Premier League talking points: Sky Sports football writers analyse key talking points from midweek fixtures | Football News

Newcastle’s Barnes able to fill in for Gordon

Newcastle vs Everton – Tuesday, kick-off 7.30pm

The excellent news for Everton? Previous good friend Anthony Gordon is suspended for Newcastle for his or her journey to St James’ Park. The unhealthy information? Harvey Barnes appears to be like able to step into Gordon’s sneakers.

Gordon was a continuing ache for West Ham in Newcastle’s 4-3 win on Saturday, successful two penalties and organising one other objective earlier than getting himself clumsily despatched off.

That will have been a blow for Newcastle had Barnes not stepped off the bench and scored twice to finish the turnaround. For as soon as, Eddie Howe has an availability downside that really fixes itself.

Barnes has endured a tough debut season at Newcastle, with a mid-season foot harm overshadowing some harmful cameo appearances off the bench. Ought to the 26-year-old be chosen as Gordon’s alternative on Tuesday evening in opposition to Everton, it will likely be simply his third begin since his £50m transfer from Leicester.

And this can be the right sport to welcome him again, Barnes has scored in opposition to Everton in every of the final two seasons.
Sam Blitz

Can Muniz hold firing for Fulham at Forest?

Nottingham Forest vs Fulham – Tuesday, kick-off 7.30pm

The mortgage signing of Armando Broja from Chelsea was not low cost however maybe it has paid for itself in an uncommon method if his arrival has had any affect in any respect within the dramatic turnaround in type of Rodrigo Muniz. It’s eight in eight for Muniz since Broja signed.

Fulham have scored 18 objectives in complete in these video games, enjoying the type of care-free soccer underneath Marco Silva that one would possibly hope to see of a staff that has no probability of being relegated and little extra probability of forcing their method into the European dialog.

On the seashore? Not fairly. But it surely makes this the type of sport that Nottingham Forest must make rely if they’re to take pleasure in a rematch subsequent season. Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect are toiling proper now, failing to persuade of their attracts in opposition to Luton and Crystal Palace.

That was sufficient to take them again out of the drop zone following their factors deduction and, improbably, their poor type remains to be higher than Luton and Everton. However Forest are going to have to assist themselves in some unspecified time in the future. It is a massive probability to do exactly that.
Adam Bate

The good escape is on! Is that this Burnley’s time to shine?

Burnley vs Wolves – Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm

Immediately, Burnley have an opportunity. Three video games unbeaten within the Premier League now, the outcome at Chelsea may need been essentially the most spectacular of the lot. The draw at West Ham noticed them drop factors late on. Brentford had 10 gamers. This felt a bit totally different.

This time, Burnley had been right down to 10 – a objective and a participant down at Stamford Bridge. The newfound spirit that they take again to Turf Moor to face a depleted Wolves aspect is sufficient to supply hope that an unlikely escape is feasible. Burnley at the moment are solely 4 factors behind.

The advance has coincided with the recall of Arijanet Muric, lengthy overdue within the eyes of some Clarets supporters. Vincent Kompany’s change of goalkeeper seems to have labored however it’s a change of temper that was required too and there are indicators of perception now.

It looks like a great time to face Wolves. They’re with out Pedro Neto and Hee-Chan Hwang, the person whose objective determined this fixture at Molineux. Matheus Cunha could also be match sufficient for the bench however it’s undoubtedly a possibility. Can Burnley capitalise on it?
Adam Bate

May Solanke snatch the golden boot from Haaland and Salah

Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace – Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm

Dominic Solanke has turn into a agency fixture in fantasy soccer groups throughout the nation. With simply three assists this season, that decide has been purely based mostly on objectives.

Unsurprisingly then, Solanke is firmly within the race for the golden boot. The Bournemouth striker is joint second high scorer within the Premier League on 16 objectives, solely two behind chief Erling Haaland. He’s re-entering type too, with two objectives in his final two video games.

Solanke will fancy his probabilities in opposition to Crystal Palace. They’ve stored only one clear sheet within the Premier League since November 4 after they beat Burnley 2-0, the one one since additionally got here in opposition to The Clarets.

Difficult the likes of Haaland and Mo Salah will likely be no imply feat however it will likely be video games like this one, with a house crowd and a lower than safe defence to assault, that Solanke can state his case.
Laura Howard

Will West Ham’s rollercoaster of a season end on a excessive?

West Ham vs Tottenham – Tuesday, 8.15pm kick-off

David Moyes has to date overseen a tumultuous season at West Ham. Commendable victories over Arsenal and Tottenham earlier within the season have been tempered by heavy defeats to Fulham and the Gunners.

After falling to an impressed comeback in opposition to Newcastle United from a place of management on Saturday, Moyes will likely be hoping his aspect can bounce again in opposition to Tottenham.

It will be a well timed three factors. A Europa League conflict in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen, who stay undefeated, looms on the horizon and West Ham solely cling on to a European qualification spot for subsequent yr by one level within the Premier League.

