10 things to watch out for this weekend

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Johnson looks to kickstart the season

There is often trepidation when a former favorite returns, but Brennan Johnson will be welcomed with open arms to Nottingham Forest, even though he may be hoping to leave as a pantomime villain. The Wales international rose through the ranks at the City Ground and became an integral part of Forest’s promotion, which was a key reason they stayed up last season. This form made his departure inevitable during the summer, especially because the money offered was desperately needed. No offense to Forest, but Tottenham is a big step forward for Johnson and he has taken time to adapt to his new surroundings and Ange Postecoglou’s management. The pressure on Tottenham’s attackers has increased in recent weeks following James Maddison’s injury, but after four defeats in five they found their feet against Newcastle. Johnson has one goal and two assists in his short career at Tottenham, but a return to familiar surroundings could kick-start his season. Will win

Howe has to stop the rot

“Trust is a very fragile thing,” said a reflective Eddie Howe on Wednesday evening after Milan’s European exit of Newcastle. Tellingly, the Champions League anthem had barely faded and died before he turned his attention to Fulham’s free-scoring visit to Tyneside on Saturday. “We need to make sure our Premier League form is as strong as possible,” he continued. “I don’t want a hangover against Fulham. The pain we feel now should be a motivation for tomorrow.” After their back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, in which they conceded seven goals to Everton and Tottenham, it is imperative that Howe’s injury-ravaged players renew their fading challenge for another top-four finish. But the question remains whether the home manager’s preferred game of high intensity, high tempo and high pressure is the best way to get three points. And especially after being undone in transition against a smart, counter-attacking Milan. Time for plan B? Louise Taylor

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Arsenal hopes for quick revenge

Last season’s 3-0 home defeat to Brighton ended Arsenal’s title challenge and cemented Roberto De Zerbi’s reputation as a master of the counter-press. At that point in May, Arsenal were done with their season’s efforts, while Brighton looked fresh. Next Sunday both clubs will wear a worn look. Brighton’s energy levels are being lowered by their Europa League midweek schedule, injuries and the sale of players such as Levi Colwill, Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo. De Zerbi’s tactics, once so revolutionary, have also been discarded by analysts. How Arsenal respond to Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa makes this a crucial match for Mikel Arteta, who was defeated by his predecessor Unai Emery, with caveats that his team were denied by a number of refereeing decisions and finished poorly. In what has been an open title race so far, Arsenal’s response to mistakes will be key to getting back in the hunt in May. John Brewin

Get the little violins for Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino’s plea for more signings after Chelsea’s defeat at Everton inevitably led to ridicule. The Argentinian’s first task is to improve the expensively assembled squad he already has at his disposal. Chelsea hosts Sheffield United on Saturday and simply has to win. To do this, Pochettino needs his defenders to be tough and avoid mistakes, with Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo playing as £100m midfielders. He needs his wingers to keep up and produce a finished product. Of course, Chelsea lacks a potent striker. Nicolas Jackson is raw and Armando Broja struggled against Everton, but they should both be good enough to penetrate Sheffield United’s defence. The time for excuses is over. Jacob Steinberg

City hopes for an easy Saudi elimination

This final domestic meeting before Europe’s champions fly to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup will provide the final clue as to whether Manchester City are finally over their recent slump, a run of four Premier League games without a win. The run ended with Sunday’s win over Luton, but more evidence is needed to get a clearer picture of where Guardiola’s side are at the moment. Crystal Palace are coming off just one win in nine, so it would be a shock if City didn’t win. Jamie Jackson

Everton’s stand-ins must seize the moment

Sean Dyche can return to Turf Moor with confidence as he makes his first visit since being sacked by Burnley in April 2022. His Everton team have clawed their way out of the relegation zone thanks to three impressive wins in a row, each achieved with a clean sheet. and furious work pace. However, this match against Dyche’s old club, the relegation rivals who are also on the mend under Vincent Kompany, brings new complications. Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye have been instrumental in Everton’s recovery, with the young defender certainly catching the eye of Gareth Southgate as the England manager attended Chelsea’s defeat on Sunday. Both were suspended against Burnley after collecting their fifth booking of the season in the 2-0 win. While Amadou Onana is a straight swap for Gueye in midfield, Dyche’s alternatives to Branthwaite include former Burnley defender Michael Keane, who suffered an ankle injury, or the out-of-favour Ben Godfrey. Whoever he chooses will have to seize his or her moment in a game of great significance at the bottom of the table. Andy Hunter

Versatile Ghoddos a valuable asset

It’s been a funny few months for Saman Ghoddos. The Iran international thought his three-year spell at Brentford was over after it was announced in May that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer. However, by the end of August the winger was back in west London, having signed a one-year deal at the Gtech Community Stadium. He even won the October Goal of the Month competition for his goal against Burnley. What Ghoddos may not have expected is to become a starting fullback. As an attacking player, he has found himself on either side of defense in the last four Premier League games and will be hoping for a fifth straight start against Villa. Versatility is important in the modern game and Ghoddos has proven to be a useful addition to Thomas Frank. That could earn him another season at Brentford. WYOU

Visitors are at risk of more Anfield pain

Manchester United’s demise is clearly of their own making, but Liverpool have taken extra satisfaction in recent years from giving their great rivals a boost along the way. From signaling the end of José Mourinho’s reign to exposing Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s limitations at Old Trafford, Jurgen Klopp’s side have often turned the switch on United and are being given a new chance at Anfield. Erik ten Hag’s visitors will be hurt by both a dismal early exit from European competition on Tuesday – an achievement in the current format – and last season’s historic 7-0 defeat to Liverpool, and whether they have the quality, mentality or organization to respond in this way on Sunday is necessary is questionable. It seems ridiculous in retrospect, but United headed to Anfield last season with a big lead, having won the Carabao Cup the weekend before, while Liverpool faltered. Klopp has since revived his club’s title in one summer. United continues to drift away. AH

Foley shoots for the moon

This week Bill Foley celebrated his 79th birthday and his first year as manager of Bournemouth. The American quickly set about shaping the future of the Cherries upon arrival, but in addition to giving the stadium a facelift, hiring Andoni Iraola, investing in the squad and plans for a new pitch with a capacity of 18,500 , there is a bigger picture at play. Hibernian is set to become the latest addition to its club club after being given permission to form an A-League club in Auckland. Foley, who also owns Ligue 1 club Lorient, insists the multi-club model – most clearly mastered by City Football Group – is something that can deliver success on the south coast. “If we can get a group of teams together, we can really develop a system to move players up and down and then we can punch way above our weight,” Foley said. Ben Visser

Do West Ham have a plan B?

Can David Moyes trust his bank? West Ham have a regular starting XI and sit comfortably in ninth place, despite last weekend’s hammering at Fulham. But their approach can be predictable and Moyes has problems if he wants to shake things up. His reserves have not been good enough. Pablo Fornals, the Spanish midfielder, has dropped since the start of last season. West Ham want to sell winger Saïd Benrahma in January. Danny Ings, a poor signing from Aston Villa, contributes little to the attack as a starter or impact substitute. Young striker Divin Mubama has not had many opportunities. But if West Ham struggle to win against Wolves on Sunday, what will Moyes do? He only made a substitution in the 89th minute during his side’s recent 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. JS