Premier League: 10 things to watch out for in this weekend’s football

Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-LewinMalo Gusto.Compiled: Getty Images” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aPkOxjbbFqcgi6BiUnzNWQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU3Ng–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/theguardian_763/e1c7287196daac8ce1f7b 40648683c65″ data-src= “https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/aPkOxjbbFqcgi6BiUnzNWQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU3Ng–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/theguardian_763/e1c7287196daac8ce1f7b4064 8683c65″/>

Klopp must beware of a barrage of rules

David Moyes will certainly have taken note of Liverpool’s struggles to defend set pieces against Everton. Jürgen Klopp, who should be happy with the kick-off on Saturday at 12.30 p.m., must prepare his team for a new bruise when they visit West Ham. For Moyes, this is a chance to repair the significant reputational damage caused by the collapse of Selhurst Park last weekend. West Ham trailed Palace 4-0 after 31 minutes and are preparing to part ways with Moyes at the end of the season, but they should take heart from the way Everton confounded Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. Everton scored twice from set pieces and West Ham pose a similar threat from dead balls. James Ward-Prowse’s deliveries to Tomas Soucek, Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio will make Klopp’s defenders sweat. Jacob Steinberg

Mateta is flourishing under Glasner’s watch

Jean-Philippe Mateta has looked like a different player since Oliver Glasner’s arrival at Crystal Palace. Mateta has struggled to get a starting spot since moving to South London three years ago. He was a small presence, a useful team player, but no one seemed convinced he was capable of taking charge on a regular basis. Yet the situation has changed under Glasner. In nine games for the Austrian, Mateta has scored eight goals. A clinical finisher has emerged. Palace creates chances and Mateta takes advantage of them. He scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday. Fulham will have to be on their toes when Glasner’s side visit Craven Cottage. JS

Howe is still underrated as a coach

Given Eddie Howe’s close ties with Liverpool’s new director of football, Michael Edwards, and their new sporting director, Richard Hughes, it is perhaps surprising that the Anfield club have opted to sign Feyenoord’s Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s potential successor target, rather than trying to recruit the Newcastle player. manager. Howe isn’t perfect, but there is a real feeling that he is still underrated. Perhaps the neutrals do not fully appreciate his performance in keeping a team made up of a core of former Rafael Benitez staff strongly in contention for a place in the Europa League. Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday was disappointing, but it is worth noting that it involved six players (five starters and one substitute) who were on the books at St James’ Park when Benitez walked out due to a lack of ambition. past. The reality that Fabian Schär, Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy and co are challenging Europe these days rather than trying to avoid relegation speaks volumes for Howe’s coaching ability. Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder is certainly unlikely to underestimate this as he looks to avoid a repeat of the 8-0 defeat his relegation-bound side (then managed by Paul Heckingbottom) suffered at Bramall Lane in September. Louise Taylor

The story continues

No sign of improvement for Antony

Erik ten Hag handed Antony a second start since February against Sheffield United, but in retrospect the manager may feel he should not have worried about it. At home against comfortably the worst side in the division, this looked like an opportunity for the beleaguered Brazilian to actually contribute and build some confidence. Instead, Antony was substituted and Manchester United trailed 2-1: no goal, no assist, no shot on target, six games lost. In his 55 minutes, the 24-year-old lost possession 13 times, or about every four minutes. United improved massively after Antony was replaced, so will Ten Hag risk starting him again against Burnley? From the worrying accusations off the field to the shortcomings on the field, this may well be a last chance for Antony to create a positive headline before the return to action and what is sure to be an uncertain summer. Michael Butler

