Robinson needs to reactivate for Fulham
Antony Robinson has shown himself to be one of the league’s standout fullbacks this season. He covers his left side with remarkable speed, defends effectively, and delivers impressive crosses. Nonetheless, during Fulham’s recent match against Aston Villa, he struggled. Morgan Rogers seemed to give him a tough time, and his performance didn’t match his usual high standards. There’s a concern about whether Robinson, who didn’t play in Fulham’s previous game, is truly at his best. It’s been a long season, and Marco Silva will need him sharp when Everton comes to Craven Cottage on Saturday. Robinson’s attacking contributions are crucial for Fulham’s overall strategy.
Frank’s happy travelers show potential
Back in late November, a piece on the Premier League website explored why some teams excel at home, with Brentford being highlighted. At that time, Thomas Frank’s team topped the home form table, amassing 16 points out of a possible 18, while Southampton had the lowest tally away from home. Brentford managed to secure two more wins at home before faltering against Nottingham Forest, which marked a disappointing stretch with eight games without a victory in front of their own fans, even losing a FA Cup match to Plymouth. Now, fast forward, and it turns out Brentford has transformed into the top away team in the league, securing 19 points from their last eight away games—more than any other team in that timeframe. They are expected to maintain this form against a relegated Ipswich. If Frank can combine both streaks effectively, could Brentford be a contender for the top six next season?
A city that creates the laugh of a decline story
Manchester City has returned to familiar form, managing seven wins in their last eight matches. There was a rough patch earlier in the season, with nine losses in 12 games, including a streak of five straight defeats from October to December. Another dip occurred in February and March, but with Arsenal losing to Liverpool, City’s recent win against Southampton aligns them again with Arsenal, both sitting on 67 points. Arsenal has tough matches ahead against Newcastle and Southampton, closing out their season against Bournemouth and Fulham. One has to wonder now—could a future history book depict City as the underdog for the 2024-25 season, a narrative that seems a bit premature?
Wolves are set for more summer upheavals
Under Vitor Pereira, Wolves have found a rhythm, and now that survival is looking solid, the aim is to finish the season strong. Players like Emmanuel Agbado and Marshall Munetti were brought in to bolster the team’s physicality. Although Pereira has had considerable success, not every player seems to have benefited. Tommy Doyle and Hwang Hee-chan have not seen league starts since January, while Pablo Sarabia’s role has become mostly that of a substitute. Sam Johnston, who arrived for £10 million last summer, last started a league match back in December, pushing him down the goalkeeper hierarchy. Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha is tied to a hefty release clause, and it’s uncertain if captain Nélson Semedo will stay. While Rayan Aït-Nouri is expected to be offered a new deal, the club anticipates another busy offseason.
Bournemouth can punish tired Villa
Bournemouth’s European ambitions may rely on various other factors. They, along with Villa, had a chance to reset last weekend in their quest for victories, showcasing resilience in each team. Andoni Iraola’s attacking strategy has drawn attention, highlighting talents like Evanilson and Antoine Semeño. However, Bournemouth’s defensive improvements have also shown promise. Their back line will face a challenge against players like Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, but Villa has seemed a bit weary lately. Saturday’s match could turn out to be one of the weekend’s stand-out fixtures.
High Stakes at High Noon Duel at St James
When Newcastle fell 2-1 to Chelsea last October, the team appeared disconnected, stuck in the middle of the table. That defeat marked their fifth straight game without a win, with Alexander Isak scoring his first goal from open play in over seven hours. A month later, Eddie Howe adjusted the lineup, shifting Sandro Tonali from a deeper role to a more attacking position, which changed the tide. With Tonali controlling play, Newcastle not only won the Carabao Cup but also put together an impressive run of form. They’ve racked up 20 wins in the last 27 games, altering perceptions of Howe’s position that seemed shaky last fall. This matchup against Chelsea carries significant stakes, particularly for Maresca, who might feel the pressure amid all this.
An expensive flop collision at Old Trafford
Praise may not come often for Manchester United and West Ham, but they deserve acknowledgment for their ability to highlight just how poorly a wealthy club can perform without relegation fears. Both teams have faltered in 35 league matches, with each losing 16 times, scoring 42 and 40 goals respectively. United hasn’t secured a win against teams outside the relegation zone since February. Despite managerial changes through the season, they remain in a precarious position, raising the stakes for an encounter that could rival their earlier clash with Chelsea in November.
Nottingham Forest struggling to keep pace
Nottingham Forest is finding it hard to compete for a Champions League spot, especially compared to their East Midlands counterpart. One of the hurdles they face is that Nuno Espírito Santo’s side might capitalize on the other teams’ mistakes. Forest had a disappointing display against Brentford last week, suffering a 0-2 home loss. The injury of Callum Hudson-Odoi hasn’t helped either. Leicester, despite their own issues, is motivated by Jamie Vardy’s pursuit of his 200th goal, especially after securing a rare win against Southampton last weekend.
Ideal guests for planning Palace Spurs
Tottenham is currently having a challenging league season, one that no one really anticipated. Ange Postecoglou faces the threat of losing his job, and winning in the Europa League seems to be his only means of making it through. This season’s injuries have hampered Spurs significantly, and it seems Postecoglou has mentioned that more than once. Finding the right balance now is crucial for him as they prepare to face Palace, who might serve as a good opponent for them.
Time to sleep at Bradley as the first choice for slots
Trent Alexander-Arnold has said that Liverpool won’t take the easy route as the season comes to a close, and now with just three matches left, his impending move to Real Madrid seems to be a significant point of discussion. It’s a bold step, but it complicates things for Liverpool in their final stretch. Anfield is now buzzing with the desire to respond positively following their Champions League disappointment. While losing Alexander-Arnold for free might stir frustration among fans, Arne Slot’s approach toward defense may call for new strategies. His knowledge of Alexander-Arnold’s intentions has prompted him to start planning with Conor Bradley potentially taking on a more prominent role moving forward.
