Premier League: 10 things to watch out for this weekend

Tonali should start for Newcastle

Despite positive results, Newcastle’s performances have been disappointing, so Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Fulham was no big surprise. Eddie Howe did not disagree with recent suggestions that his team was deliberately “under-prepared” in preseason training to reduce the injuries that plagued them in the spring. The only problem is that they currently seem unable to implement the high pressure that brought them considerable success under the former Bournemouth manager.

Howe may be trying to bring a bit more thought to Newcastle’s style, but this team is a little lacking in technical and tactical ability. All in all, it’s probably not the best time to host Manchester City. Howe may need to adapt a malfunctioning midfield by moving away from his 4-3-3 formation, but the moment has certainly come for Sandro Tonali to play his first Premier League game since returning from a ten-month suspension for breach has returned against the betting regulations? Louise Taylor

The successful Welbeck will put Chelsea to the test

Despite being sent off from the sidelines in last weekend’s draw with Nottingham Forest, Fabian Hürzeler has avoided a suspension and will be in his technical zone for Brighton’s game against Chelsea. However, he will have to plan the game without João Pedro, who was the victim of a tackle between Morgan Gibbs and White that sparked the scuffle on the touchline that ended with Hürzeler and Nuno Espírito Santo receiving red cards. Danny Welbeck, in strong form at the start of the season, has scored in three of his last four games against Chelsea and will fancy his chances of adding to that tally at Stamford Bridge, not least if Karou Mitoma delivers a virtuoso performance can repeat what he showed astonished various forest defenders last weekend. With threats in all areas of the pitch, Brighton has every chance of continuing their unbeaten start to the season, despite Chelsea’s shockingly good form. Barry Glendenning

The pressure on Lopetegui is increasing

Brentford became the first team in Premier League history to score in the first minute in consecutive games and will be hoping that they will meet West Ham’s comically hapless defense at the Gtech Community Stadium for a third Getting off to a great start once in a row. Already under pressure after just seven games at the London Stadium, Julen Lopetegui took responsibility for his team’s terrible defensive performance against Chelsea last weekend, but insisted the result was the same in his team’s 5-1 midweek defeat at the Carabao Cup in Liverpool did not reflect the team’s performance. Against Chelsea, the Spaniard brought on Guido Rodríguez and Edson Álvarez to strengthen the defense, but then changed his mind and replaced the Argentine before half-time. With Rodríguez still unconvincing and Álvarez suspended, another reshuffle in West Ham’s midfield is imminent. BG

Julen Lopetegui needs to start giving his players a feeling. Photo: Andy Rain/EPA

Dyche under observation again

There is light at the end of a very long and very dark tunnel for Evertonians after it was announced on Monday that the Friedkin Group had agreed a deal to end Farhad Moshiri’s disastrous ownership. However, until their takeover is ratified, many might suspect that it is the light of an oncoming train to cut a line off Half Man Half Biscuit, given previous false dawns and Moshiri’s record. But that deal should go ahead and with it comes added pressure on Sean Dyche as he looks to make up for a poor start to the season against a Crystal Palace side who have also failed to win in the Premier League. Dan Friedkin didn’t hesitate to implement the managerial change at Roma and the Everton manager’s long-term valuation is currently under review. Dyche’s options have been severely limited so far, but with Jarrad Branthwaite fighting for his first start of the season and Vitalii Mykolenko also back in training, he could finally have a recognized defensive unit at his disposal. His potential employers will be paying attention. Andy Hunter

The decision to part ways with academy products Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson (albeit on loan for the time being) came with a heavy heart for Mikel Arteta. But while Smith Rowe might have offered a solution to Martin Ødegaard’s extended absence through injury, the rapid rise of Ethan Nwaneri has repaid the Arsenal manager’s faith in the 17-year-old from Enfield. Two goals against Bolton in the EFL Cup on his debut capping an impressive performance means he will be eligible to play again against Leicester on Saturday. Arsenal’s starting XI featured five academy graduates on Wednesday, while goalkeeper Jack Porter became the youngest player ever to start for Arsenal. Neto is likely to replace the 16-year-old on Saturday if David Raya is ruled out with a hamstring injury, but Porter and Nwaneri have proven Arsenal’s future is in safe hands. Ed Aarons

Will Ethan Nwaneri be rewarded with his first Premier League start? Photo: Paul Childs/Action Images/Reuters

Fulham aiming for Europe?

