Premier League: 10 things to watch this weekend

Salah assesses the new Palace defense

Liverpool have not lost at Selhurst Park since November 2014, when Dwight Gayle opened the scoring in a 3-1 victory for a side then managed by Neil Warnock. But having seen their title falter last season after losing at Anfield in April to an Eberechi Eze goal, Arne Slot will be wary of facing a Crystal Palace side who are yet to record a Premier League victory this season. Fresh from his brilliant goal against Bologna in the Champions League, Mohamed Salah will be licking his lips at the thought of facing a new Palace defense which has not looked convincing this season despite a 0-0 draw against Manchester United in of his last home match. match. The Egyptian scored his 200th Liverpool goal against them in December, taking his tally to eight in just 11 appearances, not to mention seven assists. Ed Aarons

Havertz aims for Van Persie’s record

At least Kai Havertz is honest. “It’s a nice feeling, but it would be even nicer if I could do it with Arsenal and it would mean a lot more,” the German striker said when asked about winning the Champions League in his time at Chelsea. After his goal against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek secured a comfortable victory, Havertz has the perfect opportunity to equal Robin van Persie’s record of goalscoring in seven consecutive games at the Emirates Stadium when Arsenal face struggling Southampton on Saturday. His burgeoning partnership with Leandro Trossard has made up for the absence of Martin Ødegaard in recent weeks as Mikel Arteta’s side showed their adaptability during a series of test matches at home and in Europe. EA

O’Neil finds himself in another dogfight

The Wolves’ start to the season can be seen in both a positive and negative light. The sight of a dismayed Gary O’Neil became a meme but, beyond the results, his team often played well. Even in the 6-2 defeat to Chelsea, Wolves went into the break level at 2-2 having been the better and more dangerous team. After that – and this is where the negative aspects begin – individual errors began to multiply. A similar pattern followed against Liverpool last Sunday. The league leaders escaped Molineux with much relief, grateful that Nélson Semedo had brought down Diogo Jota in the box just after Rayan Aït-Nouri’s well-deserved equalizer. O’Neil’s reputation was earned by pulling Bournemouth and then Wolves out of relegation battles, but he is now trying to refine his approach. His current team, lacking Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, is trying to move the ball out of defense. This is where repeated mistakes were made. Would a more direct approach work against Brentford? Thomas Frank’s team regularly enjoys pressing high to pick the pockets of idle defenders. John Brewin

Hermansen needs help in Foxes goal

After allowing Everton to shoot 17 times on goal a fortnight ago, Leicester rained 36 shots on their goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen, at the Emirates last week. Yes, it was at title-contending Arsenal, yes, the visitors almost picked up an improbable point anyway, but Steve Cooper’s winless side must make sure this isn’t a plan for their season. “I have to admit it was a bit too much,” Hermansen said after Arsenal’s defeat. “No matter who you play, [36 shots] it’s just too much. We need to see what we can improve and try to do better for the future. As they welcome Bournemouth, and in particular the fiery Antoine Semenyo, this weekend, they must tighten up. The match marks the start of a vital period for Leicester, who also face Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich next month. Dominique Booth

Who next in the role of Rodri?

To fill the Rodri void, Pep Guardiola has so far chosen Nico O’Reilly, in the Carabao Cup against Watford, and the double pivots of Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic (Premier League, Newcastle) and Ilkay Gündogan and Matheus Nunes (League of Champions, Slovan). Bratislava). For the visit of Fulham, we will see the fourth part of the manager’s solution to the position for which he has failed to find a high-level natural deputy. Perhaps John Stones will get the opportunity he has said he is “100% ready” to take if his manager wants him to, although cutting in to midfield from defense when in possession is a game different from being Guardiola’s on-field general, which he is when he plays. No 6. Phil Foden was player of the match in Tuesday’s 4-0 win at Bratislava in his first start of the campaign and showed both understandable rustiness and enduring class. Unlike Rodri’s enigma, Foden is as natural a playmaker as Kevin De Bruyne. So, even if the Belgian remains uncertain about his injury, the presence of the young man does not mean any loss of quality. Jamie Jackson

