1
Dewsbury-Hall returns to familiar ground
After planning Leicester's return to the first divisionEnzo Maresca jumped ship and went to Chelsea. The Italian had given little confidence that he would remain at King Power, despite his success amid the bottom's problems and the appeal of London. Maresca, however, made sure to take something with him: central midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a leading figure in the Foxes' rise. While Maresca impressed at Stamford Bridge, Dewsbury-Hall has yet to settle in and has been limited to a cup-playing role. Of his 10 games for Chelsea, only three have been in the League and none at the start. Maybe it's time to show some faith in him and there's no better place to do it than his old home. Dewsbury-Hall rose through the ranks at Leicester and his £30m transfer fee this summer was hugely beneficial to their accounts after financial problems. Leicester fans will welcome Maresca and Dewsbury-Hall with open arms, the hug the latter might need to further his Chelsea career. won't win
2
O'Riley can be fundamental for Brighton
Matt O'Riley had a difficult start to his Brighton career when he suffered an ankle injury caused by a poor challenge nine minutes into his Carabao Cup debut against Crawley. The midfielder missed the next three months, but proved his worth upon his return to help turn around the game against Manchester City and score the winner. Fabian Hürzeler and Brighton tipped O'Riley as the man needed in midfield to sit alongside Carlos Baleba, who has been struggling with a knee problem, and could be paired from the start at Bournemouth. Brighton haven't missed O'Riley much as he started the weekend in sixth place. Baleba is 20 years old and O'Riley is 24, meaning they could be a long-term partnership. That's not often the case at Brighton, but if they perform as expected, the pair could lay the foundations for another push for European football while increasing their value. wu
3
Can Forest repeat the Anfield robbery?
Arsenal have added two points from the 12 available in the last four games and find themselves in a complicated situation. The prospect of facing the team immediately below them, who have yet to lose all season, is daunting. Nottingham Forest is the only team that has defeated Liverpool this season, showing that they have the guile and quality to defeat the title contenders. At Anfield, Forest's success came by filling the midfield and preventing Liverpool from playing fluidly. It would seem that Nuno could do the same to prevent Martin Ødegaard from pulling the strings. The Forest manager has shown his intelligence in suffocating his opponents, whilst also possessing a potent attacking threat. After losing against NewcastleNuno will want a reaction from his players. If he can make it anything like the performance at Anfield, he could be coaching a top-four team on Saturday night. wu
4
Will Villa's miserable month continue?
A winless month, including four consecutive defeats, has left Aston Villa breathless. These patterns are not unknown to Unai Emery; Their equipment can blow hot and cold. That dismal streak has betrayed the fatigue of coming so far so quickly and suggests that opposition leaders may be cracking Villa's code. Emery's high-risk football, when it fails, can often look one-dimensional, as Villa did in successive defeats to Tottenham and Liverpool. With Ollie Watkins making an international breakthrough and Morgan Rogers earning his first cap, Emery will be hoping for a boost in morale. Oliver Glasner, with fewer resources in Crystal Palace Like Emery, he has had similar problems as he initially had so much success last season. It's still a surprise to see Palace in the bottom three. The recovery of Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton could be key for the Austrian coach. John Brewin
5
Everton needs to renew its game
This could be the last home game of the terrible Farhad Moshiri era for Everton, and the Friedkin Group are hoping Premier League approval for their proposed takeover is close. A fresh start awaits him (hopefully as the club desperately needs him) and the same applies to Sean Dyche's approach. He has made the team difficult to beat but increasingly difficult to watch; Everton have not scored a goal in their last two games. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not scored in his last seven starts but continues to keep Beto on the bench despite the Guinea-Bissau international offering the team a rare goal threat as a substitute. Calvert-Lewin could, to be fair, point to a desperate lack of quality service. Changes are required, whether at center forward or in the supply line, and although Brentford have lost all five league games away from home this season, it is worth noting that those defeats came at Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, manchester united and two goals in added time against Fulham. andy hunter
6
Berge helps fill Palhinha's void at Fulham
It wouldn't have been a surprise if Fulham had gone down afterwards sells João Palhinha to Bayern Munich. However, it must be recognized that they have managed to absorb the loss of the tough Portuguese midfielder. Serbia international Sasa Lukic caught the eye at the start of the season and Sander Berge has done well since breaking into the starting line-up last month. Berge was a shrewd purchase. The Norwegian joined Sheffield United for £22million in 2020 and was relegated 18 months later. He was influential in the Championship, won promotion, joined Burnley and was relegated again last season. Fulham could give the 26-year-old stability. Berge hopes to make his sixth straight start when Marco Silva's high-flying team hosts the Wolves. Jacob Steinberg
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7
Pep stays but City must improve
When does a good vibe remain at a club despite a dismal four-match losing streak? Answer: when city of manchester and his all-time great coach, Pep Guardiola, have just signed a new one-year contract. City are looking to arrest their slide against Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou's makeshift attacking unit will suit City. A team mocked as “Doctor Tottenham” (the joke is that they provide the cure for a team in need) has the pace to get behind the champions' top line and hurt them too. A fifth consecutive defeat would leave the champions in crisis and cause some (misguided) fans to question the wisdom of Guardiola's extra time. Jaime Jackson
8
The base meets the top on the south coast
There is already a 24-point gap between bottom and first as Southampton prepare to face Liverpool. Trying to find hope for Russell Martin's team heading into this match is difficult. In the wolves they failed to shoot on goal despite having 72% possession and will not dominate the ball in the same way on Sunday. Southampton's style is based on passing and patient preparation and Martin is unlikely to ever change, even if the club's Premier League status and his job are at risk. Every team needs an element of surprise, whether first or last, to keep opponents guessing, but Southampton's predictability is their downfall and explains why they are last. Reacting when something doesn't work is a sign of a good coach. If Martin can be more direct with the speed of his wingers and forwards, they could spring a much-needed surprise. wu
9
Will Højlund take Gyökeres' position at Amorim?
Amid all the fanfare surrounding Rúben Amorim, the key question is whether he will implement his favored 3-4-3 formation and what personnel he might use to do so. At Sporting, Amorim relied heavily on the quality of Viktor Gyökeres as his only striker and on Sunday he will almost certainly hand that role to Rasmus Højlund as the team's only suitable player. The Danish international has shown his potential in flashes at United but needs to be more consistent. Højlund needs help to achieve this, but he has some similar characteristics to Gyökeres. The Swede wasn't finished when he left Coventry for Sporting, but he is now one of the most sought after strikers in Europe, partly thanks to Amorim's support. Fast and strong, Højlund has a similar profile, but two goals in 12 appearances this season are not enough to keep him in the starting lineup long-term. Amorim could be the ideal man to help you. wu
10
Lopetegui is on the brink of the abyss
Will this be Julen Lopetegui's last resistance? The embattled West Ham boss could probably do without facing an improving Newcastle team, fresh from a warm-weather training camp in Saudi Arabia. England's Jarrod Bowen is hoping to impress in the North East and is high on Eddie Howe's January shopping list. The number of future visits West Ham could make to St James' Park is currently a sensitive issue; While the majority of Newcastle fans have indicated their preference for the club to remain at the stadium, the club's Saudi owners are currently exploring the idea of building a completely new ground, possibly four miles from the city centre, near from Gosforth Park Racecourse. A decision is expected to be announced early in the New Year. Who knows where Lopetegui or West Ham will be by then. Louise Taylor
