Arsenal hoping Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins doesn’t derail title bid once more on thirtieth birthday – Premier League speaking factors

May Gordon’s inconsistency hit his England World Cup hopes?

Burnley vs Newcastle – 7.30pm, Tuesday – reside on Sky Sports activities Tennis

Thomas Tuchel shouldn’t be afraid to make huge selections as England boss and Anthony Gordon’s present kind would possibly drive his newest one.

Six days after shining in opposition to Chelsea, Gordon was handed a possibility to kick on at Outdated Trafford however his efficiency in opposition to Manchester United within the 1-0 defeat solely exemplified his season thus far.

Too deep, too pressured and in the end solely a passenger as Newcastle slipped to one more defeat on the street.

“Finding that consistent level of performance where you are hitting very good levels every single game. That is what separates the very best players from the others,” Howe stated forward of the fixture, laying down the gauntlet for Gordon, realizing what he’s able to.

“As we move forward, the challenge for Ant is to try and replicate that performance on a consistent basis.”

The winger is but to attain from open play within the Premier League, with each objectives within the top-flight coming from the penalty spot, however has impressed within the Champions League with 5 objectives and two assists.

The expertise is clearly there but when he would not discover the consistency to go alongside it, the “paranoia” he referenced in October about lacking out on England’s World Cup squad may rapidly turn into a harsh actuality.
Patrick Rowe

Semenyo within the highlight at Chelsea as switch window nears

Chelsea vs Bournemouth – 7.30pm, Tuesday – reside on Sky Sports activities Important Occasion

Will or not it’s 99 and out for Antoine Semenyo? The in-demand Bournemouth winger will play his remaining recreation of 2025 for the Cherries at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday and, with the January switch window primed to open, it may very well be his final for the membership.

Semenyo is needed by Manchester United and Liverpool – but it surely seems like Manchester Metropolis will win the race, with Pep Guardiola’s aspect opening talks with Bournemouth about his £65m launch clause. Chelsea pulled out of the working for his signature however may see first-hand what they are going to be lacking out on.

The Ghana worldwide has 9 objectives this season within the Premier League – greater than Chelsea’s wingers mixed. In reality, his complete of 12 objective involvements is barely surpassed by Erling Haaland.

With objectives in his final three video games, Semenyo is in scorching kind. His efficiency in opposition to Chelsea shall be keenly noticed by suitors, supporters and neutrals alike. He is must-watch proper now.
Peter Smith

Palmer going chilly forward of necessary second half of the season

Off the again of a formidable summer time wherein he was named Participant of the Match on the inaugural FIFA Membership World Cup, Cole Palmer has scored two objectives and is but to register an help within the Premier League this season.

There isn’t any hiding the truth that Chelsea’s foremost man has gone slightly chilly – and never due to his celebration, as there have not been many alternatives for that this time period.

Whereas accidents have restricted him to simply eight league appearances, he had already produced 11 objective contributions over the identical interval final season, so the drop in kind is evident.

This is not the primary time Palmer has struggled below Enzo Maresca. By mid-January final season he had scored 14 Premier League objectives, but he completed the marketing campaign with simply 15 and added solely three extra assists between then and Could.

He rediscovered his spark through the journey to america, but when he would not flip up the warmth quickly, he might discover himself liable to lacking out on a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad for a similar journey.
Callum Bishop

Dyche derby to be settled by a single objective?

Nottingham Forest vs Everton – 7.30pm, Tuesday – reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket

The newest version of the Dyche derby shouldn’t be anticipated to be a traditional between two low-scoring sides.

Sean Dyche faces Everton for the second time this month since being sacked by them in January, having lifted Nottingham Forest 5 factors above the relegation zone prior to now two months.

The problem for each of those groups is evident, although, with solely the doomed Wolves scoring fewer league objectives this season. Everton haven’t gained or scored of their final three Premier League video games, their final objectives and victory coming of their 3-0 win over Forest at first of the month.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor and Iliman Ndiaye have missed the final two video games, which has dented Everton’s attacking menace, whereas Jack Grealish was additionally absent from their draw at Burnley final weekend. The trio have contributed 18 of the 19 objectives and assists by beginning gamers within the attacking midfield place.

Each side lack a goal-scoring striker. Everton’s Thierno Barry and Beto have scored two objectives in 18 league video games between them, whereas Igor Jesus has scored the one objective by a Forest frontman because the opening day of the season.

Any objective is perhaps sufficient to win this one.
David Richardson

West Ham to set new torrid residence file?

West Ham vs Brighton – 7.30pm, Tuesday – reside on Sky Sports activities Golf

West Ham can set an undesirable membership file after they host Brighton on the London Stadium – and the omens aren’t of their favour both.

They’ve gained simply one among their 17 league conferences in opposition to their guests and not one of the eight matches at residence. A defeat on Tuesday can be their twelfth residence lack of 2025 and probably the most in a calendar yr of their historical past.

West Ham are 5 factors adrift of security and the strain is on Nuno Espirito Santo, who has made little impression since taking on from Graham Potter. Solely Wolves and Burnley have taken fewer factors than the ten West Ham have earned below Nuno in his 13 video games.

