Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Premier League football is back after the pause for the international break and it promises to be a must-watch weekend of top-flight action. We’ve looked at eight talking points ahead of the Premier League fixtures, including a huge title showdown at the Etihad.

Gordon and Bowen battle for Premier League points and England spot

Newcastle host West Ham in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture with both teams in contention for European qualification once again. The Hammers hold seventh position and the final European place, with Newcastle sitting in 10th. Just six points split seventh to 12th, however, and the winners this weekend will take a huge step towards continental competition.

One intriguing sub-plot will be the battle of the England wingers as Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen go head-to-head. Each is competing for a place on the plane to Euro 2024 with Gordon having given a good account of himself on debut in March’s international break.

Bowen’s audition was also impressive with eye-catching performances against Brazil and Belgium and the West Ham winger is having an underrated season at the London Stadium.

Only Ollie Watkins (16) and Dominic Solanke (15) have scored more than Bowen’s 14 goals among English players this season, while the 27-year-old is closing in on Paolo Di Canio’s record for the highest-scoring Premier League season by a West Ham player (16 in 1999/00).

Inexperienced outfits clash in the capital

A lack of experience can present a challenge for teams in the Premier League. Last season, three of the four teams with the youngest average starting XI were relegated from the top division.

The two most inexperienced teams in the Premier League meet this weekend as Chelsea host Burnley at Stamford Bridge. Each have an average age of less than 25 this season and both have had problems finding consistency in results and performance.

Chelsea sit 11th in the table, a poor return for their record-breaking investment since Todd Boehly’s arrival, which includes breaking the British transfer record twice since January 2023. Burnley, meanwhile, are 19th and face an uphill battle to survive with five points between the Clarets and safety.

Time will tell whether faith in youth will bring long-term rewards, but it’s certainly been a challenging campaign for both sides.

Reeling Forest need a response

Nottingham Forest are reeling from their Premier League points deduction, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side docked four points for breaching PSR rules. The sanctions have seen Forest drop into the relegation places, a point behind 17th-placed Luton in the battle for safety.

Forest have struggled for results of late but have the chance to drag another side into the dogfight this weekend. Crystal Palace are the visitors and have failed to win in their last eight games on the road.

A win for Forest would move them within five points of the Eagles, who will be nervously looking over their shoulder if results do not go their way this weekend. Given just two teams have taken fewer points in away games than Forest this season, Nuno’s side must make home advantage count ahead of back-to-back clashes with Palace and Fulham at the City Ground.

Fulham must improve on the road to make Europe

Fulham thrashed Tottenham 3-0 in arguably their most impressive performance of the campaign before the international break, a result that leaves Marco Silva’s side in touching distance of the European places.

The west Londoners have not competed in Europe since 2011/12, but are just six points from the Premier League’s top seven. Fulham’s campaign has been built on a fine record at Craven Cottage with only the top five having won more home games (9) this season. However, if only away games counted, Fulham would be in the relegation places.

This weekend’s trip to rock-bottom Sheffield United provides the perfect chance to improve their travel sickness.

Is Thomas Frank a genuine candidate for Manchester United?

Thomas Frank will lead Brentford into Saturday night’s clash with Manchester United amid the backdrop of speculation surrounding his future. The Dane has won admirers for his work with the Bees, leading the west Londoners into the top division and impressing across two Premier League campaigns.

Such has been his work on a comparatively modest budget to the rest of the division, Frank’s name has been mentioned as a potential Manchester United manager. A decision will be made on Erik ten Hag’s future at the end of the campaign with suggestions he could be sacked should the Red Devils miss out on the top four.

For all his overachievement with Brentford, Frank would be a surprise selection at Old Trafford. The merits of his work with young players are well admired, but the expectation – and pressure – would dwarf anything he has previously experienced. However, a win this weekend could enhance his reputation in front of the Red Devils’ new owners and increase his chances of a summer approach.

Can Villa Park become a fortress again?

The trip to Aston Villa was one of the most daunting on the Premier League calendar across the opening months of the campaign, but Unai Emery’s team have wobbled of late on home soil. Only the top two have more home wins this season, but Villa have lost three of their last four at Villa Park, with Newcastle, Manchester United, and Spurs all claiming three points.

Wolves are the visitors this weekend in an all-Midlands match-up, with both teams in contention for European qualification. Villa remain in front of Spurs in the race for Champions League football and will be keen to avoid dropped points given their upcoming schedule. Emery’s team face trips to Manchester City and Arsenal in their next four fixtures.

Can Reds regroup to take charge of the title race?

Liverpool suffered a setback before the international break as the club’s quadruple dream came crashing to an end at Manchester United. The dramatic FA Cup defeat dented the optimism around Anfield, though attention turns back to their Premier League title challenge this weekend.

Jurgen Klopp’s side host Brighton on Sunday, kicking off a huge afternoon in the title race. The Reds will go top of the table – temporarily at least – with a point, ahead of a crucial clash between title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad.

A win would up the pressure on both teams ahead of their encounter later in the day and Liverpool will be confident against a Brighton team who have lost five of their last six away games.

Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate could return for the Reds in a welcome boost.

Havertz vs Dias a decisive duel in title showdown

Last season’s top two meet at the Etihad this weekend, as leaders Arsenal face the defending champions, Manchester City.

Arsenal could hardly enter the clash in better form after eight straight wins in the Premier League, though take on a Citizens side unbeaten in 38 games at the Etihad.

One duel that could be decisive is that of Kai Havertz and Ruben Dias. The former has excelled since moving into a false nine position, scoring four times and providing two assists in his last four Premier League appearances.

The German has history when facing this opponent, with his evasive movement problematic for Dias in past encounters. Havertz posed problems for Dias during the 2021 UCL final, when he scored the winning goal for Chelsea, before tormenting the centre-back as Germany thrashed Portugal at the European Championship weeks later.

How Havertz performs could determine Arsenal’s hopes of a huge win, as the Gunners look to secure home and away wins against the defending Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years.

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