Arsenal can make title statement at Villa
Arsenal’s recent memories of Aston Villa are of awkward opponents. Mikel Arteta’s side squandered a two-goal lead at the Emirates Stadium when the teams last met, in January, Arsenal dropping two points, their title charge dented. With such little margin for error, it was the kind of day that boosted Liverpool and crystallised the sense that the Gunners would come up short. Villa also defeat Arsenal in 2023-24, abruptly halting Arteta’s six-game winning streak. Now Arsenal are in a different position, at the summit with a five-point lead – and six clear of Unai Emery’s team. Victory at Villa Park on Saturday, against a side that have lost only once in the league since August, would offer another significant indication that this could be the season Arsenal take the crown. Ben Fisher
Aston Villa v Arsenal, Saturday 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Ünal can freshen up Bournemouth’s attack
Bournemouth have looked tired recently and Tuesday night’s loss to Everton meant they have collected one point from their past five games. Andoni Iraola did his best to freshen his side up by leaving Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier out of the starting lineup for that match but it was seemingly detrimental. Junior Kroupi has failed to score in the past five matches, while Evanilson has only one goal all season. It might be time to re-energise the attack by bringing Enes Ünal in for a first start in almost a year, having missed a long period with a second cruciate ligament injury of his career. The former Manchester City youngster scored a minute after coming on in the 2-2 draw with West Ham last month and the only way he will rediscover his form is by getting into a rhythm, which requires minutes. Saturday against Chelsea could be ideal, even if Iraola deems him only fit enough for the first 45, allowing him to unleash Kroupi or Evanilson after the break. Will Unwin
Bournemouth v Chelsea, Saturday 3pm
Dyche deserves credit on Everton return
The end for Sean Dyche at Everton came with his team one point above the relegation zone after defeats to Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth extended a dismal run to one win in 11 games. He departed only in January but it already feels much longer. Everton’s first Premier League win at Bournemouth in midweek was a necessary response to the home mauling by Newcastle and another demonstration of the club’s improvement under David Moyes. The Friedkin Group were clearly correct to part company with Dyche but, when he faces his former club for the first time with in-form Forest, there surely will be appreciation for his considerable achievement of keeping Everton afloat before things turned sour. As Everton manager Dyche had to deal with two points deductions for financial breaches that preceded his reign, an absentee owner and board, takeover distractions, a negative net spend on transfers and reduced wage bill – plus the threat of administration had the club been relegated on his watch in 2023 and 2024. When he sets foot inside a completed Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time on Saturday, Dyche’s role in enabling Everton to enjoy an ambitious new era must be recognised. Andy Hunter
Everton v Nottingham Forest, Saturday 3pm
Can City tighten up against Sunderland?
Manchester City cannot stop scoring – 32 league goals so far this season – and in Tuesday’s helter-skelter 5-4 victory at Fulham could barely stop conceding. Yet while Pep Guardiola found it an unenjoyable watch, their overall defensive record of 16 conceded is broadly fine. While the manager might wish the number let in to be nearer to Arsenal’s seven, Aston Villa, who are third, have shipped 14, Chelsea (fourth) 15, and Crystal Palace (fifth) 11. Sunderland arrive having been breached only 14 times and Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool underlined why they have the same points total (23) as Palace. A good test, then, for each protagonist awaits on Saturday. Jamie Jackson
Manchester City v Sunderland, Saturday 3pm
Van de Ven will be needed to tame Thiago
Micky van de Van was left out for the 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Tuesday with Thomas Frank eager to manage his workload over a hectic period for Tottenham. The head coach’s thinking may have centred around the prospect of facing Igor Thiago at the weekend. Few centre-backs are quicker in world football and the Dutchman will need all his pace and physicality to deal with the Brazilian, who already has 11 league goals this season, second only to Erling Haaland in the Premier League scoring charts. With Slavia Prague coming up on Tuesday, 90 minutes for Van de Ven against Brentford could be more important to Tottenham thana Champions League match they will be favourites to win. Thiago was also only a substitute in midweek, coming on for the final half-hour against Arsenal, with Keith Andrews possibly thinking he could play a significant role in the weekend’s more winnable clash. WU
Tottenham v Brentford, Saturday 3pm
Wissa to herald Newcastle tactical rejig?
Given that Eddie Howe is a former Burnley manager and his Turf Moor counterpart, Scott Parker, is a one-time Newcastle midfielder, old memories will certainly be revived when the teams meet at St James’ Park. Howe hopes to finally welcome a new face with his £55m summer signing from Brentford, Yoane Wissa, believed to be aiming for a seat on the home bench Wissa has finally recovered from the knee injury sustained on international duty with DR Congo in September that has delayed his Newcastle debut. He has not been included in the Congolese squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations, leaving him free to help revive Newcastle’s inconsistent Premier League campaign. Might his arrival herald a change of formation, with Nick Woltemade dropping back from a No 9 to a No 10 role? If Parker’s Burnley strugglers could do without facing Wissa, they will also doubtless be hoping that Sandro Tonali fails to recover from injury in time to anchor the home midfield. Louise Taylor
Newcastle v Burnley, Saturday 3pm
Should Slot start both Isak and Ekitike?
