The Premier League is again and would you consider it, we’re truly getting a full spherical of fixtures this weekend.
Some sides have not performed a league match for the higher a part of a month as a consequence of fixture postponements and the worldwide break, and will probably be fascinating to see which groups are in a position to get again on top of things the quickest.
We have picked out an intriguing storyline to observe from every recreation this weekend as we eagerly await the arrival of gameweek 9.
Just like the footballing equal to #TheDress, no one can actually work out what this Spurs workforce is meant to be. They appear unhealthy, but they’re unbeaten within the league. They appear defensive, but they’ve scored 18 objectives in 7 video games.
With the north London derby looming this weekend, Antonio Conte’s aspect will have to be at their perfect to maintain their unbeaten file intact. Arsenal have come flying out of the traps this season and seem like contenders for the primary time in years, leaving Spurs completely no room for errors on Saturday.
Brighton have gone about changing Graham Potter in probably the most Brighton means attainable, eschewing larger names to land the signature of former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss Roberto De Zerbi.
The Seagulls little question anticipate massive issues from the Italian, however they might have to be affected person earlier than he begins delivering outcomes; they face Liverpool at Anfield this weekend, representing an actual baptism of fireplace for the brand new gaffer. No stress, Rob.
Should you went again in time to 1 yr in the past and instructed a Newcastle fan they’d be mid-table in 12 months’ time, they’d most likely assume you have been referring to the Championship. At this time, those self same followers might be forgiven for feeling a bit underwhelmed by tenth place within the league – particularly as they have not gained because the opening day of the season.
Up subsequent for Eddie Howe’s aspect are a resurgent Fulham who discover themselves in sixth place going into this fixture. Can Newcastle begin turning attracts into wins and climbing the desk? Or can Marco Silva’s aspect declare one other scalp of their fairytale begin to the marketing campaign?
Everton are unbeaten of their final 5 league matches, one thing we have not needed to write for some time. After selecting up their first win of the marketing campaign in opposition to West Ham, Frank Lampard’s aspect might be eager to ship one other strong show after they journey to Southampton on Saturday.
The Saints have seemed spectacular at instances this season however nonetheless stay frustratingly inconsistent. Having misplaced three of their final 5 video games, the Toffees might be assured they’ll maintain their spectacular run going in opposition to Ralph Hassenhuttl’s aspect.
As a supervisor, becoming a member of a brand new membership mid-season isn’t straightforward. After all, it helps if the celebs align to offer you a month on the coaching floor earlier than taking part in your first Premier League match.
England has had two monarchs and two Prime Ministers since Chelsea final performed a league recreation, giving Graham Potter ample time to work together with his new gamers and devise a method to show their season round. They journey to Selhurst Park to play a Crystal Palace aspect struggling its personal rising pains proper now. Can both aspect come away victorious?
The final worldwide break earlier than a World Cup is a chance for managers to experiment, probably unearthing a hidden gem worthy of inclusion of their squad. Or, when you’re Gareth Southgate, it is a chance to make Harry Kane play 180 minutes on paper ankles.
Ivan Toney had been anticipated to make his England debut over the break, however the Brentford striker should now work laborious to maintain impressing and present Southgate why he ought to be on the aircraft to Qatar. The Bees face Bournemouth this weekend, and Toney should be licking his lips on the prospect of dealing with one of many league’s leakiest defences.
Sky Sports activities have reserved the 17:30 kick-off this Saturday for the highly-anticipated assembly of West Ham and Wolves – two sides who’ve scored three league objectives apiece to this point this season and at the moment sit 18th and seventeenth respectively.
With either side anticipated to problem for Europe going into the season, managers David Moyes and Bruno Lage will every be praying that their aspect finds the tip product that has eluded them to this point and grabs a vital win.
Casemiro has been eased into life at Manchester United, with supervisor Erik ten Hag reluctant to interrupt up the surprisingly profitable pivot of Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen. With the Manchester derby up subsequent, it might be the Brazilian’s time to shine.
United can anticipate to spend so much of Sunday’s recreation with out the ball, setting the stage completely for a Champions League-winning midfielder to take a seat in entrance of the again 4 and mop up hazard. May Casemiro make the distinction?
After a brilliant begin to the marketing campaign, Jesse Marsch’s new-look Leeds United go into the weekend’s fixtures with only one win of their final 5 matches. Nonetheless, the Whites might be licking their lips on the prospect of dealing with a closely depleted Aston Villa on Sunday.
Steven Gerrard’s aspect might be with out Matty Money, Lucas Digne and Boubacar Kamara for his or her journey to Elland Highway, whereas centre-back Diego Carlos stays absent. Villa are unbeaten of their final two video games, however will want their complete squad to be on prime of their recreation for this one.
Few folks anticipated Brendan Rodgers to outlive the worldwide break after a 6-2 drubbing by Spurs in Leicester‘s final recreation. Although the Foxes boss got here out of that defeat unscathed, one other defeat in opposition to Nottingham Forest would absolutely be the tip for the 49-year-old.
Forest boss Steve Cooper can also be below stress, together with his aspect sitting in nineteenth after 4 defeats of their final 5 video games. Can both of those two sides pull themselves out of the doldrums with a win and a strong efficiency on Monday?
