1
Parker-less Burnley remain a test
The equation is simple. If Leeds beat relegated – and now managerless – Burnley at Elland Road on Friday they will reach 43 points and be extremely unlikely to meet the same fate as their opponents. Daniel Farke’s losing FA Cup semi-finalists are then scheduled to travel to Tottenham, but victory against Burnley, who they pipped to the Championship title last season, would settle nerves in West Yorkshire. Farke, though, does not necessarily expect a straightforward match. “There’s definitely no complacency,” he said, speaking before the news of Scott Parker’s departure. “I’ve got so much respect for Scott. I’d say there’s not one time this season Burnley were played off the field. They’re always very competitive, they’ve had many tight games.” As Mike Jackson takes caretaker charge at Turf Moor, Farke hopes another three points will persuade Leeds to extend his own contract. Louise Taylor
2
Bowen primed to bother Brentford
Jarrod Bowen may not have scored in West Ham’s nail-biting victory over Everton but he produced the two assists for Tomas Soucek and Callum Wilson to secure three valuable points. Stopping Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, on the opposite wing, cuts off the majority of the Hammers’ threat. Michael Kayode and Keane Lewis-Potter will be the two tasked by Brentford with keeping things tight out wide but it will not be easy. West Ham’s first goal against Everton came from a corner and Keith Andrews is a man who knows how dangerous set pieces can be, especially with Bowen’s delivery. The second came after a cross from the left found the England international at the far post, and he kept his cool in the 92nd minute to head the ball into Wilson’s path. It shows West Ham can do it from open play and set plays, giving Brentford plenty to ponder. But if Brentford can limit the service from the flanks, it will give them a platform to continue their European push. Will Unwin
3
Howe faces striker conundrum
Four-and-a-half years after taking charge at Newcastle, Eddie Howe faces an extended audition to keep his job. With key figures from the club’s Saudi ownership group due in the directors’ box when European contenders Brighton visit St James’ Park, Howe could do with ending a run of four straight Premier League defeats (five in all competitions). After Brighton he must negotiate a home date with West Ham and trips to Nottingham Forest and Fulham. With much hanging on this quartet of fixtures it will be intriguing to see whether Howe keeps faith in Will Osula as Newcastle’s lone striker or offers his £69m forward, Nick Woltemade, or £55m striker, Yoane Wissa, another chance up front. Might he be persuaded to experiment with Woltemade operating behind Wissa? If Howe’s team have just about dodged a relegation skirmish, remaining stuck on 42 points will not impress the Saudis. LT
4
Sunderland players feel the heat
Sunderland’s 5-0 defeat at home by Nottingham Forest was a huge wasted opportunity. Despite enjoying 61% possession and having more shots than their opponents, Sunderland were uncharacteristically outrun and outplayed and looked like a side already on the beach, with their pre-season objective of survival long assured. Had they beaten Forest, Sunderland would be eighth and a point from sixth. Instead they are 12th and, while Europe remains a remote possibility, Sunderland must win at Wolves to have any hope of leapfrogging Bournemouth, Chelsea, Brentford, Fulham and Everton come the end of the season. Regardless of European qualification, Sunderland will surely reinforce the squad this summer and any repeat of the Forest performance against Wolves will not be taken lightly by the club’s board or supporters. Some players may fear for their futures if Sunderland’s mini-slump continues. Michael Butler
5
Pedigree of Jesus can boost Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus has found his opportunities limited since returning from a long-term knee injury in December, with the Brazilian having started only two league games and played 320 minutes in total. The 29-year-old was brought on as a substitute against Atlético Madrid in midweek and doubts over Kai Havertz’s fitness means he could be called into action against Fulham on Saturday. Arsenal hope the Germany forward will be able to return to play some part in the run-in having missed the trip to Spain. But while Viktor Gyökeres is expected to start against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal attempt to stretch their lead over Manchester City to six points, Jesus is the only member of Mikel Arteta’s squad with a Premier League winner’s medal. His experience could prove valuable. Ed Aarons
6
Rayan on the rise – but needs protection
With three goals and two assists in his first 11 Premier League matches for Bournemouth since joining from Vasco da Gama, Rayan has adapted very quickly to English football. It is an indication of an impressive mentality that the Brazilian teenager has done so well in what must feel like a world away from everything he has known. Andoni Iraola left him on the bench for the match against Leeds but sent him on for the final quarter and was rewarded with a goal on what was his 46th appearance for club and country this season. There will be a clamour for him to return to the starting lineup against Crystal Palace but it may be sensible to carefully manage Rayan’s minutes for the rest of the season. Many young stars have discovered to their cost what happens if their bodies are pushed to the limit early in their careers. WU
7
First the points, then the pride?
Do not tell the fans but defeat for Manchester United or Liverpool may not dismay either of these fierce rivals should they still achieve Champions League football. In winning the last three games, Arne Slot has revived his side’s fortunes at just the right time: Liverpool are eight points clear of Brighton in sixth, and five points from the last four games would secure Champions League qualification come what may. Michael Carrick’s team are even better placed on 61: two points from their last four matches would guarantee a return to Europe’s elite club competition. Jamie Jackson
8
Spurs will know the gap to West Ham
Is there any good news for Tottenham? Perhaps: West Ham kick off at Brentford on Saturday at 3pm, 28 hours before Roberto De Zerbi’s men renew their relegation scrap at Aston Villa on Sunday. At least Spurs will know if their plight has worsened or not. While bad news continues to pile up – Xavi Simons injured knee ligaments in the win at Wolves – De Zerbi is making the right noises. “When I knew better my players, I understood we have the chance to stay up,” he said. “We need to stay strong in the head.” Spurs showed fight at Molineux, and Sunday’s match will demonstrate if the former Brighton manager has been able to make more urgently needed progress. If De Zerbi can imprint his tactical ideas on the Villa tie, added to the players’ renewed fighting spirit, more precious momentum may be gained. Luke McLaughlin
9
McFarlane faces weight of expectation
When Chelsea host Nottingham Forest it will be the first time they will be expected to win a game under their interim head coach, Calum McFarlane. The pressure will hit differently. During McFarlane’s first stint as caretaker, which followed Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day, he presided over tough trips to Manchester City and Fulham. A 1-1 draw with City came against the odds and defeat by Fulham was disappointing but not exactly a shock given the upheaval at Stamford Bridge, while last week’s FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds was secured by a Chelsea team with something to prove after McFarlane was reinstalled following the sacking of Liam Rosenior. Against Forest, however, there will be more expectation. It suited Chelsea to lean into their role as party poopers against Leeds, who were tipped to win, but they will need to seize the initiative against Forest, lift a mutinous fanbase and take the game to opponents still not safe from relegation. Jacob Steinberg
10
Should Everton re-sign Stones?
John Stones was David Moyes’s final signing in his first spell as Everton manager – for an initial £3m from Barnsley – and one of the first signings of the Pep Guardiola era at Manchester City for an eventual £50m. It is fair to say both clubs did well out of those deals. After helping City reach another FA Cup final as captain last weekend, Stones has announced he will be leaving the club after a trophy-laden decade when his contract expires at the end of the season. Injuries may have blighted the classy defender’s career and restricted him to 16 appearances this season but at 31 he represents a tempting option on a free transfer. Everton have been linked, although they are well-stocked in central defence and have other priorities for this summer, while Stones’s immediate focus will be on adding a domestic treble to his City CV. With six games to play in 21 days, the England international has another valuable contribution to make before saying farewell. Andy Hunter
