Premier League Preview: Chelsea Face Low-block Everton As Jesus Targets Christmas Redemption

‎From Chelsea’s inconsistency against low blocks to Mohamed Salah’s uncertain future, to injury crises, derby puzzles, and key battles across the table.

‎Here’s a detailed breakdown of all the major talking points.

‎Chelsea Rise to Big Occasions but Struggle Against Deep Blocks

‎Chelsea have held Arsenal with 10 men, and have beaten Barcelona, Liverpool, and Tottenham this season, proving that they can go toe-to-toe with the European elite.

‎And yet, the Blues consistently drop points against sides they are expected to beat, including Atalanta, Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Leeds, Qarabag, and Sunderland.

‎Chelsea’s issue is painfully clear they simply do not enjoy playing against deep, compact defensive structures.

‎Maresca’s possession-heavy, rhythm-based approach depends on disorganising opponents with intricate patterns something that becomes difficult when teams switch to a back five and shut down key passing lanes.

‎The Italian has shown visible frustration whenever rivals abandon open duels for defensive pragmatism.

‎Everton’s visit on Saturday will test Chelsea’s ability to break down a disciplined defensive unit.

‎David Moyes’s side recently kept clean sheets at Bournemouth and Manchester United and will back themselves to neutralise Chelsea’s technical threats.

‎For Maresca, these are exactly the games that will determine whether Chelsea can develop into true contenders rather than flat-track underperformers.

‎Is This Really the End for Mohamed Salah at Anfield?

‎Few storylines this season have felt as unsettling or as emotional as the possibility of Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool era ending in a cloud of tension.

‎With 250 goals in 420 appearances and a trophy cabinet featuring the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Club World Cup, Salah is arguably the club’s greatest modern icon.

‎Yet his current situation is shrouded in confusion. Since being dropped, Liverpool have gone four games unbeaten under Arne Slot, and the club insists his absence is temporary and beneficial for both parties.

‎Salah, however, appears to interpret the situation differently. His solitary training-ground selfie during Liverpool’s vital win at Inter suggested isolation, if not frustration.

‎Salah told reporters he had invited his parents to Anfield for what he described as a farewell before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations though he never clarified whether that farewell was temporary or permanent.

‎The episode feels like an avoidable saga. Perhaps time away at AFCON, combined with distance from the current tensions, may create space for reflection.

‎But for now, a reconciliation feels distant and an unceremonious ending to a legendary Liverpool career suddenly seems possible.

‎Time for Burnley to Unleash Armando Broja

‎Armando Broja remains one of the Premier League’s great “what-if” talents. Injuries and unsuccessful loan spells, including a forgettable stint at Fulham, have interrupted his development.

‎Now at Burnley under Scott Parker, he has yet to make a league start, featuring nine times off the bench without scoring.

‎But Broja isn’t the only one struggling. Burnley’s entire attacking output has been poor, particularly at home, where they have scored just five goals in seven games and lost four of them.

‎Parker’s defensive-first philosophy leaves little room for improvisation, and the Burnley frontline lacks both creativity and clinical edge.

‎Starting Broja may be the change Burnley needs. His direct running, physicality, and instinctive finishing offer something none of the current starters provide.

‎If Parker wants his team to be braver in the final third, as he has urged publicly, choosing Broja from the start might be the courageous decision that shifts their season.

‎Gabriel Jesus Targeting Christmas Redemption

‎After spending nearly a year sidelined with an ACL injury, Gabriel Jesus is determined to rediscover his best form.

‎His cameo in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Club Brugge marked another step in his recovery, and he is pushing for more minutes when the Gunners face Wolves this weekend.

‎The 28-year-old insists his best football is ahead of him. More mature, more reflective, and mentally refreshed after 11 months on the sidelines, Jesus believes he can contribute significantly to Arsenal’s attack as they chase a strong festive run.

‎With Arsenal fighting at the top, a fully revived Jesus could be a major asset heading into the challenging winter period.

