The Premier League is finally back on Tuesday night after what has seemed like an age away, and while we all know the obvious plot lines at the top and bottom, there is plenty more going on throughout the division
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Updated 06:45, 01 Apr 2025
Liverpool and Mo Salah will be the Premier League's headline acts as the division returns - but what about the other stories?
Liverpool and Mo Salah will be the Premier League's headline acts as the division returns - but what about the other stories?
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Right then, where were we?
It has been just over two weeks since the last Premier League ball was kicked in anger, but in truth it has felt an awful lot longer than that. Thirteen of the division's 20 clubs were kicking their heels over the weekend as club action returned from the international break with the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but now we're back with league matches over the next three nights.
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Liverpool will be the headline act on the top-flight's return as the Reds close in on a 20th league title, while down at the bottom it looks as though the three promoted clubs will return to the Championship for the second season in succession.
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But what about the other stories throughout the division? We've taken a look at some of the less heralded tales from the Premier League as it resumes this midweek.
Ben Husband - Wolves aim to avoid unwanted history
Vitor Pereira has proven to be an upgrade on Gary O'Neil
Vitor Pereira has proven to be an upgrade on Gary O'Neil(Image: Wolves via Getty Images)
First of all, apologies for taking what I am sure everyone else will pick. But Wolves need another seven points to ensure they aren’t the worst Premier League side to avoid relegation.
Molineux chairman Jeff Shi boasted about his ‘benchmarking’ so avoiding that particular moniker could be deemed a good success story. In truth, Wolves have been about the 12th best team since Vitor Pereira took over - having been the 20th under Gary O’Neil and so another few results should be expected.
And after all, Nottingham Forest hold the current record from last season and look what happened to them. It almost certainly won’t happen to Wolves.
Oli Gamp - Ange Postecoglou is a dead man walking
Ange Postecoglou is under increasing pressure at Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou is under increasing pressure at Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou must have been grateful for the international break as Tottenham's miserable 2-0 loss to Fulham was brushed under the carpet and bought him a much-needed reprieve from media scrutiny. That result meant his Spurs team have lost 15 games in the top flight, which is unthinkable for a club of their ambitions.
He has nine games left in the Premier League and questions will rightly be asked about whether his time at Tottenham is a ticking time bomb. He has already appeared to lose the fanbase after regularly clashing with supporters after games, with many tweeting #AngeOut week after week.
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It could yet get worse for the Australian, with his side heading to Chelsea on Thursday - a ground where they only have one win in Premier League history.
Spurs also have to play Liverpool at Anfield, plus games against Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. While he has suffered a huge injury crisis this season, the team have looked directionless and desperately lacking a Plan B when things go wrong. You feel that he's a dead man walking unless he can manage to win the Europa League - which itself seems a tall order ahead of a daunting tie against Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.
Matt Maltby - All eyes on the cup for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace could be distracted by the FA Cup
Crystal Palace could be distracted by the FA Cup
Don't be surprised if Crystal Palace take their foot off the gas in the league, with an unlikely European spot on the horizon. The Eagles trail Brighton in seventh by eight points with a game in hand - but the FA Cup represents a better chance of a dream tour around the continent.
Oliver Glasner has the south Londoners flying and they easily dispatched Fulham to set up a mouthwatering semi-final showdown with Aston Villa. Of the four teams remaining in the famous competition - with Manchester City facing Nottingham Forest in the other clash - Palace will be the big outsiders, but football isn't played on paper.
Glasner now has Palace fans dreaming of cup glory and European football - and that has to be the priority. They've already created memories in the league - with a 3-1 win away at rivals Brighton among them - but Palace will need their best players available for the semi-final if they're to stand any chance of a cup win.
Felix Keith - Southampton are just one win away from surpassing Derby, but where is it coming from?
Southampton are two points off Derby's infamous 2007-08 total
Southampton are two points off Derby's infamous 2007-08 total
Southampton’s season may be pretty much over, with a return to the Championship all-but assured, yet there is still something to play for. The 17-point gap to safety is well beyond Saints, but they do have a much more achievable goal: ensuring they don’t go down in history as the Premier League’s worst-ever side.
That dubious honour is currently held by Derby’s 2007/08 vintage, who managed a miserable 11 points. Ivan Juric’s side have cobbled together nine points so far, so only need one win to salvage something this season.
The team are in purgatory, simply awaiting the inevitable, finding fresh ways to get beaten every week before the team is ripped apart and sold for scrap in the summer transfer window. The Southampton fans, who have seen nine straight defeats at St Mary’s in the league with an aggregate score of 31-6, will hope that the team still have some shred of pride to play for.
Tom Victor - Niclas Fullkrug's comeback could dictate West Ham's summer
Niclas Fullkrug is returning from injury again
Niclas Fullkrug is returning from injury again(Image: PA)
It might not be top of most people’s lists for storylines to watch, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on Niclas Fullkrug’s latest comeback. The German international has played just 368 minutes for West Ham after his big-money move from Dortmund, but is available once more and ready to make up for lost time.
Fullkrug has completed a full 90 minutes just once this season, when he scored against Manchester City. Since Graham Potter took over in January, he has played just 15 minutes - limping off early in Potter’s first game in charge.
With Michail Antonio out since before Christmas and Evan Ferguson yet to his his stride, Fullkrug’s form could have a big say in how seriously West Ham push for attacking reinforcements over the summer. The Hammers might not have a great deal to play for, but their number 11 certainly does.
Mark Jones - Newcastle have their silver, now for the Champions League pot of gold
Newcastle have held their parade for winning the Carabao Cup
Newcastle have held their parade for winning the Carabao Cup
After winning the League Cup in 2000, Leicester City came eighth in the Premier League. Then there's Blackburn 2002, 10th. Middlesbrough 2004, 11th. Tottenham 2008, 11th. Swansea 2013, ninth. And of course Birmingham 2011, relegated.
The point being that it can often be difficult for those clubs outside of the usual trophy winning elite to refocus after League Cup success, but this Newcastle United side look to be a cut above such issues.
The fact that the final was later than usual this season, plus the chance to soak it all in - and then let it all out - during an international break, means Newcastle should be primed and ready to go upon their return to league action.
They are in a perfect spot in sixth with a game in hand on all the clubs around them, and a place in the top five with a return to the Champions League is very much in their grasp. Do that, and they'll keep hold of Alexander Isak.
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