After Sunday’s win over West Ham, Liverpool endured another difficult 90 minutes against Sunderland in midweek. Mohamed Salah was brought on at half-time in an attempt to bring inspiration to a struggling side, but did not change much about the performance. Arne Slot is doing his best to turn the situation around but finding the answers is not straightforward. Opponents are losing the fear of facing the Premier League champions and Leeds’ confidence will be boosted after seeing off Chelsea on Wednesday, with Elland Road sensing blood when Liverpool visit. Slot might want to give Daniel Farke something to think about, and an intriguing proposal would be to start Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the team; the Frenchman can play off one of the wings, with the ability to cut in and provide greater support for the Swedish striker, offering a little surprise for Leeds’s defence in the process. WU
Leeds v Liverpool, Saturday 5.30pm
Brighton must be more ruthless
For half an hour of Brighton’s home game against Aston Villa, it seemed like everything had clicked for Fabian Hürzeler. Unai Emery’s side had no answer to their hosts’ intensity as Brighton took charge thanks to two slightly fortunate goals. But Villa showed their experience to find a way back as Brighton suffered a first home defeat in the Premier League since losing to the same opponents in April. Hürzeler acknowledgedhis team will have to be much more ruthless – starting with struggling West Ham’s visit to the Amex on Sunday – if they are to mount a serious challenge to qualify for Europe next season. “A game takes 90 minutes and that’s what we have to do better. Thirty minutes is not enough,” Hürzeler said. “We can fight these kind of battles but it’s about doing the small margins right.” West Ham’s late point at Old Trafford on Thursday showed they can punish teams who do not finish them off. Ed Aarons
Brighton v West Ham, Sunday 2pm
Chukwueze deserves a Fulham start
Fulham did not enjoy hosting Crystal Palace last season. Palace won 2-0 at Craven Cottage in the league and returned a month later to claim a 3-0 victory in a one-sided FA Cup quarter-final. Fulham should be full of optimism for their latest meeting, though, after almost pulling off a comeback for the ages against Manchester City on Tuesday. They are playing well at home and fans will be hoping that Marco Silva starts Samuel Chukwueze. The Nigeria winger has made telling impacts from the bench in both of Fulham’s past two home games. He came on to create the winner against Sunderland with a brilliant cross and was influential after his introduction at half-time against City, scoring twice. Silva should consider finding space for Chukwueze in his starting XI. Jacob Steinberg
Fulham v Crystal Palace, Sunday 4.30pm
Cunha a painful sight for toothless Wolves
This time last season Southampton were haemorrhaging goals, shipping five against Chelsea and Tottenham in consecutive weeks. Wolves have the worst defence in the division this campaign – conceding 29 so far – but since Rob Edwards took charge they have made things tougher for opponents, even if all three matches have ended in defeat. If Leeds back up their victory over Chelsea with a win over Liverpool on Saturday, Wolves could be 15 points from safety by the time Manchester United come to town on Monday, when Matheus Cunha could face his former club for the first time. Cunha had his flaws, moments of ill-discipline or petulance chequering his Molineux story, but he troubled opposition defences in a way that Wolves have failed to do so this season, including United when he scored in this fixture last season. Wolves have been timid opponents, scoring just seven goals in 14 games; that must change against United if they are to avoid further ignominy. BF
Wolves v Manchester United, Monday 8pm
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 14 | 20 | 33 |
| 2 | Man City | 14 | 16 | 28 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 14 | 6 | 27 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 14 | 10 | 24 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 14 | 7 | 23 |
| 6 | Sunderland | 14 | 4 | 23 |
| 7 | Brighton | 14 | 4 | 22 |
| 8 | Man Utd | 14 | 1 | 22 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 14 | 0 | 22 |
| 10 | Everton | 14 | -2 | 21 |
| 11 | Tottenham Hotspur | 14 | 5 | 19 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 14 | 1 | 19 |
| 13 | Brentford | 14 | -1 | 19 |
| 14 | AFC Bournemouth | 14 | -3 | 19 |
| 15 | Fulham | 14 | -3 | 17 |
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 14 | -8 | 15 |
| 17 | Leeds | 14 | -10 | 14 |
| 18 | West Ham | 14 | -12 | 12 |
| 19 | Burnley | 14 | -13 | 10 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 14 | -22 | 2 |
