Two years ago, this fixture seemed to signal the end of Steve Cooper's tenure at Nottingham Forest, as they suffered a 4-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium. Cooper managed to survive for another 14 months before being dismissed. Recently, his position at Leicester appeared equally precarious, but two consecutive wins, including a commendable performance against Arsenal, have stabilized his standing. Despite the improvement in form, some fans remain unconvinced by the manager who brought success to their rivals. A victory on Friday night would secure a third consecutive win and boost Cooper's popularity. Such a result would also propel Leicester into the top half of the table, validating the manager's appointment after a shaky start in the Premier League.
Aston Villa's near-flawless start to the season has perhaps gone unnoticed beyond their immediate vicinity. With nine wins and two draws in 12 matches, their only loss came at home to Arsenal in August, despite a strong showing. Midweek, they maintained their perfect record in the Champions League and host Bournemouth on Saturday with what might be Unai Emery's strongest squad yet. Key players like Ollie Watkins, Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley, Jacob Ramsey, and Jaden Philogene have all made significant contributions from the bench. Former Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings could return after a lengthy injury, adding to the squad's depth. Villa captain John McGinn remarked, 'The strength in depth is amazing. We are excited. The manager is the only one who doesn't get excited – he keeps us focused.'
Kieran McKenna's Ipswich side is still searching for their first win since returning to the top flight. The team is learning the harsh realities of the Premier League and needs experienced players to step up. Kalvin Phillips, who joined on loan from Manchester City, has yet to make a significant impact. The England midfielder must become a pivotal figure at Portman Road. After a disappointing loss to Everton, where Ipswich struggled with the physicality of their opponents, Phillips needs to demonstrate his experience at Brentford to avoid a repeat performance. He has been carefully managed due to a lack of match practice in recent seasons, but he should now be fit enough to compete for 90 minutes. Phillips has been inconsistent in Ipswich's last two matches; he must improve and become the leader the team needs.
Brighton spent nearly £200m on nine new players in the summer and is already seeing the benefits. Veteran Danny Welbeck has been a standout performer, scoring the only goal in the recent win at Newcastle. Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh have also proven to be shrewd signings. While injuries have stalled the progress of Matt O'Riley and Ferdi Kadioglu, this weekend could be the moment for another new arrival to shine. Attacking midfielder Brajan Gruda is in contention for his full debut after a promising substitute appearance in the 3-2 win over Tottenham. The German under-21 international scored four goals for Mainz last season and could be a key player for Brighton against Wolves on Saturday.
Matheus Nunes has had limited opportunities at Manchester City since joining from Wolves. The Portuguese midfielder has made 22 league appearances but only started seven times. After contributing to the team's recent rout of Sparta Prague and with another League Cup start against Tottenham on the horizon, Pep Guardiola might consider giving Nunes a run of consecutive starts. Southampton, who have yet to win in their first eight matches, could be the ideal opponents to help Nunes find his rhythm. A nod from his manager would significantly boost Nunes' confidence, especially with Rodri's injury leaving a gap in the team.
Sean Dyche's comments after Everton's opening-day defeat by Brighton in August hinted at dissatisfaction with certain players. Although he did not name names, it was reasonable to speculate that Ashley Young and Michael Keane were among those in his sights. Both players have had their share of criticism this season, but their contributions to Everton's recent recovery cannot be overlooked. Dyche's team is unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches and has kept clean sheets in the last two. Young's versatility at 39 and Keane's focus, knowing that Jarrad Branthwaite could replace him when fit, have been crucial for a defense plagued by injuries. With improved defensive options, competition for places will intensify, but both players have earned their spots.
A team rarely wins the title without a top-class goalkeeper. Liverpool's rise under Jürgen Klopp was significantly aided by the acquisition of Alisson Becker, replacing Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius. Chelsea could benefit from a similar move. Robert Sánchez, formerly of Brighton, has shown flashes of quality but lacks consistency. His distribution often puts teammates under pressure, and he needs to improve his command of the area. Enzo Maresca, however, remains supportive of Sánchez, likely giving him the nod over Filip Jörgensen against Newcastle.
Eddie Nketiah's quest for his first Crystal Palace goal continues. The former Arsenal striker was determined to make an impact against Nottingham Forest but was replaced after the team conceded. Palace's decision to sign a new striker for up to £30m, given Jean-Philippe Mateta's strong form at the end of last season, was questionable. Oliver Glasner must find a way to integrate both players if Palace is to climb out of the bottom three. Expect a tactical adjustment when Palace faces Ange Postecoglou's side on Sunday.
West Ham's midfield struggles have been well-documented, with players ill-suited to the Premier League's pace. Manchester United, however, is not far behind in terms of vulnerability. With Kobbie Mainoo injured and Manuel Ugarte out of favor, Erik ten Hag paired Christian Eriksen with Casemiro in the recent win over Brentford. This pairing may lack dynamism but could outmaneuver West Ham. Julen Lopetegui is under pressure after Spurs overwhelmed his midfield last weekend. Jakub Kiwior's frustration at being substituted against Bournemouth highlights Arsenal's defensive issues. With William Saliba suspended and Jurriën Timber still out, Kiwior could play a crucial role against Arne Slot's side. Mikel Arteta must decide whether to partner Kiwior or Ben White with Gabriel Magalhães against Liverpool.
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