1
Klopp should beware set-piece barrage
David Moyes will certainly have taken be aware of Liverpool’s wrestle to defend set items in opposition to Everton. Jürgen Klopp, who have to be delighted with a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, ought to put together his staff for an additional bruising check once they go to West Ham. For Moyes, this can be a likelihood to restore the sizeable damage to his reputation attributable to last weekend’s collapse at Selhurst Park. West Ham have been 4-0 right down to Palace after 31 minutes and are getting ready to half firm with Moyes on the finish of the season, however they need to take coronary heart from how Everton unsettled Liverpool within the Merseyside derby. Everton scored twice from set items and West Ham pose an analogous menace from useless balls. James Ward-Prowse’s deliveries in direction of Tomas Soucek, Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio could have Klopp’s defenders sweating. Jacob Steinberg
2
Mateta thriving on Glasner’s watch
Jean-Philippe Mateta has regarded like a unique participant since Oliver Glasner’s arrival at Crystal Palace. Mateta had struggled to nail down a beginning spot since shifting to south London three years in the past. He was a bit-part presence, a helpful squad participant, however no one appeared satisfied he was able to main the road frequently. But the scenario has modified underneath Glasner. In 9 appearances for the Austrian, Mateta has eight targets. A medical finisher has emerged. Palace are creating probabilities and Mateta has been taking them. He scored each of their targets in the 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday. Fulham might want to be careful when Glasner’s aspect go to Craven Cottage. JS
3
Howe nonetheless underrated as a coach
Given Eddie Howe’s shut bonds with Liverpool’s new football chief executive, Michael Edwards, and their incoming sporting director, Richard Hughes, it’s arguably shocking that the Anfield membership have opted to target Feyenoord’s Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s potential successor slightly than try and recruit Newcastle’s supervisor. Howe will not be excellent however there’s a actual sense that he stays underrated. Maybe neutrals don’t absolutely respect his achievement in maintaining a squad nonetheless staffed by a nucleus of Rafael Benítez’s previous personnel in sturdy competition for a Europa League place. Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Wednesday was disappointing however it’s value noting that it concerned six gamers – 5 starters and one substitute – who have been on the St James’ Park books when Benítez walked out, citing lack of ambition, 5 years in the past. The truth that Fabian Schär, Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy and co are difficult for Europe slightly than attempting to keep away from relegation today speaks volumes for Howe’s teaching potential. Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder is definitely unlikely to underestimate it as he goals to keep away from a repeat of the 8-0 defeat his relegation-bound aspect (then managed by Paul Heckingbottom) sustained at Bramall Lane in September. Louise Taylor
4
No signal of enchancment from Antony
Erik ten Hag gave Antony a second begin since February in opposition to Sheffield United, however the supervisor would possibly really feel on reflection like he shouldn’t have bothered. At house to comfortably the worst aspect within the division, this appeared like a possibility for the beleaguered Brazilian to truly contribute and construct some confidence. As a substitute, Antony was substituted with Manchester United trailing 2-1: no objective, no help, no shot heading in the right direction, six duels misplaced. In his 55 minutes, the 24-year-old misplaced possession 13 instances, or roughly each 4 minutes. United have been drastically improved as soon as Antony was changed, so will Ten Hag threat beginning him once more in opposition to Burnley? From the worrying off-field allegations to the on-pitch inadequacies, this appears to be like like possibly a final likelihood for Antony to create a constructive headline earlier than a extra testing run-in and what is going to certainly be an unsure summer season. Michael Butler
5
Yet another push for Everton security
Everton will nonetheless be on a excessive after their first home win over Liverpool in 14 years and the instruction from Sean Dyche to his gamers will likely be comparatively easy: do it once more. Consistency has eluded Everton for many of the marketing campaign however, ought to Luton fail to win at Wolves earlier within the day, Dyche’s staff will go into the Brentford recreation understanding a fourth consecutive league victory at Goodison Park will safe their top-flight standing. It will be some achievement by a staff docked eight factors to take action with three video games to spare. “Repeated wins is the artwork of the sport and discovering the best way to win is the following problem,” mentioned Dyche. “We’ll park Wednesday rapidly, and that’s troublesome as a result of the noise round it has been super from Evertonians, however we’ve to go once more. I’d think about the followers will likely be in good voice from the off, I hope so, to maintain us going.” Andy Hunter
