Premier League and Carabao Cup final: 10 things to watch out for this weekend | first division
1
Bosque has weapons to beat Villa
Forest are in trouble, four points above the relegation zone and with their only win in their last five games against West Ham, the league's current crisis club. So a visit to Villa Park is the last thing they need because, after a few iffy weeks, the home team bounced back at Fulham last weekend, focused on turning a good season into a Champions League place. Forest, however, know how to play these types of games, having won in Newcastle and given Arsenal and the manchester united scares. In Morgan Gibbs-White, they have a bringer of pace and aggression, while Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi bring tricky directness and Taiwo Awoniyi converts his chances at a better rate than any striker in the division. All of this means that Forest are well placed to exploit Villa's high line, but only if they can get enough of the ball to do so while remaining solid in defence, which is much easier said than done. Daniel Harris
2
Problems for Everton, as Adingra states
Since the third week of September, Brighton have not won consecutive league games, a malaise they would hardly have a better chance of remedying on Saturday with last weekend's victory over bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United, followed by the visit of the fourth bottom. Everton. They will make it difficult for Brighton, defending deep and narrow, but in Simon Adingra, Roberto De Zerbi's men have one of the fittest players in world football whose speed, aggression and invention will be vital in bringing down and rounding Sean. Dyche's well-coached defense. And while Danny Welbeck is currently the preferred centre-forward, it's not hard to imagine him hitting Evan Ferguson's near-post runs or cutting in balls for João Pedro and Julio Enciso as they return from injury. With Kaoru Mitoma on the other flank, Brighton look like a serious proposition going forward, so serious that you fear for Everton, who haven't won the league since December 16 and are struggling to generate any kind of momentum. HD
3
Green light for Glasner era at Selhurst Park
Does a home game against Burnley represent an open goal for Oliver Glasner? on his debut as a coach in the Premier LeagueOr a lose-lose situation as he tries to replace a south London legend? It certainly looks like Crystal Palace have been here before and their previous attempt to move on from Roy Hodgson didn't start well – Patrick Vieira made a stuttering start to 2021-22, winning just one of his first 10 games in all competitions. . Glasner watched from the stands as Palace produced a much more promising performance. at Everton on Monday, achieving a 1-1 draw, but inherits a team with little confidence and many injuries. Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi are still doubts for this match, but Glasner is expected to get off to a winning start without them. sunday stand
4
Mainoo, the key man of the chaotic United
It feels emblematic of Manchester United's current state under Erik ten Hag that a 18 year old academy product. has become crucial to his fortunes after just 13 starts for the club. Almost everything United have done on the pitch this season, good or bad, has felt incidental and so Ten Hag's work is put to the test. Mason Mount was supposed to be the savior in midfield but has barely featured due to injury, Casemiro's form is declining at an alarming rate, while Bruno Fernandes continues to be very hot and cold. Kobbie Mainoo could be the man to take control of a chaotic United team, if only his tactical approach allowed it. United allow their opponents to set the pace, dictate the terms and then react. Virtually all of their players, bar Mainoo, seem unable or unwilling to put a foot on the ball. Mainoo has ascended to a fixture among a million moving parts at Old Trafford. D.B.
