Premier League: 10 things to watch this weekend

Casemiro crisis puts pressure on Ugarte

After Casemiro’s disastrous performance in the defeat to Liverpool, Erik ten Hag looks certain to make his St Mary’s debut alongside Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte. Last time out, Ten Hag was forced to bring on the inexperienced Toby Collyer at half-time to try and calm things down alongside Kobbie Mainoo as Casemiro was slow to set up Liverpool goals. Having not played for Paris Saint-Germain before his move to the Premier League, Ugarte has had some game time with Uruguay, including 90 minutes in Venezuela on Tuesday before returning to his new home to get to know his team-mates. It seems a big ask for Ugarte to play on Saturday lunchtime after a hectic few weeks, but Ten Hag has no choice as he needs results and is heavily invested in the 23-year-old midfielder. Will undo

Delap had his chance to shine

It must be a strange existence to be an incredibly gifted youngster at one of the world’s most successful clubs. Liam Delap was on the fringes at Manchester City, given the chance to show what he could do without ever looking like he could be trusted to be Erling Haaland’s replacement. Instead, Delap followed the traditional route of loan spells to clubs that play in a completely different way to City’s academy to test whether he would sink or swim. Twenty-two league games at Stoke produced three goals, while at Preston he scored one in 15. Eventually, he found a more promising temporary home at Hull, playing and finding the net regularly in the Championship, so much so that Ipswich and Kieran McKenna took notice, bringing him to Portman Road after promotion. In his first three appearances for the club after joining for a fee that could rise to £20m, he has looked a dangerous No.9. A full season in the top flight will help Delap develop and show that Ipswich, like Brighton, are making the right moves in the market. WU

Glasner envisions a host of new faces

After a frantic end to the transfer window, Oliver Glasner faces decisions over his starting XI against Leicester, with late signings Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah and Eddie Nketiah set to make their debuts. While Marc Guehi will continue to provide a solid foundation for Crystal Palace’s defence after much speculation over his future this summer, the Austrian manager must decide where Lacroix – who played under Glasner at Wolfsburg – and Chalobah fit into his favoured back three. The immediate return of Palace alumni Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard to Selhurst Park should provide a stern test of the hosts’ qualities as both sides bid for a first win of the new campaign. It will also be interesting to see whether Glasner intends to partner Nketiah up front alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta, given the Frenchman’s rich form last season. Ed Aarons

Füllkrug ready to play at Fulham?

West Ham’s start under new manager Julen Lopetegui has been a satisfactory one in terms of results. Defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester City are excusable, while any win at Selhurst Park is a good one. But it is unclear how he wants his team to play, with the grit that got them that result showcasing the best in David Moyes rather than the imperfections added by his successor. Lopetegui has refrained from playing Niclas Füllkrug – signed from Borussia Dortmund for £27m – in any of his team’s three league games so far and, although nine clubs have scored fewer goals than West Ham, of their four goals, one was a dubious penalty in a non-threatening situation and the other an own goal when none of their players were near the ball. As such, Lopetegui will surely hope to impose his vision and bring in Füllkrug in place of a struggling Michail Antonio, provided he has recovered from an injury sustained in international duty. Daniel Harris

Gibbs-White targets Gravenberch?

After becoming Nottingham Forest’s first England international since 1997, Morgan Gibbs-White has another chance to show his qualities on a big stage. The number 10 uses his skill and intelligence to unlock defences, but also possesses a serious work ethic, prepared to pursue opponents in the hope of winning the ball back. He will occupy the same part of the pitch as Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, where the Dutchman takes possession and starts attacks. Gravenberch is not a natural defensive midfielder; he is used in this role because of his ability to retain possession rather than his love of tackling. He has produced some outstanding performances since being handed the role by compatriot Arne Slot, but Nuno Espírito Santo will be ready to test Gravenberch with a confident Gibbs-White. If Forest can disrupt him, they have a chance of continuing their unbeaten run. WU

Manchester City’s machine keeps turning

Three games, three wins, nine goals scored, two conceded: the reigning champions have crushed Chelsea, Ipswich and West Ham in an early-season powerplay that already looks to make most of the other contenders seem like a challenger. In the 2-1 victory two seasons ago, Brentford had achieved the rare feat of beating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in front of their own crowd. That was in November 2022 and Ivan Toney had scored twice for the visitors. But he is now gone and with Erling Haaland already on seven goals and, according to Pep Guardiola, in better form than he was a year ago, a point could be the best realistic hope for Thomas Frank’s men. Jamie Jackson

Alumni reunion at Villa Park

Aston Villa and Everton have become very friendly this summer, swapping players to improve their spreadsheets on profitability and sustainability rules. Lewis Dobbin signed for Villa and then went on loan to West Brom, while Tim Iroegbunam joined Everton and Villa paid Everton £50m for Amadou Onana, who scored twice in his first three games for the club. Iroegbunam did indeed replace Onana in Sean Dyche’s midfield, but the Everton manager has a series of issues to address; Everton have conceded 10 goals in three league games and surrendered a two-goal lead in the 87th minute to lose at home to Bournemouth. Villa are unbeaten against Everton in the league since returning to the top flight in 2019, winning four of their last five league meetings at Villa Park and drawing the other. How could Dyche and Everton end that run? Ben Fisher

Travers gets rare opportunity for Cherries

Kepa Arrizabalaga will not get a chance to prove himself against Chelsea on Saturday, with the Bournemouth loanee ineligible to face his parent club – but another player will. Mark Travers was last a regular starter at Bournemouth in 2021-22, the season they returned to the top flight under Scott Parker, and since then the Irish international has spent time on loan at Stoke in the second tier, in and out of the team. Travers, 19, excelled on his Premier League debut against Tottenham five years ago and, with top-flight opportunities likely to be limited following Kepa’s arrival, he has a chance to show his abilities against Chelsea with Will Dennis, who spent last season on loan at Kilmarnock, taking his place on the bench. Chelsea scored six goals against Wolves in their last away league game, so Travers may have to be on his toes. BF

Arsenal let their colours overflow

Naturally, the North London derby has a lot to offer. It has produced some memorable games and spectacular results over the years, but something is going to be a little different this time around. Arsenal’s players will be wearing their new away kits after refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) ruled that their usual kit did not match Tottenham’s home kit, claiming it had “too much white”. In an era where every club needlessly changes their away kit for non-confrontational away games, in order to sell more kits to punters, it seems a shame that Arsenal are being forced to change colours. It’s a minor detail, but when the majority of tradition is sold in the name of profit, seeing two historic clubs wearing traditional designs adds to the spectacle of the event. Instead, it’s the demise of another piece of football history. WU

Crucial start to the match for O’Neil

Wolves always knew that two things were likely to shape their season: the end of the transfer window and a difficult run of fixtures at the start of the season. It is fair to say that neither has gone well and Wolves, already beaten by Arsenal and Chelsea, host Newcastle on Sunday knowing that failing to take at least a point would be their worst start to a season since promotion in 2018. Wolves have won one of their last 13 league games and Gary O’Neil, who signed a contract extension in the summer, is tuned into the mood at Molineux. Wolves fans will fear they are treading water but perhaps they will spring another surprise under O’Neil. “We’ve done what we can do and we’ve signed some good players but I think we’ve always had the second smallest net budget in the window,” said the Wolves manager. “Above Manchester City, oddly enough… maybe we’ll finish above them.” BF