1
Toney's test could be Chelsea's audition
Brentford have what Chelsea want: a striker who scores goals consistently. Ivan Toney's desire to move to a team higher up the table (although it is not a huge leap at this point) is well known. Brentford, struggling of late, defeated Mauricio Pochettino's team at the beginning of the season at Stamford Bridge during Toney's much-publicised ban. With Toney back in the ranks, they will have even more confidence at home on Saturday and the striker will see the game as an opportunity to show Chelsea that he could be the man to take them from mid-table to challenging again. European football. Chelsea were forceful against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, an indication that they still need a number 9, but at least returned to the winning path in the FA Cup against Leeds. Chelsea's defense will be aware of Toney's threat and he could be a useful scout when the Blues decide who they should spend money on in the summer. won't win
2
Off-field points saga keeps Toffees stagnant
Some uncertainty over where Everton are in the first division The standings were lifted on Monday with the return of four hard-earned points, putting Sean Dyche's team five points above the relegation zone. They may need a bigger cushion at the end of another troubled campaign, given the appeal board's verdict that “a six-point deduction is the minimum but sufficient penalty required to achieve the objectives of the profit and sustainability rules,” and that the original commission was It is correct to reject all the mitigating factors that Everton presented for its financial losses until 2022. Predictions that the club will face a lesser punishment for a second offense in 2023 are nothing more than that. Everton players have admitted to feeling the weight of the off-field saga in recent months, with Dyche's side currently on the longest winless streak in the Premier League. They need to show signs of liberation when David Moyes brings West Ham back to a club that has declined alarmingly since he left in 2013. andy hunter
3
Is it Ferguson time for Brighton?
The hype over Evan Ferguson accelerated when the young striker scored a hat-trick against Newcastle last August. Naturally, there was talk of a big-money move to one of the Premier League's biggest clubs. Chelsea, apparently addicted to snapping up key Brighton figures, could well try to make the youngster their next No 9. However, in recent months, enthusiasm for the Republic of Ireland international has faded somewhat. The 19-year-old has gone 16 games without scoring for Brighton and Roberto De Zerbi is waiting for the “real” Ferguson to reappear. The striker missed the FA Cup defeat to Wolves with an ankle problem but could return for the trip to Fulham. Jacob Steinberg
4
Are Botman's struggles a setback or more serious?
Will Sven Botman return to Newcastle's defense at home to Wolves? The answer could possibly define Eddie Howe's season. The Dutch centre-back ranks alongside Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães as one of Howe's three most valuable players, but Botman has not been well since he returned from a torn cruciate ligament suffered last September. Although a three-month layoff instead of surgery apparently worked for the damage to heal, despite some specialists telling him the ligament was completely torn, Botman has never been at his best since returning to the first team and was everywhere during last Saturday's game. 4-1 defeat against Arsenal. Afterwards, Howe said he was still “struggling” to recover from his “very nasty” knee injury and then rested him for the FA Cup win at Blackburn on Tuesday. Has Newcastle's star defender suffered a minor setback or something more serious? Could surgery in September have been the best solution? Louise Taylor
5
Forest and Felipe eager to give lessons
When Felipe is available, he generally makes the Nottingham Forest defense more secure, although the trip to Aston Villa was an exception. The Brazilian centre-back has struggled to stay fit this season and his training regime is sporadic, but his experience and knowledge counteracts this. Against Manchester United he was solid and held his own Marcus Rashford calm alongside Murillo, but it is debatable whether he will be able to play a second game in a week for the 34-year-old, who lost his cool in a late altercation with Bruno Fernandes. If he plays against Liverpool, he would allow Forest to have a balanced defense once again and give Nuno Espírito Santo the best chance of keeping the visitors' front line calm. based on The Reds' victory over Southampton On Wednesday, Felipe could face players half his age and desperate to make an impression, but the astute defender will be keen to teach them a lesson or two. wu
6
Spurs look to boost top-four momentum
