Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring the soaring Seagulls, Enzo Maresca’s selection headache, and a season-defining clash at Anfield.

Can Seagulls soar into second?

Fabian Hurzeler’s brilliant start at Brighton has flown somewhat under the radar. The youngest manager in Premier League history, in his first season in English football, has quietly led the Seagulls to their best-ever start to a top-flight campaign.

Brighton continue to lose key players and managers but unearth new talent and improve. Hurzeler appears to be another astute addition to their ranks with the German’s side only sitting outside the Champions League places on goal difference. A win in Friday night’s fixture at home to struggling Southampton will take Brighton, temporarily at least, second in the table with a third of the season played. Their continued overachievement is astonishing.

Leicester set for Ruud awakening?

Leicester look set to name Ruud van Nistelrooy as the club’s new manager, following the decision to sack Steve Cooper. The former Manchester United interim has agreed terms on a deal, though it remains to be seen whether he’s in the dugout for this weekend’s trip to Brentford.

The Foxes face Brentford looking to earn a result at one of the trickiest venues in the division. No side has won more points (16) or scored more goals (18) in home fixtures than Brentford. Leicester, meanwhile, have won just once on the road at fellow promoted outfit Southampton.

Arsenal aim to continue capital comforts

In recent seasons, Arsenal have reclaimed the title of London’s finest side with only an all-conquering Manchester City side having finished above the Gunners over the last two campaigns. Arsenal’s superiority to their capital neighbours has been evidenced in London derbies, where Mikel Arteta’s side have lost just two of their last 26 cross-capital clashes.

Arsenal head across London to take on West Ham this weekend, looking to maintain the momentum of big wins over Nottingham Forest and Sporting Lisbon in the past week. Having snapped a four-game winless run to return to their best. Arteta’s team will be confident of continuing that form amid capital comforts.

How long can Maresca keep Chelsea cast happy?

Enzo Maresca faces a tricky test to keep his deep talent pool happy at Chelsea. The summer arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto mean the Blues have a difficult balancing act in ensuring minutes for all in the forward line.

Maresca has continually expressed his regret at the lack of Premier League minutes handed to Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku, but for how long will that duo remain content with Europa Conference League football? Felix has dazzled in flashes, while Nkunku has played just 164 minutes in the Premier League this season despite being Chelsea’s leading scorer (11) in all competitions.

The Frenchman scored again in Europe on Thursday and has averaged a goal every 70.3 minutes this season. Despite that, he’s been unable to dislodge Cole Palmer or Nicolas Jackson from the team, sparking rumours of unrest.

A new role for Bruno?

Ruben Amorim’s first games as Manchester United manager have been a fascinating – if unconvincing – watch as the side settles into his ideas.

On Thursday. Bruno Fernandes was used in a deeper playmaking role, a change from his usual station high up the pitch. With Mason Mount back to full fitness, could it be a change we see longer-term? Amorim outlined his intention to utilise Fernandes’ passing range.

“You can feel it that he’s the most experienced player. Sometimes we start the play and Bruno is the right man to start with the tempo of the play,” Amorim said this week.

“Then they play with the back four. They close really inside. We tried to switch play all the time and Bruno is the best one doing that. So that’s why I think he’s a midfielder. If you see this game Mason Mount always with his back for the goal. It’s hard. And Bruno it’s better with the goal in front of him.”

Silva must fix Fulham’s set-piece drought

We’re nearly a third of the way through the season and Fulham’s set-piece total for goals scored, penalties excluded, stands at zero. It’s a curious stat, given Fulham netted 11 set-piece goals last season and in Andreas Pereira, Harry Wilson, Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey have a combination of good delivery and aerial targets.

Fulham are the joint-leading scorers in the Premier League this season (16), while only Liverpool boast a better Expected Goals Against (xGA) figure, even after last weekend’s home humbling by Wolves. If Silva can sort his side’s set-piece issues, the foundations are solid at Craven Cottage.

Are you not entertained?

Ange Postecoglou would not be more stuck to his guns if he covered himself in PVA and rolled through an armoury. The Australian has (again) doubled down on his demand for attacking football at Spurs, amid question marks over whether it’s always the right route to results.

“Why can’t it just be entertaining? Isn’t it why we all come? Would you really prefer us to sketch out a couple of 0-0 draws and a 1-0 win and we get through? I don’t know,” he said after conceding a late equaliser to draw with Roma on Thursday.

“I would much rather we’re exciting to watch and maybe it is edge of the seat stuff and sometimes we don’t get the reward, like we could have tonight, but no, if you want those kind of games, there are plenty in world football you can watch every weekend. I’d like to think when you tune into us you’ll be entertained.”

Spurs remain frustratingly inconsistent, with this month alone containing thrashings of Aston Villa and Manchester City alongside defeat at home to previously winless Ipswich Town. Which version will turn up against Fulham this weekend is anyone’s guess. What’s fairly certain is it will be entertaining. Just the way Ange likes it.

A season-defining clash at Anfield

Liverpool vs Manchester City is a game that has regularly involved high stakes over the last decade. This weekend’s showdown is another one with plenty on the line, a potentially season-defining clash for both teams. Liverpool are the form side after an almost flawless start under Arne Slot, exceeding all expectations to open up an eight-point advantage at the top of the division.

City, meanwhile, are in crisis. Five straight defeats – including hammerings against Sporting and Tottenham – were followed by an implosion to blow a three-goal lead and draw with Feyenoord in midweek.

The form book makes Liverpool favourites and a win would send them 11 points clear of the champions in a huge statement of their title credentials. However, a City victory reduces the gap to five points and changes the complexion of the title race. It’s that big.

Read – 📈 Power Rankings: Arsenal rise, City tumble out

See more – Amorim outlines where Hojlund can improve for Man United

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok