10 things to watch out for this weekend

Haaland and Salah top the list for the weekend

Is Erling Haaland fit? He thinks so. Which of these gladiator candidates will follow a higher line? Could there be sideline antics from Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp? And which of the Premier League leaders and second-placed side will come out on top? As far as subplots, sideshows and main stories go, Manchester City’s hosting of Liverpool on Saturday afternoon is the only match in town this weekend, such an enticing prospect that whatever happens – surely – cannot be anything but riveting. Haaland vs Salah will be a duel between two supreme attacking forces, so if there is to be a winner, who defends best could be the determining factor in what is only match No. 13 of each protagonist’s title challenge. Jamie Jackson

The Clarets blues because they find the gap difficult to bridge

West Ham’s post-international injury problems pale in comparison to the predicament Burnley face as they struggle to bridge the gap between the Championship and Premier League. The Clarets have failed to pick up a single point at Turf Moor this season, conceding an average of three goals per home game and losing their last six games in all competitions. However, Vincent Kompany insists he will not compromise on the standards underpinning Burnley’s immediate return to the top flight and denies pressure is mounting internally. “The gap is huge, but we have to see it as an opportunity,” the manager said this week. “Right now our team is showing fight, our team is showing resilience and we didn’t wait to build it, we built it last season. It’s in the staff, it’s in the place and it’s a quiet place, so we think we have the right conditions to bridge that gap.” Andy Hunter

Chong can offer Hatters comfort

In their twelve league games so far, Luton have scored just twice, taking four of their six points. They have scored a total of ten goals but conceded 22, so to give themselves a chance of staying at the top they need to start identifying games they can win. Home form will be incredibly important; the Hatters are yet to taste Premier League victory at Kenilworth Road and games against teams like Crystal Palace could be crucial. Rob Edwards’ side have discovered how difficult the top flight is but need to lose a touch of fear to progress. One player who can provide more quality in the final third is Tahith Chong, who started the previous three games on the bench but did score in the encouraging 1-1 draw against Liverpool. A start for the Dutchman could add an edge to Luton’s play during Palace’s visit and potentially help secure a much-needed home win. Will win

The story continues

Jackson yellow means trouble for Blues

Chelsea have scored four in their last two games, both against top four teams, an indication that things are starting to go well under Mauricio Pochettino. They failed to score in three consecutive Premier League games in September but have since found a formula that works for them in the final third. The manager has opted for a trio of Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson. They are starting to understand how each other works and that makes for slicker attacking football. However, if they want to continue growing their relationship, it is imperative that Jackson stops receiving unnecessary bookings. He made 11 Premier League appearances for Chelsea and was cautioned seven times in the top flight, having already received a one-match ban for his many indiscretions. Another three yellow cards would earn him a two-match ban, something Pochettino cannot afford without a clear replacement available, so the young striker needs to grow up quickly. WU

No Awoniyi, no goals for Forest?

Taiwo Awoniyi’s presence on the pitch is vital to Nottingham Forest’s success. The striker has scored 10 times in his past 14 league appearances and without him in Steve Cooper’s side battle. He failed to win in the last eight league matches when the Nigerian was unavailable. That makes the news that he will have to undergo surgery on a groin injury that could sideline him for up to four months all the more worrying. Awoniyi’s absence has seen Forest change their style often, with Chris Wood the most likely replacement, but he is a very different style of player. Without Awoniyi in charge, Forest are a different team as they rely on his pace and physicality to get them on the counter quickly. He creates and scores goals and has two assists this season. Divock Origi has failed to make any impact since his move to Milan, but this could be the right time for his first start as he can at least bring some continuity to his style. WU

Blades look for further boost against Bournemouth

After gaining one point in the first ten games, things looked bleak for Sheffield United, but a win and a draw in the last two games have boosted confidence. With potential relegation rivals Bournemouth coming to Bramall Lane on Saturday, it is a golden opportunity to extend that run. The international breakthrough came, as the cliché dictates, at an inappropriate time for the Blades, who would be desperate to keep the momentum going. However, it will have given Paul Heckingbottom a chance to think. The majority of his players were not on international duty, giving them plenty of time to prepare for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, who are starting to show signs of being able to play in the dynamic style their head coach requires. If the Blades win, it could help them move out of the relegation zone for the first time since the third round, which would be a huge boost for both the team and the fans. WU

Arteta has a dilemma over influential duo

International breaks are often a nervous time for a manager as they wonder who will return injured, but for Mikel Arteta the last ten days have been a help. Gabriel Jesus played 90 minutes for Brazil in their 1-0 defeat to Argentina after missing the previous month of action due to a hamstring injury, although the return from South America after such a close match could have a negative impact on the striker. . Meanwhile, Martin Ødegaard missed Norway’s matches during the break so he could focus on his return to fitness. He last played in the League Cup defeat to West Ham on November 1 but will be available for the trip to Brentford after overcoming a hip problem. However, the Arsenal captain is still required to complete the concussion protocol after being hit in the face with a ball during training. It will be up to Arteta to decide whether to start his returning duo and get them up to speed for a hectic period. WU

Two very late goals unraveled Tottenham in their most recent outing against Wolves. After 12 games unbeaten at the start of the season, Ange Postecoglou has entered his first phase of turbulence as Premier League manager. Despite having 59% possession at Molineux, Spurs could only muster two shots on target as they surrendered their lead. James Maddison has been absent and appears to be out until January, meaning Postecoglou must find a plan B to make the team more creative without their playmaker. Giovani Lo Celso came off the bench against Wolves for his third substitute of the season. The Argentine’s career has failed to take off in North London since his £27million move from Real Betis, spending 18 months of his Spurs career on loan, but he has the skills to make an impact in the Premier League and Maddison’s absence is his chance to achieve that. prove his worth. WU

Seething Goodison ready to make a point

There’s nothing like an angry Goodison Park and it’s hard to imagine many occasions in the stadium’s 131-year history when it was as buzzing as it probably is on Sunday. Everton fans have planned numerous protests in response to the club being hit with the biggest sporting sanction in Premier League history – a 10-point deduction for £19.5 million overspend – with the entire public invited to show a red card to the organization during the match. national anthem and in the 10th minute of the match against Manchester United. Good luck to Sky Sports in their attempts to lower the volume of any obscenities. Sean Dyche and his in-form team share the sense of outrage but must turn what Everton’s football director Kevin Thelwell described as “extra fuel” into a clear strategy to beat Erik ten Hag’s visitors. Easier said than done, but that is the challenge Everton face for the rest of the season as they attempt to defy the Premier League to remain part of it. AH

Blunt Fulham must find the cutting edge

Fulham’s last home game ended with them handing victory to Manchester United. After missing several chances in the second half, Marco Silva’s side at least came close to a point before a disastrous attempt to clear the lines ended with Bruno Fernandes’ winner. While United celebrated, Fulham lamented their weaknesses in both boxes. This season has been a struggle. Fulham have made costly defensive mistakes and have been blunt since selling Aleksandar Mitrovic. Raúl Jiménez and Carlos Vinícius each have one goal in the league, Rodrigo Muniz is full of potential at the moment and the deficit has not yet been picked up by the attacking midfielders. Willian, Andreas Pereira, Tom Cairney, Alex Iwobi, Harry Wilson, Tom Cairney and Bobby Decordova-Reid combined to score four goals. Not good enough. Fulham, seven points above the bottom three, need to find solutions and quickly. Jacob Steinberg