Lopetegui must sort out Hammers’ problems

A fourth consecutive home defeat would go a long way towards dooming Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham regime. Adventurous, exciting but porous Ipswich, meanwhile, are looking to end their winless run since returning to the First Division; none of the promoted teams achieved a victory. The mood in the East has been red-hot this week with rumors of a dispute between Lopetegui and Mohammed Kudus, clashing at half-time at Brentford last week. If West Ham tradition is for flair players to have freedom, Lopetegui is not such a coach. Lucas Paquetá also lacked influence and application, as did Jarrod Bowen. The Hammers were much more effective at Brentford once Lopetegui added some defensive muscle, with Konstantinos Mavropanos putting in a stunning performance at full-back. Max Kilman, the Lopetegui defender who asked his former club Wolves to sign his new club, still has work to do, but retains the confidence of his manager. Lopetegui won’t panic just yet, but the lack of flair in his favored style of football could spell trouble in the long run. J.B.

All eyes are on Gordon on an old playground

The spotlight remains on Anthony Gordon, not just because the role of pantomime villain awaits him when he returns to Goodison Park. The jeers would have been much louder if the former Everton winger had returned to Liverpool red, as was briefly mentioned this summer. Gordon epitomized the improvement that Eddie Howe had called for when Newcastle produced their best performance of the season in last weekend’s draw against Manchester City, looking fitter, pressing high to telling effect and, as l said Pep Guardiola, part of a team that was “impossible to contain” for 90 minutes. And this, in an unusual center-forward role. With Alexander Isak still doubtful for the trip to Goodison, the 23-year-old could be tasked with those duties again against his former club. His impact against an Everton defense that may still be missing the influential Jarrad Branthwaite through injury could prove instrumental in Newcastle’s mission to build on City’s performance and atone for their last outing at away at Fulham. Andy Hunter

United visit Villa Park and need comfort

Vast terabytes of internet lamentation followed Manchester United’s final Sunday of shame. How can we repair the irreparable theater of (still) broken dreams? To infinity. This week saw them return to places reminiscent of happier days in the club’s history: Porto, where they almost drew, and Villa Park. On Sunday they will face Unai Emery, a coach who has beaten them with three different clubs. Most famously, Emery’s Villarreal denied Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the 2021 Europa League final, and there was a 2-0 victory for Arsenal in March 2019. His first match in charge of Villa, in November 2022, was a 3-1 victory as a prelude. the good work he has done since. And yet since then, while United’s mastery by other opponents is no longer shocking, Villa have lost their last four matches against Erik ten Hag’s side. United’s 3-2 Boxing Day victory last season, a spectacular comeback, was their first under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s co-ownership, a new dawn that had already faded into United’s last long, dark night. Their 2-1 victory at Villa Park in February came courtesy of now sidelined save specialist Scott McTominay. J.B.

Chelsea’s English trio can boost Carsley

While criticism of Todd Boehly’s chaotic management at Chelsea was (and still is) certainly not unfounded – and praise for Enzo Maresca’s in-form side remains a little premature – the Blues are quickly becoming one of the premier teams in the Premier League. One of the main reasons for this is the exciting all-English attacking midfield trio that is regularly flourishing under Maresca. To have Cole Palmer flanked by Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke is to boast an enviable triumvirate, blessed with a near-perfect blend of pace, balance and unfathomable talent. With nine goals and seven assists between them in the league this season, the numbers bode well for Boehly, as well as interim England manager Lee Carsley. Maresca’s main problem might be keeping his other offensive players happy while they huddle on the bench. Database

Hürzeler ponders defensive conundrum

Confirmation that Jan Paul van Hecke is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines was the news Brighton didn’t want to hear after their defensive problems against Chelsea last week. The Dutch international was called up by Ronald Koeman for the Nations League but withdrew due to a groin problem which could rule him out until the end of November. It means Fabian Hürzeler must decide whether to stick with Adam Webster – who was badly at fault for Cole Palmer’s opening goal at Stamford Bridge – or turn to Igor to partner Lewis Dunk in defense against Tottenham. With Ange Postecoglou’s side also renowned for their tendency to play with a high defensive line, there should be plenty of goals at the Amex. EA