Each week we preview the Premier League action and discuss some of the division’s major talking points.
Kenilworth road prepares for Premier League football
Kenilworth Road makes its long-awaited debut as a Premier League venue, as Luton host West Ham in Friday night football.
The Hatters’ home ground has been the talk of the town ever since promotion to the top-flight was confirmed, with required renovations having delayed their first home clash. Rob Edwards’ side will take on an in-form West Ham hoping to get up and running as a Premier League side, having lost each of their opening two games by a three-goal margin at Brighton and Chelsea respectively.
Kenilworth Road will host its first ever Premier League match tonight.
This is the away entrance to the stadium. And we absolutely love it. pic.twitter.com/fnKUGIE7ui
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 1, 2023
It’s been a tough start for Luton in their first top-flight campaign since 1991/92, though the Hatters are not alone with each of the promoted sides still without a point. Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton have lost all seven of their Premier League games this season, by an aggregate score of 18-4.
Can Kenilworth Road provide the backdrop to buck that trend?
Beto sharpens Everton ahead of crunch clash with Blades
Everton looked set to reach a new low as the Toffees trailed Doncaster in the Carabao Cup in midweek, struggling to find a breakthrough against the team rooted to the bottom of the Football League and without a win in five fourth-tier games this season.
Enter, Beto. The forward signed from Udinese in a deal worth €30m this week as Everton desperately seek presence in the final third. The early impressions were good as Beto’s pace and power stretched the Doncaster defence, with the 25-year-old powering a header against the post before turning in an equaliser as Everton came from behind to progress.
“Beto late than never!” ⌛️#CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/f3PbQz0Svc
— Everton (@Everton) August 30, 2023
His goal was the sort of movement that will encourage Sean Dyche, as Beto’s long-legged stride saw him race in behind his marker before a cool finish.
Tougher tests await than a Doncaster side struggling this season, but Beto’s cameo has offered hope ahead of a crucial clash with Sheffield United this weekend.
Sterling to send Southgate message?
Gareth Southgate revealed that Raheem Sterling was ‘not particularly happy’ after learning he had been left out of the latest England squad, with the winger not called up for the Three Lions since the 2022 World Cup last winter.
Sterling’s form warranted exclusion last season given the abundance of attacking options at Southgate’s disposal, but he has started the new campaign in electric form and can feel justified in his disappointment.
We go again ???????? pic.twitter.com/kJncJcaxZk
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) August 31, 2023
The 28-year-old was for so long one of the first names on the team-sheet for Southgate, but has work to do to regain favour. Having trimmed down in a bid to boost his agility over the summer, Sterling was a devastating presence on the wing for Chelsea against Luton last time out, showing signs of his elusive and effervescent best.
Though a small sample size, Sterling is taking on defenders more frequently than in any other season of his career with his 21 attempted take-ons more than any player in the Premier League after three games.
Consistency will be key to an England return, starting with Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Raheem Sterling ‘not particularly happy’ with England omission
Alvarez finding role in De Bruyne absence
Julian Alvarez had a fine first season at Manchester City, with a return of 17 goals coming alongside treble success with Pep Guardiola’s side. Despite his performances, there was a sense that Alvarez’s role was one in support of Erling Haaland.
An alternative rather than an automatic option, things appear to have changed over the opening weeks of the campaign. The 23-year-old has started each of City’s Premier League games to date, shining in an attacking role behind Haaland.
The absence of the injured Kevin De Bruyne has given Alvarez a regular run in the side and the Argentine has responded, creating 12 chances in just three games. Only Brighton’s Pascal Gross (14) has created more chances so far this season, with Alvarez’s creativity having come alongside a goal and assist to date.
Come for the @julianalvarezzz stunner, stay for the Pep Guardiola celebration ???? pic.twitter.com/tIM3gmPGpL
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 23, 2023
Fulham are the visitors to the champions this weekend and are likely to arrive without Joao Palhinha. Fulham’s expected sale of the midfielder could free further room for Alvarez to thrive, with Manchester City hoping to extend a strong record against Fulham that has seen the Cityzens win each of the last 14 meetings.
Magpies must blunt Brighton to get back on track
Newcastle were forced to lick their wounds after late defeat to 10-man Liverpool last weekend, a second successive loss for Eddie Howe’s side. Thursday’s Champions League draw – in which the Magpies will face PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan – should serve as a reminder of how far this side has come, ahead of another difficult challenge at Brighton.
Both teams have the ambition, and quality, to upset the established order this season and each are looking to bounce back from defeats last time out.
For Newcastle, the challenge will be to blunt a Brighton attack that has started the season in superb form. The Seagulls lead the division for goals (9), xG (7.7), shots (68) and shots on target (30), with the latter total the most a Premier League team has accumulated in the opening three games since 2011/12.
Newcastle’s top four finish last season was built on the Premier League’s joint-best defensive record and are return to that solidity, in the absence of Sven Botman, will be crucial to their chances at the Amex Stadium.
Can Kalajdzic solve Wolves’ woes?
Another side short of forward threat is Wolves, who ended last season as the Premier League’s lowest scorers. Gary O’Neil’s side edged Everton last weekend due to a late goal from Sasa Kalajdzic, who glanced home his first for the club after a debut campaign wrecked by an ACL injury on debut.
The Austrian followed that winner with another goal as Wolves thrashed Blackpool in the Carabao Cup in midweek, with the 5-0 win sure to have pleased O’Neil given his usually shot-shy side.
✌️ in ✌️ for Sasa! pic.twitter.com/uENk6PKe2k
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 30, 2023
Converting chances has been problematic for Wolves, never more so than in their opening defeat at Manchester United when the visitors carved out a number of good opportunities but failed to find the net.
Kalajdzic scored a respectable 22 goals in 51 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart and the The 6ft 7in striker, at the very least, represents a handful for Premier League defences. Servicing him will be on O’Neil’s agenda.
Villa can capitalise on Liverpool’s soft centre
Liverpool have taken seven points from their opening three fixtures, a fine return when considered that run has included trips to Stamford Bridge and St James’ Park. The results have covered what has been an unconvincing start in terms of performance however, with just three goalkeepers having made more saves than Alisson (14) so far this season.
Liverpool’s defensive issues have been heightened following Virgil van Dijk’s suspension and Ibrahima Konate’s absence this weekend, with the rarely used centre-back partnership of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip expected to start at Anfield.
Aston Villa are the visitors and arrive in fantastic form, having bounced back from their opening defeat at Newcastle in imperious fashion. Villa rank second in the Premier League for goals scored (8) and xG (7.57), ahead of Manchester City on both metrics.
Villa also thrashed Hibernian 8-0 over two legs to reach the Europa Conference League’s group stage and a new look attack featuring the impressive Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins will pose a real challenge to Liverpool’s unfamiliar backline.
Does Ten Hag take Hojland gamble?
Rasmus Hojland has had a false start in terms of his Manchester United career, with the summer signing arriving in the Premier League with a back complaint picked up at former club Atalanta.
The Denmark international is yet to debut for the Red Devils, but has returned to first-team training and could feature this weekend. Manchester United travel to face Arsenal in a huge clash at the Emirates, having made a stuttering start to the season.
Ten Hag has issues right across his team, with Raphael Varane having joined the increasing list of defensive options out injured and the midfield lacking balance. Hojland is far from the solution to either of those problems, but his inclusion could provide a much needed boost.
The 20-year-old’s pace would add real threat on the counter for the Red Devils in north London, with Arsenal expected to dominate the possession.
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