While Tottenham's rivals face a confusing period of fixtures, Ange Postecoglou's side only played three times in February, and four ahead in March. He should give them the freshness to fight for a place in the top four, considering that those above them have interest in Europe to occupy their midweeks. Despite this relatively calm schedule, February was disappointing, with wins, losses and draws. The only victory came with 96th minute winning goal against Brightonand a defeat at home followed against wolves. If Postecoglou has aspirations of being a Champions League manager next season, he will need to take every advantage he can, ensuring Spurs find the energy level that fueled his impressive start. If the Australian thinks life is difficult right now, next season will be unbearable and probably European football. Palace arrive revitalized under Oliver Glasner and hoping to replicate what Wolves did at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. wu
7
Luton must find a way to overcome moving targets
Everton's jump to the top of the table after having had four points returned by the Premier League has added an extra layer to the farce that the relegation battle could become. Luton have gone from one point to four adrift of safety as legal minds decide the correct punishment for breaking Premier League rules. It must be terribly distracting for the Hatters to wonder what will happen next with Everton (again) and Nottingham Forest accused of profitability and sustainability breaches, which could lead to further deductions. All Luton can do is focus on himself in an attempt to finish on the right side of the line. After three consecutive league defeats, it is imperative to get back on track with a positive performance ahead of a crucial month in which they face Crystal Palace and Forest. wu
8
Kompany enjoys fighting but Burnley need points
Burnley have 12 games left to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. With one win in their last 12 Premier League games and none in their last eight, the Clarets' survival prospects are bleak. The fight shown by Vincent Kompany's team when recover from a two-goal deficit against Fulham at the beginning of February and the flashes of quality that became evident in the defeat in Liverpool They have been absent in the last two defeats, although to be fair, Josh Brownhill's sending off in the first half at Crystal Palace last Saturday He left them with an onerous task. However, James Trafford's problems in goal have continued. If we want to recover, the visit of a Bournemouth team that has also not won the league in 2024 is an opportunity that cannot be missed. “Let everyone count us out,” Kompany said. “In my life I have never needed many people to believe in me or the team. Just that we believe is enough. “I can't sugarcoat anything, we're in a situation where the odds are against us, but I want to fight for it.” oh
9
Haaland can make money against weakened United
Erling Haaland's goal drought in a game is over spectacularly in Luton on Tuesday. The Hatters were the latest unfortunate victims of one of the most clinical strikers seen in English football. Haaland was hungry after a few weeks of missing opportunities, and Luton could do little to prevent the Norwegian from suffering some Casual looting of the FA Cup. In last season's Manchester derby at the Etihad, Haaland scored a hat-trick and their chances of doing so again are increased by United's defensive injury problems. Harry Maguire is doubtful for Sunday after missing the FA Cup trip to Forest, where Sofyan Amrabat again had to fill in at full-back. Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia are absent for longer periods. Trying to stop Haaland is difficult at the best of times, but with a second-string defence, it could prove impossible and that leaves United at risk of an embarrassment that Erik ten Hag cannot afford. wu
10
Another reminder of the need to start games earlier
No wonder London-based Arsenal fans are cursing the match schedulers. By the time Monday's game starts in Sheffield United ends, the last direct train back to the capital will have left long ago. The only remaining viable indirect service leaves at 10.10pm, uncomfortably close to the final whistle, given that the train station is a 20-minute walk from Bramall Lane. After a change at Doncaster, fans who could see it would arrive at King's Cross at 1.14am The next option leaves Sheffield at 11.30pm, involves two changes and does not arrive in London until 6.36am on Tuesday . It begs the question whether Monday night Premier League matches really have to start at 8pm. If the broadcasters insist on long distance matches, why not start at 7.30pm? Outside London, the majority of fans will continue to rely on cars for night matches but, in certain cases, bringing the final whistles forward by 30 minutes could offer alternatives for fans. L.T.
