Eddie Howe faces several dilemmas ahead of Arsenal's visit to Tyneside on Saturday as Newcastle aim to end a five-game Premier League winless streak. Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea has undoubtedly intensified competition for places, particularly at right-back where Emil Krafth's strong performance suggests he should start ahead of Tino Livramento. Notably, with Bruno Guimarães benched for most of the match, Sandro Tonali excelled in midfield. Should Howe keep Tonali in the center and move Guimarães to the right, or even bench the Brazilian again? Joe Willock, formerly of Arsenal, also impressed on the left side of midfield, pressing effectively and covering significant ground. Can Howe afford to drop Willock? Additionally, Lloyd Kelly performed well in a rare left-sided central defensive role. Should he replace Dan Burn?
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's future remains uncertain, and with Rúben Amorim not under consideration to replace him, many are wondering who could step into his shoes. Andoni Iraola, sharing a similar philosophy to Guardiola, is likely on City's radar. Both are disciples of Marcelo Bielsa, with Iraola having played under the Argentinian at Athletic Bilbao and showcasing traits learned from him at Bournemouth. Guardiola seems likely to stay for another season, but Iraola, patient and still learning after six seasons of management, could benefit from a head-to-head match against City to demonstrate his potential.
Arne Slot is concerned about his striking options but still has Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Cody, and Darwin Núñez at his disposal. Liverpool has won 12 of 14 matches this season, maintains a 100% record in the Champions League, and advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a win over Brighton. Gakpo delivered two high-quality finishes at the Amex Stadium, where Slot fielded an innovative front two of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai. This pairing is unlikely to be repeated at Anfield, but it will be intriguing to see if Gakpo retains his place on the left, especially with the competition from an in-form Díaz.
The meeting between Ipswich and Leicester on Saturday feels like a season-defining moment. Ipswich, winless after nine games, surrendered a 2-0 lead to Brentford last weekend, while Leicester's 3-1 home defeat to Forest serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead. The Championship's top two teams last season drew 1-1 in both fixtures, but neither result fully captures the intensity of their encounters. A defeat for either side would be a significant setback.
Southampton is desperate for a win, with their Premier League drought now at 22 games. Russell Martin's side, slowly moving towards a Derby-like situation, may feel buoyant against Everton, historically weak at St Mary's. However, they let a 2-0 lead slip against Stoke, persisting with Martin's possession-based, attacking style. Martin insists on maintaining their identity, but with only one point from nine games, is it time for the Saints to adopt a more pragmatic approach?
Morgan Gibbs-White has been out for almost a month due to injury, but Forest has thrived without him, winning two matches. Elliot Anderson has stepped up, impressing further up the pitch. If Gibbs-White returns, Nuno Espírito Santo must decide whether to reinstate the England international or continue with the current lineup. Forest's depth allows for various tactical setups, crucial for maintaining their top-half position.
Wolves remain winless but head into their weekend game against Crystal Palace with renewed hope after a late fightback earned a draw at Brighton. Gary O'Neil remains optimistic, believing the draw could be a turning point. With two points from nine matches, Wolves face a tough challenge against Palace, whose home record is formidable.
Timo Werner's renewed confidence could be the spark Tottenham needs as they face an in-form Aston Villa. The German striker scored in Wednesday's Carabao Cup win over Manchester City, showcasing his aggressive runs in the box. Despite recent struggles, Werner is determined to continue his scoring form. Spurs' high-risk, front-foot style has left their defense vulnerable, but Werner's confidence could provide a boost against Villa's clinical attack.
Manuel Ugarte's early Manchester United career has been challenging, but he delivered his best performance in Wednesday's win over Leicester. The Uruguayan midfielder provided energy and bite against Steve Cooper's side. Sunday's match against Chelsea and Cole Palmer will be a tougher test, but Ugarte's experience with Rúben Amorim at Sporting could give him an edge.
Brentford's last three away games ended in narrow defeats despite impressive starts. Thomas Frank's side led against Tottenham, City, and Manchester United but couldn't hold on. Frank hopes his team can defend better if they take the lead against Fulham, a highly entertaining team with a strong home record.
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