Weekend Preview – 23rd November 2024

After the international break, the Premier League returns this weekend, promising fans an exciting set of fixtures to dive back into the action. We have the following availability for fixtures this weekend:

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

Edu will be swiftly returning to stands of The Emirates despite announcing his departure from his role as Arsenal’s Sporting Director. Although he will be sat alongside the Nottingham Forest Correspondents with him recently joining Marinakis’ Multi Club Group.

Edu will be hoping to add to the recent successes seen under Nuno who has brought Forest as high as 3rd that has not happened in 26 years. However, they have since dropped to 5th after their 3-1 defeat to a resurgent Newcastle. Their form is a testament to Nottingham Forest becoming a stubborn team to beat. Under Nuno, Forest seeks to hurt teams on the transition, as they often are one to give up possession, Forest rank 19th for possession percentage in the Premier League.

The same fortunes cannot be applied to Arsenal, who currently sit in 4th without a win in four. Arteta has had the pressure compiled on him with injuries, and suspension woes. Odegaard absence since the beginning of the season has been one of the main issues that affected their form. Arteta’s Arsenal has only created more than 1 xG (Expected Goals) from open play once against Southampton. Although Arteta is hopefully about the return of Odegaard’s form post-International break.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspurs

Postecoglou’s Spurs have been making headlines with impressive results in recent weeks, including victories over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and a comeback win against Aston Villa. However, inconsistency has plagued the Lilywhites, as they handed Crystal Palace and Ipswich their first wins of the season. True to Postecoglou’s philosophy, Spurs have maintained their commitment to high-possession, high-pressing football. It is early doors this season, but the team has showed significant improvement with the team creating more expected goals (xG) and conceding less.

Although this fixture will test Spurs’ depth who will be without Romero who was forced off at half-time in Argentina’s loss against Paraguay and Postecoglou will be unwilling to rush back Van Der Ven for this fixture.

Manchester City, on the other hand, are in unfamiliar territory, coming off four consecutive defeats – the first time in Guardiola’s career. In the last fixture, Brighton exploited Pep’s injured backline setup with long vertical balls, finding space in behind and exposing City’s defensive vulnerabilities with fast breaks. These issues have been persistent since the absence of Rodri, with Pep’s side giving up 3 times the number of fast breaks comparatively to last season.  Postecoglou will be hoping these deficiencies remain after the international break with Spurs currently lead the league in fast breaks goals with 7.

On the attacking front, City have struggled without the clinical form of Erling Haaland, who has been uncharacteristically wasteful in recent matches. Who has underperformed his xG (expected goals) figure of 4.07. This is a significant concern, given that Haaland has scored 52% of City’s goals. The dip in form from key players like Phil Foden, combined with the absences of Julian Alvarez (Who joined Atlético de Madrid) and Rodri, has left Guardiola searching for solutions.

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace has been unable to replicate their impressive form in the backend of the last season. Palace appointed Glasner on the 20th February seeing the Austrian win 7 of 13 games. This season has not brought similar fortunes with the Eagles winning one game in eleven.

Injuries to key players compounded on their summer recruits failing to bed themselves in the team has seemingly forced Glasner into strange tactical decisions. Against Fulham – The Eagles listing 6 defenders within the starting line-up. With Marc Guehi playing in midfield.

They will hope the International break will bring an uptick in form and a return of players as Glasner’s side have a tough list of fixtures in the buildup to Christmas. Facing Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City, Brighton, and Arsenal.

Aston Villa on the other hand will be hoping to turn their recent struggles around with Unai aiming to best Glasner for his first time. Despite a strong start to the season, Aston Villa’s defensive issues persist, with only one clean sheet since August, against a struggling Manchester United. Their last prior shutout was a 2-0 win over Arsenal in April 2024. Set-piece struggles, exposed by goals from Everton’s Calvert-Lewin and Palace’s Eze, stem from zonal marking and a lack of defensive quality.

West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City 

Both sides in this Championship clash are suffering contrasting forms. West Brom have recently come off a 6 game-drawing streak with their victory over Hull City saw the Baggies claim their first victory in over a month. Which saw four goals scored and three conceded. Throughout the season Corberan has relied heavily upon his talisman Joshua Maja who has scored 9 goals in 15 this season.

Only Norwich’s Carlos Sainz has scored more with 11, despite topping the scoring charts Norwich sit 14th and have not won a game in 6. The Canaries last winning to a Hull City side in early October. Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup is currently suffering an injury crisis with Josh Sargent, Ashley Barnes to name a few missing until the new year. Thorup will be hoping for the return of Cuban international Onel Hernandez will aid his side to finally end their woes.

We’re excited for the return of topflight club football, and we can’t wait to see you and your family, friends, clients and colleagues at a match soon.

Click on any of the fixtures or if there is anything else you are interested in please do not hesitate to get in touch, reply to this email, call 01454 210210, or visit www.vipfootballhospitality.com