1
Adebayo is key to Luton's latest fight
Friday night's clash between deeply endangered Luton and newly safe Everton should spell contrasting moods between the two sets of supporters at Kenilworth Road. Still, Alarms off the field at Everton They are likely to dampen the mood in the away game despite an impressive three consecutive wins that have given Sean Dyche's side confidence. Luton's much-admired campaign against relegation, on the other hand, appears to be running out of steam, but this well-run club has less to fear relegation than many around it. There are also hopeful omens for Rob Edwards' team: the Hatters first victory in the first division The end of the season was assured at Goodison in September. The return of Elijah Adebayo, who came on for the final 12 minutes of last Saturday's loss to Wolves after two months out, may also give their attack additional verve against an Everton team whose thoughts could be on the beach. after recent efforts. Victory would lift Luton out of the bottom three and give Nottingham Forest more than conspiracy theories to worry about. Tom Davies
2
Iraola represents a threat to his old friend Arteta
Last season, in the middle wild celebration scenes At the Emirates, Arsenal beat Bournemouth with a remarkable comeback from two goals down and it felt like the springboard to something special. They couldn't get over the line at the time but are much closer to it when the Cherries visit again on Saturday. Mikel Arteta's side know another win would put new pressure on Manchester City's overnight clash with Wolves. Presumably this time Bournemouth will not score after nine seconds, but the away team is in excellent form and it is not impossible that Andoni Iraola could deal a serious blow to his childhood teammate, Mikel Arteta. Arsenal are getting used to getting results when necessary, a habit that has taken years to rediscover and perhaps needs to deepen once again. If Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, both excellent in the North London derby, keep quiet, who could be this year's Reiss Nelson and provide the winning moment?
3
Brentford seeks to take a step forward with assured security
Brentford-Fulham has always been the most symmetrical of west London rivalries. The teams have met 44 times in the last 50 years, many more than have faced QPR or Chelsea, with fairly divided results, although Fulham's final playoff victory in the Covid year is the highlight in the last times. Those legendary bragging rights are pretty much all that's at stake on Saturday, with Thomas Frank's side safe after recent wins over Sheffield United and Luton. Brentford have not beaten a team above them in the table since winning against Wolves at the beginning of February. This should provide extra motivation for the Bees, who deserved more from last month's draws with manchester united and Aston Villa. The recent form of Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbuemo and the ever-threatening presence of Ivan Toney (although he is yet to find his range since returning from suspension) should inspire Brentford to put on some sort of show against rivals who have had a milder season than them. DT
4
Will elite finalist Isak strike again?
Eddie Howe answered his own question last week. “Would you trade (Alexander Isak) for someone else? No, he wouldn't.” Which is not the same as claiming that Isak is the best number 9 in the world, but he is not far away. It would be difficult to argue against Harry Kane (although Isak's age probably makes him more expensive) and Erling Haaland (although it would be interesting to see Isak's numbers at City), but the Swede's skills are increasingly rare: 6' 4″ but lightning fast, intelligent, strong, serene, composed with any foot. With 19 league goals (and seven in his last six games), there is no doubt that Isak is elite and has an excellent chance of achieving it. increases your chances of golden boot in Burnley. michael butler
5
Arblaster has possibilities to raise offers
Only 40 miles separate Bramall Lane from the City Ground, but Nottingham Forest will travel to South Yorkshire in the hope of occupying a footballing universe parallel to Sheffield United next season. While Chris Wilder's side are already on course for the championship, Nuno Espírito Santo's Forest have 10 more points and a real hope of winning the relegation race against Burnley and Luton. Much may depend on a midfield competition that is expected to showcase the potential of Sheffield United's Oliver Arblaster. The 20-year-old local player spent the first part of this season on loan at Port Vale in League One, but has offered rare reason for optimism since he returned to Bramall Lane and Wilder named him captain for the team's final two matches. Aston Villa and West Ham currently lead the queue of clubs considering summer bids for Arblaster, but with a contract until 2028, he won't be cheap. In any case, it would be better to continue developing in the second division, where Wilder wants to rebuild his team around him. Louise Taylor
6
The wolves must be careful with Rodri
For the neutral team, the hope is that Arsenal beat Bournemouth in the early kick-off, so that when the champions face Wolves five hours later they will be four points behind (with two games in hand) and in danger of a Exciting title race persists. Gary O'Neil's side may be nine places and 33 points behind their hosts, but they can look ahead to the second leg in September. they won 2-1, to inspire them. But before you get your hopes up too much, it's worth remembering that Manchester City were without the suspended Rodri and he will almost certainly be in Saturday's lineup.