Brighton’s European bid has stalled in current weeks with a five-game winless run as Fabian Hurzeler’s depressing winter file continues. Maybe the one stat within the hosts’ favour is how Brighton have by no means gained a recreation in December below their boss in 11 makes an attempt.

It is now or by no means for West Ham.
David Richardson

Will birthday boy Watkins hang-out Arsenal?

Arsenal vs Aston Villa – 8.15pm, Tuesday – reside on Sky Sports activities Premier League

Enjoying a title race encounter away at his boyhood membership, realizing a win can take his staff stage on factors on the high of the Premier League – what a thirtieth birthday Ollie Watkins has in retailer on Tuesday night time.

With he and his household being Arsenal followers, Watkins has actually loved enjoying the Gunners – with six objectives in 11 matches when pitted in opposition to Mikel Arteta’s aspect.

That form of kind additionally earned him curiosity from Arsenal. In the beginning of this yr, a £40m January bid was rejected as Arteta needed him to be a part of final season’s title race. On the finish of this yr, Watkins can massively dent Arsenal’s present title bid.

And with Watkins staying and thriving at Villa, Arsenal are nonetheless figuring out their greatest formulation up entrance. They signed Viktor Gyokeres as an alternative over the summer time, however a run of seven video games and not using a objective from open play means Arteta nonetheless has questions in assault.

Watkins, in the meantime, has 4 objectives in his final 5 Premier League video games. What may have been…
Sam Blitz

Villa’s hardest take a look at of the season simply acquired more durable

Aston Villa’s hardest take a look at of the season has been made even more durable with each Boubacar Kamara and Matty Money set to take a seat out on the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Each gamers – who’ve been key figures all through Villa’s historic 11-game successful streak throughout all competitions – miss out resulting from suspension. Accidents and a wafer-thin squad imply changing them is not as straightforward as utilizing like-for-like replacements.

Again-up right-back Andres Garcia is but to function for Villa this season, making a primary outing away at league leaders Arsenal unlikely.

Ezri Konsa is well-versed in shifting over in defence however with Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings each injured, his abilities are wanted in central areas. Versatile midfielder Lamare Bogarde is succesful within the place and can doubtless be referred to as upon.

Emery’s headache in midfield is eased by the supply of Amadou Onana, who got here on and impressed in Villa’s comeback win in opposition to Chelsea on the street. He’ll doubtless pair Youri Tielemans in midfield, with captain John McGinn on the best to supply added cowl with out Money.

The absence of the important thing duo will dampen Villa’s probabilities in north London however followers, gamers and the workers can take encouragement from the truth that Villa’s final win on the Emirates in April 2024 arrived with out each Money and Kamara that includes.

The place there’s a will, there’s a approach with this Villa staff. Emery’s aspect appear to thrive with the chances stacked in opposition to them.
Patrick Rowe

Cunha is what Man Utd have been lacking

Man Utd vs Wolves – 8.15pm, Tuesday – reside on Sky Sports activities Soccer

When Matheus Cunha left Wolves for Manchester United there have been considerations that his on-field indiscretions pointed to an perspective that may add to the rot of dressing room issues which have taken maintain at Outdated Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

Fairly the opposite, the Brazilian’s maverick character seems to be precisely what United have been crying out for. Comparisons to Eric Cantona are untimely however there’s something to it. The load of the shirt doesn’t appear to approach too heavy on his shoulders.

That a lot was clear when Cunha had arguably his greatest efficiency in a United shirt within the membership’s first Anfield win for a decade. There was no objective or help to point out for it, however his contribution was way more beneficial. Bravery on the ball has been in brief provide.

To this point Bryan Mbeumo has overshadowed Cunha after a formidable begin at Outdated Trafford. His objective return is double Cunha’s and it’s actually an space the Brazilian wants to enhance on after scoring simply three league objectives in 15 video games.

However there have been indicators of Cunha rediscovering his goalscoring type of final season, when he bowed out at Wolves with 15 league objectives. He is delivered two objectives – and an help in opposition to his former membership – within the final three video games, discovering his ft on the essential time.

Whereas Mbeumo is at AFCON and Bruno Fernandes is injured, the mantle of manufacturing within the remaining third rests closely on Cunha’s shoulders. Will probably be a take a look at of the speculation that he has the mentality required to play for United. To this point, so good, it appears.

Quantifying Cunha’s contribution is much from simple, although. He shouldn’t be judged solely on objective contribution. He calls for the ball in seemingly not possible conditions others normally cover in and takes dangers that appear nearly ludicrous to most.

Gamers like that may be irritating. They see issues otherwise and when issues don’t come off, it may possibly make followers tear their hair out. However perhaps that is simply what United have been lacking. That is what Ruben Amorim was getting at when he stated “we need crazy guys”.

“Cunha is a little bit like that,” the United boss added, in an interview with TNT Sports activities. “He’s a guy that is a good guy but he doesn’t care who you are. He can play wherever and he will go with the ball. This kind of feeling, we need that.”

United’s new maverick appears extra suited to the larger stage than maybe he was at his former membership. Tuesday’s assembly shall be an excellent probability for him to face up and present his value when his staff wants him.
Zinny Boswell