Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Swansea seek three in a row against Manchester United, Chelsea face further defensive issues and a crunch early-season stramash at Villa Park
José Mourinho, Scott Sinclair, Jesús Navas and Ander Herrera all face big weekends in the Premier League. Composite: PA/Getty Images/Rex Shutterstock
1) Thauvin’s time as Arsenal come to Toon
With the dark clouds of pessimism and despair that had taken up long-term residency over St James’ Park having been blown away by what feels suspiciously like a prevailing breeze of optimism, Newcastle fans will be approaching this match with, if not expectation, something approaching long-overdue hope. It’s been a while since the Geordies have had much to get excited about and in Florian Thauvin, scorer of one goal and creator of three in just an hour against Northampton in the Capital One Cup, they have a potential new hero in the making. The French winger doesn’t come without baggage, having proved a disruptive influence at Lille and been voted into the French media’s team of the worst Ligue 1 performers last season. But the early signs are promising and, in what looks likely to be his first Premier League start on Saturday, he ought to give Arsenal plenty to think about if they give away possession in their own half as frequently as they did against Liverpool. BG
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2) Swans seek three in a row against United
Manchester United dream of reaching the stage that Swansea are at. The Welsh club have a well-rooted method to which they add occasional upgrades – André Ayew is already proving an excellent recruit – while United are still searching for a pattern and personnel. Morgan Schneiderlin looks certain to return to the starting line-up after being rested against Club Brugges but will Ander Herrera’s midweek performance earn him a start, perhaps at the expense of Adnan Januzaj? That is just one of the questions that will be answered at the Liberty Stadium: another is how will the hitherto impressive Matteo Darmian cope with Jefferson Montero? And the most important is: will Garry Monk’s side inflict beat Louis van Gaal’s team for the third time in a row in the Premier League? PD
Van Gaal’s possession obsession risks blunting United’s edge
3) Navas fighting for his place
The spending seems set to go on at Manchester City, with Kevin De Bruyne looking likely to arrive from Wolfsburg for £54m. It is another major statement of intent from the league leaders and Manuel Pellegrini has an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal. But where will De Bruyne fit in? David Silva and Raheem Sterling are unlikely to be dropped, so the obvious fall guy appears to be Jesús Navas, whose place on the right of midfield will surely come under threat now. Yet Navas has started the season in good form and the extra competition for places could intensify his hunger. Although he does not possess De Bruyne’s effectiveness and unpredictability in possession, his direct speed and ability to stretch the play are useful weapons. It will be interesting to see how Navas reacts against Watford. JS
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4) A case for more change in Chelsea’s defence?
Crystal Palace are no mugs away from home. Since the appointment of Alan Pardew was confirmed on 2 January, they’ve won six and lost two (one against Chelsea) out of eight on the road in the Premier League. With the preponderance of zippy wingers at their disposal, they’ll fancy their chances against a Chelsea side that has looked far from robust in defence so far this season. With John Terry suspended, Kurt Zouma will join Gary Cahill in the heart of the home defence, while José Mourinho may decide Branislav Ivanovic’s dismal form could make him a liability against such nimble, fleet-of-foot attackers. Many expect him to be dropped so César Azpilicueta can move to right-back and let Baba Rahman come in at left-back for his debut. It’s a dilemma for Mourinho: does he go with the experienced but clearly out-of-sorts Serbian or risk subjecting his 21-year-old newbie to a potential baptism of fire? BG
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5) And how will West Ham’s back-line cope?
