Premier League: 10 talking points ahead of the weekend from Solskjaer’s struggles to the north London derby

A look ahead to the weekend’s top-flight games

1) Spurs need bounce off derby springboard

It wouldn't a modern northern London derby if it didn't come at an apparent crossroads point for one of the club, that escalates the fixture way beyond its fierce emotion. This Sunday, after almost a half-decade when it has felt like Arsenal are the team in greater need of a win, it is Tottenham Hotspur suffering the other side. This trip to Arsenal comes within a stuttering start to the season, throughout a poor 2019 in the Premier League. It has led to talk it's all going stale under Mauricio Pochettino, and even some denials that he will soon walk out. A fierce stance in their greatest rivals' stadium would be quite the response to all of that. Spiking all this further is that, although this is not a must-win for Arsenal right now, a defeat would turn it into a more definitive north London derby for them. It would similarly turn what had been a promising start to the season into a deflating one, with a few more concerns. This is so rarely a tepid fixture. And it feels this one will end up producing greater tremors. MD

2) Burnley could halt Liverpool momentum

During the title run-in last season, Pep Guardiola told his Manchester City players that their trip to Burnley in April would be like “going to the dentist”. Now it’s time for Liverpool to have a check-up. Jurgen Klopp’s side sit top of the table with nine points after three games, a point clear of City, but have only looked anything like their best in one of those wins – last Saturday’s at Arsenal. The best defence in the league last season is still waiting to keep a clean sheet, too. Turf Moor is a difficult place to go at the best of times. Liverpool’s 100 per cent record could be in danger. MC

3) Will Saints deepen Solskjaer struggles?

It’s easy to get a little carried away with Manchester United’s current run of form – they could, for the grace of a capable penalty taker, be sitting on maximum points after three games of course. But all is not quite right with a lack of cutting edge again all too apparent against Crystal Palace last weekend. Add in a tendency for preventable errors at the back and it’s no surprise Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are where they are. Southampton frustrated Liverpool a fortnight ago and have the street smarts to cause United problems too. Work to do. BB

4) Abraham can profit again

The 3-2 victory over Norwich City last week gave Frank Lampard his first victory as Chelsea manager and the fixture list has been kind to the 41-year-old by giving him a second promoted team before the international break. It should be the perfect opportunity for the west London club to rack up another three points. Tammy Abraham, who scored twice at Carrow Road, needs to prove he is a consistent Premier League goalscorer. Sheffield United lack a little quality at the back and that should allow the 21-year-old to build some confidence. Chris Wilder’s team were naive last week against Leicester City and need to tighten up. TE

5) Potter’s tactical conundrum

Graham Potter has made a bright start to life at Brighton but now comes a serious test like nothing he will have ever faced before in football. The man who took a punt at management deep in the Swedish tundra a decade ago now finds himself up against Pep Guardiola, and it will be interesting to see how he approaches the task. Where Chris Hughton would have had Brighton sit deep and frustrate their opposition, Potter is likely to be more open and aggressive, but finding the balance in order to avoid a drubbing will be critical if he is to keep hold of some of their early-season momentum. LO

There is plenty to look out for this weekend (Getty)

6) Palace aiming to defy the odds again

Crystal Palace finally got in the win column last weekend despite facing 22 attempts on their goal compared and taking just five of their own. Not sure what the expected goals chaps would make of that but a regression back to the mean feels like it’s coming. It’s nothing new but they remain a team overly-reliant on Wilfried Zaha with Jordan Ayew, despite a goal at Old Trafford, still yet to fully convince. Jeffrey Schlupp returned to the side in a more attacking move a week ago and you can expect Hodgson to go on the offensive again against Villa. LO

7) Are Foxes real top-six candidates?

Leicester are one of four unbeaten sides in the Premier League, and in the top four. But can they mount a serious challenge to the top six? Possibly, and if they are to do so, games like this become must win. Bournemouth will provide tough opposition, built similarly with diverse attacking threat, and will look to get at the inexperienced Caglar Soyuncu and perhaps exploit the spaces that Leicester’s full-backs leave with their forward thrusts. How Brendan Rodgers’ side combat Bournemouth’s attacking game could offer some clues as to how real their tilt at the top six truly is. HLC

8) Wolves still learning Europa League rhythm

Wolves are yet to play on a Saturday this season and that trend will continue this weekend. Sunday’s trip to Merseyside will be a serious test of their Europa League rhythms: can they bounce from victory over Torino to beat Everton? Nuno Espirito Santo played a strong team in midweek and they must now find a way to go again, because despite their unbeaten start to the season, they are still without a win – and Goodison has proved a particularly difficult place to visit in recent times. LO

9) Top-flight’s new sharp shooters go head to head

West Ham and Norwich each boast a striker off to a strong scoring start this season, but Teemu Pukki and Sebastien Haller’s paths to the Premier League contrast. Haller, West Ham’s club record signing, opened his account with a well-taken double last weekend, and is a wonderfully balanced striker, nimble of foot for a rather large man and an excellent creator to boot. Pukki, unheralded and picked up on a free after leaving Brondby, is a real find, an intelligent mover and natural scorer. Either could be the difference in what should be an open game. HLC

10) A relegation six-pointer already?

How can you have a relegation six-pointer within the first four rounds of the Premier League season getting underway? By pitting Newcastle United and Watford together, that’s how. The Magpies must prove last weekend’s victory over Spurs was no flash in the pan or risk the Steve Bruce backlash returning to St James’ Park, while it is not out of sight that Watford could sack Javi Gracia is they fail to pick up their first point of the season. Whichever team emerges out of this one on the wrong side of the result should start preparing for a long survival fight. JDM