Another boost for Everton’s safety

Everton will still be on a high after their first home win over Liverpool in fourteen years and Sean Dyche’s instruction to his players will be relatively simple: do it again. Consistency has eluded Everton for most of the season, but should Luton fail to win at Wolves earlier in the day, Dyche’s team will go into the match against Brentford knowing a fourth successive win in the league will secure their top status at Goodison Park. It would be an achievement if a team had achieved eight points with three games remaining. “Repeat victories are the art of the game and finding the way to win is the next challenge,” said Dyche. “We park quickly on Wednesday and that is difficult because the noise around it is enormous from the Evertonians, but we have to go again. I imagine the fans will have a good voice from the start, I hope, to keep us going.” Andy Hunter

Luton must keep their heads high

Luton lie in 19th place with 25 points and with time running out to pull off an unlikely grand escape, Luton will be desperate for a result at Wolves. However, no team has conceded more goals this season, and Rob Edwards will certainly be more confident about Luton’s remaining (good) home games against Everton, who are now all but safe, and Fulham, who have nothing tangible to play for. . Win those two and Luton could well remain top with an incredibly low total of 31 points. Nottingham Forest and Burnley face the Manchester clubs this weekend and chances are Luton won’t be much worse off at the end of the season. So even if Luton lose at Molineux, there remains hope, and Edwards must ensure no heads fall. MB

Chelsea struggles without Gusto

Much was made of Cole Palmer’s absence before Chelsea’s cursed trip to Arsenal, but of almost equal importance was Malo Gusto’s injury. The right-back has been the team’s second-best player this season, a rare gem discovered by Chelsea’s sprinkle transfer policy. Gusto was reliable and tenacious in defense and enterprising in attack. He lived up to his name before suffering “a little problem with his knee ligaments” during the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City. Gusto is unlikely to return for the trip to Aston Villa and stand-in right-back Alfie Gilchrist – who has had a torrid time at Arsenal – could be called up again to face the in-form Morgan Rogers. MB

A beach derby?

Given their respective positions on the map and in the middle third of the Premier League standings, you could argue that Sunday’s match between Bournemouth and Brighton will take place much in the same way on the beach as these end-of-season encounters. With just two wins in their last ten games in all competitions (one of which was an exercise in futility in the second leg of an already lost Europa League match), Brighton’s injury-plagued season is in danger of ending on a bleak note, but Bournemouth still have something to play for. Despite having three of the top 27 at their disposal this season, the Cherries remain in contention for their highest Premier League finish (ninth in 2016/17), amid news that the Euro 2024 squads will now consist of 26 men must have piqued Dominic Solanke’s interest. The 26-year-old is in the form of his life and must fancy his chances, slim as they may be, of being in line for an England striker’s place ahead of the out-of-control Ivan Toney. Barry Glendenning

Arsenal keep the ball rolling or grind to stop?

There has been a lot of talk from managers about the busyness this season, but Spurs go into the North London derby on a 15-day rest after their dismal 4-0 defeat to Newcastle on April 13. On the other hand, Arsenal has played four games since that day, but travels to the neighbors with an almost fully fit team: only long-term absent Jurriën Timber, who scored a sensational goal just eight minutes into his comeback game for Arsenal Under-21s on Monday, a doubt remains. Despite having more mileage in their legs and less time to prepare tactically, could Arsenal be feeling sharper, especially after their confident 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea? MB

A resumption of hostilities at Forest

Nottingham Forest could find themselves in the relegation zone by the time their match starts on Sunday afternoon and even with home advantage there is every chance they will make a move against the combined forces of Manchester City, match referee Simon Hooper and his curtain call. Stockley Park informant Peter Bankes’ trembling will last a very long time indeed, however tired Pep Guardiola’s players may be from the grind of having to play three games in nine days. The match at the Etihad Stadium, won fairly comfortably by City, was a particularly bad-tempered affair, with Rodri receiving a rare red card shortly after half-time for raising his hands to Morgan Gibbs-White’s throat, while Ederson and Taiwo Awoniyi was also headbutted later in the match. Given how much is at stake for the teams and both managers’ tendency to complain about malign forces conspiring against their sides, it would be no surprise to see a resumption of hostilities and even more fireworks at the City Ground to see. Here is the hope. BG