1) Chelsea have a James-sized gap to fill
It’s straightforward to see why Chelsea have been concerned about discovering cowl at proper wing-back final summer time. Reece James’s knee damage has given Graham Potter a conundrum to resolve earlier than his group host Manchester United on Saturday. There isn’t any ready-made different to the England worldwide. The experiment of utilizing Raheem Sterling as James’s stand-in was swiftly aborted throughout Chelsea’s win over Villa final weekend and César Azpilicueta doesn’t have the legs to cost up and down the suitable flank towards prime opposition. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a likelier candidate. The midfielder did effectively as a wing-back for Thomas Tuchel and has crammed in there for Potter. Nonetheless Loftus-Cheek shouldn’t be a defender – he had some uncomfortable moments towards Brentford in midweek – and his supply shouldn’t be as incisive as James. United ought to look to focus on that flank. Jacob Steinberg
2) A crunch fixture for Conte
Following Spurs’ stomping by Manchester United, Antonio Conte was lifelike. “We want time,” he stated. “In solely 10-11 months, you can not go from ninth place to change into title contenders.” However this summer time, Conte’s board gave him the monetary backing they denied Mauricio Pochettino, and in such circumstances, the best way his group have been outplayed by kind of each respectable opposition they’ve confronted, is unacceptable. The sensation persists that, whereas Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison are respectable gamers, simply as Djed Spence is a good prospect, Conte has spent greater than £100m turning a group capable of contest the Champions League locations however no extra right into a group nonetheless capable of contest the Champions League locations however no extra. Add to {that a} dreary, irritating model and it’s no surprise some followers are starting to wonder if the sport has handed their supervisor by – and issues is not going to get simpler for him on Sunday when in-form Newcastle go to. Daniel Harris
3) Can Brighton repeat Liverpool trick?
Manchester Metropolis’s first defeat of the season got here on Sunday at Anfield, when Mo Salah’s strike gave Liverpool an important win that makes Brighton’s go to to the Etihad Stadium a contact extra intriguing. Although Erling Haaland being saved off the scoresheet was a rarity, Pep Guardiola’s aspect weren’t crushed following the invention of a beforehand unknown secret. Salah’s was a solo breakaway objective from an Alisson long-ball clearance, Metropolis caught on the break as they so typically are when tasting the near-collector’s merchandise of a loss. Can Brighton replicate this? Do Leandro Trossard and Danny Welbeck, Roberto de Zerbi’s common attackers, have the tempo to splay Metropolis on the counter and the group the guile to engineer openings of this ilk? Or will the land’s preeminent group pummel them as they achieve this many different guests. The chances say sure: the final time Metropolis misplaced two league video games on the bounce was in December 2018 – to Crystal Palace and Leicester. Jamie Jackson
4) Saints’ manner one other check for leaders
There are two methods to take a look at Arsenal’s win towards Leeds final weekend: both they gained as a result of they occurred to complete on the suitable aspect of soccer’s notoriously chaotic margins however seemed like a aspect that has run off form, or they gained as a result of they scored a terrific objective and at the moment are assured and doughty sufficient to dig in for an additional nice end result. Sunday’s journey to Southampton would possibly give us a good steer as to which is so as a result of, although the house aspect have made a poor begin to the season. Two respectable outcomes – a draw with West Ham adopted by a derby triumph at Bournemouth – imply they’re in higher coronary heart. And will Ralph Hasenhüttl stick along with his most well-liked 4-4-2 formation, which may trigger issues for Gabriel and William Saliba, who’re extra used to sharing one centre-forward between two, simply as Ben White and Kieran Tierney or Takehiro Tomiyasu would possibly discover it more durable to defend wingers enjoying on their pure flank, backed up by attacking full-backs. DH
5) The place this Klopp group goes now
It’s been a difficult begin to the season for Liverpool, and it’s straightforward to see why. When Jürgen Klopp’s group was at its peak, its technique was easy: three bodily monsters ran the opposition off the pitch in midfield, which allowed its full-backs the liberty to make the play from huge areas, which allowed its huge attackers to hunt for objectives. This modified when Georginio Wijnaldum was changed by Thiago Alcântara – a nice participant however of a distinct profile and likewise typically injured – and as age caught up with Jordan Henderson, which means he might now not set so ferocious a tempo. Klopp has tried numerous strategies of addressing this subject, each by way of formation and personnel however, although his gamers have pressured two terrific wins within the final week, they nonetheless look removed from classic. Whereas the chances are high that, nevertheless they line up on Saturday, they’ll have an excessive amount of for Forest, there’s not but a way that Klopp has discovered a long-lasting answer. DH
6) New faces wait within the wings for Wolves
This season is progressively getting away from Wolves. Within the brief time period the accountability of steering Wolves out of the relegation zone rests with Steve Davis, the previous Crewe and Leyton Orient supervisor who will remain in interim charge till no less than the brand new 12 months after the membership’s failed pursuit of Julen Lopetegui after which Michael Beale. Wolves have gained two of their 11 league video games and badly want a elevate once they host Leicester on Sunday. Adama Traoré opened the scoring at Selhurst Park on Tuesday however objectives stay a critical concern. On the different finish, Davis handed the 20-year-old defender Hugo Bueno his full debut at Crystal Palace and should be tempted to freshen issues up additional. Wolves’ squad is skinny by Premier League requirements however the midfielders Chem Campbell, who’s eligible for England and Wales, and Connor Ronan, who was a fixture throughout pre-season underneath Bruno Lage, could possibly be subsequent. Ben Fisher
7) Is it now or by no means for Benrahma?
