítor Pereira and Wolves had been left dissatisfied to go away Anfield final weekend with nothing besides some phrases of reward from opponents and pundits alike. They ensured Liverpool didn’t have a single shot within the second half, no imply feat towards a workforce which are favourites to win the Premier League title. Wolves had been competent within the first half however had been vastly improved after the break when Marshall Munetsi and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde got here on. It leaves Pereira with one thing to ponder, as he could have a troublesome determination on whether or not to begin the 2 gamers that made a distinction or maintain them again. One factor counting towards Munetsi is that he’s a defensive midfielder by commerce, however the Zimbabwe worldwide was thrust right into a extra attacking position at Anfield. It will due to this fact not essentially be a straight swap for the guests on the Vitality Stadium except Pereira needs to take one other danger, which is likely to be what Wolves want. WU
Bournemouth v Wolves, Saturday 3pm
4
Spence v Hutchinson is a key battle
The emptying of the Tottenham remedy room has been a much-needed enhance to Ange Postecoglou over the previous two weeks, giving the workforce a renewed sense that they’ll nonetheless have an thrilling remaining three months of the season. One constructive of the disaster was the re-emergence of the forgotten man Djed Spence who has change into a mainstay at full-back, exhibiting his versatility by taking part in on the left, not his pure facet. Spence had struggled since arriving from Middlesbrough after impressing at Nottingham Forest however has lastly discovered his toes within the high flight. If he will get the nod as soon as extra at Portman Street, he would face Omari Hutchinson. The previous Arsenal man created Liam Delap’s objective at Villa final week and stands out as the most inventive participant within the Tractor Boys’ ranks. It may very well be the duel that decides the end result of what looks like a decent match, particularly as Ipswich shocked Tottenham earlier this season in north London. WU
Ipswich v Tottenham, Saturday 3pm
5
Saints followers deserve credit score this season
Ralph Hasenhüttl was the latest everlasting Southampton supervisor to earn two Premier League wins, and he was sacked in November 2022. Since his exit Nathan Jones, Rubén Sellés and Russell Martin all failed to succeed in this pathetic milestone, whereas Ivan Juric has a solitary victory in his 9 video games in cost. It truly is a dreadful document – as is one house win all season – however Saints followers are nonetheless exhibiting up. They know that the Championship is asking, the workforce aren’t match for objective and a fortnightly defeat at St Mary’s is anticipated. Greater than 31,000 folks nonetheless come to each house sport, residing in hope that there is likely to be a constructive end result to place a spring of their step. The supporters deserve loads of credit score for doing what they’ll to again their workforce, even when the season has been one large shortcoming. Brighton are heavy favourites on Saturday however the house followers will nonetheless be there, out of loyalty and hope. WU
Southampton v Brighton, Saturday 3pm
6
Mikel’s new hanging possibility: Mikel
May Mikel Merino be the person to save lots of Arsenal’s season? The Spaniard’s two objectives off the bench towards Leicester breathed new life into their pursuit of Liverpool, and West Ham’s go to to the Emirates on Saturday provides them a possibility to shut the hole to solely 5 factors. The large query is whether or not Merino’s compatriot and namesake will begin with the Spain midfielder in his new position as a striker, or if Mikel Arteta thinks he might once more be more practical coming off the bench. Leandro Trossard was employed because the false 9 towards Leicester however was rather more harmful when he changed Raheem Sterling on the left and arrange Merino’s second objective. Sterling – who has began solely 4 Premier League video games since becoming a member of on mortgage from Chelsea and is but to attain – has appeared significantly off the tempo and can in all probability must make approach towards Graham Potter’s facet.
Arsenal v West Ham, Saturday 3pm
7
One other check towards strugglers for Silva
Fulham are creeping into the race to qualify for the Champions League. They continue to be outsiders however could have an opportunity if the Premier League earns an additional spot this season. Marco Silva’s facet are 4 factors off fifth place and needs to be buzzing after beating Nottingham Forest final weekend. A fear, although, is that Fulham have blown too many winnable video games. Victories over Chelsea, Newcastle and Forest are commendable however failing to take most factors in house video games towards strugglers resembling Ipswich, Southampton and Manchester United will go away Silva questioning what might need been. Fulham must be scientific after they host Crystal Palace on Saturday. Jacob Steinberg
Fulham v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm
8
A brand new defensive system for Emery once more?
There have been murmurs of pleasure each time Marcus Rashford obtained the ball at Villa Park on Wednesday. Even earlier than kick-off, the stadium announcer roared his identify that little bit louder when studying the groups aloud, the intonation in his voice a giveaway of the sense of anticipation. It was Rashford’s first begin in a Villa shirt however on the night time Axel Disasi – one other, much less heralded, loanee – was maybe their greatest performer. At one level Disasi even skated down the left touchline à la Rashford but it surely was in defence the place he impressed, even when for Villa it’s now one clear sheet of their previous 16 matches. The ache for Unai Emery is Disasi can’t construct on a promising efficiency towards Chelsea on Saturday, with the Frenchman ineligible to play towards his dad or mum membership. Ezri Konsa might return from damage or teenager Lamare Bogarde might fill in alongside Tyrone Mings. Don’t rule out an eleventh totally different centre-back pairing this season. Ben Fisher
Aston Villa v Chelsea, Saturday 5.30pm
9
Former gamers might hang-out Newcastle
As Chris Wooden and Elliot Anderson put together to return to their former house in Nottingham Forest colors, nobody is kind of certain which Newcastle workforce will emerge from tunnel. When Eddie Howe’s workforce are good, they’re superb – simply ask the overwhelmed Carabao Cup semi-finalists Arsenal – however, as final weekend’s 4-0 thrashing at Manchester Metropolis confirmed, when they’re unhealthy, they are surely unhealthy. Howe’s fear is that his gamers could also be distracted by a need to keep away from damage earlier than the Carabao Cup remaining towards Liverpool in mid-March. His drawback is a scarcity of competitors amongst a squad that has not been refreshed with a first-team-ready participant in the course of the previous three switch home windows. How a supervisor stated to be considering changing Martin Dubravka with Nick Pope in objective for a match that will properly assist decide Champions League qualification might do with having Wooden and Anderson nonetheless on his books. Louise Taylor
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest, Sunday 2pm
10
Metropolis host Reds’ greatest sport of the season
There’s a powerful argument to be made that Manchester Metropolis’s 2-1 house win over Liverpool in January 2019 was the best high quality Premier League match of the previous decade. Each side are properly off that stage now and, whereas Arne Slot’s facet are however in charge of the title race, pressure is intensifying. Liverpool adopted defeat by Plymouth with last-second devastation at Everton, had been then unimpressive in edging Wolves, and a draw at Villa supplied Arsenal, their solely semi-serious pursuers, additional encouragement. That makes Sunday’s Etihad conflict an important sport of the season thus far: ought to Liverpool win, will probably be exhausting to see them being caught, however ought to they falter, the sense that they’re an honest workforce benefiting from serendipitous lapses elsewhere will compound. The query, although, is whether or not Metropolis are capable of find their power and rhythm after a chastening expertise in Madrid; Pep Guardiola’s facet would possibly simply be splendid opponents for a facet low on confidence. Daniel Harris
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