Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Eight talking points as the Premier League returns, featuring Ange Postecoglou’s stubbornness, a Brighton winger out to make a point against his old employers, and a crunch period for Arne Slot.

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

Will Postecoglou change his tune?

Ange Postecoglou’s face painted a picture after Tottenham’s collapse at Brighton before the break. Cruising at half-time with a two-goal lead, Spurs capitulated after the interval to lose on the south coast.

It brought their five-game winning run to a thudding end and again raised question marks over Postecoglou’s philosophy. The Australian’s adventurous football has made him popular in North London, though the Spurs supporters are increasing in frustration at its naivety. Individually, Spurs have a backline capable of shutting up shop when required, but the manager’s mantra goes against that plan. The top teams, however, know when to do so.

Spurs do not want to be remembered as entertainers who won nothing. Fun but flawed, changes must be made to turn a talented team into competitors.

A Craven Cottage cracker?

Fulham host Aston Villa this weekend in what promises to be a brilliant contest. The home side sit on the fringes of the European race as things stand and performed admirably in defeat at Manchester City last time out. Marco Silva’s side created a catalogue of chances, with Adama Traore guilty of missing their best as Fulham won the xG battle (2.6 xG to City’s 1.57 xG) but ultimately lost the war.

Their performances this season have sparked hopes of a push for Europe and this weekend brings the visit of a team who upset the odds in 2023/24. Aston Villa are competing in the Champions League this season after an unexpected top-four finish last time out.

For Fulham, this game represents a benchmark of their level and the chance to send a statement.

Minteh out to make Magpies points

Yankuba Minteh found himself forced out at Newcastle in the summer. The Gambian never made an appearance for the Magpies, having been loaned out to Feyenoord last season after signing from Odense. An encouraging Eredivisie campaign, alongside Newcastle’s need to ease their PSR concerns, saw Minteh sold to Brighton in a £33m summer deal.

It’s a transfer that has frustrated fans at St James’ Park, given Newcastle’s need to sign a winger and Minteh’s clear potential. The 20-year-old scored his first Brighton goal in the win over Spurs before the international break and ranks seventh in the Premier League for carries into the penalty area, despite starting just five of Brighton’s seven games. He will be out to make a point on his first return to the North East.

Ndidi transformed after tactical tweak

Wilfred Ndidi looks back to his best in a Leicester shirt this season. The Nigerian’s stock had fallen since his early emergence in the Premier League, where his prolific ball-winning prompted links to Europe’s elite.

After relegation and promotion, he turned down the chance to leave Leicester in the summer to sign a new deal with the Foxes. Under new head coach Steve Cooper, he’s been a key part of their performances this season.

Ndidi leads the Premier League for tackles (28), while his move to a more advanced role has brought reward for Leicester. The 27-year-old has four assists in seven Premier League games, as many as he managed across his previous three top-flight campaigns combined. Only Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer have managed more this season.

Winnable games for winless promoted pair

Four teams remain without a win as we return from October’s international break. For Southampton, Ipswich, Crystal Palace and Wolves, it’s been a torrid start to the campaign.

This weekend offers encouragement for some of those sides, however, with newly promoted Southampton and Ipswich facing six-pointers on home soil. The Saints host fellow promoted outfit Leicester, while Ipswich entertain Everton at Portman Road.

Ipswich have lost just one of their last five, but four draws across that run has left them hovering just above the relegation places.

For Southampton, the lowest scorers in the Premier League, goals have been a problem. Russel Martin’s team will also want to banish memories of last season’s meetings with Leicester, each of which ended in heavy Championship defeats.

Manchester United beware of Brentford starts

Erik ten Hag knows results need to turn around quickly at Manchester United. Draws with Porto and Aston Villa have handed the Dutchman a stay of execution, following the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign.

United return to Old Trafford this weekend against Brentford, needing a positive result after consecutive home defeats in the Premier League. Another against Thomas Frank’s side could spell trouble for Ten Hag.

Brentford have scored inside the first two minutes of their last four Premier League games, becoming the first team to score three consecutive first-minute goals, before a comparatively sluggish start saw the Bees sting Wolves after 76 seconds last time out.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have not picked up a single point from a losing position this season. Ten Hag knows his team can not afford to start slowly, as the pressure mounts on his position.

Things likely to get worse for Wolves…

Gary O’Neil certainly won’t be writing off this weekend, but a home date with Manchester City hardly screams a first win of the season for Wolves.

Bottom of the table with a single point from seven games, Wolves conceded five times during defeat at Brentford before the international break. Next up is a date with the Premier League champions and although Wolves won this fixture last season, few are expectant.

Last season’s 2-1 win was largely inspired by the now-departed Pedro Neto, while the Citizens come into this contest unbeaten this season. Pep Guardiola’s team have won seven of their last eight games against Wolves, scoring 25 goals in the process.

Slot start begins to toughen up

Arne Slot has had a dream start at Liverpool with nine wins from 10 games, the best start of any manager in the club’s history. The caveat is that Liverpool have, statistically, had the easiest start to the season of any Premier League side.

Nottingham Forest aside, the league leaders have beaten what is in front of them and have done so well, but the real challenge starts now. A resurgent Chelsea are the visitors to Anfield on Sunday, as one of English football’s great modern rivalries begins a new chapter under new head coaches.

Chelsea sit fourth and are unbeaten since the opening weekend, while the Blues have been frustrating opponents for Liverpool of late. Eight of the last nine meetings between the teams in all competitions have ended level after 90 minutes. With RB Leipzig and Arsenal to follow over the next week, we’ll get a truer reflection of Slot’s side after the upcoming schedule.

Read – The most surprising stats from the Premier League season so far

See more – The teams with the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season

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