It could possibly be now or by no means for Saïd Benrahma at West Ham. The winger has struggled to nail down an everyday beginning spot since becoming a member of them two years in the past and the membership have been open to presents for him final summer time. The previous Brentford participant’s inconsistency had change into tough to set to at least one aspect. It’s commonplace to see an exasperated response from David Moyes after a second of useless indulgence from Benrahma and the supervisor is entitled to count on a superior finish product from the Algerian. Nonetheless, with Maxwel Cornet and Lucas Paquetá each sidelined by means of damage, Benrahma has an opportunity to earn an prolonged run within the group earlier than the World Cup. He has largely been an influence participant this season, made a good one as an alternative towards Liverpool and appears prone to begin towards Bournemouth on Monday. West Ham want Benrahma to point out why he price £30m. JS
8) The warmth is popping up on Lampard
Frank Lampard’s skill to speak soccer in a fascinating, clever and insightful manner makes excellent sense: he grew up “in and round” the sport, then needed to assume extraordinarily onerous about tips on how to maximise his skill, whereas enjoying underneath some good managers. However he has but to translate this ability to the dugout, and was extraordinarily privileged fortunate to get the Chelsea job after failing at Derby, as he was to get the Everton job after failing at Chelsea. Now, after three straight defeats, his group discover themselves fifteenth within the desk having spent roughly £70m this summer time and, whereas most of that was lined by the sale of Richarlison, that has no bearing on Lampard’s skill to construct a functioning group – Everton have scored simply eight instances in 11 league video games. And issues would possibly worsen towards a youthful, dynamic Palace who completely illustrate what could be accomplished with astute purchases and training. There’s a powerful probability that, by Saturday night, the stress on Lampard can have intensified. DH
9) Mitrovic holds key at Elland Street
Marco Silva’s aspect are closely depending on a striker who scored eight objectives in his first 10 video games this season – one of many afternoon’s most intriguing subplots will revolve round how Aleksandar Mitrovic handles the invariably febrile Elland Street environment. He has matured vastly since his Newcastle days however, hostile and one-eyed as they arrive, the gloriously partisan Leeds crowd are one thing else. Can a participant who used to retaliate on the merest verbal insult preserve equilibrium within the midst of such an surroundings? Or would possibly the Leeds supervisor Jesse Marsch advise Mitrovic’s markers to wind him up? Silva had higher brace himself for an eventful return to Yorkshire, the place he so narrowly did not preserve Hull within the prime tier in 2017. What value Sunday’s successful objective being scored by both Mitrovic or his Leeds counterpart, Patrick Bamford? Louise Taylor
10) Villa face one other west London check
The temper music surrounding Aston Villa and Brentford might hardly be extra contrasting. With Steven Gerrard sacked after their depressing defeat to Fulham, his former captain Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, a former Brentford defender, should be on their video games to mute Ivan Toney on Sunday. All three gamers carry England aspirations however Toney is definitely the most probably to be included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Qatar subsequent month. Thomas Frank beforehand stated the left-back Rico Henry might additionally play for England. Brentford head to Villa on the again of a creditable draw towards Chelsea and can fancy their probabilities towards the rudderless guests. BF
