1
Fulham will not be easy to convince
If Arsenal miss out on the title, one of the games they will remember will be 2-1 defeat against Fulham on New Year's Eve, the last time they lost away from home in the league. However, Fulham have the opportunity to do Arsenal a favor this weekend. Marco Silva's side host Manchester City in Saturday's lunchtime opener and should not be ruled out. Fulham are clumsy, creative and combative at home. There are many reasons for Arsenal to be optimistic. Until Erling Haaland completes a hat-trick in the first half, that is. Jacob Steinberg
2
Bournemouth have options in goal
Brentford moved quickly to sign Mark Flekken as a replacement for Arsenal-linked David Raya, and the Bees' next opponents Bournemouth will review their goalkeeping options this summer. Andoni Iraola sacked club captain Neto, 34, last month in favor of Mark Travers, who spent the start of the season on loan at Stoke and has since kept his place. But keep an eye out for 17-year-old Callan McKenna, signed from Queen's Park this year, a deal that had shades of the signing of 18-year-old Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United in 2017. McKenna, who was also pursued by Manchester United after just nine first-team appearances, were snapped up by Bournemouth following talks with goalkeeping coach Neil Moss and Simon Francis, who will replace the outgoing Richard Hughes as manager this summer. ben fisherman
3
Who enters and who leaves Everton?
Everton have not performed a true “lap of thanks” after their last home game since 2019 due to Covid restrictions and first division Survival comes to the last moment in two successive seasons. Barring some unexpected drama, such as Farhad Moshiri taking the field and announcing 777 Partners as the club's new owners, Sean Dyche and his players will receive the farewell they so richly deserve following the visit of Sheffield United. It remains to be seen how many players will say goodbye permanently. Everton have six players out of contract this summer plus two on loan (Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma) who are reaching the end of their deals. Dyche has confirmed that any contract extension must be approved by Everton's interim board and owner (Idrissa Gueye is surely the priority) and that the club is considering a another year deal for captain Séamus Coleman. “His thirst for him is to keep playing,” Dyche said of Everton's veteran leader. Good. andy hunter
4
Ritchie rides into the sunset
Matt Ritchie recently obtained a HGV licence, allowing the Newcastle winger to drive trucks professionally. This sparked plenty of jokes about a possible new career behind the wheel of the team bus, but Eddie Howe replied that even the club's owners in Saudi Arabia “couldn't afford it”. In reality, Ritchie, who turns 35 in September, wanted to be able to drive large horseboxes for his equestrian-mad New Forest family while he looks at life beyond football. After eight years on Tyneside, a right winger also capable of operating on the left and in both full-back positions will leave St James' Park this summer and a visit from Brighton could allow him one last appearance off the bench. Since 2016, when Rafa Benitez bought him from Bournemouth for £12m, Ritchie has played 213 times for Newcastle, scoring 25 goals and proving to be a catalyst to the team's 2017 promotion and subsequent Premier League survival. In many of his matches with Benítez, the former Scotland international shone at left-back and, although his appearances have dwindled, Ritchie remains a highly valued member of the dressing room leadership group. He deserves a decent send-off from Newcastle fans. Louise Taylor
5
Spurs must act to end losing streak
Few coaches enjoy relegating an opponent, but Ange Postecoglou needs a victory after four consecutive defeats. Burnley have been on the brink of relegation for a while and the prospect of traveling to north London does not look appealing, even if the hosts' form has disappointed of late. Recent defeats have confirmed to the Australian that a busy summer lies ahead, requiring a revamp of a Tottenham team that looks set to fail to qualify for the Champions League. There are three opportunities left for those who want to be part of the Postecoglou revolution to demonstrate that their attitude and his performances are worthy of a place in the squad. Oliver Skipp, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Richarlison, among others, appear to be at risk of leaving, but there is still a chance for redemption. It's time to dust themselves off after the recent setbacks and perform against a team that is looking to the future. won't win
6
Moyes should release the handbrake.
David Moyes has nothing to lose. This is his last home game as West Ham manager, so he can give a couple of youngsters a chance against Luton. There is no pressure anymore. Moyes does not have to start Angelo Ogbonna over Kaelan Casey in central defence. On the other hand, look who replaced Lucas Paquetá when West Ham lost 4-0. to Chelsea last weekend. It was baffling that Aaron Cresswell, the 34-year-old left-back, was selected instead of George Earthy, the 19-year-old midfielder, to replace Paquetá. Maybe it was a matter of self-preservation; an attempt to stop the bleeding. West Ham still conceded another goal. js
after newsletter promotion
7
Should Wharton bet on the euro?
Crystal Palace's trip to Wolves may not seem like the most attractive match, but it will surely intrigue Gareth Southgate, who also attended the full Palace match. 4-0 victory over Manchester United. Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has pushed for the signing of several English youngsters from the Championship, with Adam Wharton, signed in January for £18m, the latest to deserve praise. The tall 20-year-old midfielder, from Blackburn, has adapted perfectly to his surroundings since he swapped one relegation fight for another. Palace have moved clear of the relegation zone with Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Dean Henderson, all of whom are on Southgate's radar, among their key players. Marc Guéhi, who recovered from knee surgery in the rout of United, is perhaps the most likely to make Southgate's 26-man squad, but Wharton is pressing a late case. boyfriend
8
Forest seeks security on the field
Finally, Nottingham Forest know the task ahead of them to survive after their appeal against a four-point deduction was rejected. The club hoped to obtain a one point reduction, but the independent appeal board disagreed and confirmed the original decision. The good news for Forest is that they have their destiny in their own hands: they are three points ahead of Luton with two games remaining. However, Chelsea are in good form ahead of their trip to the City Ground, having lost once in their last 12 Premier League games. They will be greeted by a hostile crowd that holds a lot of resentment against the football authorities and a well-disciplined team that wants to ensure the victory that would almost certainly result in survival (Forest has a much superior goal difference than Luton). Twelve months ago, Forest faced an equally crucial match against title-chasing Arsenal and secured the 1-0 victory they needed for salvation. That experience will serve them well against another London team. wu
9
United need to win, even if it helps City
If Erik ten Hag's failed Manchester United beat Arsenal (a big if) they will do Manchester City a huge favor as their neighbors attempt to secure a record fourth consecutive title. No United player or fan will want to continue City's success, but Ten Hag's team needs, for pride and for the manager's job prospects, to close the season with four wins from four (including the FA Cup final). Arsenal will arrive at Old Trafford as a fine-tuned machine capable of scoring goals against their hosts, just like Crystal Palace did to United last time, with his elegant pass and move game. Jaime Jackson
10
The Liverpool XI will want to impress Slot
So this is really it. Liverpool fans have enjoyed countless days away from home under Jürgen Klopp – they will always cherish the Champions League triumph in Madrid, the Super Cup victory in Istanbul and the FA Cup victory at Wembley – but the latest trip of his reign will be at Villa Park on Monday. . Klopp will be determined to finish in style next returning to the winning path against Tottenham. Liverpool have secured a place in the Champions League and with Klopp's anticipated successor Arne Slot admitting he watched as much of that 4-2 win as possible before turning his attention to Feyenoord's match against PEC Zwolle, all Liverpool players are indeed on trial. boyfriend