6
Luton should maintain heads held excessive
Sitting in nineteenth with 25 factors and with time working out to mount an unlikely nice escape, Luton will likely be determined to get some type of end result at Wolves. No staff has conceded extra targets away from house this season, nonetheless, and Rob Edwards will certainly be extra assured about Luton’s remaining (sort) house fixtures in opposition to Everton, who are actually all however protected, and Fulham, who don’t have anything tangible to play for. Win these two and Luton may properly keep up with an extremely low complete of 31 factors. Nottingham Forest and Burnley face the Manchester golf equipment this weekend, and it’s seemingly that Luton is not going to be a lot worse off by the tip of it. So even when Luton do lose at Molineux, hope stays, and Edwards should make it possible for heads don’t drop. MB
7
Chelsea struggling with out Gusto
A lot was manufactured from Cole Palmer’s absence earlier than Chelsea’s cursed journey to Arsenal, however of just about equal significance was the damage to Malo Gusto. The suitable-back has been the staff’s second finest participant this season, a uncommon gem unearthed by Chelsea’s scattergun switch coverage. Dependable and dogged in defence and enterprising in assault, Gusto lived as much as his identify earlier than struggling “a minor downside in his knee ligaments” within the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City. Gusto is unlikely to return for the journey to Aston Villa and stand-in right-back Alfie Gilchrist – who endured a torrid time at Arsenal – may once more be referred to as upon to face the in-form Morgan Rogers. MB
Given their respective positions on the map and within the center third of the Premier League desk, it may very well be argued that Sunday’s match between Bournemouth and Brighton is about as on-the-beach as these encounters on the finish of the season get. With simply two wins of their previous 10 video games in all competitions (one an train in futility in the second leg of a Europa League tie that was already lost), injury-ravaged Brighton’s season is at risk of ending with a whimper, however Bournemouth nonetheless have one thing to play for. Regardless of taking three of the primary 27 obtainable to them this season, the Cherries stay in with an opportunity of reaching their highest Premier League end (ninth in 2016-17), whereas the information that squads for Euro 2024 are now to be 26-strong could have piqued the curiosity of Dominic Solanke. The 26-year-old is within the type of his life and should fancy his probabilities, nonetheless small they might be, of pushing into the queue for an England striker’s berth forward of the out-of-sorts Ivan Toney. Barry Glendenning
9
Arsenal to maintain ball rolling or grind to halt?
There was quite a lot of speak about fixture congestion from managers this season, however Spurs go into the north London derby with a 15-day relaxation after their dismal 4-0 defeat at Newcastle on 13 April. Against this, Arsenal have performed 4 video games since that day however journey to their neighbours with an virtually fully-fit squad: solely long-term absentee Jurriën Timber, who scored a sensational goal simply eight minutes into his comeback recreation for Arsenal’s Underneath-21s on Monday, stays a doubt. Regardless of having extra miles within the legs and with much less time to arrange tactically, would possibly Arsenal really feel sharper, particularly after their confident 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea? MB
10
A resumption of hostilities at Forest
Nottingham Forest may discover themselves within the relegation zone by the point their recreation kicks off on Sunday afternoon and, even with house benefit, the percentages of them taking something in opposition to the mixed forces of Manchester Metropolis, the match referee, Simon Hooper, and his curtain-twitching Stockley Park informer, Peter Bankes, will likely be very lengthy certainly, regardless of how fatigued Pep Guardiola’s gamers is likely to be from the grind of getting to play three matches in 9 days. Gained fairly comfortably by Metropolis, the corresponding fixture on the Etihad Stadium was a particularly bad-tempered affair, with Rodri receiving a uncommon purple card for elevating his palms to the throat of Morgan Gibbs-White shortly after half-time, whereas Ederson and Taiwo Awoniyi additionally butted heads later within the recreation. Given how a lot is at stake for the groups and the propensity for each managers to moan about malign forces conspiring in opposition to their sides, it might be no shock to see a resumption of hostilities and additional fireworks on the Metropolis Floor. Right here’s hoping. BG
