Man Utd face stern check in opposition to Nottingham Forest and Bukayo Saka might help Arsenal in opposition to Fulham – Premier League speaking factors

Are Man Utd actually again? Forest to check progress

Nottm Forest vs Man Utd – Tuesday, kick-off 8pm, watch free highlights shortly after full time

Three video games is greater than sufficient time for a story shift round Man Utd however there are deeper, real optimistic indicators that issues are starting to click on for Ruben Amorim.

Whereas earlier optimistic performances in opposition to huge rivals have confirmed false dawns, the hard-fought draw with Arsenal at first of March seems to have cemented one thing within the Previous Trafford psyche.

As an alternative of falling away, Man Utd this time saved their greatest show of the season to dismantle Actual Sociedad 4 days later. That evening, even Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro, so painfully off form and favour at completely different factors of the season, had a notable spring again of their step.

The indicators are good, however nobody can recommend thrashing a 10-man mid-table LaLiga aspect after which doing the identical to a dull Leicester aspect is something greater than a optimistic base.

The improved patterns of possession and extra settled floating No 10s will face a sterner check on Tuesday in opposition to a Nottingham Forest aspect who’ve saved the joint-most clear sheets within the Premier League.

With out the identical big-game motivation as when United have impressed in opposition to Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea below Amorim will probably be as a lot a check of psychological mettle as any tactical understanding on the Metropolis Floor.

Emerge unscathed, and the following three upcoming matches with Newcastle, Lyon and Man Metropolis turn out to be much more interesting – and the Amorim period actually may actually be starting to take off.
Ron Walker

Saka is again… and Arsenal may want him in opposition to Fulham

Arsenal vs Fulham – Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm, watch free highlights shortly after full time

Arsenal obtained what Mikel Arteta described as a “massive boost” with information of Bukayo Saka’s availability for his or her recreation in opposition to Fulham following a three-month harm absence.

The 23-year-old has not featured since struggling a hamstring tear in December however Arteta made it clear he is not going to hesitate to throw him straight again into his staff on Tuesday, insisting he is able to begin having rejoined full coaching throughout the worldwide break.

He returns as Arsenal’s greatest and most essential participant. “We know the impact he has had on the team and how important his role and his contribution is to our success,” mentioned Arteta.

Having offered a mixed whole of twenty-two targets and assists in solely 24 appearances earlier than his harm earlier within the marketing campaign, Saka will hope to choose up the place he left off. Arsenal might properly want him in opposition to a Fulham aspect which have precipitated them huge issues in latest encounters.

The Gunners had been held to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in December and managed just one level from a attainable six in opposition to Marco Silva’s aspect final time period, shedding the away recreation 2-1 after a 2-2 draw on the Emirates Stadium in August. Saka’s return may show well timed.
Nick Wright

Wolves out to ease relegation fears with out Cunha

Wolves vs West Ham – Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm, watch free highlights shortly after full time

With Matheus Cunha persevering with to push for a summer time departure from Molineux that now appears inevitable given his £62.5m launch clause, his present team-mates will try to pull Wolves additional away from the relegation zone with out him in opposition to West Ham.

Regardless of the absence of the suspended ahead, Vitor Pereira’s aspect have managed to choose up 4 factors from their final two video games and will transfer 12 factors away from the relegation zone with victory on Tuesday night. It will absolutely finish any lingering fears.

Graham Potter’s aspect, only one place however eight factors higher off than their hosts, have much less to play for as they appear to construct in the direction of subsequent season. The Irons are out of European competition however haven’t any probability of being relegated. Wolves quickly hope to say the identical.
Adam Bate

Who will fill in for Actual-bound Alexander-Arnold?

Liverpool vs Everton – Wednesday, 8pm kick-off, watch free highlights shortly after full time

Trent Alexander-Arnold was within the headlines final week after the Liverpool right-back’s anticipated summer time change to Actual Madrid appeared to maneuver a step nearer, however it’s his health that will likely be inflicting Reds boss Arne Slot complications forward of Wednesday evening’s Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold suffered a excessive ankle sprain within the membership’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain earlier than the worldwide break that can see him miss the go to of Everton, and together with his back-up Conor Bradley additionally more likely to be absent with a hamstring concern, Slot should determine who begins on the right-hand aspect of the defence because the Reds look to take one other step nearer to the title.

Central defender Jarell Quansah stuffed in for Alexander-Arnold as a makeshift right-back in Liverpool’s most up-to-date outing, their Carabao Cup last loss to Newcastle United, and except Slot opts to modify to 3 on the again, or to utilise one among his left-backs Andy Roberston and Kostas Tsimikas within the position, the England worldwide ought to get the nod in opposition to the Toffees.
Wealthy Morgan

Is Mbeumo set for a Newcastle audition?

Newcastle vs Brentford – Wednesday, 7:45pm kick-off, watch free highlights shortly after full time

The mud is beginning to decide on Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win. One sub-story to the Magpies’ Wembley success is the query of how they begin making trophies a daily prevalence.

One answer is by taking the squad to a subsequent degree. And a solution to that answer might be developing in opposition to them on Wednesday evening.

Proper wing is among the positions the place Eddie Howe’s aspect might be vastly improved, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo a long-term goal for Newcastle, in addition to Liverpool. Will he select black and white or purple throughout?

The Cameroon winger has been one of many sharpest shooters within the Premier League this season and will properly be into the ultimate 10 video games of his Brentford profession.