. Although he has been one step away from his best lately, with him in the starting lineup, Pep Guardiola's team is usually unstoppable. Jaime Jackson
7
De Zerbi desperate for a strong finish
How much more damage will Roberto De Zerbi's personal record suffer before the season ends? More pertinent, perhaps, how much damage to his reputation can he absorb before the clubs he has been linked with look elsewhere for a new manager? Brighton are really “having a difficult time”, as the Italian said after last weekend's game. capitulation against Bournemouth, and his injury list is debilitating. But De Zerbi's pessimistic behavior in his relations with the media does not help; Over the past few weeks he has resembled a man who ordered penne pomodoro but instead received spaghetti with letters. Unai Emery was recruited by Sunday's rivals Aston Villa a month after De Zerbi's arrival on the south coast, and the Villans' current career It seemed possible for the Seagulls not too long ago. De Zerbi says fans deserve more, but for his own sake he needs to prove he can survive and even thrive in a crisis. Lucas McLaughlin
8
Paqueta under pressure to perform
Lucas Paquetá was a candidate for West Ham's player of the season award not long ago. The Brazilian's creativity was key to David Moyes' side fighting for European qualification, but doubts have grown over his concentration ahead of this weekend's trip to Stamford Bridge. Paquetá had only himself to blame, after a petulant yellow card against Bayer Leverkusen last month ruled him out of West Ham's Europa League quarter-final second leg against the German champions. A silly challenge that hinted at frustration with the team's pragmatic style under Moyes, but there is no excuse for his recent performances in the league. Paquetá, who will be a target for Manchester City this summer, was bad against Liverpool, Fulham and crystal Palace. He may want out, but he still needs to give more to his current employers, starting against a Chelsea side who are now above West Ham in the table. jacob Steinberg
9
Postecoglou fails in his attack on the “dark arts”
It doesn't exactly help Tottenham's image of having a weak side that the club's manager complains that his rivals are reckless. employ the feared dark arts. For someone trying to sell himself as a man of the people, it wasn't very Sunday in Ange Postecoglou's League to attack Ben White for distracting Guglielmo Vicario with a pinch on the arm in the final. Sunday's North London derby. “If I saw my players doing it, I'd be like, 'Mate, really?'” the Australian said in a failed attempt at a moral victory. No one is suggesting that the dark arts should be praised, but all the great teams have street smarts and know when to be smart. If Spurs show the same naivety at Anfield as they did against Arsenal and Chelsea, Postecoglou will be on the end of another defeat. MEGABYTE
10
Wharton rivals Olise and Eze in promises
Since he was tormented by the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne in Selhurst Park a month ago, Crystal Palace have reached exceptional form. win against LiverpoolWest Ham and Newcastle were followed by Last weekend's 1-1 draw at Fulham That felt more like a victory, secured as it was by goal-of-the-month candidate Jeffrey Schlupp. It was no surprise to see the dangerous Michael Olise involved in the build-up, but the quality of Adam Wharton's final pass to the goalscorer was of the highest class. If Eberechi Eze returns from the knee knock that sidelined him last weekend, the potential for slapstick comedy will be particularly high as the Eagles' talented youngsters take on Manchester United's complacent midfield. Olise and Eze may be in the headlines again, but 20-year-old Wharton is quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented young players in the Premier League. LMC