Opponents Tottenham face battles for European soccer of their very own with a Champions League spot on the road. However Moyes will see alternative in his opponents’ defeat at Fulham and unconvincing win at dwelling to Luton, as he appears to be like to spice up his aspect for a run-in which may nonetheless make this season an enormous success.
Laura Howard

Aim distinction a significant enhance for Arsenal – can they stick with it?

Arsenal vs Luton – Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm

Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool have the know-how, however Arsenal have the numbers of their favour. Having each the perfect assault and defence within the league means the Gunners have the perfect objective distinction, which may very well be essential come Could 19.

Ought to Arsenal hold their wholesome tally over their two title rivals, then all they want at this stage is to raised Liverpool and Man Metropolis’s run-in by one optimistic outcome to say the title.

So whereas the go to of Luton might symbolize a sport that Arsenal ought to win, the style of which they decide up three factors will sit of their minds, particularly given Liverpool and Metropolis each have dwelling video games in opposition to Sheffield United and Aston Villa – the latter might be leaky at occasions with a excessive line.

The omens look good for the Gunners too. Luton have conceded two or extra objectives in six out of their final eight away video games within the league, whereas Arsenal have received 5 from 5 in opposition to the newly-promoted sides this time period, scoring at the least three objectives in every of these video games.

The objective distinction scenario means successful ugly might not suffice anymore, it is about how you win. The tense crawling over the road in latest weeks in opposition to Brentford, Porto and Man Metropolis can’t turn into an everyday incidence for Arsenal.
Sam Blitz

New hope of a turnaround springs for Brentford?

Brentford vs Brighton – Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm

April indicators a month of reckoning for a Brentford aspect that at present sit simply 5 factors away from the relegation zone with solely two wins of their final 18 matches.

The west London aspect dominated in opposition to Manchester United on Saturday, hanging the woodwork 4 occasions, however struggled to make their probabilities pay. It’s a story of Brentford’s season, perennially unfortunate with each accidents and outcomes.

Poor luck can solely justify a lot and regardless of the credit score Thomas Frank has accrued he’ll want that luck to show round in April with essential video games in opposition to Luton and Everton on the horizon.

The primary check comes from fellow Liverpool managerial candidate Roberto De Zerbi, whose Brighton aspect will expose whether or not Brentford’s efficiency was the primary signal of a spring rejuvenation or merely a mirrored image of United’s struggles.
Laura Howard

Man Metropolis face one other big check of their title race run-in

Man Metropolis vs Aston Villa – Wednesday, kick-off 8.15pm

Perfection is required of Manchester Metropolis now. Positioned third on each factors and objective distinction following their scoreless draw in opposition to Arsenal on Sunday, all Pep Guardiola’s aspect can do is ship a faultless run-in and pray.

That’s simpler stated than finished. Aston Villa presents the hardest check of the Residents’ mettle from the remaining video games having come out on high at Villa Park in December. Leon Bailey made the distinction on that event as Metropolis failed to attain.

The defending champions additionally struggled to transform probabilities on Sunday, and this time, Villa will likely be galvanised by the nearing prospect of Champions League qualification. They’re additionally searching for an immaculate run-in of their very own with Tottenham respiration down their necks within the race for fourth place.

Metropolis so usually discover a strategy to flip it on when it issues, however Sunday may point out that their late season perfection is wavering together with their title hopes.
Laura Howard

Liverpool should keep focus as title race pleasure heats up

Liverpool vs Sheffield United – Thursday, kick-off 7.30pm

After Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal cancelled one another out with a 0-0 draw on the Etihad on Sunday, Liverpool have been put firmly within the Premier League title race driving seat. Guarding in opposition to pointless slip-ups now appears their best problem.

On the floor, Sheffield United appear an unthreatening foe. Having conceded 11 of their final three video games, the fixture seems extra of a possibility to spice up objective distinction reasonably than a risk to Liverpool’s title hopes.

The league leaders should not relaxation on their laurels. Having conceded early to Brighton on Sunday, they’ve proven they aren’t infallible. As a conflict at Previous Trafford in opposition to Manchester United on the weekend awaits, Liverpool should keep momentum to make sure there aren’t any slip-ups alongside the way in which.

The league leaders’ hopes will likely be boosted by the approaching return of Curtis Jones, whereas the Blades proceed to wrestle with an intensive harm listing.
Laura Howard

Mount targets momentum on Stamford Bridge return

Chelsea vs Man Utd – Thursday, kick-off 8.15pm

A mid-table battle won’t have been how Mason Mount anticipated his Chelsea return to play out, however he’ll arrive at Stamford Bridge eager to show his personal determination proper.

For all of three minutes on Saturday, Mount gave the impression to be belatedly residing as much as his billing as Manchester United’s hero. That was till Kristoffer Ajer corked celebrations with a deserved 99th-minute equaliser.

It was one other underwhelming United efficiency in a season which has proved equally underwhelming for the Englishman. Dominated out by means of harm since November, Mount returned with a cameo within the FA Cup victory over Liverpool touted to kickstart a to date limp season for Erik Ten Hag’s aspect.

Whereas United’s enhance has not materialised, Mount may very well be discovering his stride. His objective in opposition to Brentford was his first of the season and a conflict together with his former membership, who’ve conceded two in every of their final 5 matches, presents a possibility for extra.
Laura Howard