Premier League Review: 20 Talking points from the season so far
After the latest international break, the Premier League returns this weekend. Ahead of that take a look at each of the 20 Premier League clubs and the major talking points affecting each one.
Manchester City - Can Pep’s men go unbeaten?
With the City team playing as well as they are, there is no arguing that 'The Invincibles 2018/19' is very much a possibility. Equally as impressive in defence and attack, City boast 36 goals from their opening 12, averaging three per match, and have seven clean sheets having conceded a mere five.
They show no signs of letting up either, dispatching their neighbours with ease last time out.
- Manchester City go the season unbeaten: 10/1 (with Sky Bet)
Liverpool - Are the Reds able to keep up a title challenge?
Jurgen Klopp has bolstered the Liverpool defence, which prevented them from mounting a real title-challenge last season, and it's worked - they've kept the same number of clean sheets as Manchester City.
They also drew with three of their title rivals, earning a point away to Chelsea and Arsenal, while holding City to a point at home. It looks promising for the Reds.
- Liverpool to go the season unbeaten: 33/1 (with Sky Bet)
Chelsea - Can Sarri emulate Conte?
Eden Hazard is in the form of his life, directly contributing to 11 goals in as many matches. He's only started eight of those matches, claiming seven goals and four assists. David Luiz is flourishing under Maurizio Sarri, helping his team-mates to six clean sheets.
Previous title winners have proved new managers and systems can fool rivals - look at Chelsea's first season under Antonio Conte or Leicester's title winning season - and Chelsea are in the conversation despite fairly low expectations pre-season.
- Chelsea to go the season unbeaten: 150/1 (with Sky Bet)
Tottenham - Will they hold onto Poch?
Tottenham are closing in on the top three after they produced their best ever Premier League, although Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with the Real Madrid job despite Santiago Solari taking the reigns, amid unrest regarding the new stadium.
This can be linked to the lack of money and summer investment during the transfer window and while Solari's appointment buys Spurs some time, should Real continue to paddle then further change could make for an interesting summer.
Arsenal - Can Emery mount a top-four charge?
Unai Emery certainly raised eyebrows when his side won 11 matches in a row in all competitions, while adopting a style that sees playing from the back feature very heavily, something Petr Cech has had to adapt to, as well as the Arsenal backline.
There's a new spirit and positive (and louder) atmosphere in the Emirates Stadium now, which could help Emery achieve this feat.
Bournemouth - Can they keep hold of key players?
Bournemouth mainstays Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson have earned international call-ups for Scotland and England respectively, and that's led to links elsewhere, including Wilson to Chelsea.
After such a strong start to the Premier League campaign, it is so important for Eddie Howe to keep hold of both key senior key players and young developing talents if they are to keep the good job going and contend for a top-eight or even a top-six finish.
- Callum Wilson to sign for Chelsea: 4/1 (with Sky Bet)
Watford - Will the Hornets get back on track?
Watford enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, winning their first four, though since then they have been hit and miss, registering two wins from eight, with one of those coming in the form of an impressive performance at Molineux.
The Hornets outfit are set to be boosted by news of a three-year contract being handed to boss Javi Garcia, which could be just what they need to kick on and re-establish that early-season form.
Manchester United - Can Mourinho strengthen in defence?
Failing to sign defenders in the summer transfer window has proved costly for the Red Devils manager, with his backline guilty of making mistakes that have seen United drop vital points.
It is highly rumoured that they will go in for Toby Alderweireld in January and he would be a welcome addition as they seek to bridge the gap to rivals City, one which was underlined before the international break.
Everton - Could they push for a top-six finish?
Marco Silva’s side have looked strong against the ‘big six’ thus far, going down with a fight when visiting the Emirates and Old Trafford, while holding Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
With Richarlison and Andre Gomes in fine form, Everton could well have a chance of pipping Manchester United or Tottenham to a top-six spot.
Leicester City - Foxes to find form?
Claude Puel’s men feature against two of the bottom four in their next four Premier League matches, facing Brighton and Watford in between, and all are pivotal in getting the Foxes on the right track to propel themselves up the table.
James Maddison has been an influential summer signing from Norwich and has contributed towards five goals, scoring three and laying on another two, while Harry Maguire’s new contract has boosted the club's credibility and ensures their defence will continue to be solid.
The Foxes problem has been turning good performances into three points, something they'll need to start doing over Christmas and into the New Year.
Wolves - Can they find home comforts?
