Talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Arne Slot’s fight to save his job and Chelsea’s bid to keep the title race alive.
Leeds to face backlash of refreshed Citizens?
Pep Guardiola admitted he got it wrong in midweek after making 10 changes to his Manchester City side against Bayer Leverkusen. A disjoined team lost 2-0 to the German champions at the Etihad, a result that saw City drop out of the top eight of the Champions League’s league phase.
It followed last weekend’s setback at Newcastle, leaving City with a gap to make up in the Premier League too.
Guardiola’s big hitters are set to return this weekend as Leeds make the trip across the Pennines. The promoted side have lost their last three to sink into the relegation places. Up against a refreshed Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, Leeds will have to dig deep to escape with a result.
Winless Wolves offer Watkins chance to find form
Things just haven’t happened for Ollie Watkins this season. Even as Aston Villa’s results have improved from a tough start, their talisman has failed to find his goalscoring touch. Watkins was left out of the England squad this month after scoring just once in his opening 12 fixtures of the season. It’s an odd statistic, given Villa sit fourth in the table and the 29-year-old has started all but one game.
His barren run has not come from a lack of effort. He leads all Premier League players for off-the-ball runs behind the opposition defence (160), comfortably clear of the next-highest player, Igor Thiago (128). Watkins ranks 18th among all Premier League players for xG, but his finishing has let him down, with only Beto and Bruno Fernandes underperforming to a larger extent. A home clash with winless Wolves offers an opportunity to get back on track.
Moyes must build on Manchester United win
Everton overcame the odds to beat Manchester United on Monday night, surviving a 13th-minute red card to triumph at Old Trafford. It was an incredible backs-to-the-wall performance from the Toffees and, for Moyes, his first win in 18 attempts as a visiting manager to Old Trafford in the Premier League (D4 L13).
Everton are just three points from the Champions League places and, while few are getting carried away amid a congested table, there’s a chance to build from here. Newcastle visit Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend, with the Magpies having struggled on the road this season. Eddie Howe’s side are winless in six Premier League away games this season.
Another win for Everton, against a team expected to challenge for Europe, would instil newfound belief in the Blues.
Can Slot save season – and Liverpool job?
Arne Slot looks to be on the brink at Liverpool. Even given the credit he built with title success last season and Liverpool’s historical patience with head coaches, their record-breaking run of poor form leaves the Dutchman under real pressure.
A 4-1 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven was the latest low for Liverpool, whose 34 goals conceded in all competitions this season is the highest among all Premier League teams. The Reds have lost three consecutive games by a three-goal margin and nine of their last 12 in all competitions. Not since 1953 have the club endured such a streak.
Liverpool have now lost nine of their last 12 matches…
It’s their worst run of form since November 1953 to January 1954 😬 pic.twitter.com/Eozxspzdep
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) November 27, 2025
Home clashes with Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven had been dubbed ideal opportunities to get back on track, but both passed with heavy defeats. Now, a run facing West Ham, Leeds and Sunderland can not afford to be navigated without maximum points. Their season, and Slot’s job, depends upon it.
Can Chelsea keep title race alive?
Arsenal look unstoppable right now, and a midweek win over Bayern Munich increased their argument as Europe’s best team right now. The Gunners ended Bayern’s unbeaten start to the season to cement their place as leaders in the Premier League and Champions League. It followed a 4-1 derby thrashing of Tottenham last weekend, as Mikel Arteta’s men grow in confidence.
Arsenal face another examination of their title credentials this weekend, when second-placed Chelsea arrive in North London. Arteta’s side currently boast a six-point lead and know a win would put them in a strong position.
BIG performances in the Champions League. Now they meet in the Premier League.
🔵 2nd 🆚 1st 🔴
🔵 @ChelseaFC 🆚 @Arsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/eGUFpWKnIn— Premier League (@premierleague) November 27, 2025
However, the Blues head into the contest buoyed by their own European success, having thrashed Barcelona in midweek. Can Chelsea secure the result needed to tighten up the title race?
Read –Â Champions League Team of the Week: Estevao, Mbappe, Vitinha
See more –Â Five Champions League takeaways: Liverpool spiral, awesome Arsenal, Estevao arrives
