It’s been a busy week in the Premier League with several teams involved in European action in the Champions League and Europa League ahead of next weekend’s Premier League games.
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Let’s now take a look at some of the big news breaking in the past week that directly affects the teams set to play in the Premier League this weekend. Starting with a blow for Arsenal fans ahead of their huge clash against Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
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Premier League Matchday 9 Fixtures
Outlined below are the fixtures for Matchday 9 in the Premier League, starting with Friday night’s game between Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.
Kick off time is 3pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday unless otherwise stated.
Friday 25th October
- Leicester City v Nottingham Forest (8pm)
Saturday 26th October
- Aston Villa v Bournemouth
- Brentford v Ipswich Town
- Brighton v Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Manchester City v Southampton
- Everton v Fulham (5.30pm)
Sunday 27th October
- Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
- Chelsea v Newcastle United
- West Ham v Manchester United
- Arsenal v Liverpool (4.30pm)
Latest Premier League News
Arsenal’s Injury Woes Ahead of Key Liverpool Clash
Arsenal faces a challenging situation as they prepare for their upcoming match against Liverpool. The team is dealing with the potential absence of several key players due to injuries.
Among them is Riccardo Calafiori, who suffered a knee injury during the Gunners recent Champions League match, a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. This adds to Arsenal’s list of potential absentees, which could impact their performance against a strong Liverpool side.
Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney join Calafiori in being absentees for this game while it is unlikely that Jurrien Timber or Bukayo Saka will be fit enough to play. William Saliba is also suspended for this match too after his red card against Bournemouth last week.
The absence of these players might force Arsenal to rely on their bench strength and tactical adjustments to navigate this crucial fixture against an in-form Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Transfer and Coaching Change
Arsenal has seen some changes off the field as well. Jack Wilshere has left the club to become a first-team coach at Championship side Norwich City.
This move marks a new chapter in Wilshere’s career and highlights Arsenal’s commitment to developing talent both on and off the pitch. The club will look to continue building a strong coaching team to support their players’ development.
As yet there is no news on a replacement for Wilshere.
Tottenham’s Concerns with Heung-min Son
Tottenham Hotspur is also facing its own set of challenges as key attacker Heung-min Son missed training this week and is doubtful for the upcoming match against Crystal Palace.
Son’s absence could be a significant blow to Tottenham’s attacking options, as he has been a key player for the team. The South Korean ace was omitted from Spurs Europa League squad in midweek to give him extra time to recover following their 4-1 win over West Ham last weekend.
The club will need to assess his fitness closely and make strategic decisions to ensure they maintain their competitive edge in the league. There’s more positive news for Spurs in the news that Wilson Odobert should be back from injury, while full-back Djed Spence is also back in training.
Brentford’s Frank Frank About Old Trafford Links
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has expressed contentment with his current position at Brentford, despite being linked to bigger clubs like Manchester United. Frank stated on The Sports Agent podcast that he was at “one of the best clubs in the world. Why should I leave this place?” referring to the Bees.
However, he also admitted the challenge of managing a huge club would appeal, commenting that it was “maybe a challenge that, you know, you need to try.”
Frank is the second longest-serving manager in the Premier League and has earned a glowing reputation for his work at Brentford. His comments highlight the stability and positive environment within the club.
But while his focus remains on guiding Brentford to success in the Premier League, if United do decide to move on from the under pressure Erik Ten Hag, Frank’s name will be amongst those linked with the job at Old Trafford.
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Cooper Returns To City Ground Amidst Bans
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is focused on his current role as the team prepares to face his former club, Nottingham Forest. Cooper’s experience and knowledge of Nottingham Forest could provide Leicester with a strategic advantage.
His ability to motivate and guide his team will be essential as they aim to secure a positive result in this important fixture with Leicester lying 14th in the table and Nottingham Forest occupying eighth spot ahead of their Friday Night clash.
However, Forest’s current squad has changed a great deal given the extreme number of transfers made into, and out of, the club in the past couple of seasons. And Nuno Santo’s team have been playing well, losing just once in eight games this season and being the only team to defeat Liverpool so far.
In separate news, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been handed a five-game stadium ban by a Premier League commission.
