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Preparing for the Premier League weekend: eight key factors.


Eight talking themes for the Premier League weekend, including top-four shootouts and prospective transfer targets.

Overachievers compete in an unexpected top-four shootout.

Few would have predicted in preseason that Nottingham Forest's trip to Bournemouth in January would have an impact on Champions League positions, yet here we are.

Forest drew level with second-placed Arsenal last Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Southampton, while Bournemouth made a statement by beating in-form Newcastle at St James' Park. This weekend's showdown on the south coast is one of the most intriguing of the weekend, pitting the division's top performers against one another.


Bournemouth are just three points behind the top four and have gone unbeaten in ten Premier League games, while Forest have won seven of their past eight. This weekend's winners will have a strong confidence that European evenings are just around the way.

Mitoma is back to his best at Brighton.

Kaoru Mitoma's outstanding initial season at Brighton drew Europe's top teams' attention, but an injury-plagued second season saw transfer talk fade. The winger has appeared to be back to his best in recent weeks, and with the January transfer market open, he could find himself back in the rumor mill.

Mitoma has scored in consecutive games for Brighton and was outstanding in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United. Along with Yankuba Minteh, he was a major threat because to his speed, close control, and drive to score goals. Mitoma's goal made him the highest-scoring Japanese player in Premier League history (15) and the fourth-highest-scoring Asian player in the competition. With several top sides looking for spark in their forward lines, a major bid before the deadline is not surprising.

Another opportunity for Nunez?


Darwin Nunez's late double saved Liverpool against Brentford last weekend. His stoppage-time goals secured a crucial 2-0 victory and an opportunity from the start in midweek. Despite his good movement against Lille, he failed to reach the net and squandered the one decent opportunity that came his way.

Arne Slot will be anxious to maintain the forward's trust, and Ipswich's visit to Anfield should provide another opportunity. Nunez will be looking for opportunities following the Tractor Boys' six-goal humiliation to Manchester City last weekend. The Uruguayan has had a difficult season, but Liverpool will need him to recover form in the final few games, since Diogo Jota's injury record is a concern.

Cunha's Arsenal audition?

Mikel Arteta refused to comment on Matheus Cunha's potential transfer to Arsenal, but the Brazilian is worth keeping an eye on ahead of the deadline. Wolves are hesitant to sell, but a hefty offer may persuade them to cash in this month.

Cunha has 10 goals and four assists this season, an impressive performance for a losing team. Arsenal will play the 25-year-old this weekend in what may be a test for the forward. His ball-carrying, goal-scoring ability, and creativity would benefit an Arsenal team in need of a boost. However, the £60 million price tag may prove troublesome.

Marmoush's move should excite citizens.


Manchester City, another team looking for a boost this month, found one with the £59 million signing of Omar Marmoush this week. The failure to replace Julian Alvarez in the summer has been remedied, with Marmoush joining amid a stunning start to the season.

Marmoush has 20 goals and 14 assists in 26 Eintracht Frankfurt games, which should reduce the reliance on Erling Haaland. After a very unremarkable era by their lofty standards, the Blues face Chelsea this weekend, buoyed by the Egyptian's arrival.

Will Chelsea follow the PSG blueprint?

Manchester City's recent renaissance came to a stop in midweek, as they squandered a two-goal lead to lose to Paris Saint-Germain. It was a well-deserved triumph for the French champions, with PSG's energetic frontline exposing the visitors at Parc des Princes.


Chelsea head to the Etihad this weekend with the potential to upset City, despite their own recent troubles. Moises Caicedo and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall have the legs to leave a laboring midfield in their wake, while Cole Palmer will want to exploit the spaces that have arisen too frequently this season. Only Liverpool (51) has more quick breaks than Chelsea (39) this season.

Potter will envy Villa's possibilities.

Graham Potter took over a weak West Ham squad that lacked punch. Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug, and Michail Antonio's injuries have left the Hammers short of strikers, prompting a desperate search for a replacement before the deadline.

This Sunday, West Ham will face an Aston Villa team that does not have these concerns. Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran have fought for the centre-forward position all season, scoring 22 goals combined in all competitions.

Duran, a player West Ham were willing to break their transfer record for this month, is expected to start from the bench this weekend. Potter can only conceive such luxury right now.

Will Robinson capture Amorim's eye?


Ruben Amorim will expect a response from his Manchester United side this weekend following his controversial comments in the aftermath of their defeat to Brighton. Amorim inherited a group that was unsuitable to his standards and lacked confidence, with no new signings expected.

Left-back has been prioritised, and United might do worse than look at their opponents this weekend. Antonee Robinson has been a revelation for Fulham, leading Europe's top five leagues in crosses to the penalty area and interceptions.

An great one-on-one defender and formidable athlete, the 27-year-old's improvement in the final third has catapulted him among the league's top full-backs. He has nine assists this season, the third most of any player in Europe's top divisions.
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