Dyche back to square one before Spurs test
Everton marked the first anniversary of Sean Dyche’s appointment by slipping into the relegation zone on Tuesday. The worrying position belies the undoubted progress that the Everton manager has overseen since replacing Frank Lampard but, before demanding fixtures against Tottenham and at Manchester City, his team urgently need to rediscover the spark that has gone missing since the 2-1 defeat by Ange Postecoglou’s team before Christmas. Injuries and constant demands on a small pool of reliable first-team players have caught up with Everton, who have not won in five Premier League matches and suffered morale-sapping home defeats in both cup competitions since last collecting three points at Burnley on 16 December. Dyche’s reign commenced with a tireless home win over north London opposition 12 months ago, when title-chasing Arsenal were beaten 1-0. With the club’s appeal against a 10-point deduction for a breach of financial rules offering no guarantees, he is back to square one in terms of another relegation dogfight. Andy Hunter
Everton v Tottenham, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Brighton set for a frantic derby
The M23 derby is perhaps matched only by the storied Watford-Luton rivalry for fearsome intensity, and Crystal Palace visit Brighton with both managers under some pressure. After a promising start, Roberto De Zerbi’s team have won only one of their past eight league games, scoring a meagre six goals in the process – and four of those came in that solitary victory. They shipped four in a midweek thrashing at Luton, and it’s hard not to wonder if their idiosyncratic style, baiting teams in before springing, has been rumbled. Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, could scarcely be making less of his young, talented players. On Tuesday, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze scored and created all three of his side’s goals as they scraped by Sheffield United, the league’s bottom club, to record their second win in their last 11 games; the vibe at Selhurst is not good. As such, it could be a frantic, desperate afternoon in Sussex – exactly as a derby should be. Daniel Harris
Brighton v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm
Time running out for Fulham’s Brazilian strikers
Fulham reached an unwanted milestone on Tuesday with their goalless draw against Everton at Craven Cottage. It was the 10th time this season that Marco Silva’s side have failed to score in a Premier League game, surpassing any other goal-shy rivals in the top flight, and Raúl Jiménez’s hamstring injury heightens the manager’s concerns over where the remedy will come from. Since a prolific burst of 16 goals in four league games up until early December, Fulham have scored in one of their past six Premier League matches. Only Sheffield United have scored fewer away from home. Neither Rodrigo Muniz nor Carlos Vinícius have provided the cutting edge that a team with creative talent requires, as the Aleksandar Mitrovic-sized hole continues to stifle Fulham’s development. The duo need to step up at Burnley. Their opportunities are likely to be limited even further once the transfer window reopens this summer. AH
Burnley v Fulham, Saturday 3pm
Athletic Newcastle a match for old-school power
After a dodgy period, Newcastle might just be on the way back, giving Manchester City a run for their money before winning away at Fulham, in the Cup, and Villa, in the league in midweek. They were particularly impressive in dealing with Unai Emery’s side, the direct, intelligent running of Anthony Gordon making him the best of a very good bunch. But where Villa’s high defensive line is inviting for players with his pace and drive, Luton will not be as accommodating, fresh off a commanding midweek triumph – their third in five league games. Though the first victory in that run came over Newcastle it was recorded at Kenilworth Road and Eddie Howe’s side, 14th in the away-record table, are fourth in the home version. Moreover, with a team full of imposing athletes who ask physical questions of opponents they are well equipped to deal with the Hatters’ old-school style. Expect them to continue their recent improvement. DH
Newcastle v Luton, Saturday 3pm
A defensive rethink for Emery?
Unai Emery has done a fantastic job as manager of Aston Villa. It’s fair to say that he inherited a very useful and expensive squad, but how to extract the most from it was a question that befuddled Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard before him. Emery, though, very quickly did what they could not, deciding on a system and personnel, then drilling them as they settled. The question now, though, is whether a minor rethink is required, because against teams with fast, direct attackers and good passers in midfield, the Emery’s high line looks something of a liability. It has cost Villa two defeats to Newcastle – 5-1 on the opening weekend of the season and 3-1 in midweek – and a two-goal lead away to Manchester United, who visit next weekend. So, though they should take care of Sheffield United – and many other teams in the division – easily enough, it might just be time for a defensive tweak. DH
Sheffield United v Aston Villa, Saturday 5.30pm
Sels the solution for Nuno?
