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- Bees Susceptible to Constant Crosses
Brentford have scored nine and conceded six in their past two Premier League home games. Their leaky defence didn’t cost them in victories over Wolves and Ipswich, but it was exposed in their loss to Fulham, with Harry Wilson’s two injury-time goals both coming from crosses. Brentford allowed 43 crosses in that match, and while manager Thomas Frank was surprisingly relaxed, the team’s defensive vulnerabilities are evident. Bournemouth will look to exploit the wide spaces with their wingers and full-backs targeting these gaps. - Kamada the Main Man with Eze Sidelined
Crystal Palace will be without injured striker Eddie Nketiah and star playmaker Eberechi Eze for their crucial home game against Fulham. The responsibility to provide creativity will likely fall on Daichi Kamada, who has shown signs of form in recent matches, including scoring the winner in the League Cup. Kamada, Palace’s highest-paid player, has taken time to adjust to life in London but could be the key to their attacking plans. - Paquetá Has Gone Off the Boil
West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá, once a standout player, has struggled in recent matches. His performance declined dramatically, with his recent display against Manchester United raising questions. Paquetá is under investigation by the Football Association for a betting breach, and while he remains West Ham’s most creative player, the team will need him to regain his form for their upcoming match against Everton. If Paquetá keeps his spot in the starting XI, it will be crucial for his team’s chances. - Fernandes Gives Saints a Sporting Chance
Southampton’s signing of Mateus Fernandes is proving to be a smart move, with the 20-year-old midfielder showing great promise in his early appearances. His impressive work rate and ability to link defence and attack have been crucial in Southampton’s recent form, including their important win over Everton. Southampton will be hoping Fernandes can continue to shine as they travel to face rock-bottom Wolves, who are desperate for a win to avoid further relegation fears. - Brighton Look to Capitalise on City’s Slump
Brighton’s record against Manchester City is poor, but this could be the perfect time to face them. City is enduring a slump with three consecutive defeats, and Brighton will look to exploit their vulnerabilities. With several attacking threats in their squad, Brighton will fancy their chances of causing an upset against Pep Guardiola’s side in what should be a tough challenge for City. - Díaz to Continue as a Central Striker?
Luis Díaz impressed as a central striker in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen, scoring a hat-trick. With Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa likely unavailable, and Darwin Núñez’s workload being considered, manager Jürgen Klopp may choose to deploy Díaz as a central striker again. Given the Colombian’s recent form, the temptation to keep him in this role will be strong, especially as he proved to be a real threat against Leverkusen. - Van Nistelrooy Nears Old Trafford Farewell
Manchester United will face Leicester in what could be Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final match as interim manager, following his four-match spell at the helm. United have had a troubled start to the season, and van Nistelrooy will be hoping to secure a much-needed win to give himself a chance of staying on in some capacity under the incoming permanent manager, Rúben Amorim. A victory against Leicester, who sit just two points and two places below United, would be crucial. - Wood Burning to Turn Up Heat on Howe
Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood has been a revelation this season, scoring eight goals in 10 games. His form has been one of the key factors in Forest’s rise to third in the Premier League, and he will be eager to prove a point when his former club, Newcastle, visit on Sunday. Wood’s ability to find the back of the net, particularly in a hat-trick performance at St James’ Park last season, makes him a significant threat to Newcastle’s defense. - Cajuste Ready to Take Reins from Phillips
Tottenham’s midfield options will be slightly thinner this weekend after Kalvin Phillips’ red card against Leicester. Jens Cajuste, a summer signing from Napoli, is expected to step into the void alongside Sam Morsy. The 25-year-old midfielder, who has shown promise in limited appearances, will need to seize this opportunity to prove himself as a reliable option for manager Ange Postecoglou. - Chelsea Players Must Step Up if Palmer is Out
Chelsea’s success has been heavily reliant on Cole Palmer’s creativity, but with the winger a doubt for the upcoming match against Arsenal, others will need to take on more responsibility. Palmer was lucky to avoid serious injury after being fouled by Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez, but his absence could leave Chelsea struggling if their other attacking players do not step up. With Arsenal visiting Stamford Bridge, it will be a crucial match for Chelsea to prove they can perform without their star player.
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