1
Casemiro's crisis puts pressure on Ugarte
After Casemiro's disastrous 45-minute performance in Liverpool's thrashingErik ten Hag looks certain to hand Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte his debut at St Mary's. Last time out, Ten Hag was forced to bring on the inexperienced Toby Collyer at half-time to try and bring calm alongside Kobbie Mainoo because Casemiro was embarrassingly off the pace in gifting Liverpool goals. Having not featured for Paris Saint-Germain before his transfer to the Premier League on deadline day, Ugarte got minutes under his belt with Uruguay, including 90 minutes in Venezuela on Tuesday before returning to his new home to meet his team-mates. It seems a lot to ask of Ugarte to perform on Saturday lunchtime after a hectic few weeks, but Ten Hag has little choice because he needs results and is so committed to the 23-year-old midfielder. He will not win
2
Delap received his chance to shine
It must be a strange existence to be an incredibly talented youngster at one of the most successful clubs in the world. Liam Delap was on the sidelines at Manchester Cityhaving the rare opportunity to show what he could do without it looking like he would actually be given the back-up job to Erling Haaland. Instead, Delap followed the traditional loan route to clubs that play in a completely different way to City’s academy to test whether he would sink or float. Twenty-two league games at Stoke brought him three goals, while at Preston he managed one in 15. He eventually found a more promising temporary home at Hull, playing and finding the goal regularly in the Championship so that Ipswich and Kieran McKenna took notice, bringing him to Portman Road after winning promotion. In his first three appearances for the club after joining for a fee that could reach £20m, he has looked a dangerous No9. A full season in the top flight will help Delap develop and prove that Ipswich, like Brighton, are making the right moves in the market. WU
3
Glasner reflects on the emergence of new faces
After a hectic end to the transfer window, Oliver Glasner has some decisions to make about his starting lineup against Leicester, with late transfer day signings Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah and Eddie Nketiah all set to make their debuts. While Marc Guéhi will continue to provide a solid foundation for the Crystal Palace Following much speculation over his future in the summer, the Austrian manager must decide where Lacroix (who played under Glasner at Wolfsburg) and Chalobah fit into his favoured defence. The immediate return of former Palace players Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Édouard to Selhurst Park should provide a stern test of the hosts' credentials as both teams bid to secure their first win of the new campaign. It will also be interesting to see whether Glasner intends to partner Nketiah in attack with Jean-Philippe Mateta, given the Frenchman's rich run of form last season. Ed Aarons
4
Will Füllkrug play for Fulham?
West Ham's start under new manager Julen Lopetegui has been average in terms of results. Defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester City are excusable, while any victory at Selhurst Park It is a good win, but it is not clear exactly how he wants his team to play, and the courage that enabled them to get that result shows the best of David Moyes, rather than any added detail by his successor. So far, Lopetegui has refrained from starting Niclas Füllkrug. Signed from Borussia Dortmund for £27m – in none of his side’s three league games and, although there are nine clubs that have scored fewer goals than West Ham, of their four goals, one was a dubious penalty in a safe situation and another an own goal with none of his players near the ball. Lopetegui will therefore surely hope to impose his vision on the game and bring on Füllkrug in place of the troubled Michail Antonio, provided he has recovered from an injury sustained for his country. Daniel Harris
5
Gibbs-White to target Gravenberch?
Having become Nottingham Forest’s first English international since 1997, Morgan Gibbs-White has another chance to prove his quality on the big stage. The No10 uses his skills and intelligence to carve open defences, but also possesses a great work ethic, willing to chase down opponents in the hope of winning the ball back. He will occupy the same part of the pitch as Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, where the Dutchman picks up possession and initiates attacks. Gravenberch is not a natural defensive midfielder; he is used in that role for his ability to keep possession rather than his love of tackling. He has been exceptionally good since being placed there by compatriot Arne Slot, but Nuno Espírito Santo will be keen to test Gravenberch with the confident Gibbs-White. If Forest can disrupt him, they will have the chance to maintain their unbeaten run. WU
6
The Manchester City machine keeps on turning
Three games, three wins, nine goals scored and two conceded: the champions have thrashed Chelsea, Ipswich and West Ham in a start to the season that already looks set to leave most other contenders in the dust. In a 2-1 win two seasons ago, Brentford achieved the rare feat of beating Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. In front of his own crowdThat was in November 2022 and Ivan Toney scored twice for the visitors. But now he's gone and Erling Haaland has already scored seven goals and, Pep Guardiola saysfitter than a year ago, a point may be the best Thomas Frank's men can realistically hope for. Jamie Jackson
After the newsletter promotion
7
Meeting of familiar faces at Villa Park
Aston Villa and Everton became quite friendly in the summer, swapping players to improve their spreadsheets relating to profitability and sustainability rules. Lewis Dobbin joined Villa and was later loaned to West Brom, while Tim Iroegbunam joined Everton and Villa paid Everton £50m for Amadou Onana, who has scored twice in his first three games for the club. Iroegbunam has replaced Onana in Sean Dyche’s midfield but the Everton manager has a number of problems to sort out – Everton have conceded 10 goals in three league games and blew a two-goal lead in the 87th minute to lose at home to Everton. BournemouthVilla are unbeaten against Everton in the league since returning to the top flight in 2019, and have won four of their last five league meetings at Villa Park and drawn the other. Dyche and Everton could break that run. Ben Fisher
8
Travers gets a rare opportunity for the Cherries
Kepa Arrizabalaga will not get the chance to prove himself against Chelsea on Saturday, with the on-loan Bournemouth goalkeeper unable to face his parent club, but another player will. Mark Travers was last a regular for Bournemouth in the 2021-22 season, the season they returned to the top flight under Scott Parker, and the Republic of Ireland international has since spent time on loan at second-tier Stoke in and out of the team. Travers, 19, excelled in his Premier League Travers made his debut against Tottenham five years ago and, with top-flight opportunities likely to be limited following Kepa’s arrival, he has the chance to prove his worth against Chelsea with Will Dennis, who spent last season on loan at Kilmarnock, taking his place in the dugout. Chelsea put six goals past Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last away league game so Travers may have to be on his toes. BF
9
Arsenal let their colours run wild
Naturally, there is a lot at stake in the North London derby. It has produced some memorable matches and spectacular results over the years, but this one will be a little different. Arsenal The players will wear their new away shirt after refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) decided their regular shirt clashed with Tottenham's home shirt, claiming it was “too white”. In an era when every club unnecessarily changes kit for away games when there is no fixture, in order to sell more shirts to punters, it seems a shame that Arsenal are forced to change colour. It is a minor detail, but when most traditions are sold for the sake of profit, seeing two historic clubs in traditional designs adds to the spectacle of the event. Instead, it is the disappearance of another piece of football history. WU
10
Decisive game early on for O'Neil
Wolves always knew two things were likely to mark their season: the end of the transfer window and a tricky run of opening games. It is fair to say neither was perfect and Wolves, already beaten by Arsenal and Chelsea, host Newcastle on Sunday knowing that failure to pick up at least one point would result in their worst start to a season since promotion in 2018. Wolves have won one of their last 13 league games and Gary O'Neil, who signed a contract extension in the summer, is in tune with the ambient music at Molineux. Wolves supporters are worried they are stuck in the doldrums but they may spring another surprise under O'Neil. “We did what we could do and signed some good players but I think we still had the second lowest net spend in the window,” the Wolves boss said. “Above Man City, funnily enough… maybe we'll finish above them.” BF
