After Casemiro’s disastrous 45-minute outing in the thumping by Liverpool, Erik ten Hag appears to be like sure at hand the Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte his debut at St Mary’s. Final day trip, Ten Hag was compelled to ship on the inexperienced Toby Collyer on the break to attempt to convey calmness alongside Kobbie Mainoo as a result of Casemiro was so embarrassingly off the tempo in gifting targets to Liverpool. Having not featured for Paris Saint-Germain earlier than his deadline-day transfer to the Premier League, Ugarte obtained minutes in his legs with Uruguay, together with a full 90 in Venezuela on Tuesday earlier than returning to his new dwelling to get to know his teammates. It appears an enormous ask for Ugarte to carry out on Saturday lunchtime after a busy few weeks however Ten Hag has little to no alternative as a result of he wants outcomes and is closely invested within the 23-year-old midfielder. Will Unwin
It should be an odd existence being an extremely gifted teenager at probably the most profitable golf equipment on this planet. Liam Delap was on the fringes at Manchester Metropolis, getting the odd probability to point out what he may do with out ever trying like he would realistically be given the job as backup to Erling Haaland. As a substitute, Delap went by means of the normal route of loans to golf equipment which play in a totally completely different method to the Metropolis academy to check if he would sink or swim. Twenty-two league video games at Stoke introduced three targets, whereas at Preston he managed one in 15. Finally, he discovered a extra promising momentary dwelling at Hull, taking part in and discovering the web recurrently within the Championship such that Ipswich and Kieran McKenna took discover, bringing him to Portman Highway after successful promotion. In his first three appearances for the membership having joined for a price that might attain £20m, he has seemed a harmful No 9. A full season within the high flight will assist Delap develop and present Ipswich, like Brighton, are making the fitting strikes out there. WU
After a frantic finish to the switch window, Oliver Glasner has some choices to make about his beginning line-up in opposition to Leicester as deadline-day signings Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah and Eddie Nketiah may very well be given their debuts. Whereas Marc Guéhi will proceed to offer a strong basis for the Crystal Palace defence after a lot hypothesis about his future in the summertime, the Austrian supervisor should resolve the place Lacroix – who performed below Glasner at Wolfsburg – and Chalobah match into his favoured again three. The rapid return of the Palace previous boys Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Édouard to Selhurst Park ought to present a stiff take a look at of the hosts’ credentials as either side try to choose up a primary victory of the brand new marketing campaign. It can even be intriguing to see whether or not Glasner intends to pair Nketiah in assault alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta, given the Frenchman’s wealthy vein of kind final season. Ed Aarons
West Ham’s begin below their new supervisor, Julen Lopetegui, has been honest by way of outcomes. Defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester Metropolis are excusable, whereas any win at Selhurst Park is an efficient win. But it surely stays unclear precisely how he needs his aspect to play, the grit which obtained them that outcome showcasing the perfect of David Moyes slightly than any wrinkles added by his successor. Up to now, Lopetegui has avoided beginning Niclas Füllkrug – signed from Borussia Dortmund for £27m – in any of his aspect’s three league video games and, although there are 9 golf equipment which have scored fewer targets than West Ham, of their 4 strikes, one was a doubtful penalty from a non-threatening scenario and one other an personal objective with none of their gamers anyplace close to the ball. As such, Lopetegui will certainly be hoping to impose his imaginative and prescient upon proceedings and introduce Füllkrug for the struggling Michail Antonio, offered he has recovered from an damage sustained on worldwide obligation. Daniel Harris
After turning into Nottingham Forest’s first England worldwide since 1997, Morgan Gibbs-White has one other probability to point out his high quality on a grand stage. The No 10 makes use of his expertise and intelligence to unlock defences but in addition possesses a severe work ethic, prepared to chase down opponents within the hope of successful the ball again. He’ll occupy the identical a part of the pitch as Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, the place the Dutchman takes possession and initiates assaults. Gravenberch is just not a pure defensive midfielder; he’s utilized in that position due to his capacity to retain possession slightly than for his love of the deal with. He has carried out exceptionally since being positioned there by his compatriot Arne Slot however Nuno Espírito Santo will probably be prepared to check Gravenberch with the assured Gibbs-White. If Forest can disrupthim they’ve an opportunity to maintain their unbeaten run going. WU
