1
Depleted Arsenal look to delay inevitable
When Arsenal next visit Merseyside on 11 May their first act may be to form a guard of honour for Liverpool, who could by then be newly crowned Premier League champions. The title appears destined for Anfield – Arsenal have been unable to sustain a consistent challenge for it all season – but Mikel Arteta will feel duty-bound to delay the seemingly inevitable for as long as possible on his return to Everton. Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid may be the priority for Arsenal but rotating is hardly an option for Arteta at Goodison Park given he has four defenders available. A makeshift unit would benefit from a demanding afternoon together before welcoming Real to the Emirates. Arne Slot claimed it is unfair on Everton to have an early Saturday kick-off after Wednesday’s Merseyside derby. Depleted or not, Arteta’s team should take advantage. Andy Hunter
2
Richards an unsung hero in Palace defence
When Chelsea recalled Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace in January it meant that the south London club had only three frontline central defenders – potentially a major issue given Oliver Glasner’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. But while Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guéhi have also been outstanding, it was significant that the absence of Chris Richards from the game at Southampton on Tuesday coincided with Palace conceding their first away goal of 2025, a remarkable run of seven fixtures in all competitions. Their record when the USA defender plays shows how important he has been under Glasner, with Palace picking up an average 2.03 points per game compared with just 1.1 without him. The good news is that the 25-year-old former Bayern Munich defender should be back for the Selhurst Park showdown with Brighton on Saturday. Ed Aarons
3
Wolves lose Pereira for trip to Ipswich
Vítor Pereira is a passionate and emotional figure on the touchline, which might explain why he is suspended from the dugout for Wolves’ trip to Portman Road. The head coach was booked during the crucial win over West Ham in midweek but that did not stop him from celebrating wildly at full time, much to Graham Potter’s chagrin. It is rare to have a head coach that sets the tempo on the sidelines and Wolves will have to do without him and assistant, Luís Miguel, who has suffered the same fate. Pereira has drilled his players well since his appointment but how will Wolves cope without him on the sidelines? After Ipswich’s surprise win at Bournemouth, another victory for the Tractor Boys on Saturday will close the gap to Wolves to six points. Will Unwin
4
Potter should roll the dice at West Ham
Graham Potter has been cautious since joining West Ham in January. His results since taking over: 3-2, 0-2, 1-1, 1-2, 0-1, 1-0, 2-0, 0-1, 1-1, 0-1. Excitement has been in short supply and performances at home have not exactly been sparkling. Potter, mindful of his team’s defensive struggles under Julen Lopetegui, has placed a heavy focus on containment since replacing the Spaniard. He has mainly used a back three, which has meant sacrificing an attacker, but the set-up was ineffective when West Ham lost 1-0 to Wolves on Tuesday. With little to play for before the end of the season, Potter should open up when West Ham host Bournemouth on Saturday. Jacob Steinberg
5
January additions have revitalised Villa
Unai Emery has achieved some magnificent feats since transforming Aston Villa but his latest trick is arguably his best yet: getting value for money – if that is the right phrase given the numbers involved – from the January transfer window. It is regarded as a notoriously difficult time to improve squads, one usually reserved for panic buys or to correct expensive mistakes, but the addition of Donyell Malen, plus loan arrivals Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi have undoubtedly given Villa fresh impetus. Rashford, Malen and Asensio were all on the scoresheet in Wednesday’s impressive victory at Brighton and since Asensio’s debut in February, no top-flight player has scored more goals in all competitions than the Spaniard, who has eight. After straight six wins, now Villa host Forest looking for further momentum before a Champions League quarter-final trip to Parc des Princes next week. Ben Fisher
6
Mbeumo and Wissa eye Toney record
Ivan Toney scored 20 goals in the 2022-23 season for Brentford, the highest ever tally by a Bees player in the Premier League. Within that there were six penalties, adding a useful boost to his statistics. Bryan Mbeumo has taken over the penalty duties and has scored all five taken this season as part of a total tally of 16 goals. His partner in crime, Yoane Wissa, has 14 to his name this campaign and another for either against Chelsea would give them a chance of catching up with Toney’s record total in the run-in. Even if they fail to match Toney individually, Mbeumo and Wissa know they have more than made up for the England international’s departure to Saudi Arabia. The Bees are the only team with two players in the top 10 scorers in the Premier League charts this season to more than prove that they have the individuals and unity to thrive without Toney. WU
7
Jones is not a long-term fix at right back
Arne Slot liked Curtis Jones’s performance at right-back in Liverpool’s Merseyside derby victory. It seems an unlikely long-term fix, though. Jones was an admirable stand-in but this was surely not an early taste of life without Trent Alexander-Arnold. It was a case of needs must with Conor Bradley also unavailable and it would not be a surprise if Slot tries something more orthodox when Liverpool visit Fulham. Jones, after all, is not a defender. His ability on the ball makes him an appealing option in games Liverpool expect to dominate but a more solid option could be the answer for tougher assignments. Jarell Quansah will be pushing to start against Fulham, who have a dangerous left flank, and Slot has suggested that Bradley could be in contention. Looking further ahead, Liverpool will need to spend on a replacement for Alexander-Arnold should his move to Real Madrid go through, if only to ensure they have enough cover when injuries strike. JS
8
Dibling will want to impress suitors
As Southampton edge ever closer to the Championship, they will be wondering who will still be there next season. Tyler Dibling is the Saints’ prized asset, and will cost someone a lot of money in the summer unless he decides to stay for the home comforts. One club repeatedly linked with the talented winger is Tottenham, where Dibling will visit on Sunday, perhaps with the thought of potentially impressing Ange Postecoglou and his recruitment boffins. Dibling came off the bench against Crystal Palace in midweek and will be fresh and eager this weekend. Dibling has his best years ahead of him and the brand of all-action football instilled by Postecoglou should suit his attributes – the teenager will be looking to show them off in north London. WU
9
City aim for derby revenge after Etihad loss
This 196th local squabble pits the poorest Manchester United vintage of the Premier League era against a wobbly Manchester City, the champions of the past four seasons who are scrambling to qualify for the Champions League. The great cliche of any derby is that form goes out of the window due to the neighbourly rivalry: this one, on Sunday, epitomises it, but after United won this season’s reverse fixture, the view here is the City will find a way to win before the hostile Old Trafford faithful. Jamie Jackson
10
Van Nistelrooy’s record is a woeful one
Ruud van Nistelrooy has overseen 14 defeats – including seven in a row – in his 17 Premier League matches at the Leicester helm. It is a somewhat embarrassing record for the Dutchman. Foxes fans might be hoping they can get something when Southampton visit on 3 May because every match prior to that looks very difficult for a Leicester team short on quality and confidence. They failed to register a shot on target at Manchester City in their latest meek loss. Van Nistelrooy needs to pick up points soon and another dispiriting defeat by Champions League-chasing Newcastle will add further concerns and questions over whether the Dutchman is the right man for the job of trying to bring them back up next season. Leicester’s survival bid may be fading but they need to at least find green shoots of hope before the summer. WU
