1
Olise to provide Eagles – and Metropolis’s rivals – a carry?
Michael Olise’s anticipated return from harm for Crystal Palace in opposition to Manchester Metropolis couldn’t be extra well timed for Oliver Glasner’s struggling aspect. The France Below-21s attacker has been in sensational kind this season on the uncommon events he has made it on to the pitch – Olise has performed solely 755 minutes to date in simply 11 appearances, however in that point has scored six objectives and supplied three assists. Metropolis are believed to be considered one of a number of golf equipment who’ve been monitoring his progress and will probably be cautious of the menace he poses to their title ambitions, particularly if he can adapt rapidly to Glasner’s favoured 3-4-2-1 formation. Like Palace, who’re nonetheless not fairly secure given their testing run-in that solely options video games in opposition to sides above them, Eberechi Eze has not been in his greatest kind to date beneath the Austrian. However might the return of Olise assist the England midfielder additionally rediscover his contact? Ed Aarons
2
Bees to battle Villa’s bouncebackability
On Wednesday night time, as they had been being torn aside by Phil Foden, Aston Villa didn’t appear to be a staff that had spent a lot of the season within the prime 4. However that’s unlikely to trouble them. Below Unai Emery Villa have a secret weapon: the flexibility to get again off the ground. They started the season by dropping 5-1 at Newcastle, then beating Everton 4-0, and the sample has barely modified. After they lose, except it’s in opposition to Manchester United, they have a tendency to lose closely – 3-0 at Anfield, 3-1 at house to Newcastle, 4-0 at house to Spurs – however every of these batterings was adopted by a powerful victory. And in opposition to Brentford, whom they beat 2-1 in December, Villa can have John McGinn again from the three-game suspension that got here along with his purple card within the Tottenham debacle. Brentford’s most practical hope is to maintain doing what they’ve been doing currently: inching in the direction of survival, one draw at a time. It’s been sufficient to cease Everton and Luton gaining on them, although all three, plus Forest, are within the twilight zone the place a few wins for one staff could make all of the distinction. Tim de Lisle
3
Dyche desperately must beat former membership
Everton have forgotten how you can win, to reuse the phrase that Sean Dyche as soon as employed of Frank Lampard’s staff whereas supervisor of Burnley. With the specter of a second factors deduction on the horizon and 4 house video games remaining in opposition to different sides within the backside six, they have to keep in mind how in opposition to his former membership. Burnley would be the kind staff at Goodison Park having put collectively their greatest run of the season, with 4 matches unbeaten. Dyche, against this, has now presided over the longest winless streak in Everton’s Premier League historical past after Tuesday’s draw at Newcastle prolonged their barren sequence to 13 matches. Even Mike Walker wasn’t that unhealthy. Speak of the supervisor’s future is comprehensible however futile – Everton don’t have the board, an engaged proprietor nor the cash to sack Dyche and recruit a substitute – however he undoubtedly wants a win to ease mounting criticism and relegation considerations. Andy Hunter
4
Barnes should push on to rekindle England dream
Harvey Barnes has drifted out of the England image. He made his worldwide debut in 2020 and loved the identical sort of standing that Anthony Gordon does now: an lively, enterprising younger winger with each likelihood of turning into a daily in Gareth Southgate’s squad. But accidents have stopped Barnes from progressing. He has struggled to remain match since becoming a member of Newcastle from Leicester and, in contrast to Gordon, has no likelihood of going to Euro 2024. Nonetheless, the expertise endures. Barnes scored twice after coming off the bench in opposition to West Ham final weekend and he grabbed an help in opposition to Everton. Now he must push on. Newcastle, who go to Fulham, could be way more harmful with the pace of Barnes on the left and Gordon the suitable. Jacob Steinberg
5
Cherries might depart bitter style for Luton once more
Which has been the most effective staff within the league over the previous three matches? Not Arsenal (they’re second). Not Liverpool (third) or Manchester Metropolis (fourth). It’s, in fact, Bournemouth. Sure, they’ve had a collection of conferences with the underside seven, however you’ll be able to solely beat the staff in entrance of you and Bournemouth have carried out that to 4 of their previous 5 opponents – Burnley, Luton, Everton and Palace. Now they face Luton once more. The reverse fixture was one of many seven-goal sagas which have been such a function of this season. Luton scored three objectives within the first half, solely to concede 4 within the second. This week their supervisor, Rob Edwards mentioned: “I wish to be within the Premier League for ever.” As endearing as that was, if he desires to be in it subsequent season, his staff have to get one thing out of this recreation. Subsequent weekend they go to the Etihad. TdL
6
Wolves v West Ham is a quiet six-pointer
In these clean tables that pop up earlier than the season begins, West Ham and Wolves are joined on the hip, scorned by alphabetical order. Eight months later, each are fortunately ensconced in mid-table. They’re separated by solely three factors and that hole will vanish if Wolves win their recreation in hand (house to Bournemouth on 24 April). So this tussle is, in its quiet method, a six-pointer. West Ham gained the reverse fixture 3-0 in mid-December, with two objectives from Mohammed Kudus and one from Jarrod Bowen. However Wolves have sharpened their enamel since then, whereas the Hammers have had their arms too full in Europe to maintain banging on the door of the highest six. Saturday’s guests have solely two league wins this 12 months, and David Moyes will fancy a 3rd given Wolves’ many accidents. However then Gary O’Neil is superb at establishing his staff. Can Kudus and Bowen can present their class once more? TdL
7
Will Seagulls rebound in opposition to relentless Arsenal?