‎Crystal Palace Turn to Nathaniel Clyne as Muñoz Faces Lengthy Layoff

‎Crystal Palace received a damaging blow with the news that key defender Daniel Muñoz requires knee surgery.

‎Muñoz is central to Oliver Glasner’s system and had not missed a match all season until last weekend. His energy, ball progression, and defensive nous will be sorely missed.

‎Veteran Nathaniel Clyne, Palace’s longest-serving player having debuted in 2008, stepped in against Fulham and is expected to continue against Manchester City this weekend.

‎At 34, Clyne lacks Muñoz’s dynamism but brings stability and experience qualities Palace will desperately need against a City side that has never lost at Selhurst Park under Pep Guardiola.

‎Last season’s 2-2 thriller showed Palace can unsettle City. Even without Muñoz, Palace fans will hope for another resilient display.

‎Howe Navigates a Tricky Wear–Tyne Derby Puzzle

‎Sunday brings the first Wear–Tyne league derby in almost 10 years, and it arrives with both sides wrestling different challenges.

‎Le Bris’s Sunderland midfield trio of Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, and Enzo Le Fée has been outstanding and poses a significant threat to Newcastle’s engine room of Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton.

‎Eddie Howe enters the match with several selection dilemmas.

‎Does he restore Nick Pope if fit or stick with Aaron Ramsdale? Should he drop Malick Thiaw after his struggles midweek and recall Fabian Schär?

‎And with Tonali looking fatigued, is it time to hand Lewis Miley a derby start?

‎One thing is certain Newcastle must improve its set-piece defending. Le Fée’s delivery alone could decide the outcome if Howe doesn’t get his structure right.

‎Can Gibbs-White Reignite Forest’s Season?

‎Morgan Gibbs-White was close to a £60m move to Tottenham last summer before Forest convinced him to stay amid tapping-up complaints.

‎After leading the club to a 7th-place finish last season, he has been quieter this term scoring three goals with just one assist, which came on the opening day.

‎Forest is struggling in 17th and needs their playmaker to rediscover its spark. Gibbs-White chose loyalty over the Champions League, and now the club needs him to embrace responsibility.

‎He assisted the winner in this fixture last year, and a similar moment of quality could be the catalyst Forest desperately needs.

‎West Ham needs Summerville Sharp in the Final Third

‎Crysencio Summerville offers West Ham pace, unpredictability, and creativity but his end product has been lacking.

‎He missed key chances against Brighton, has no goals this season, and hasn’t provided an assist since August.

‎Against Aston Villa, he will duel Matty Cash in what promises to be a lively battle of speed and agility.

‎West Ham knows that Summerville’s ability to beat defenders is valuable, but without improved decision-making in the final third, it will not translate into results. A breakthrough moment could change everything.

‎Leeds Ready to Trouble Brentford’s Home Fortress

‎Brentford have been superb at home this season, winning five of their first seven matches. Their away form, however, leaves them hovering closer to danger than safety.

‎Leeds arrive with confidence after a statement win over Chelsea and a spirited draw against Liverpool.

‎Daniel Farke has built a tall, powerful Leeds side capable of handling Brentford’s relentless set-piece deliveries. That means the hosts may need to rely on alternate attacking plans if their usual aerial dominance is neutralised.

‎Wide forward Dango Ouattara, who excels in exploiting gaps between defenders, could be a decisive factor.

‎Manchester United Improving But Still Unbalanced

‎Ruben Amorim has stabilised Manchester United, losing only one of their last nine league games.

‎Their attacking output has improved slightly, hitting four goals twice already this season a figure they managed only once in the entire previous league campaign.

‎However, their defensive issues persist. With 22 goals conceded in just 15 matches, United remain vulnerable, disjointed, and overly reliant on moments of individual brilliance.

‎Bournemouth will take confidence from these flaws and look to expose United on transitions and set plays.