Angelo Ogbonna obviously did not agree with Slaven Bilic’s decision to take him off in the 35th minute of West Ham’s 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth. “Haunted and unhappy match! I have to accept the coach’s decisions but I was disappointed when I had to go back to the bench after 35,” he wrote on Twitter. “I was not playing badly. However I don’t give up, we don’t give up!” Asked to explain the Ogbonna substitution, Bilic said afterwards that he could have removed any of West Ham’s defenders during the first half. Aaron Cresswell gave away two goals with a couple of horrendous mistakes, Winston Reid was ponderous and Carl Jenkinson, who was sent off in the second half, looked rusty. There will have to be a massive collective improvement against Liverpool, or else Christian Benteke, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino will run riot, and the truth is that the individual errors masked the fact that the entire team was a mess. Perhaps they will be more solid with James Tomkins at right-back instead of the suspended Jenkinson. Tomkins played there when West Ham won at Arsenal. JS
Sturridge returns to Liverpool training after lengthy lay-off
Roberto Firmino and Liverpool host West Ham. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
6) An early crunch clash at Villa Park
Sunderland scored six against League Two opposition in midweek, while Villa scored five. The fact that both teams also contrived to concede three goals suggests … well, it’s really quite difficult to know what to deduce from their Capital One Cup performances, but hopefully this set-to at Villa Park will give us a better idea of what’s going on at both clubs. After his hat-trick against Exeter City, Jermain Defoe will lead the line against Villa (unless he orders his new personal assistant to do so on his behalf), while Scott Sinclair’s match ball-winning performance against Notts County ought to earn him a starting berth ahead of Gabby Agbonlahor. A game between two mediocre teams that boast in-form goalscorers and occasionally diabolical defenders could go either way, but whatever the outcome, this already has all the hallmarks of a bona fide six-pointer. Home advantage and the increased tempo of Villa under Tim Sherwood ought to give them the edge over notoriously ponderous opposition in a match where goals and entertainment look guaranteed. BG
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7) Worries for Spurs before Toffees test
Midfielder
Ross BarkleyAppearances3Free Kicks3Corners8Crosses3Assists1
The start of the season seems to have taken Spurs by surprise and it would be quite a turn up if they secured their first win of the campaign against an Everton team that look much more dangerous. Although Christian Eriksen could return and Deli Alli might start after his encouraging cameo at Leicester last week, Harry Kane is still likely to be short of service, while, at the other end, the makeshift holding midfielder Eric Dier could struggle to deal with Ross Barkley, and Jan Vertonghen, in particular, needs to raise his game if he is to contain the in-form Romelu Lukaku. PD
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8) A ‘nice’ day out on the south coast
This week’s derby of “nice”, with everybody’s favourite plucky ball-playing Bournemouth underdogs taking on the team managed by an elderly Italian Kasabian fan we’d all like to have as an uncle or grandfather. With seven points from three games to their name already, most people’s pre-season favourites for relegation have roared out of the traps, while the close season’s most patronised team, albeit in the nicest possible way, are also giving a very decent account of themselves. West Ham were so hideously bad last week it’s difficult to know just how much can be read into a Bournemouth victory in which the Cherries still managed to ship three goals, but it is far from inconceivable that they will chalk up their first home win of the season at the second attempt. Riyad Mahrez is in sensational form and looking for his seventh goal in seven games, while Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that vastly experienced new midfielder Gokhan Inler is as fit as any of his team-mates and played him from the start against Bury in the Capital One Cup at Gigg Lane. The Swiss Cambiasso is a tough, natural leader who, along with N’Golo Kanté, should add steel to a Leicester side that tends to surrender too much possession to opponents. Whether or not the pair start at Bournemouth remains to be seen, but a match pitting hosts renowned for their attacking sensibilities against visitors that invariably look menacing on the break should be fascinating. BG
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Riyad Mahrez shares a joke with N’Golo Kante during Leicester City training. Photograph: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
9) Stoke and West Brom fight for their first win
Mark Hughes continues to implement a more aesthetically pleasing style at Stoke City, but there have been a few teething problems. Stoke huffed and puffed against Liverpool, they were poor for long periods before fighting back to claim a draw at Tottenham and they were fortunate to take a point off Norwich City last weekend. If Hughes’s plan works, Stoke will be one of the best sides to watch in England, with Bojan Krkic and Xherdan Shaqiri on the wings, but they should be careful not to go too far and completely rid themselves of that old durability. There will be a reminder of old times on Saturday. Tony Pulis returns to the Britannia Stadium with West Bromwich Albion, who have picked up one point from their first three games, but it was hardly a surprise that they lost against Chelsea and Manchester City. Their draw at Watford showed how tough Pulis’s teams can be; would you bet against him working out how to frustrate his old side? JS
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10) Will Canaries find a cutting edge?
Norwich have made a sprightly return to the top flight, creating abundant chances in all their matches so far. Wes Hoolahan, Nathan Redmond, Robbie Brady and Graham Dorrans have all made welcome attacking contributions and, against a Southampton side that is still coming to terms with more upheaval and competed in Europe on Thursday night, Alex Neil’s side will be confident of carving out more opportunities to score. But the reason the manager is scouring the transfer market for a new striker is that his team have so far not been clinical enough in front of goal – the Scot will be hopeful his team can rectify that this weekend so as to avoid counting the cost of lost points at the end of the season. And no, despite the freak occurrence at Rotherham in midweek, Ricky van Wolfswinkel is not the answer. PD
Norwich striker Grabban seeks PFA advice after being suspended
Nope. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA
1) Thauvin’s time as Arsenal come to Toon
With the dark clouds of pessimism and despair that had taken up long-term residency over St James’ Park having been blown away by what feels suspiciously like a prevailing breeze of optimism, Newcastle fans will be approaching this match with, if not expectation, something approaching long-overdue hope. It’s been a while since the Geordies have had much to get excited about and in Florian Thauvin, scorer of one goal and creator of three in just an hour against Northampton in the Capital One Cup, they have a potential new hero in the making. The French winger doesn’t come without baggage, having proved a disruptive influence at Lille and been voted into the French media’s team of the worst Ligue 1 performers last season. But the early signs are promising and, in what looks likely to be his first Premier League start on Saturday, he ought to give Arsenal plenty to think about if they give away possession in their own half as frequently as they did against Liverpool. BG
Mertesacker and Koscielny doubtful for Arsenal’s Newcastle trip
FacebookTwitterPinterest Arsène Wenger: we are trying hard to get new signings.
