MX23RW : Tuesday, January 22 14:10:30

5 talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League fixtures

5 talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League fixtures
© Reuters
Harry Kane is expected to be out until March in a huge blow for Tottenham.

The Premier League returns this weekend with Tottenham missing Harry Kane and Huddersfield searching for a new manager.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at the talking points ahead of the action.

Can Tottenham cope without Harry Kane?

England captain Kane has been ruled out until March with an ankle injury leaving Spurs with a striker crisis. Son-Heung Min is also away at the Asian Cup while Vincent Janssen is frozen out and Fernando Llorente has started just one league game in 17 months. Lucas Moura seem the only alternative up front but he has been battling a knee problem. Spurs have been reliant on Kane and must now cope or buy a replacement.

What does the future hold for Huddersfield?

Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League Huddersfield are now managerless after David Wagner's departure. The Terriers host Manchester City on Sunday seven points from the safety line, with a managerial search now taking priority over January reinforcements for their survival effort. Sporting director Olaf Rebbe has also departed as the club look for a fresh start but that increasingly looks like being in the Sky Bet Championship.

Can Arsenal keep their Champions League hopes alive?

West Ham United v Arsenal – Premier League – London Stadium
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (left) fired blanks at West Ham last week. (Yui Mok/PA)

The Gunners host Chelsea on Saturday sitting fifth in the Premier League, six points behind the fourth-placed visitors. Arsenal boss Unai Emery admitted they can only sign loans to strengthen this month, while Chelsea are tying up a loan deal for Gonzalo Higuain themselves. But without serious strengthening cracking the top four again remains a tall order for a Gunners side who lost 1-0 at West Ham last week.

Marco Silva needs to stop flattering to deceive

Everton v Leicester City – Premier League – Goodison Park
Everton manager Marco Silva has them 10th in the table. (Peter Byrne/PA)

Everton have won just two of their last nine Premier League games, including last week's 2-0 win over Bournemouth. They are 11 points off sixth-placed Manchester United and a mid-table finish, without European football next season, looks increasingly likely. They go to Southampton on Saturday and after being relegated at Hull, and leaving Watford in a survival battle, Silva needs to start proving he can take Everton to the next level.

Will Liverpool slip up against Crystal Palace again?

Liverpool v Crystal Palace – Premier League – Anfield
Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke scored the goals to beat his former club in April 2017. (Peter Byrne/PA)

The leaders host the Eagles, with Palace having won three of their last four trips to Anfield. Their 2-1 win in April 2017 is Liverpool's last home league defeat, with the Reds now unbeaten in 31 top-flight games at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp's side are four points clear of Manchester City but they need to avoid more Palace problems to maintain the gap at the top.

Share this article now:
Eder Militao in action for Brazil on September 12, 2018
Read Next:
Real 'to meet Militao release clause'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23193154134160
2Manchester CityMan City23182362174556
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs23170648232551
4Chelsea23145440192147
5Arsenal23135548321644
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd23135546331344
7Watford239683232033
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves239592731-432
9Leicester CityLeicester2394102929031
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2394103034-431
11Everton238693433130
12Bournemouth2393113342-930
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2375112532-726
14Crystal Palace2364132332-922
15Southampton2357112540-1522
16Burnley2364132343-2022
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2356121931-1221
18Cardiff CityCardiff2354141944-2519
19Fulham2335152151-3014
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2325161340-2711

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account