Key Takeaways
- Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday in a match that could decide the title race.
- Newcastle may recall forgotten striker Yoane Wissa against Bournemouth after fan backlash.
- Teenager Josh King faces a Fulham bench dilemma after being hooked at Liverpool.
Josh King, 19, discovered how cruel top-flight football can be when he was taken off at half-time at Anfield. Marco Silva’s Fulham were two goals down and the winger became the fall guy. Now the coach must choose: start King against Brentford on Saturday lunchtime or leave him stewing. The youngster has sparkled this season, but Silva will watch closely to see if the harsh lesson fires him up or knocks his confidence.
Leeds fans dare to dream again. Monday’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford, their first there since 1981, shoved Daniel Farke’s side six points above the drop zone. Victory over bottom club Wolves on Saturday would nudge them to the magic 39-point mark. Even better, Leeds still have to play three of the current bottom four, so their results will shape who goes down.
Yoane Wissa cost Newcastle £55 million yet starts behind three younger strikers. The DR Congo forward, fit again after a knee problem, has not started since early March. Fans are angry after he liked a Sunderland player’s Instagram post and swapped shirts with Crystal Palace match-winner Jean-Philippe Mateta. Eddie Howe could end the circus by starting him against Bournemouth, the club Wissa has tormented with four goals in six meetings.
Tottenham are in the relegation zone and missing two captains. Cristian Romero is injured and James Maddison is also out, so new boss Roberto De Zerbi needs a leader for Brighton’s visit. Conor Gallagher, yet to shine since leaving Chelsea, wore the armbad at Stamford Bridge and with England. A midfield general’s role may lift both Spurs and the £40 million man.
Manchester United travel to Chelsea with a bare back line. Harry Maguire is banned, Lisandro Martínez is suspended and Matthijs de Ligt is hurt. Michael Carrick may hand 18-year-old Ayden Heaven a league debut or push Luke Shaw inside. Cole Palmer will smell blood after a quiet spell.
Everton welcome Liverpool to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first derby on that patch of Merseyside. David Moyes knows the weight of expectation often crushed his old sides, but Liverpool have lost six of their last ten and exited the Champions League. A bullish Everton believe they can bully the Reds just as they bullied Chelsea last month.
Burnley’s season is dead, yet fans still cheered Mike Trésor’s cameo against Brighton. The 26-year-old Belgian has started once in two years but remains popular. With the Clarets heading to League One, Trésor could shine in the second tier or be sold to balance books. Scott Parker may unleash him at Nottingham Forest.
Sunday’s late kick-off is the heavyweight bout. Arsenal, fresh from a European semi-final berth, visit Manchester City. A Gunners win opens a nine-point gap and likely ends the 22-year title wait. A City triumph drags the race to the final day. Buckle up.
The weekend closes with Crystal Palace hosting West Ham on Monday night. Both sides are safe but pride and London bragging rights remain on the line.