Three video games, three wins, 9 targets scored, two conceded: the champions have pummelled Chelsea, Ipswich and West Ham in an early season powerplay that already appears to solid most different contenders as also-rans once more. Within the 2-1 victory of two seasons in the past, Brentford pulled off the uncommon achievement of beating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis in entrance of their very own crowd. That was in November 2022 and Ivan Toney scored twice for the guests. However he has now departed and with Erling Haaland already on seven targets and, Pep Guardiola says, fitter than a 12 months in the past, a degree could also be the perfect for which Thomas Frank’s males can realistically hope. Jamie Jackson
Aston Villa and Everton obtained fairly pleasant in the summertime, buying and selling gamers to boost their spreadsheets regarding profitability and sustainability guidelines. Lewis Dobbin signed for Villa after which was loaned to West Brom, whereas Tim Iroegbunam joined Everton and Villa paid Everton £50m for Amadou Onana, who has scored two targets in his first three matches for the membership. Iroegbunam has in impact changed Onana in Sean Dyche’s midfield however the Everton supervisor has a collection of issues to repair; Everton have conceded 10 targets in three league matches and surrendered a two-goal lead within the 87th minute to lose at dwelling to Bournemouth. Villa are unbeaten in opposition to Everton within the league since returning to the highest flight in 2019, successful 4 of their previous 5 league conferences at Villa Park and drawing the opposite. How Dyche and Everton may do with breaking that run. Ben Fisher
Kepa Arrizabalaga won’t get the chance to show himself in opposition to Chelsea on Saturday, with Bournemouth’s on-loan goalkeeper ineligible to face his mother or father membership – however one other participant will. Mark Travers was final an everyday at Bournemouth in 2021-22, the season they returned to the highest flight below Scott Parker, and since then the Republic of Eire worldwide has frolicked on mortgage at Stoke within the second tier fliting out and in of the crew. A 19-year-old Travers excelled on his Premier League debut in opposition to Tottenham 5 years in the past and, with top-flight alternatives more likely to be restricted after Kepa’s arrival, he has an opportunity to showcase his capacity in opposition to Chelsea with Will Dennis, who spent final season on mortgage at Kilmarnock, taking his spot on the bench. Chelsea put six targets previous Wolves of their final league away sport so Travers could have to be on his toes. BF
Naturally, there’s a lot driving on the north London derby. It has offered some memorable matches and dramatic outcomes down the years however one thing goes to be a contact completely different about this one. Arsenal gamers will probably be carrying their new away package after the referees’ physique Skilled Recreation Match Officers Restricted (PGMOL) determined their ordinary package clashed with Tottenham’s dwelling shirt, claiming it has “an excessive amount of white”. Within the period the place each membership needlessly modifications outfits for away video games when there isn’t any conflict, to promote extra shirts to punters, it appears a disgrace Arsenal are being compelled to change colors. A minor factor, however when the vast majority of traditions are beingsold out for the sake of revenue, seeing two historic golf equipment in conventional designs provides to the spectacle of the occasion. As a substitute, the demise of one other little bit of soccer historical past. WU
Wolves all the time knew two issues would most likely form their season: the top of the switch window and a tough early run of fixtures. It’s honest to say neither went swimmingly and Wolves, already defeated by Arsenal and Chelsea, host Newcastle on Sunday figuring out failure to take no less than a degree would outcome of their worst begin to a season since promotion in 2018. Wolves have received certainly one of their previous 13 league video games and Gary O’Neil, who signed a contract extension in the summertime, is tuned into the temper music at Molineux. Wolves supporters are frightened they’re treading water however perhaps they may spring one other shock below O’Neil. “We did what we may do, and we signed some good gamers, however I feel we nonetheless had the second-lowest web spend within the window,” the Wolves supervisor stated. “Above Man Metropolis, curiously … perhaps we’ll end above them.” BF
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