Nuno Espirito Santo saw his side go four unbeaten at home on their return to the top-flight, winning two and drawing two (against Manchester City and Everton), but have since lost back-to-back home games against Watford and Spurs.
Solid home form is vital for any newly promoted side to survive in this unforgiving league, so it is important they bounce back and win in front of their fans when they host Huddersfield at the weekend, as Chelsea are the next visitors.
Brighton - A big four games
Leicester and Crystal Palace at home, in between visits to play Huddersfield and Burnley. Those are the Seagulls’ next four, crucial to determining the rest of their season perhaps.
Chris Hughton knows his side must string together some results, as they clash against Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton and Bournemouth in their following four. A good end to the month would give them breathing space going into the difficult Christmas period.
As for the management, Hughton may be down the odds list currently at 40/1 but ensuring he isn't tempted to become the next Republic of Ireland boss, the nation he represented as a player, is vital.
West Ham - What must Pellegrini do before January?
Manuel Pellegrini needs to keep Marco Arnautovic happy, and scoring goals will help. He has five in just 10 appearances, but has only registered once on the scoresheet in his last four league games.
It is to be hoped that the Austrian does not get tempted by the expected interest from other clubs during the January transfer window. Felipe Anderson is another key player for the Hammers but it's the future of Arnautovic which is most concerning.
- Marco Arnautovic to sign for Manchester United: 7/1 (with Sky Bet)
Newcastle - Could the Magpies flip their season on its head?
Newcastle’s current form makes for encouraging reading, as they've put together an unbeaten run of three matches, winning their last two and drawing the other, keeping two clean sheets in the process.
Time will tell whether this is a sign of things to come or whether their early-season form is a better indication of what to expect.
Whatever the case, off the field issues with owner Mike Ashley will always hinder progress on the field and you never know when the next fall out between owner and fans will happen and how destabilising it will be.
It is vital that they keep Rafa Benitez happy, a lot of which will boil down to how much they spend in January.
Burnley - Could they be in the relegation picture?
Burnley have recorded four points from their last two matches, a worrying downturn on some bright early-season form.
They have appeared to pay the price of starting their season early due to their fruitless Europa League campaign. The question will be now that's out of the way can they get going over the next month, or will it have longer-term implications?
Crystal Palace - Consistency a concern
The Palace squad have not pieced together a consistent run of form this season, with their longest unbeaten streak lasting two matches. They are now winless in seven and looking over their shoulder as the drop zone looms large.
Goals are also an issue. They've managed just eight all season, with three coming from Wilfried Zaha and two from midfielder Luka Milivojevic, which suggests Roy Hodgson must look for attack-minded players in January.
Southampton - Is Mark Hughes the next manager to go?
Mark Hughes has found himself in a predicament, with his side occupying 17th place, hanging just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
The Saints are without a win in eight Premier League fixtures, and Danny Ings has netted half of their eight goals so far, highlighting a lack of creativity in the final third which simply must be addressed.
Remember, under Hughes Southampton stayed up by the skin of their teeth last season, so how long will patience remain if the Saints remain near the bottom?
Cardiff - Will the Bluebirds be chasing their tail?
Cardiff's next six games are against Everton, Wolves, West Ham, Southampton, Watford and Manchester United. These will define the rest of Cardiff’s season and whether they're likely to put up a real fight against relegation.
Huddersfield found big performances against United, Watford and Southampton in the build up to Christmas last season gave them the confidence to eventually stay up and the value of big performances over the coming weeks can't be ignored.
Huddersfield - Can Wagner make lightning strike twice?
It may be a bridge too far this year for David Wagner’s Huddersfield, who've won only once, against Fulham so far. They have scored the fewest goals this campaign with six, no player scoring more than once for the Terriers, while their defence has shipped 22 at just under two per game.
Wagner always believes in his players and maintains this squad is good enough to survive again. But the fact is they failed to land the needed quality on the wings, and back-up options in defence in the summer and it is costing them dearly. If Wagner recognises this in January and spends they have a chance, but history shows the German doesn't do much business after Christmas.
Fulham - Can Ranieri work his magic?
Claudio Ranieri has been recruited by the Fulham board to keep the Cottagers in the Premier League. He must start by addressing the Fulham defence, which has conceded the most goals in the Premier League with 31, just five short of three-a-game.
They have failed to score in four of their last six and they have not tasted victory in eight, leaving Ranieri with his hands full. The Italian has joked he will give his players McDonald's when they get their first win under him, and without doubt Fulham need to taste a Big Mac soon if they're to survive.
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