Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring a postponed Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, familiar faces for Arsenal, and El Sackico.

Merseyside Derby off – Help or hindrance to Liverpool?

The Merseyside Derby has been postponed this weekend due to the mass disruption caused by Storm Darragh. Authorities have called off the game amid safety concerns, with Everton vs Liverpool to be rescheduled.

Will the postponement help or hinder Liverpool’s title challenge? A weekend of rest is uncommon amid the hectic festive schedule, and options could be replenished by the time Liverpool next play with Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa all nearing returns.

That said, the clash will need to be squeezed in somewhere down the line. Where this fixture falls could be important as the Reds aim to compete on all fronts.

Arne Slot’s league leaders also miss out on the chance to extend their advantage in the early kick-off, and could see their lead slashed to four points by the end of the weekend. Could that impact mentality in future fixtures? Time will tell.

The importance of De Bruyne

Rodri’s absence has been felt at Manchester City this season with Pep Guardiola’s team without the Ballon d’Or winner after a season-ending knee injury. Undoubtedly integral, he’s not the only player the Citizens have struggled without.

Kevin De Bruyne marked his return to the starting side with a goal and assist against Nottingham Forest in midweek, a reminder of his class at a time when City were struggling. The underlying numbers point to his importance, with City having won all five games the Belgian has started this season.

In the nine games he has not featured from the start, Guardiola’s side boasts a win percentage of just 33%. City score more goals (2.8 to 1.2), concede fewer goals (0.6 to 1.8) and average more points (3 to 1.2) with De Bruyne in from the start. His return is timely.

Arsenal wary of familiar Fulham faces

Fulham are flying high in the Premier League this season and rose to sixth after beating Brighton in midweek. Marco Silva has built an entertaining side, in large part thanks to the Arsenal academy.

The make-up of his midfield has featured Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi this season, with the latter outstanding in the win over Brighton. With Reiss Nelson also an option for Fulham on the flanks, there are plenty of familiar faces awaiting Arsenal at Craven Cottage this weekend.

Ipswich need to find home comforts

Ask most managers and they’ll tell you the secret to a successful season is solid home form. However, as Christmas comes around, Ipswich remain without a win on home soil. The Tractor Boys are one of just three teams in England’s top four divisions, alongside QPR and Morecambe, to have not won in front of their own supporters this season.

It’s a statistic Kieran McKenna must change if Ipswich are to have a chance of survival, starting with Bournemouth this weekend. Ipswich host the Cherries before a relegation six-pointer against Wolves, two fixtures that must deliver points. It’s Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea in successive games to follow.

Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester to promise entertainment?

Ruud van Nistelrooy kickstarted his Leicester reign with a 3-1 win over West Ham this week, a dream start for the Dutchman at the King Power Stadium. The result provides Leicester with a four-point cushion from the relegation places, though the Foxes rode their luck to claim the points.

Incredibly, just once this season have Leicester conceded a higher Expected Goals figure (3.1) with West Ham totalling 31 shots on goal. The positive, however, is Leicester were efficient at the other end of the pitch. Leicester recorded seven opportunities deemed ‘big chances’ against the Hammers and scored 3+ goals for just the second time this season. Will Van Nistelrooy stick with the high-risk, high-reward approach?

Pressure on Postecoglou to get things right

Ange Postecoglou, unsurprisingly, has been defiant in the wake of defeat at Bournemouth. After a post-match altercation with a fan, he has insisted he has ‘no interest’ whether fans back him – as long as his side is supported.

There’s growing unrest at Tottenham, who have won one of their last six in all competitions. That win was a 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City at the Etihad, the best result of Postecoglou’s tenure, but it has been surrounded by fluctuating performances and frustration. There’s a sense that some are losing faith in the Australian who remains unwavering on how he sees the game. A derby defeat to Chelsea this weekend would be a hammerblow to their season.

History says Maresca is right – but Chelsea on track to challenge

Enzo Maresca has insisted Chelsea are ‘not ready’ to compete for the title despite sitting second as we head into the festive fixtures. Chelsea are the youngest side in the Premier League this season and have been responsible for the 14 youngest lineups named in 2024/25. They’ve played just 14 games. Incredibly, Tosin Adarabioyo – who turned 27 in September – is the oldest player to play a Premier League minute this season.

Chelsea have had an average age of 23 years and 234 days old this season. Just three teams have ever won the Premier League with an average age of less than 26, with the youngest average being Chelsea’s 2004/05 vintage at 25 years and 250 days. This season might be too soon for the Blues, but their promise is clear.

El Sackico at the London Stadium

Julen Lopetegui appears to have been granted a stay of execution, though his position is under real threat as West Ham take on Wolves on Monday night. A dismal defeat at Leicester leaves West Ham 14th in the table and closer to the relegation places than Europe.

It’s been a tough start for the Spaniard and there are question marks against the decision to appoint Lopetegui as David Moyes’ successor in the summer.

West Ham face Wolves on Monday, another side with a myriad of problems. The travelling fans chanted for Gary O’Neil to be sacked following a 4-0 hammering at Everton in midweek, a loss that leaves Wolves 19th in the table. The loser of this clash could be in real trouble.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – De Bruyne, Isak, Rogers

See more – 5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

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