5
The return of the Stones means problems for the rest
It is not being easy for City at the moment: they tied with ChelseaThey had to fight hard for two wins over Brentford and needed 71 minutes to take the lead against Everton. But in recent weeks, Pep Guardiola has slowly reintegrated John Stones, a return that may be the key to his team's season. Coming into midfield alongside Rodri, whether as a full-back or centre-back, Stones gives City a physicality that he had not had before under Guardiola. Their presence, together with that of defenders capable of running fast, allows them to leave only three men at home to be able to attack with one more, with the security that the two big men are there to help maintain the pressure and protect themselves from counterattacks. . Because Stones, the man on whom that strategy depends, has only made 17 appearances this season, City have not been as devastating as before. But he's back now, which means Bournemouth (and everyone else) should be careful. HD
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6
Newcastle must attack the Gunners
The last time Newcastle visited the Emirates, in January 2023, they used every trick in the defensive playbook to frustrate Mikel Arteta's side and earned a deserved goalless draw. Would Eddie Howe get away with the same approach this time? He would seem risky given the Magpies' recent leak – they have conceded 19 goals in their last seven top-flight games and injuries in several departments have wreaked havoc on Howe's attempts to muster some cohesion. Fabian Schär is the latest defensive player to be in the war, although he should be ready for Saturday night. There may be good news up front: the return of Alexander Isak, who has missed Newcastle's last three games, and perhaps the chance to try. Arsenal It will be a more valuable approach than trying to close the door this time. The hosts are in top scoring form domestically and barely sniffed Crystal Palace, West Ham or Burnley; However, Newcastle have the tools to provide a sterner test and, with wins needed to kick-start any European push, Howe's best bet is to attack. Nick Ames
7
Different challenge for ferocious wolves.
Against a Wolves that was the first team defeated by Sheffield United Early this season, and who may struggle at home against lesser Premier League sides, Chris Wilder will sniff out the opportunity to put last week behind him. beating in Brighton behind him. Wolves have become masters of counterattacking, as evidenced by João Gomes' free run. second goal at Tottenham – created by the rhythm of Pedro Neto. Gary O'Neil's side, however, must adapt to their opponents, with Wilder set to implement a rigid back five and a firm focus on chaining together the dangerous Neto and Hwang Hee-chan to disrupt Wolves' tempo. For the hosts, it will be a completely different challenge to their recent buccaneer performances against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham. D.B.
8
Chelsea has the quality to hurt Liverpool
Liverpool produced an excellent second-half performance to turn a one-goal deficit into a 4-1 victory thanks to a heightened sense of mission. But at Wembley they cannot generate the atmosphere that at Anfield covers a multitude of flaws, and Chelsea, settling into something close to a rhythm, have very clear paths to victory. In midfield, and if they stay together, Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández and Conor Gallagher have the legs and intelligence to dominate the ball, especially with Cole Palmer roaming around on the right. And on the left, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling will team up against Conor Bradley (the 20-year-old right-back may have a tiring afternoon), while Nicolas Jackson, although not a reliable finisher, has the movement to take on defenders. away, thus creating space for calmer teammates. Of course, the most likely outcome remains Liverpool win on penalties because that's how these things usually end, but Chelsea are a live dog. HD
9
An unquestionable desire separates Klopp's men
The fate of the first trophy of the season seemed a foregone conclusion 23 days ago, when Liverpool overwhelmed and overtook Chelsea. It still could be, given the league leader's growing desire, drive and ability to withstand key injuries. But the impressive response from Mauricio Pochettino's side in sending eight goals in five days to Liverpool and Wolves has raised hopes of genuine competition at Wembley. Pochettino lamented the absence of the basics after the defeat at Anfield and admitted that the final would follow the same path if Chelsea were once again unable to match Liverpool's aggressiveness. Having had a week off to prepare for the final, unlike their rival, Chelsea have no excuses in that regard. Strength of character may well determine whether Pochettino wins his first trophy in English football or whether Jürgen Klopp signs for at least one more and only Liverpool's is unquestionable. andy hunter
10
West Ham need Kudus to respond
Mohammed Kudus has been out of control since the African Cup of Nations. While West Ham were happy to have the striker back quickly after Ghana exited the tournament early, Kudus has been ineffective in his recent outings. He won a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, but was below par in defeats to Arsenal, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. West Ham need him to get back to his best when Brentford, his ghost team, visit the London Stadium on Monday. Kudus was excellent before the turn of the year, scoring 10 goals in all competitions, and Brentford saw the threat from him when he scored a stunning overhead kick against them in November. That said, Thomas Frank's team won that day and have four consecutive league victories over West Ham, who are winless in eight games in 2024. David Moyes must find a way to turn things around. Jacob Steinberg