The ban was for spitting on the floor close to match officials following a 1-0 loss to Fulham on the 28th September.
Manager Nuno Santo was banned from the touchline for three games and Morgan Gibbs-White banned for one game for swearing at match officials in their 2-2 draw with Brighton back in September.
Disciplinary Action: Spurs Hit with £20,000 Fine
Tottenham was fined £20,000 by the FA for failing to control their players during an altercation in last weekend’s 4-1 win against West Ham.
The melee saw two Tottenham players get involved with the Hammers’ Ghanaian striker Mohammed Kudus, who was eventually sent off, and led to a large number of players from both teams becoming embroiled in a pushing and shoving contest.
West Ham and Mohammed Kudus have also been charged, but as yet no punishment has been announced for the team or player.
Cundy Makes Shock EPL Prediction
Aston Villa is predicted by talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy to finish above Arsenal this season based on current form. Villa’s strong performances have caught the attention of analysts and fans alike.
Villa lie top of the current Champions League table after three games with maximum points. They are also fourth in the EPL, level on points with Arsenal (17) but with a slightly poorer goal difference (+5 compared to +7 for Arsenal).
The team’s ability to maintain consistency and capitalize on their strengths will be key factors in achieving this prediction. Villa’s players will need to continue delivering impressive performances to meet these expectations.
Alessia Russo’s Lionesses Recognition
Arsenal Women’s striker Alessia Russo was voted England Women’s Player of the Year after her impressive performances in international competitions. Russo’s achievements highlight her talent and dedication to the sport. Her recognition serves as an inspiration to aspiring footballers and underscores the growing prominence of women’s football on the global stage.
Russo is in the squad for the Friday night game against Germany. This is the first in a series of four crucial friendly games for the Lionesses as they prepare to defend their European Championship trophy in Switzerland in the summer of 2025.
Premier League’s Regulatory Changes
The UK government is introducing unprecedented regulation for the Premier League through a new football regulator. This regulator will have the authority to decide how the Premier League distributes its revenue to smaller clubs, increasing control over English football.
The ruling Labour party has expanded a football governance bill initially proposed by the previous Conservative administration. This move aims to address financial stability and ensure fair distribution of resources across the league.
Impact of New Regulations
The introduction of a new football regulator is expected to have a significant impact on the Premier League. Top teams will be required to consult their fans before raising ticket prices or moving stadiums.
This change emphasizes the importance of fan engagement and transparency in decision-making processes. The bill also aims to address rogue ownership issues and ensure financial stability for clubs across England.
Challenges and Concerns
The Premier League opposes government involvement, fearing it could negatively impact competitiveness due to rigid banking-style regulations and untested powers of intervention.
UEFA and FIFA have also warned against the government interfering in football matters.
Currently, a significant portion of redistributed funds goes towards parachute payments for teams relegated from the top flight, helping them manage revenue drops.
The EFL argues that parachute payments distort competition in lower tiers since recipient clubs are more likely to be promoted back to the Premier League.
Future Implications
Under Labour’s plans, if an agreement on distribution cannot be reached between the Premier League and Football League (representing 72 clubs below top tier), the regulator will make a final decision.
This proposal, known as “the backstop,” aims to prioritize fans’ interests and ensure a fair distribution of resources.
The new regulations are expected to shape the future of English football and influence how clubs operate within the league.
Anthony Gordon Pens New Long-Term Deal With Newcastle
There was positive news on Tyneside this week as Newcastle United agreed to a fresh-deal with their flying winger Anthony Gordon.
The ex-Everton winger has been strongly linked with a move away from Tyneside in the summer, with a purported move to Liverpool falling through. However, after a good start to the new campaign and some excellent performances for England, the striker has been rewarded with a new deal.
The exact details of the contract are not yet known, but Newcastle described the deal as “long-term”.
Conclusion
The Premier League continues to deliver exciting matches and developments both on and off the field. From injury concerns and managerial insights to regulatory changes and player performances, the league remains a dynamic and captivating competition.
As teams navigate the challenges of the season, fans can look forward to more thrilling action and memorable moments in this coming weekend of action.
