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Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Eddie Nketiah, Liverpool’s need for rotation, and Matheus Cunha’s costly red card.

Can City break through the Forest?

Though emphatic defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool were a reminder of their faults, Manchester City have overseen a steady upturn since the turn of the year. Only those two teams have accumulated more points than the champions in 2025, while no side has scored more goals.

City make the trip to surprise package Nottingham Forest this weekend. The latter are ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side in the table and sat in the dizzying heights of third. Forest under Nuno Espirito Santo are a tough nut to crack and a trip to the City Ground poses a real test of City’s new-look front pairing of Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush.

City at The City Ground next. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ke47GTudoS

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) March 6, 2025

Forest boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League on home soil (10) and held Arsenal goalless last time out.

Nketiah set for Palace chance

When Eddie Nketiah found the net as a late substitute against Aston Villa last month, the reaction of his Crystal Palace teammates was telling. Mobbed at Selhurst Park, it was a fine moment for a player whose time with the club has been tricky.

Signed from Arsenal in a £30m deal last summer, the transfer was designed to give Nketiah the regular games that were not forthcoming at the Emirates. It has not been the case. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s evolution into a prolific presence has meant Nketiah has been consigned to a supporting role. Attempts to play both failed to work out as Palace struggled for early season form.

This is such a special group.

Here’s how the lads celebrated Eddie Nketiah’s first @premierleague goal for Palace ❤️#CPFC // #CRYAVL pic.twitter.com/gtoaYwaRlr

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 26, 2025

Nketiah came off the bench to score again against Millwall last week after Mateta suffered a nasty head injury. The Frenchman is unlikely to be permitted to play this weekend, handing Nketiah another chance to impress. With back-to-back games against struggling Ipswich and Southampton, it’s a chance for the summer signing to find his confidence.

Slot can afford Reds rotation

Liverpool’s lethargic performance at Paris Saint-Germain was a concern despite Harvey Elliot’s goal earning the Reds a smash-and-grab win. Second best throughout in Paris, their display has sparked fears of potential burnout.

However, the fixture list has been kind to Arne Slot. Bottom-of-the-table Southampton arrive at Anfield this weekend, still short of the required 11 points needed to avoid becoming, officially, the worst side in Premier League history. Given Liverpool’s healthy lead and the recent form of their opposition, it appears an ideal opportunity to rotate.

Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch need a breather, while Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai lacked their usual spark in France. After impressive introductions from the bench at PSG, Elliott, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones are all ready to come into the side.

Will Watkins haunt old side again?

Brentford can be proud of their role in Ollie Watkins’ development. Plucked from Exeter City, he was named Championship Player of the Year in the final of his three campaigns before a club-record move to Aston Villa.

Since then, Watkins has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most complete frontmen. He’s closing in on a century of Aston Villa goals and led the division for assists in 2023/24.

Brentford, however, will not be delighted to see their former favourite this weekend. Watkins has certainly enjoyed their reunions more than the Bees. He has five goals and an assist in six games against the West Londoners in the Premier League.

How will Wolves cope without Cunha?

Wolves are still looking over their shoulder despite a five-point cushion between themselves and the bottom three. It’s been a tough season for Wolves, though Matheus Cunha’s performances have been the silver lining. The Brazilian has 13 goals and four assists this season, netting 35.1% of Wolves’ league goals. Cunha’s moment of madness in the FA Cup exit to Bournemouth leaves Wolves without their talisman for three games. His red card for lashing out repeatedly at Milos Kerkez is a big blow, particularly given their upcoming schedule.

Matheus Cunha punched, headbutted and kicked Milos Kerkez leading to a red card 🟥😳 pic.twitter.com/vqep1CtD6x

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 1, 2025

16th-place Everton are the visitors this weekend, before clashes with Southampton (20th) and West Ham (15th). Cunha’s absence for games against teams in and around Wolves could be costly.

Maresca can push Foxes closer to trap door

Enzo Maresca departed Leicester last summer having led the Foxes back into the Premier League. His sole season at the King Power was a success, leading to interest from Chelsea.

While Maresca has overseen steady improvement at Chelsea, his former side have toiled since his exit. The Italian’s replacement, Steve Cooper, was unpopular and unsuccessful, sacked after just five months in charge. In came Ruud van Nistelrooy after an eye-catching interim spell at Manchester United but the Dutchman’s tenure has been a disaster to date.

Leicester have lost 11 of their last 12 in the Premier League and looked like a team consigned to relegation in defeat at West Ham last week. Maresca, regrettably, can push them closer to the Championship this weekend.

Time for Tel to find his feet

It was a miserable night for Tottenham in Alkmaar on Thursday, as the North Londoners lost the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. Spurs were fortunate to head home trailing only 1-0, following a meek performance that saw their only effort on target recorded in the 87th minute.

Ange Postecoglou’s problems piled up after Dominic Solanke limped off injured. Making his first appearance since January as a substitute, the club-record signing pulled up and was forced off. With Richarlison also out, the onus is on Mathys Tel to lead the line.

The 19-year-old has had an underwhelming start since Spurs won a competitive race for his signature in January. Tel has scored just once in 868 minutes of action for Bayern Munich and Spurs this season, a late consolation in the latter’s FA Cup exit to Aston Villa.

Ahead of a huge week in the club’s season, it’s time for Tel to find his feet.

Arsenal set-pieces reason for fear at Old Trafford

Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup last weekend after the holders lost on penalties to Fulham at Old Trafford. It was a familiar flaw that exposed the Red Devils in normal time, as Calvin Bassey arrived unmarked to turn in a set piece.

Set pieces have been problematic all season. In the Premier League, only Wolves (17) and Southampton (16) have conceded more than Manchester United’s (12) set pieces this season, excluding penalties.

This weekend the Red Devils take on an Arsenal side who have become masters of the dead ball. The Gunners have scored 45 Premier League goals from such situations since the start of 2022/23 campaign. Amorim’s organisation needs to be on point this weekend.