1
Howe may benefit from three-back experiment
Eddie Howe turned radical when Newcastle lost their FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City earlier this month, deploying a back three. For a confirmed back four coach, he represented a big departure, but keeping him could suit the Newcastle staff, particularly against West Ham at St James' Park this Saturday. Since Sven Botman he is out for nine months Coming off ACL surgery (and in retrospect, the Dutch defender should have had that operation when he first damaged his knee in September), the best back three would surely be Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär and Dan Burn, flanked by Kieran Trippier, if fit, or Tino Livramento. and Lewis Hall. Hall has disappointed following his summer loan move from Chelsea, but a left-back position could finally allow him to show why many once believed he was an England player in the making. With Schär showing off his ball skills as a sweeper, the 3-5-2 could still propel Newcastle into Europa League contention next season. Louise Taylor
2
Everton's desperate need for firepower
After a run of 11 games without a win in the league, things look bleak for Everton, especially with the threat of another possible points deduction. The good news is that they have already won handsomely beat Bournemouth 3-0 this season in what was their first victory at home after four consecutive defeats. It was a result Sean Dyche needed and it helped spark a run of seven wins in 10 games. What the manager would do for something similar this time. The players know they can outplay their opponents, but their main problem is a lack of goal threat. They have scored just seven goals in their last 11 games and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not beaten a goalkeeper since the end of October, while his competitor for the sole striker spot, Beto, has two goals all season in the league. If they want to get back to winning ways, they will need one of their forwards to return to form soon. Otherwise, it could be a dismal last two months in the Premier League. won't win
3
Mudryk brings more cutting edge to Chelsea
Mykhailo Mudryk has had a great week. The winger must be excited after scoring the goal that sent Ukraine to Euro 2024. It was a big moment for Mudryk, who is showing flashes of the talent that he convinced Chelsea to sign him for last year. He remains raw and inconsistent, but his goal at Chelsea recent 3-2 victory over Newcastle It was also special. Newcastle's defense was opened up by Mudryk, who is improving under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine hopes the youngster can maintain his good form when Burnley visit Stamford Bridge. Jacob Steinberg
4
The forest must find its resistance… and fast
It may have caught your attention that Nottingham Forest has been docked four points by the Premier League for breaching profit and sustainability rules, which are appealing against. Meanwhile, they sit in 18th place, desperately need a win and could take advantage of the perceived unfairness to fuel their matchup. Nuno Espírito Santo has led his team to one victory in their last nine league games, but within the club they believe he has done well, even though results have gone against them. Of the seven league defeats suffered since the Portuguese took power at the end of December, six have been by a single goal, indicating the fine margins involved. Things are further aggravated by the fact that they are without their main scoring threat, Taiwo Awoniyi, who faces weeks on the sidelines. Forest need to control what they can on the pitch; Their next three home games will be against Crystal Palace, then Fulham and Wolves, giving them a good chance of picking up maximum points backed by a rampaging City Ground. wu
5
Blades' desperate attempt to escape the end
Fulham are planning to open a rooftop pool reserved for VIP match-goers as the crown jewel of their new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage, but Sheffield United It seems almost certain that they will sink into much less hospitable championship waters. Chris Wilder's side entertain Marco Silva's west Londoners at a time when they are bottom of the Premier League, eight points behind fourth-bottom Luton, albeit with a game in hand. Wilder says he “still believes” the Blades can survive, but accepts the players “have to show desire”. Somewhat damningly, the United boss added: “If we continue like we have done in the last four or five home games, we won't stand a chance. “We have to toughen up and that is something the staff has addressed.” Wilder also admitted that Bramall Lane regulars have been feeling “let down” and need to be given “something to shout about”. It's safe to assume he wasn't talking about a sparkling pond. L.T.
6
Dragusin needs to take a step forward for Spurs
There was little to remember fondly about Tottenham's last game, a 3-0 defeat at Fulham. They were completely inept and outmatched. One problem was the absence of Micky van de Ven, sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Dutch centre-back was ruled out for two months earlier in the season with a similar problem, but Ange Postecoglou insists the matter is less serious this time, although caution will be necessary. If Van de Ven fails to recover in time, it could well mean a second start for his January signing Radu Dragusin, who tasted life in the Premier League at Craven Cottage on his full debut. The Romanian centre-back is only 22 years old and has plenty of time to improve, but he will be looking to show why Spurs invested around £27million in him. Luton's physical forward line could make it another problematic 90 minutes for the new boy; It will be up to him to prove his worth. wu
7
Decisive moment for Zaniolo's Villa ambitions
Nicolò Zaniolo rescued villa in his most recent outing at West Ham, but it is a matter of debate whether he can do the same in his Premier League career in the next two months. The Italian has struggled to make a notable impression since he arrived on loan from Galatasaray and, although Villa have the option of making the move permanent, it seems unlikely. The striker last started a Premier League match on December 3 and on that occasion he was substituted at half-time against Bournemouth. He clearly hasn't earned Unai Emery's full trust, but the draw at West Ham and two more international appearances for Italy could give him some boost. Even if he doesn't deserve to start on Saturday, he has shown that he can make a difference off the bench. If he wants to find a good play in the summer, he needs to prove the skeptics wrong. wu
8
Ten Hag tries to avoid another tail sting
Erik ten Hag may still have nightmares about last season's 4-0 loss in Brentford. It was an indication of how much work was needed to make his Manchester United competitive again. They were outplayed and outplayed by the Bees, who made impressively light work of an expensively put together team who had a new manager to impress. Nineteen months later and little has changed at United; There is still a lot of room for improvement and, if anything, they have regressed this season and finishing in the top four seems a very difficult prospect with 10 games left. What Ten Hag can do, however, is show that this is no longer the weak side that was taught a lesson by Thomas Frank's team. Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have all won at Brentford this season and if United are to get back into that category they need a win to show they are making progress. wu
9
An audition at Anfield for De Zerbi?
Whisper it, but Jürgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and they need someone to replace him. One of the names linked to the Anfield dugout is Roberto De Zerbi, who will bring his spirited brand of football to Merseyside on Sunday. The Italian has solid credentials, but the question is whether he can take a step forward at a club competing for titles. He Liverpool's new sporting director, Richard Hughes. He once recommended De Zerbi to take over the former club Bournemouth, expressing his opinion. It might help that Hughes speaks Italian and has a lot of knowledge about European football. Something that could help De Zerbi is the fact that he has Adam Lallana on his coaching staff, although the midfielder is still playing, without forgetting James Milner in his ranks. Sunday will be, to some extent, an audition for De Zerbi, and if he ended up at Anfield permanently placing Milner and Lallana in the starting room he could help in the transition. wu
10
A heavyweight and potentially decisive showdown
In this three-way title fight, the highest-grossing fights keep coming, so expect some fascinating entertainment as Arsenal hope to defeat Manchester City and open a four-point gap on the champions with only 27 left to fight for. Pep Guardiola will surely have used the Catalan team to curse an international break that returned his mainstays Kyle Walker and John Stones to injury concerns. And there is also the matter that his treble and three champions have yet to be consistently brilliant this season. Will they finally click against Arsenal or, when the final whistle blows, will Mikel Arteta have planned a historic victory that may (still only may) signal a shift of power from east Manchester to north London? Jaime Jackson