Some managers are admired for his or her capacity to get outcomes: others achieve being admired regardless. Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton had been seventh on 3 January, above Manchester United, however they’ve been in a hunch ever since. They’ve gained simply three of their previous 11 league video games and scored solely 3 times in seven matches in all competitions, together with a rout by Roma. Solly March, out since October with a knee harm, has been sorely missed. De Zerbi, although, continues to be being talked about in dispatches for the forthcoming vacancies at Liverpool and Bayern Munich. No one would blame him for dropping to Arsenal once more, who’ve been relentless within the league this 12 months, with 28 factors from a potential 30. It’s extra that Brighton want to seek out the fluency that gained them these admiring glances within the first place. TdL
8
Ten Hag wants FA Cup spirit in opposition to Liverpool
In a troubled season, Erik ten Hag’s staff speak will certainly be simple for this go to of their fierce rivals from down the East Lancs highway: remind his gamers of the defiant method they twice got here from behind to beat Jürgen Klopp’s aspect to take pleasure in a 4-3 victory within the a hundred and twentieth minute of an FA Cup thriller. That was solely three weeks and three video games in the past, but United are wildly erratic and Liverpool arrive off the again of one other win, decided to provide their genius supervisor the best of send-offs with a second Premier League title earlier than he walks away into a brand new future. Jamie Jackson
9
Timing tweak provides Chelsea followers the Blues
Chelsea followers aren’t pleased that their recreation at Bramall Lane is kicking off at 5.30pm and who can blame them? Public transport – even to London – isn’t at its greatest on a Sunday and significantly not within the night, however issues could also be exacerbated by the rail strikes scheduled for this weekend. Many travelling followers will find yourself driving however, given the varsity Easter holidays, motorways are prone to be congested too. In equity to the broadcasters, who appear to impose ever-more inconvenient match schedules on those that really attend them, it was initially scheduled for 1.30pm on Sunday, however needed to be switched because it clashed with Sheffield’s half marathon. Issues with policing, stewarding, parking and native taxis dictated the necessity for a change … however did it actually should be moved to five.30pm? Louise Taylor
10
Johnson’s Forest reunion provides spice at Spurs
A recreation introduced ahead by 24 hours attributable to rail and underground strikes is one that might see Nottingham Forest strengthen their survival hopes. Definitely, Nuno Espírito Santo’s males ought to arrive in north London in assured temper after a stirring midweek victory over Fulham. Forest had been 3-0 up earlier than half-time on the again of a show brimming with depth and high quality and, on the whole, seem galvanised by the four-point deduction they obtained final month for breaching profitability and sustainability guidelines. That makes them doubtlessly harmful opponents for each staff they’re going to face between now and the top of the season, and Spurs may very well be particularly ripe for the taking given the openness with which they defend, allied to how usually they fall behind at house. Their opponents on Sunday ought to imagine they will take the lead and, in contrast to Palace and Luton, construct on that. That won’t be simple, nevertheless, in opposition to a staff that scores loads of objectives, with the presence of Brennan Johnson within the house ranks including a tantalising narrative. Sachin Nakrani
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