Five talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring the impact of AFCON and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s revival at Leeds United.
Newcastle need to close Champions League gap
It’s the nature of the Premier League table this season that Newcastle, despite sitting 12th in the table, remain just six points from a Champions League place.
An incredibly congested table means it only requires a couple of consecutive wins to look almost entirely different. For Newcastle, however, that’s been difficult this season.
An inconsistent campaign has seen Eddie Howe’s side win back-to-back league games just once, while they head into this weekend’s crunch clash with Chelsea on the back of a dire derby defeat at Sunderland last week.
Defensive absentees have not helped, but Newcastle can not afford to lose more ground on the sides above them. Defeat at St James’ Park this weekend would open up a nine-point gap to the Champions League places, before Christmas.
Can Sunderland survive AFCON absences
The Africa Cup of Nations begins this weekend, with a wealth of Premier League names having now headed to the tournament. Among top-flight clubs, no side will be impacted more than Sunderland, who are set to lose six players to the tournament.
Noah Sadiki is the biggest miss for the Black Cats, having played in 99% of their Premier League minutes this season. Reinildo (74%) and Chemsdine Talbi (61%) are also away, while Arthur Masuaku, Habib Diarra and Bertrand Traore further deplete the Sunderland stocks.
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris answers if his side’s early Premier League form takes the pressure of the club with a number of his players having left for AFCON 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/eUpG3WRE3c
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 18, 2025
The Black Cats have been brilliant since promotion, with last week’s derby win over Newcastle leaving them eighth in the table.
However, AFCON will impact Regis Le Bris’s side, who face Brighton, Leeds, Manchester City, Tottenham, Brentford, and Crystal Palace in the Premier League before the tournament concludes, alongside an FA Cup tie at Everton.
Will Slot unleash frontline of summer signings?
Arne Slot faces a selection dilemma this weekend, with Mohamed Salah’s departure for AFCON and the potential absence of Dominik Szoboszlai leaving Liverpool light in the final third. The Hungarian has featured from the right in recent weeks, with Salah sidelined after falling out of favour – and with the head coach. At Tottenham this weekend, Slot could be without both players, plus Cody Gakpo, with a reshuffle required for the Reds.
Federico Chiesa is an obvious candidate but has not won the trust of Slot, while Rio Ngumoha is highly-rated but just 17. Elsewhere, Jeremie Frimpong is an option as a high right-sided attacker, but he is yet to return from a hamstring injury.
Could we instead see Slot revert back to the front pair of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, seen briefly in the recent win at Inter Milan? With a diamond midfield behind them, Slot has said he is confident the two can play alongside one another. Up against Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, it would be fascinating viewing.
Foden form will have Arsenal worried
Arsenal lead the Premier League title race, but the ominous shadow of Manchester City is in the rear-view mirror. The Citizens have closed the gap to just two points, with Phil Foden’s form key to that.
After a disappointing campaign last term, the 25-year-old appears to be returning to a level close to his 2023/24 PFA Player of the Year performances. He’s scored in four consecutive Premier League games, netting six in total, and is playing with the freedom we’ve come to associate with the midfielder.
Phil Foden’s incredible form for @ManCity 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Jx1KYZMswi
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 14, 2025
Erling Haaland’s goals carried City through the opening weeks of the season, but Foden’s form has given City a new threat. With Rayan Cherki also improving game-by-game, Pep Guardiola’s side certainly have the firepower for a sustained tilt.
Foden’s goal at Crystal Palace last weekend was his 12th scored from outside the box in his Premier League career. Arsenal, in contrast, laboured past Wolves courtesy of two own goals, with the Gunners perhaps missing the maverick match-winning talent that the Blues are blessed with.
Could Calvert-Lewin really earn England recall?
Daniel Farke believes Dominic Calvert-Lewin has ‘a chance’ of making the England squad for next summer’s World Cup, following his return to form at Leeds.
The 28-year-old joined Leeds on a free transfer from Everton in the summer, following a frustrating latter period on Merseyside. He scored just three league goals for the Toffees in 2024/25, but has already netted five since arriving at Elland Road.
“For me, he is definitely one of the best English strikers in the Premier League, and for him, there is no limit,” Farke said last week. “Of course, there is a chance.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Consistency.
What a signing he’s been for @LUFC this season, his goals in four consecutive matches have pushed them three points clear of the relegation zone ⬆️
🔎 @Microsoft pic.twitter.com/LYfGJ76u4y
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 17, 2025
Calvert-Lewin has scored in four consecutive Premier League games for Leeds, aiding the club’s mini-revival, with Farke’s side unbeaten in three. A move to a front two has helped Calvert-Lewin, with Lukas Nmecha offering a perfect partner in attack.
Calvert-Lewin has not been capped by England since 2021. However, among English players in the Premier League, only Phil Foden (7) and Danny Welbeck (7) have outscored him, with several of the Three Lions’ number nine options underwhelming to date.
Read – 📈 Power Rankings: Arsenal edge up, Man City climb
See more – The story of Michael Owen and how career trajectory alters lasting perceptions