2) Swans seek three in a row against United
Manchester United dream of reaching the stage that Swansea are at. The Welsh club have a well-rooted method to which they add occasional upgrades – André Ayew is already proving an excellent recruit – while United are still searching for a pattern and personnel. Morgan Schneiderlin looks certain to return to the starting line-up after being rested against Club Brugges but will Ander Herrera’s midweek performance earn him a start, perhaps at the expense of Adnan Januzaj? That is just one of the questions that will be answered at the Liberty Stadium: another is how will the hitherto impressive Matteo Darmian cope with Jefferson Montero? And the most important is: will Garry Monk’s side inflict beat Louis van Gaal’s team for the third time in a row in the Premier League? PD
Van Gaal’s possession obsession risks blunting United’s edge
3) Navas fighting for his place
The spending seems set to go on at Manchester City, with Kevin De Bruyne looking likely to arrive from Wolfsburg for £54m. It is another major statement of intent from the league leaders and Manuel Pellegrini has an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal. But where will De Bruyne fit in? David Silva and Raheem Sterling are unlikely to be dropped, so the obvious fall guy appears to be Jesús Navas, whose place on the right of midfield will surely come under threat now. Yet Navas has started the season in good form and the extra competition for places could intensify his hunger. Although he does not possess De Bruyne’s effectiveness and unpredictability in possession, his direct speed and ability to stretch the play are useful weapons. It will be interesting to see how Navas reacts against Watford. JS
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4) A case for more change in Chelsea’s defence?
Crystal Palace are no mugs away from home. Since the appointment of Alan Pardew was confirmed on 2 January, they’ve won six and lost two (one against Chelsea) out of eight on the road in the Premier League. With the preponderance of zippy wingers at their disposal, they’ll fancy their chances against a Chelsea side that has looked far from robust in defence so far this season. With John Terry suspended, Kurt Zouma will join Gary Cahill in the heart of the home defence, while José Mourinho may decide Branislav Ivanovic’s dismal form could make him a liability against such nimble, fleet-of-foot attackers. Many expect him to be dropped so César Azpilicueta can move to right-back and let Baba Rahman come in at left-back for his debut. It’s a dilemma for Mourinho: does he go with the experienced but clearly out-of-sorts Serbian or risk subjecting his 21-year-old newbie to a potential baptism of fire? BG
Kenwright confirms Everton have rejected Stones’ transfer request
5) And how will West Ham’s back-line cope?
