1
Villa must learn to deal with pressure
Aston Villa, who sit third in the Premier League and are aiming to qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League, are expected to beat Leeds at home. However, Unai Emery’s side have struggled recently in games where the pressure is high and the onus is on them to be attackers. After being eliminated by Newcastle in the FA Cup and having their hopes of reaching the fifth round all but ended after Marco Bizzotto’s mad moment, he returned to league duty. They had an ugly win against Brighton and a satisfying result this weekend, but they have also recently lost at home to Brentford and Everton in the 10s. Oliver Glasner’s side were a bogey side for Villa, having previously drawn with bottom-placed Crystal Palace. This week, Bizot apologized for the bloodshed. Which Villa will face Leeds? ben fisher
2
Hürzeller urgently needs impact
For a while, Brentford were portrayed as Brighton’s juniors. The idea was helped by former colleagues of owners Matthew Benham and Tony Bloom. Benham has been in good hands this season. Keith Andrews is on track to surpass the highest score ever achieved by the seemingly irreplaceable Thomas Frank. Meanwhile, Brighton begins to look over his shoulder. Many supporters are dissatisfied with Fabian Hürzeler’s in-game management and personnel selection, but how well can he manage a strong team? Was the money received for Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and João Pedro actually put to good use by a club widely praised for their reinforcements? Carlos Baleva is Caicedo’s estimated £100m successor, but he lacks the ability to see through 90 minutes and around £90m was spent on cheap money last summer. Hürzeler’s side have not won in the top flight since January 3, when they defeated Burnley, and it was their only win in the league since November. Head coaches need players who will make an impact sooner rather than later. John Brewin
3
Walkers may escape.
This season has been a struggle for Kyle Walker, who has been forced to learn about football on the other side of the table after many years at the top. He seems vulnerable to players with pace, and his speed is starting to let the 35-year-old down. He could be in for a tough afternoon at Stamford Bridge given the winger line-up available to Liam Rosenior, but Walker is someone who likes a challenge. This afternoon’s matchup with Alejandro Garnacho, for example, will be a true test of Walker’s abilities and whether he still possesses the same qualities that have made him one of the best right-backs in the world. If he is given a break, perhaps with Burnley it could be the final sign that Walker’s time in the Premier League is coming to an end. But if he can turn those years around, he could provide much-needed inspiration to a club facing a third successive top-flight relegation. I can’t win
4
West Ham Green is the target of transfer envy
Andoni Iraola answers questions about his future with an enigmatic shrug, but the situation will soon unfold. If the Basque player has 12 games left in charge of the club he has won hearts and minds with, he will inherit a team rich in talent and leave a huge legacy for the next manager. Like Antoine Semenyo, Iraola honed his talent in the Football League, transforming Alex Scott into a player who could dominate opponents, adding tenacity to grace. Ryan’s performance since his arrival has attracted attention, but Eli Junior Crupi’s explosive finishing and Amin Adli’s speed have added to the attacking dimension. Hungarian attacking midfielder Alex Toth, 20, who also joined in January, was highly coveted. Bournemouth’s agility in transfer negotiations is shocking when compared to the short-termism that holds West Ham back. Tati Castellanos hasn’t hit much since arriving in January, but Hammers fans can only dream of smart and orderly reinforcements on Saturday’s opponents’ train. JB
5
Who is Haaland’s strike partner?
