Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring the Manchester Derby, Chelsea’s bogey team, and a huge Midlands matchup.

Set-piece specialists meet at the Emirates

Arsenal’s dead-ball threat has been so prominent that the club’s set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover, has been honoured with a mural outside the Emirates. Yes, really.

Rival fans have mocked the tribute but Arsenal’s set-piece goals have kept the Gunners in the title conversation this season. This weekend will see the North Londoners take on another side with excellence from such situations. Arsenal (8) are the only side to have scored more set-piece goals than Everton (6).

The Toffees reliance on set-pieces is so high that 42% of their goals have come as a result of set-plays in 2024/25. Unnecessary fouls and corner concessions from both teams will need to be avoided, though it is perhaps a bigger concern for Arsenal. For all the plaudits the Gunners have received, just three teams have conceded more set-piece goals than Mikel Arteta’s men this season.

The perfect gift for a football fan? Noughties Nines out now

‘Context’ can’t save O’Neil ahead of another six-pointer

Gary O’Neil was defiant in his defence of Wolves after defeat at West Ham, insisting the context of the club’s off-the-pitch business must be taken into consideration.

“I am not concerned,” O’Neil told BBC Sport when he was asked about his position.

“The club has been through an incredible transition since I came in. We’ve signed some players who will be really good for this club for the future, but we have lost an awful lot. It makes it harder. [Since I’ve been here] we have lost £200m worth of talent. We understand it will be tough. We will knuckle down and get going again. Whenever this journey ends with Wolves I’ll be proud of it.”

O’Neil has a valid point but context will only take him so far. After losing successive games to struggling sides around them, Wolves next face Ipswich and Leicester in a six-pointer double-header. If results do not improve immediately, the axe could fall before Christmas.

Another Christmas cracker at Anfield?

Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Fulham last December was one of the games of the Premier League season. Seven goals, a thrilling late comeback, and a catalogue of spectacular goals made it one to remember at Anfield. The teams also played out an engrossing Carabao Cup semi-final over two legs, while both teams have scored in seven of the last nine meetings.

Liverpool are in good goalscoring form having netted 2+ in seven straight league games, while Fulham have not blanked since the opening weekend. Though both have impressed defensively this season, goals could be on the festive menu.

Forest aiming high ahead of huge Midlands matchup

After a mini-wobble, Nottingham Forest bounced back with a win at Manchester United last weekend. Forest secured their first win at Manchester United in 30 years and have now claimed victory at Anfield and Old Trafford this season. Fifth in the table, some are daring to dream of European nights returning to the City Ground.

This weekend Forest take on an Aston Villa side who laid the blueprint for upsetting the status quo last season. A top-four finish secured Champions League football, with Villa the second non-Big Six team to gatecrash the top four in three seasons. Unai Emery’s side, who trail Forest on goal difference in the league, have performed admirably in Europe to close in on qualification to the Round of 16. A Forest win this weekend would be another statement from the surprise package of the campaign so far.

Hurzeler must find formula against struggling sides

Brighton are positioned nicely in the mix for European football with Fabian Hurzeler having made a strong start. The Seagulls, however, have come unstuck when facing teams lower down the table.

Six of the club’s last seven wins have come against teams starting the day in the top half, while Brighton have been less impressive against those who haven’t. When taking on teams 17th or lower, they’ve drawn five consecutive games. Fierce rivals Crystal Palace are the visitors this weekend with the Eagles struggling in 17th. Hurzeler must find a method to unlock deeper-lying defences if Brighton are to remain in the European hunt.

A Manchester derby of dread?

Rarely, if ever, can we remember a Manchester derby that both teams have entered at such a low ebb. The Premier League era has largely consisted of at least one Mancunian powerhouse chasing titles, but this weekend’s encounter is one that both teams will dread defeat in.

Manchester City are on an unprecedented run of bad form under Pep Guardiola, which extended to one win in 10 games after defeat at Juventus in midweek. Their sorry state is such that San Marino, international football’s most famous whipping boys, have won more games than City in their last 10 fixtures.

Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, is attempting to turn around Manchester United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign. A Rasmus Hojlund brace prevented the Red Devils from losing for the third consecutive game at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday night. Confidence is brittle on both sides of the derby divide. Defeat this weekend could shatter it further.

Postecoglou pressure apparent

Just days ago, Ange Postecoglou said he ‘wouldn’t criticise a player publicly’. Discussing Cristian Romero’s criticism of the Spurs board, the Australian said: “He realises that a lot of what he said was good but some wasn’t the right way of dealing with it. The same way I wouldn’t criticise a player publicly.”

That stance changed rapidly on Thursday night. After hauling off Timo Werner at half-time against Rangers, Postecoglou slammed the forward’s performance as ‘unacceptable’ post-match. The pressure of a torrid run for Spurs is beginning to show on Postecoglou, who is firmly under the microscope right now. Injuries, a lack of intensity, and criticism over his refusal to adapt are all slights aimed in his direction.

This weekend, he takes on a struggling Southampton side, whose own manager has faced criticism over his tactical stubbornness…

Maresca meets Blues’ bogey team

It’s a weekend full of derby clashes and West Londoners Chelsea and Brentford meet on Sunday evening. The neighbours have rarely crossed paths until recent seasons, but Brentford’s consolidation in the top division has seen the capital clubs collide on a regular basis.

Chelsea might claim themselves to be London’s biggest club but Brentford have proven to be awkward opposition. The Bees are unbeaten in the last five league meetings and have won on each of their three visits to Stamford Bridge since promotion.

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