10 things to keep in mind this weekend

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Johnson looks to start the season

There is often fear when a former favorite returns, but Brennan Johnson will be welcomed with open arms at Nottingham Forest even though he hopes to leave like a pantomime villain. The Welsh international progressed through the ranks at the City Ground, becoming an integral part of Forest’s promotion, and was a key reason they remained at City last season. Such form meant that his departure during the summer became inevitable, especially as the money on offer was sorely needed. No offense to Forest, but Tottenham is a big step forward for Johnson and he has taken the time to adapt to his new surroundings and the management of Ange Postecoglou. The pressure on Tottenham’s forwards has increased in recent weeks following James Maddison’s injury but, after four defeats in five, they bounced back against Newcastle. Johnson has one goal and two assists in his short Tottenham career, but returning to familiar surroundings could boost his season. won’t win

Howe must stop the rot

“Trust is a very fragile thing,” said a reflective Eddie Howe after Newcastle’s European exit at the hands of Milan on Wednesday night. Tellingly, the Champions League anthem had barely faded and died before it turned its attention to Fulham’s visit to Tyneside on Saturday. “We have to make sure our Premier League form is as strong as possible,” he continued. “I don’t want a hangover against Fulham. The pain we feel now has to be a motivation for tomorrow.” After their two consecutive Premier League defeats, conceding seven goals at Everton and Tottenham, it is imperative that Howe’s injury-ravaged players renew their dwindling challenge for a top-four finish. However, it remains debatable whether the high-intensity, high-tempo, high-pressure game preferred by the home coach is the best way to achieve three points. And especially after getting lost in the transition against an intelligent and counterattacking Milan. Time for plan B? Louise Taylor

The story continues

Arsenal hopes for a quick revenge

The 3-0 home defeat to Brighton last season ended Arsenal’s title aspirations and cemented Roberto De Zerbi’s reputation as a master of counter-pressing. At that time, in May, Arsenal were exhausted from the season’s efforts, while Brighton looked fresh. This Sunday, both clubs will be sporting a worn-out look. Brighton’s energy levels are reduced by their midweek Europa League schedule, injuries and the sale of players such as Levi Colwill, Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo. De Zerbi’s tactics, once so revolutionary, have also been picked apart by analysts. The way Arsenal respond to Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa makes this a crucial game for Mikel Arteta, who was beaten by his predecessor, Unai Emery, with the caveat that his team was rejected by a couple of decisions. referees and it ended badly. In what has so far been a wide-open title race, Arsenal’s response to mistakes will be key to getting back into contention in May. John Brewin

Bring the little violins for Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino’s call for more signings following Chelsea’s defeat to Everton inevitably sparked ridicule. The Argentine’s first task is to improve the expensive squad he already has at his disposal. Chelsea host Sheffield United on Saturday and simply have to win. To achieve this, Pochettino needs his defenders to be tough and eliminate mistakes and for Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo to play as £100m midfielders. He needs the ends of him to step back and produce a final product. Of course, Chelsea are missing a powerful striker. Nicolas Jackson is raw and Armando Broja struggled against Everton, but both should be good enough to penetrate the Sheffield United defence. The time for excuses is over. Jacob Steinberg

The city hopes for an easy farewell to Saudi Arabia

This final domestic fixture before the European champions travel to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup will offer the final clue as to whether Manchester City have definitively overcome their recent slump, a run of four Premier League games without a win. The sequence ended with Sunday’s victory at Luton, but more evidence is needed to get a clearer idea of ​​where Guardiola’s team stand at the moment. Crystal Palace come in with just one win out of nine, so City’s failure to win would be a surprise. Jaime Jackson

Everton’s substitutes must seize the moment

Sean Dyche can return to Turf Moor with confidence on his first visit since being sacked by Burnley in April 2022. His team, Everton, have managed to climb out of the relegation zone thanks to three impressive consecutive victories, each of them achieved with a clean sheet. and a fierce work pace. However, this match against Dyche’s former club, relegation rivals who are also improving under Vincent Kompany, will bring new complications. Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye have been instrumental in Everton’s recovery, and the young defender surely caught the eye of Gareth Southgate when the England manager attended Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea. Both are suspended against Burnley, having received their fifth booking of the season in the 2-0 win. While Amadou Onana is a direct swap for Gueye in midfield, Dyche’s alternatives to Branthwaite are former Burnley defender Michael Keane, who has been nursing an ankle injury, or the disgraced Ben Godfrey. Whoever he chooses will have to take advantage of his moment in a match of enormous importance at the bottom of the table. andy hunter

Versatile Ghoddos, a valuable asset

It’s been a fun few months for Saman Ghoddos. The Iran international thought his three-year spell at Brentford was over after it was announced in May that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer. However, by the end of August, the winger was back in west London having signed a one-year deal at the Gtech Community Stadium. He even won the goal of the month competition for October for his goal against Burnley. What Ghoddos perhaps didn’t expect is to become a starting full-back. An attack-minded player, he has positioned himself on both sides of the defense in the last four Premier League games and will be hoping to play for the fifth time in a row against Villa. Versatility is important in the modern game and Ghoddos has proven to be a useful asset for Thomas Frank. That could give him another season at Brentford. W.You

Visitors risk further pain at Anfield

Manchester United’s downfall is obviously their fault, but Liverpool have gained greater satisfaction in recent years from giving their great rivals a lift along the way. From signaling the end of José Mourinho’s reign to exposing Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s limitations at Old Trafford, Jürgen Klopp’s side have often rewinded the dial on United and are presented with another opportunity at Anfield. Erik ten Hag’s visitors will be affected by both their dismal early exit from European competition on Tuesday (a feat in the current format) and last season’s historic 7-0 defeat to Liverpool, and if they possess The quality, mentality or organization to react as necessary on Sunday is doubtful. It seems ridiculous in retrospect, but United headed to Anfield last season on the rise having won the Carabao Cup the previous weekend while Liverpool faltered. Klopp has since revived his club’s title credentials in one summer. United continue to move away. oh

Foley shoots for the moon

This week Bill Foley celebrated his 79th birthday and his first year in charge of Bournemouth. The American quickly set about shaping the future of the Cherries upon his arrival, but far beyond giving the stadium a facelift, hiring Andoni Iraola, investing in the team and planning a new 18,500-capacity ground , there is a bigger picture at play. Hibernian will become the latest addition to their stable of clubs, after receiving approval to build an A-League club in Auckland. Foley, who also owns Ligue 1 side Lorient, insists the multi-club model – most clearly dominated by the City Football Group – is something that can deliver success on the south coast. “If we can get a group of teams together, we can really develop a system to move players up and down and then we’d be punching way above our weight,” Foley said. ben fisherman

Do West Ham have a plan B?

Can David Moyes trust his bench? West Ham have an established starting XI and feel comfortable in ninth place despite last weekend’s drubbing by Fulham. But his approach can be predictable and Moyes has problems if he wants to change things. His reserves haven’t been good enough. Pablo Fornals, the Spanish midfielder, has fallen since the start of last season. West Ham want to sell winger Saïd Benrahma in January. Danny Ings, a bad signing from Aston Villa, contributes little in attack as a starter or impact substitute. Young striker Divin Mubama hasn’t had many chances. But if West Ham are struggling for a win against Wolves on Sunday, what will Moyes do? He didn’t make any changes until the 89th minute during his team’s recent 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. js