It wasn’t always easy for Pep Guardiola to find an opportunity to rest Erling Haaland. He was ruled out of the League Two game against Salford City due to a knock, which resulted in a 2-0 win, but the Norwegian was given a free weekend. In the recent Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Saturday’s opponents Newcastle, Haaland started on the bench and watched City make light work of a disorganized away defence. Guardiola knows how to cause damage to Eddie Howe’s side and having Haaland back in action can only be an advantage, given his ridiculous goal record since arriving in England. But it remains to be seen whether Guardiola will start with the same set-up that benefited him the last time the two sides met, an impressive partnership in which he operates almost as a winger, pulling in the centre-backs to create space for the midfielders. With Haaland on the right flank, there will be better angles to run in at the back and Newcastle will have to figure out how to stop him and either Antoine Semenyo or Omar Marmouche. Kure
6
A cheerful wolf knocking on the palace door
Only Wolves have won fewer home wins than Crystal Palace this season, with supporters last able to celebrate a Premier League victory until November 1st. The eight-game winless run is Palace’s worst top-flight result at Selhurst Park. This is the first time since 1998, when they finished last under coach Attilio Lombardo with 15 games. Oliver Glasner’s approach is much better suited to attacking teams on break and is vulnerable to teams preferring to employ the same tactics when they arrive in south London. Palace, who blew a 2-0 lead against Burnley last week, will be desperate to put some light between themselves and the relegation zone against Wolves on Saturday. However, when they travel to Mostar in the Conference League on Thursday, they will face the disadvantage of 24-hour preparation against a team that produced an impressive comeback last time out against Arsenal. Ed Aarons
7
Wirtz, who is in good form, becomes a new threat for Forest
Now that Florian Wirtz is firmly established in the Premier League and is playing as a number 10, he will face an interesting battle with Ibrahim Sangare at the City Ground. Forest’s central midfielder makes the team more stable and difficult to break down in matches, but he will be severely tested against the German national team, who are smart with their movement and passing. Vitor Pereira needs to show he has created an organizational structure after a turbulent week in Nottingham. Given that Forest won 3-0 at Anfield under Sean Dyche three months ago, Sunday’s result will be a strong indicator of how far things have fallen amid continued uncertainty. Wirtz did not play that day, which will create new problems for the most likely pairing, Sangare and Elliott Anderson. If they can’t cope, it feels like Liverpool will win the game. Kure
8
“The greatest jewel” Le Fay proves his worth
Sunderland are once again expected to be without captain Granit Xhaka when Fulham visit the Stadium of Light on Sunday, but at least Regis Le Bris will have Enzo le Fé available to fill Xhaka’s customary deep midfield role alongside Noah Sadiki. On the ball, Le Fay is Sunderland’s most talented player, but off the field the 5ft 7in Frenchman was perhaps unexpected, contributing to a splendid series of interceptions and tackles as he controlled Sunderland’s press and chased down and pounced on opponents. Above all, his reading of the game is excellent, as is his passing. During his time coaching Le Fay at Lorient, Le Bris described the midfielder as a “crown jewel” and after starting this season on the bench, the player he first coached as a child in Lorient’s academy has shown a variety of talents on the left wing, as a play-making No. 10 and more recently as a fluid No. 8 and No. 6 hybrid. While the talented Xhaka remains the frontrunner for Sunderland’s player of the season award, Le Fet is also likely to figure heavily into the conversation. Louise Taylor
9
Spurs embark on Tudor era with derby
Igor Tudor will play his first game at Tottenham not only against the club’s fiercest rivals, but also against the best team in the world, according to manager Josep Guardiola. With manager Thomas Frank sacked after two wins in 17 Premier League games and the club embroiled in a relegation battle, it will be a difficult proposition to make a comeback against Arsenal. On the positive side, the players should be somewhat refreshed after not having played for 12 days and not having time to practice with the Croatian players on the training ground. Tudor, who has favored a back three throughout his career, needs to put together a plan B. With Cristian Romero suspended and Ben Davies and Kevin Danso injured, options at centre-back are limited, with wing-back Destiny Udoghi out and Pedro Perro likely just returning from a hamstring problem. Arsenal have the second most prolific attack in the league and plenty of momentum going forward, making it risky for Tudor and his coaching merits. Kure
10
Super sub Sesco gets the start.
Having failed to win for the first time in his five games in charge, Michael Carrick will naturally wonder if something needs to change, not that there was any great shame in the draw with West Ham. One possible option for him is to start Benjamin Sesco, who came off the bench to score the stunning equalizer in East London. Since Ruben Amorim left, Sesco has scored five goals in six games and looks like a different striker from the one who has scored just two goals in 21 games for club and country this season. Given the aerial ability of Everton’s defenders in both boxes, the prospect of a bit more height could be an advantage for United, while also allowing Carrick to keep Amad Diallo on the bench and move Brian Mbeumo to the left to test his tired legs in the closing stages. Even if Sesco is not given a chance to begin with, he knows how to make an impact from the bench and will have a notable role in the new regime as a trusted substitute. Kure