One of the first big questions that came Nuno Espírito Santo’s way upon taking charge of Nottingham Forest centred on how he would play the goalkeeping situation. Nuno, a former goalkeeper who won the Champions League at Porto under José Mourinho, knows what an elite shot-stopper looks like. Forest had Brice Samba en route to promotion and then Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas joined on loan last season, all of whom quickly established themselves as fans’ favourites. Nuno made it clear he would give Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos a chance to stake their claim for the No 1 spot but both have been unconvincing, the former making another costly error in defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday. Forest’s deadline-day move for Matz Sels, who failed to impress at Newcastle, making nine appearances across two forgettable years, feels underwhelming but Nuno needs it to be a master-stroke. Ben Fisher
Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest, Sunday 2pm
Blundering Blues seek lift from Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku’s goalscoring cameo was one of the only positives from Chelsea’s humbling by Liverpool. The forward produced a neat finish and was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty. Chelsea will hope there is more to come. Nkunku is seen as the most talented player at the club but has struggled to stay fit since joining from RB Leipzig last summer. Expect Mauricio Pochettino to put him in from the start when Wolves visit Stamford Bridge. Chelsea need a grownup in the team. Jacob Steinberg
Chelsea v Wolves, Sunday 2pm
Ten Hag has tools to stay on at United
If Erik ten Hag is to save his job then his case is made stronger by having a fully fit squad. Though should that group blow winning positions as they almost did at Wolves then he will run out of excuses. In pre-season the plan was to have André Onana protected by a defensive pairing of Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane behind Casemiro, with Kobbie Mainoo learning from the Brazilian. That group has barely played together and by consequence Rasmus Højlund has been on the steepest of learning curves, fending for himself up front. At Wolves, in the first half, United’s engine room purred as Højlund thrived. As for Marcus Rashford, selecting him after his Belfast excursion looked the action of a weak manager incapable of dishing out discipline. It proved effective; reigniting Rashford would be a useful tool in self-preservation. As is Mainoo’s continuing contribution though Ten Hag’s team still lack the means to kill off opponents. John Brewin
Manchester United v West Ham, Sunday 2pm
Bradley’s wings to be clipped – for now
Manchester City lurk with intent and course-and-distance experience so a meeting between Arsenal and Liverpool becomes an effective run-off between who will be the serial champions’ closest challengers. If Jürgen Klopp’s valedictory season is to end in the title celebration with fans denied by a pandemic in 2020, then the leaders avoiding defeat at Arsenal – at least – appears a necessity. That Liverpool are surfing a wave of emotion is only enhanced by the romance of Conor Bradley’s breakthrough but once Trent Alexander-Arnold proved himself capable of playing the last 22 minutes of the 4-1 crushing of Chelsea, having done similar against Norwich, his return to the team became a fait accompli. In a post-Klopp Liverpool, Bradley’s rise may soon push Alexander-Arnold into a more permanent midfield role, but even if the Tyrone tyro looks a more natural defender it would be a surprise if the vice-captain begins such a vital match on the bench. JB
Arsenal v Liverpool, Sunday 4.30pm
Manchester City’s run-in with the Bees
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have calculated the precise quantity of effort and focus required to get at least one point more than whoever is chasing them, burning off challengers with previously improbable winning runs that begin in the nick of time. And they are poised to do likewise this season, beating Newcastle and Spurs in two of their past three games, the consecutive-victory count now up to eight in league and cups, with Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Erling Haaland all back. Brentford, though, did the double over City last season and, though the second triumph came with the title settled, their style – physical, direct and high-energy but also technical – is more than capable of causing problems. In particular, Ivan Toney will be eager to make up for lost time while earning the move he wants and forcing his way into England’s Euro 2024 squad, all of which should make for a fun evening at the Community Stadium. DH
Brentford v Manchester City, Monday 8pm
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 22 | 32 | 51 |
| 2 | Man City | 21 | 27 | 46 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 22 | 23 | 46 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 22 | 14 | 43 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 22 | 14 | 43 |
| 6 | West Ham | 22 | 3 | 36 |
| 7 | Man Utd | 22 | -4 | 35 |
| 8 | Newcastle | 22 | 11 | 32 |
| 9 | Brighton | 22 | 1 | 32 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 22 | 1 | 31 |
| 11 | Wolverhampton | 22 | -2 | 29 |
| 12 | AFC Bournemouth | 21 | -11 | 26 |
| 13 | Fulham | 22 | -8 | 25 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 22 | -11 | 24 |
| 15 | Brentford | 21 | -5 | 22 |
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 22 | -13 | 20 |
| 17 | Luton | 21 | -10 | 19 |
| 18 | Everton | 22 | -4 | 18 |
| 19 | Burnley | 22 | -23 | 12 |
| 20 | Sheff Utd | 22 | -35 | 10 |
