Can City Break Through the Forest?
Manchester City, armed with their steady upturn in form, faces a formidable challenge this weekend as they visit Nottingham Forest. Despite recent emphatic defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool, City has been on a strong run since the turn of the year. They have scored more goals than any other team and are only behind Arsenal and Liverpool in terms of points accumulated in 2025. This weekend, they face Nottingham Forest, who have surprised many by sitting comfortably in third place, just ahead of City in the table. Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest have become a tough nut to crack, particularly at home, where they boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League. With a new-look front pairing of Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, City will aim to break through Forest’s robust defense. The match at the City Ground will be a true test of City’s attacking prowess and their ability to maintain their recent form.
Nketiah Set for Palace Chance
Eddie Nketiah’s journey at Crystal Palace has been anything but smooth. Signed from Arsenal for £30m last summer, the forward was expected to get regular playing time, but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s emergence as a prolific scorer has often pushed Nketiah to the sidelines. His goal as a late substitute against Aston Villa and another against Millwall, following Mateta’s head injury, have given him a chance to shine. With Mateta unlikely to play this weekend, Nketiah has a golden opportunity to impress. Back-to-back games against struggling Ipswich and Southampton present a perfect platform for him to build his confidence and stake a claim for a starting role. The support from his Crystal Palace teammates after his goals highlights the importance of this moment for a player who has faced numerous challenges since joining the club.
Liverpool’s Need for Rotation
Liverpool’s recent performance at Paris Saint-Germain was a concerning one, despite Harvey Elliott’s goal securing a narrow win. The team’s lethargic display in Paris has raised fears of potential burnout. However, the fixture list offers a glimmer of hope with bottom-of-the-table Southampton visiting Anfield this weekend. Liverpool’s comfortable lead and Southampton’s poor form make this an ideal opportunity for Arne Slot to rotate his squad. Key players like Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch could use a breather, while Luis Diaz and Dominik Szoboszlai, who struggled in France, might benefit from a rest. The impressive performances of substitutes like Elliott, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, and Curtis Jones against PSG suggest they are ready to step up and make an impact. This rotation could help maintain the team’s energy and form as they navigate a crucial part of the season.
Will Watkins Haunt Old Side Again?
Brentford can take pride in their role in Ollie Watkins’ development. Plucked from Exeter City, Watkins was named Championship Player of the Year in his final season with Brentford before moving to Aston Villa for a club-record fee. Since then, he has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most complete frontmen, closing in on a century of goals for Villa. However, Brentford may not be delighted to see their former favorite this weekend. Watkins has a prolific record against his old side, with five goals and an assist in six Premier League games. His performances in these encounters have often been decisive, and Brentford will need to be on high alert to prevent him from adding to his tally. This match presents a significant test for Brentford’s defense and a chance for Watkins to further cement his status as a top-flight striker.
How Will Wolves Cope Without Cunha?
Wolves’ season has been marked by struggles, despite a five-point cushion over the relegation zone. One bright spot has been the performances of Matheus Cunha, who has been a key figure with 13 goals and four assists. However, Cunha’s red card in the FA Cup loss to Bournemouth for lashing out at Milos Kerkez will leave a significant void. His absence for the next three games, including matches against Everton, Southampton, and West Ham, could be costly. These are teams either in or around the relegation zone, making Cunha’s absence potentially detrimental to Wolves’ survival efforts. The team will need to step up and find a way to cope without their talisman, a tall order given their current form and the importance of these fixtures.
Maresca Can Push Foxes Closer to Trap Door
Enzo Maresca’s departure from Leicester City last summer was a significant event, as he had successfully led the Foxes back into the Premier League. His success attracted attention from Chelsea, and while Maresca has overseen steady improvement there, his former club has struggled. Steve Cooper’s brief and unsuccessful tenure was followed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, whose tenure has so far been a disaster. Leicester has lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League matches and looked like a team consigned to relegation in their recent loss to West Ham. Maresca, who returns to the King Power Stadium with Chelsea this weekend, could potentially seal the deal on Leicester’s relegation. The Foxes’ poor form and lack of confidence make this a daunting challenge, and Maresca’s familiarity with the club adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match.