Is it too early for Fulham to aim for a European place? Maybe, but it feels like it’s finally happening in west London. A disappointing exit from the Carabao Cup was followed by a comfortable win against Newcastle – their first in eight years. Not only did Marco Silva get the win, he also impressively put together pieces from other Premier League teams that fit his system. Against Eddie Howe’s side, former Wolves duo Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez combined to score Fulham’s lead after five minutes. Alex Iwobi assisted his former Arsenal teammate Emile Smith Rowe in the second half. Joachim Andersen, previously at Crystal Palace, was Fulham’s best defender with seven saves and two interceptions. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Yara El Shaboury

Liverpool are trying to curb Wolves’ losing habit

Following the defeat to Newcastle at Molineux earlier this month, Wolves captain Mario Lemina did not sugarcoat the situation. “I’m really unhappy,” he said after the game. “We need to change this losing mentality now and get back to work.” Since then, Wolves have lost twice more – 2-3 against Brighton in the League Cup and 1-3 against Aston Villa – and are tied for the worst goal difference (-9) and dropped to the bottom of the table with the worst number of goals conceded (14), alongside Everton. After a difficult summer that saw him lose Max Kilman and Pedro Neto – and Yerson Mosquera now likely out for the rest of the season – Gary O’Neil has been dealt a terrible situation. Having lost home and away to Liverpool last season and Arne Slot’s side in good attacking form with 11 goals scored in their last three games, Wolves will need to rediscover their resilience to withstand the perfect storm that is this one blowing through the Midlands at the weekend. Will Magee

Wolves captain Mario Lemina hopes to improve his team’s mentality. Photo: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters

McGinn’s absence may encourage Ipswich

With comparatively glamorous outings against Bayern Munich and Manchester United to look forward to next week, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Aston Villa’s players took their eyes off the ball on their trip to Ipswich. While Emi Buendía played his first full game in midweek after more than a year out due to injury, Unai Emery now has to cope with the loss of John McGinn, who is expected to be sidelined for at least eight weeks with a hamstring strain. Leon Bailey is likely to deputize for the Villa captain against an Ipswich side who are unbeaten in three league games and are visibly improving with each game as they grow into their Premier League skin. It’s only a matter of time before Ipswich fans can celebrate their first win in the top flight since April 2002 and Sunday afternoon against a side missing arguably their most important player looks as good as any. BG

Underachievers meet in Manchester

11th-placed Manchester United host 10th-placed Tottenham, who have seven points each after five games: hardly the rosiest of signs for two teams aiming for a place in the top four. The pages of Erik ten Hag and Ange Postecoglou always sink into their very own déjà vu mode. Ten Hag’s United can’t finish and get into winning positions. Spurs have a manager who is an apostle of the big leagues and refuses to endorse a Plan B as suggested by Postecoglou’s mantra “It’s just who we are, mate.” There will be excitement on Sunday at Old Trafford when the event kicks off at 4.30pm. Jamie Jackson

Bournemouth need more firepower

The fixture list was not kind to Bournemouth. Back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool have put added pressure on games against Southampton and Leicester. These games are crucial, especially as the next five games include meetings against the defending champions and the former runners-up. Andoni Iraola impressed in his first season after a slow start, but his side are still struggling with teething problems, particularly after the sale of Dominic Solanke. Bournemouth have often held their own but the lack of a determined striker has slowed them down. With an xG of 10.41, they sit fourth in the expected goals table, behind only Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa – more than double their current goal average of five. While chances are created, fans will have to be patient with Brazilian striker Evanilson, who missed a penalty against Chelsea and failed to make an impact at Liverpool. The club has shown a lot of patience with young talent in the past. It took Solanke 18 months to score his first goal in the top flight for Bournemouth, a decision that ultimately paid off. YES

Premier League: 10 things to watch out for this weekend | Premier League

ByJasper

Tonali should start for Newcastle

The successful Welbeck will put Chelsea to the test

The pressure on Lopetegui is increasing

Dyche under observation again

Fulham aiming for Europe?

Liverpool are trying to curb Wolves’ losing habit

McGinn’s absence may encourage Ipswich

Underachievers meet in Manchester

Bournemouth need more firepower

By Jasper

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