Newcastle followers might get a correct take a look at one among their subsequent attacking stars at St James’ Park.
Sam Blitz

Man Metropolis can go into high 4 as they host Leicester

Man Metropolis vs Leicester Metropolis – Wednesday, 7:45pm kick-off, watch free highlights shortly after full time

How Leicester supporters would love a season of disappointment just like the one Manchester Metropolis are ‘enduring’ – a FA Cup semi-final at Wembley to look ahead to with Pep Guardiola’s aspect nonetheless properly positioned to safe Champions League soccer subsequent time period.

Metropolis would transfer again into the highest 4 with victory over Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes on Wednesday evening and it’ll want a serious enchancment from the guests to cease them. Leicester have misplaced their final seven video games, dashing hopes of Premier League survival.

Guardiola’s aspect have misplaced as many as they’ve received in entrance of their very own followers over the previous two months however their two defeats got here in opposition to Actual Madrid and Liverpool. If Leicester had been so as to add their identify to that checklist of Metropolis’s conquerors it will be dramatic certainly.
Adam Bate

Spectre of Derby looms for Saints as Palace march on

Southampton vs Crystal Palace – Wednesday, 7:45pm kick-off, watch free highlights shortly after full time

For Southampton, the competition just isn’t a lot with guests Crystal Palace, it’s extra with the Derby County staff of the 2007/08 season that mustered solely 11 factors. Saints are nonetheless two shy of that whole and working out of video games wherein to choose these factors up.

It will be a shock in the event that they handle it in opposition to in-form Palace. Solely Liverpool have a greater points-per-game file since Christmas than Oliver Glasner’s gradual starters and whereas minds may be on a visit to Wembley within the FA Cup, confidence will likely be sky excessive.

The cup might be the precedence however on condition that Palace go into the week six factors off eighth with a recreation in hand, they’re charging their method up the desk too and can absolutely fancy their probabilities at St Mary’s. There will likely be some previous Derby gamers watching with curiosity.
Adam Bate

Can Brighton recuperate from one other Forest defeat?

Brighton vs Aston Villa – Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm, watch free highlights shortly after full time

Brighton’s 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in February proved to be a turning level of their season – they need to use their newest setback in the identical method.

Forest tormented Fabian Hurzeler’s aspect once more on Saturday with a victory on penalties to e book their place within the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.

“We proved it this season so far that we are able to come back, that we can stick together as a team,” mentioned Hurzeler, “and we have to prove it another time now.”

Brighton had received six of their earlier seven video games since their Forest drubbing to spice up their European hopes. They suffered accidents to Georginio Rutter and Adam Webster on the weekend, however are simply two factors behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

In the meantime, Aston Villa have the whole lot to play for with a Champions League quarter-final and an FA Cup semi-final to come back and a European place to safe.

Marcus Rashford did his confidence no hurt together with his first targets for the membership at Preston on Sunday, and Unai Emery has the luxurious of his squad being nearly totally out there for an thrilling run-in.
David Richardson

Cherries should make Vitality a fortress once more to attain shock CL spot

Bournemouth vs Ipswich City – Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm, watch free highlights shortly after full time

Bournemouth head into Wednesday’s house encounter in opposition to struggling Ipswich City with an unlikely Champions League qualification subsequent season inside their grasp, however Andoni Iraola’s aspect might want to begin making the Vitality Stadium a fortress once more if they’re to have any hope of creating it into Europe’s premier membership competitors.

The Cherries sit in tenth place within the standings, simply 4 factors behind champions Man Metropolis in fifth, with a top-five end at present sufficient to earn a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League given the spectacular performances of English golf equipment in Europe thus far this season.

A house conflict in opposition to an Ipswich aspect heading for relegation would usually be simply the recipe for a staff in Bournemouth’s place, however they haven’t received at house within the league since thrashing Nottingham Forest 5-0 on January 25, whereas additionally they misplaced at house to Metropolis of their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

Iraola should now get his gamers up for the season run-in and can dearly need that winless run to come back to an finish in opposition to the 18th-placed guests.
Wealthy Morgan

Can Spurs pounce on stressed rivals?

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur – Thursday, 8pm kick-off, watch free highlights shortly after full time

Regardless of their gradual fall from grace over latest seasons, Chelsea have nonetheless been capable of depend on conferences with Tottenham to offer some mild amid the gloom.

Mauricio Pochettino did the double over his former membership, together with the chaotic 4-1 win that knocked Ange Postecoglou’s reign off track. One other barmy encounter in December marked the excessive level of Enzo Maresca’s reign.

In that sense, this match comes on the good time for Chelsea, who’ve received simply 5 of 14 Premier League matches since that victory in north London almost 4 months in the past. A pick-me-up is required and their neighbours normally oblige.

Spurs’ transient February resurgence has been undermined by a three-game winless run heading into this journey to Stamford Bridge – the place they haven’t received since Pochettino was in cost in 2018.

However there’s a path to victory for Spurs. Like their counterparts, some Chelsea supporters are rising stressed over each outcomes and the model of soccer. If Postecoglou’s aspect can take an early lead – and, crucially, not throw it away like they did in December – might the temper inside Stamford Bridge flip?

Pound-for-pound, this can be essentially the most constantly wild and entertaining fixture within the Premier League. Calming the inevitable storm – and growing the angst amongst their rival followers – will likely be key to claiming a morale-boosting victory.
Joe Shread