Premier League: 10 things to watch out for this weekend

Howe may profit from a three-back experiment

Eddie Howe turned radical when Newcastle lost their FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City earlier this month, netting three goals. For a confirmed four-back manager, he was quite the departure but Newcastle’s personnel may see fit to keep him – especially against West Ham at St James’ Park next Saturday. With Sven Botman sidelined for nine months after ACL surgery – and in hindsight the Dutch defender should have had that operation when he first damaged his knee in September – it is surely Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär and Dan Burn were the best back three. Kieran Trippier, if suitable, or Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. Hall has disappointed after his summer loan move from Chelsea but the left-back position could allow him to show why many once believed he was an England player. With Schär showing off his ball skills at the sweeper, a 3-5-2 could propel Newcastle into Europa League contention next season. Louise Taylor

Everton desperately need firepower

After 11 games without a win in the league, things are looking bad for Everton, especially with the threat of another points deduction. The good news is that they have already comfortably beaten Bournemouth 3-0 this season in their first home win after four straight defeats. It was the result Sean Dyche needed and helped spark a run of seven wins in 10 games. What would the manager make of something like this this time. The players know that they can improve their opponents, but their main problem is the lack of goal threat. They have scored just seven times in their past 11 games and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not conceded a goal since the end of October, while his competition for the lone striker role, Beto, has two goals all season in the series. If they are to return to winning ways, they will need one of their strikers to find form soon. Otherwise it could be a bleak final two months in the Premier League. Will Unwin

The story continues

Mudryk providing more cutting edge for Chelsea

Mykhailo Mudryk had a big week. The winger must be triumphant after scoring the goal that sent Ukraine to Euro 2024. It was a big moment for Mudryk, who is showing flashes of the talent that convinced Chelsea to sign him last year. He is still raw and inconsistent but his goal in Chelsea’s recent 3-2 win over Newcastle was also special. Newcastle’s defense was cut open by Mudryk, who is improving under Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentinian will be hoping that the youngster can maintain his good form when Burnley visit Stamford Bridge. Jacob Steinberg

The forest must find their face … and fast

You may have noticed that Nottingham Forest have been hit with four points by the Premier League for breaching profit and sustainability rules, which they are appealing against. Meanwhile they are in 18th place, badly need a win and could use the perceived injustice to start their run in. Nuno Espírito Santo has led his team to one win in their last nine league games but inside the club they think he has done well, even though the results have gone against them. Of the seven league defeats suffered since the Portuguese took over in late December, six have been by one goal, reflecting the fine margins involved. Matters are made worse by the fact that they are without their main scoring threat, Taiwo Awoniyi, who faces weeks on the sidelines. The forest must control what they can on the field; their next three home games are against Crystal Palace, then Fulham and Wolves, giving them a good chance of maximum points with a riotous City Ground in their support. WU

Blades desperate attempt to escape the deep end

Fulham are planning to open a rooftop pool reserved for VIP match-goers as the crown jewel of their new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage, but Sheffield United look set to join in less hospitable Championship waters. Chris Wilder’s side entertain Marco Silva’s west London side as they sit bottom of the Premier League, eight points clear of fourth-bottom Luton, although they have a game in hand. Wilder says he “still” believes the Blades can survive but accepts the players “need to show desire”. Damn, the United manager said: “If we carry on like the last four or five home games we’ve got no chance. We’ll have to tighten up and that’s something the team has addressed.” Wilder also admitted that the Bramall Lane regulars were “let down” and needed to be given “something to shout about”. It’s safe to assume that he was talking about a shiny swimming pool. LT

Dragusin needs to step up for Spurs

There wasn’t much to remember fondly about Tottenham’s last game, a 3-0 win at Fulham. They were completely inept and outplayed. One issue was the absence of Micky van de Ven, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Dutch centre-half was ruled out for two months earlier in the season with a similar problem but Ange Postecoglou insists the situation is less serious this time, although caution will be needed. If Van de Ven fails to recover in time then January signing Radu Dragusin, who first discovered Premier League life at Craven Cottage, could make a second start. The Romanian centre-back is only 22 and has plenty of time to improve, but will be looking to show why Spurs invested around £27m in him. Luton’s physical front line could create another 90 minutes for the new boy; it will be his duty to prove his worth. WU

Crunch time for Zaniolo’s Villa ambitions

Nicolò Zaniolo managed to rescue Villa in their most recent trip to West Ham but whether he can do the same for his Premier League career in the next two months is up for debate. The Italian has struggled to make a significant impression since his loan move from Galatasaray and, while Villa have the option of making the move permanent, that is unlikely to happen. The forward made his Premier League debut on December 3 as a half-time substitute against Bournemouth. He clearly does not deserve Unai Emery’s full trust, but the equalizer at West Ham and two more international appearances for Italy could provide him with momentum. Even if he doesn’t deserve a start on Saturday, he showed he can make a difference off the bench. If he wants to get a good move in the summer, he needs to prove the doubters wrong. WU

Ten Hag tries to avoid another sting in the tail

Erik ten Hag may still have nightmares about last season’s 4-0 win at Brentford. It was an indication of the amount of work needed to make his Manchester United team competitive again. They were classy and were outclassed by the Bees, who made light work of a tightly-knit team with a new manager to impress. Nineteen months on and little has changed at United; there is still plenty of room for improvement and, if anything, they have gone backwards this season with a top four finish looking a very difficult prospect with 10 games to go. What Ten Hag can do, however, can show that this is no longer the weak side Thomas Frank’s team have been taught a lesson. Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have beaten Brentford this season and, if United are to return to that category, they will need a win to show progress is being made. WU

Anfield trial for De Zerbi?

Whisper it, but Jürgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season and they need someone to replace him. One of the names linked with the Anfield hot seat is Roberto De Zerbi, who brings his vibrant brand of football to Merseyside on Sunday. The Italian has solid credentials, but the question is whether he can cope with a club fighting for silverware. Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes once suggested De Zerbi take charge of former club Bournemouth, reflecting his views. It might help that Hughes is an Italian speaker and very familiar with European football. One thing that could help De Zerbi is that he has Adam Lallana on his coaching staff, although the midfielder is still playing, not to mention James Milner in his ranks. Sunday will, to some extent, be an audition for De Zerbi, and if he ends up at Anfield on a permanent basis it could help the transition of Milner and Lallana into the starting room. WU

A heavy and potentially decisive interpretation

In this three-way title clash, the bigs are still to come, so expect thrilling entertainment as Arsenal look to demolish Manchester City and open a four-point gap over the champions with just 27 left to fight for. son Pep Guardiola certainly took advantage of the Catalan selection to curse an international break that brought back Kyle Walker and John Stones as injury concerns. And there’s also the question that his three-time winners and three-peat champions won’t be brilliant this season yet. Will they finally click against Arsenal or, at the final whistle, will Mikel Arteta score a dramatic victory that could – yet – signal a power shift from east Manchester to north London? Jamie Jackson