Premier League: What to expect this weekend

• In anticipation of the Premier League weekend we look at the hot topics, including Phil Foden’s incredible run.

In anticipation of the Premier League weekend, we look at the hot topics, including Phil Foden’s incredible run, Liverpool’s need to toughen up, and an important test for Arsenal.

Liverpool need to win

Liverpool players sad after losing a game. Photo/ Sky Sports

A devastating setback in the Merseyside Derby midweek, the Reds’ second loss in three league games, seems to have ended Liverpool’s prospects of winning the championship. They were not the Liverpool we have grown accustomed to under Jurgen Klopp when they lost at Everton. The Reds’ set-pieces were unsettled as his team was outfought and outworked.

David Moyes will have taken note of Liverpool’s vulnerability throughout the evening, as both of Everton’s goals came from dead balls into the box. Liverpool and West Ham will meet at the London Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

More over 25% of West Ham’s goals this season have come from set pieces, a strength of Moyes’ sides in the past. Liverpool has to toughen up and be ready for another aerial onslaught this weekend.

Phil Foden has stepped up

Phil Foden celebrates after scoring against Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium. Photo/ Sky Sports.

It’s difficult to argue with Kevin De Bruyne’s assessment this week that Phil Foden has improved at Manchester City this season, as he has “stepped up a level.” At Brighton in midweek, Foden increased his tally of goals for the season in all competitions to 24, as the Citizens put on a merciless display at the Amex Stadium.

Given additional playing time in central areas, the 23-year-old has been trusted to perform at his best and has grown more decisive under Pep Guardiola. With his two goals against the Seagulls, Foden reached 51 goals in the Premier League over his career, and as he develops, that number should only rise.

Foden is the current frontrunner, but who wins the title battle might ultimately determine who wins the PFA Player of the Year award.

The North  London Derby

Tuesday night, Mikel Arteta’s squad put on a dominant display, thrashing Chelsea 5-0. The Gunners have recovered magnificently from their Champions League exit earlier this month and their loss to Aston Villa.

Martin Odegaard is a merrymaker in midfield, Kai Havertz has hushed his naysayers at center forward, and the North Londoners have the finest defense in the division.

The Gunners can only keep winning and hope that the Citizens make a mistake, but Manchester City has a game in hand and has cut the deficit to one point on Thursday. This weekend is maybe the largest acid test left in the run-in, and there is no room for error. In what seems to be a North London derby for the ages, Tottenham will be the team most eager to dash Arsenal’s chances. Tottenham needs to win to maintain their own aspirations.

Aston Villa’s fight for Europe

Aston Villa in a previous match. Photo/Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

With back-to-back victories against Arsenal and Bournemouth, Aston Villa has built up a six-point lead over Tottenham in the fight for Champions League football. Spurs still have two games remaining, but due to an odd scheduling conflict, Villa may extend their lead to nine points before the North Londoners play again.

Chelsea will be playing at Villa Park under Unai Emery’s guidance. The Blues go to the Midlands fresh off a 5-0 loss at Arsenal. Villa’s victory would seem like a huge step toward finishing in the top four, especially considering that Spurs play Arsenal in the North London derby the next day, the team that leads the league.

Villa’s season is taking on a remarkable form. Earlier this month, they defeated Lille to go to the Europa Conference League semifinals, where they will face Olympiacos. This club has a genuine chance to win its first championship in 28 years and qualify for the Champions League. Dream Country.

Everton’s set-piece threat

Calvert Lewin scored a header goal against Liverpool in the Premier League. Photo/ News18

The Toffees are currently eight points clear of the relegation zone, and if things go their way this weekend, they should be safe.

At Goodison Park against Brentford, Everton will be eager to take advantage of dead balls once more. Except for penalties, Everton has already scored 17 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season, including a thunderous header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Liverpool. Set pieces have contributed to 47% of Everton’s league goals, a feat only surpassed by Arsenal (20).

Though just three teams—Arsenal, Fulham, and Manchester City—have let up less goals from set pieces than Brentford (7), they remain a formidable opponent.