Angelo Ogbonna obviously did not agree with Slaven Bilic’s decision to take him off in the 35th minute of West Ham’s 4-3 defeat to Bournemouth. “Haunted and unhappy match! I have to accept the coach’s decisions but I was disappointed when I had to go back to the bench after 35,” he wrote on Twitter. “I was not playing badly. However I don’t give up, we don’t give up!” Asked to explain the Ogbonna substitution, Bilic said afterwards that he could have removed any of West Ham’s defenders during the first half. Aaron Cresswell gave away two goals with a couple of horrendous mistakes, Winston Reid was ponderous and Carl Jenkinson, who was sent off in the second half, looked rusty. There will have to be a massive collective improvement against Liverpool, or else Christian Benteke, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino will run riot, and the truth is that the individual errors masked the fact that the entire team was a mess. Perhaps they will be more solid with James Tomkins at right-back instead of the suspended Jenkinson. Tomkins played there when West Ham won at Arsenal. JS
Sturridge returns to Liverpool training after lengthy lay-off
Roberto Firmino and Liverpool host West Ham. Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
6) An early crunch clash at Villa Park
Sunderland scored six against League Two opposition in midweek, while Villa scored five. The fact that both teams also contrived to concede three goals suggests … well, it’s really quite difficult to know what to deduce from their Capital One Cup performances, but hopefully this set-to at Villa Park will give us a better idea of what’s going on at both clubs. After his hat-trick against Exeter City, Jermain Defoe will lead the line against Villa (unless he orders his new personal assistant to do so on his behalf), while Scott Sinclair’s match ball-winning performance against Notts County ought to earn him a starting berth ahead of Gabby Agbonlahor. A game between two mediocre teams that boast in-form goalscorers and occasionally diabolical defenders could go either way, but whatever the outcome, this already has all the hallmarks of a bona fide six-pointer. Home advantage and the increased tempo of Villa under Tim Sherwood ought to give them the edge over notoriously ponderous opposition in a match where goals and entertainment look guaranteed. BG
Defoe advertises for 24/7 assistant to grow global brand … and stock fridge
7) Worries for Spurs before Toffees test
Midfielder
Ross BarkleyAppearances3Free Kicks3Corners8Crosses3Assists1
The start of the season seems to have taken Spurs by surprise and it would be quite a turn up if they secured their first win of the campaign against an Everton team that look much more dangerous. Although Christian Eriksen could return and Deli Alli might start after his encouraging cameo at Leicester last week, Harry Kane is still likely to be short of service, while, at the other end, the makeshift holding midfielder Eric Dier could struggle to deal with Ross Barkley, and Jan Vertonghen, in particular, needs to raise his game if he is to contain the in-form Romelu Lukaku. PD
West Brom rule out Berahino sale and slam Tottenham for late bids
8) A ‘nice’ day out on the south coast
This week’s derby of “nice”, with everybody’s favourite plucky ball-playing Bournemouth underdogs taking on the team managed by an elderly Italian Kasabian fan we’d all like to have as an uncle or grandfather. With seven points from three games to their name already, most people’s pre-season favourites for relegation have roared out of the traps, while the close season’s most patronised team, albeit in the nicest possible way, are also giving a very decent account of themselves. West Ham were so hideously bad last week it’s difficult to know just how much can be read into a Bournemouth victory in which the Cherries still managed to ship three goals, but it is far from inconceivable that they will chalk up their first home win of the season at the second attempt. Riyad Mahrez is in sensational form and looking for his seventh goal in seven games, while Claudio Ranieri has confirmed that vastly experienced new midfielder Gokhan Inler is as fit as any of his team-mates and played him from the start against Bury in the Capital One Cup at Gigg Lane. The Swiss Cambiasso is a tough, natural leader who, along with N’Golo Kanté, should add steel to a Leicester side that tends to surrender too much possession to opponents. Whether or not the pair start at Bournemouth remains to be seen, but a match pitting hosts renowned for their attacking sensibilities against visitors that invariably look menacing on the break should be fascinating. BG
Bournemouth must meet Norwich price to buy Grabban, says Neil
Riyad Mahrez shares a joke with N’Golo Kante during Leicester City training. Photograph: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
9) Stoke and West Brom fight for their first win
Mark Hughes continues to implement a more aesthetically pleasing style at Stoke City, but there have been a few teething problems. Stoke huffed and puffed against Liverpool, they were poor for long periods before fighting back to claim a draw at Tottenham and they were fortunate to take a point off Norwich City last weekend. If Hughes’s plan works, Stoke will be one of the best sides to watch in England, with Bojan Krkic and Xherdan Shaqiri on the wings, but they should be careful not to go too far and completely rid themselves of that old durability. There will be a reminder of old times on Saturday. Tony Pulis returns to the Britannia Stadium with West Bromwich Albion, who have picked up one point from their first three games, but it was hardly a surprise that they lost against Chelsea and Manchester City. Their draw at Watford showed how tough Pulis’s teams can be; would you bet against him working out how to frustrate his old side? JS
Walters admits he wants to stay but says Stoke do not value him
10) Will Canaries find a cutting edge?
Norwich have made a sprightly return to the top flight, creating abundant chances in all their matches so far. Wes Hoolahan, Nathan Redmond, Robbie Brady and Graham Dorrans have all made welcome attacking contributions and, against a Southampton side that is still coming to terms with more upheaval and competed in Europe on Thursday night, Alex Neil’s side will be confident of carving out more opportunities to score. But the reason the manager is scouring the transfer market for a new striker is that his team have so far not been clinical enough in front of goal – the Scot will be hopeful his team can rectify that this weekend so as to avoid counting the cost of lost points at the end of the season. And no, despite the freak occurrence at Rotherham in midweek, Ricky van Wolfswinkel is not the answer. PD
Norwich striker Grabban seeks PFA advice after being suspended
Nope. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA
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