Premier League
Premier League Teams With A Point To Prove This Weekend
The Premier League is back this weekend following the international break, and four teams will be eager to secure a victory after a disappointing start to the season.
Manchester United
United will be aiming to get back on track as they head to St Mary’s to take on Southampton this weekend. Erik ten Hag’s team suffered their second consecutive defeat last week, suffering a humiliating 3-0 loss to Liverpool.
Ten Hag will be thinking about his job and is likely to be in danger if the Red Devils do not secure three points against a Saints side who have lost each of their opening three league matches whilst scoring just one league goal so far.
United’s supporters are calling for Manuel Ugarte to be inserted into the lineup following Casemiro’s poor performance against Liverpool.
Teaming Ugarte with Kobbie Mainoo could create an impressive midfield partnership that may help the team return to winning ways.
The Uruguayan missed much of pre-season following the Copa America but did play 169 minutes for his country during the international break. He also appears to have a Bruno Fernandes-like level of fitness, missing just three games in his young career due to injury.
“Manuel Ugarte, I think we all have seen he played for Uruguay. He returned this afternoon, he was the only player who returned today.
“All the other players returned yesterday, so he is available for this game.” Said, Erik Ten Hag
Everton
The international break has been timely for an Everton team that currently finds itself at the bottom of the table, having lost all of their league matches so far.
While defeats to Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur were significant, the loss to Bournemouth was particularly hard to swallow.
Everton dominated the entire game before conceding three goals in seven minutes as they lost their concentration as well as the three points on offer in dramatic fashion. Despite this loss, the fixture list does not get any easier for a team eager to pick up their first win of the campaign.
Sean Dyche’s squad will take on an Aston Villa side struggling with defensive injuries, presenting a significant opportunity for an Everton attack that has shown promise lately, even without a victory.
This match could be the perfect chance for Everton to turn around their disappointing form, as many early predictions suggested they might face relegation this season.
Since their promotion to the top flight in 2019, Villa has maintained an unbeaten record in all 10 encounters with the Merseyside club, securing seven victories, achieving seven clean sheets, and conceding only three goals.
In fact, not only have Everton lost four of their last five Premier League matches at Villa Park, but they have only scored once in the process a Lucas Digne own goal against his old club back in August 2022.
The last Everton player to score a league goal away at this week’s hosts Romelu Lukaku, over eight years ago, which sets a challenging precedent for Sean Dyche’s side in addition to their current form.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers come back from the international break facing a challenging Premier League home match against Newcastle United on Sunday, where they will aim to secure their first win of the season.
Losses against Arsenal and Chelsea were followed by a draw at Forest, which has placed the side in 18th position, with one point separating them from bottom-placed Everton. This position is unprecedented for a Wolves side who were tipped to challenge for a top-half finish this season.
They will host Newcastle United this weekend, who have made a solid start to the season with draws against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, along with a surprising victory against Spurs.
Wolves manager, Gary O’Neil, will be motivating his side ahead of the game as having the home advantage, as well as the hunger to escape the relegation zone, could be enough to turn over the Magpies, who are on a four-game unbeaten streak.
Is Ipswich hitting a turning point?
Other honorable mentions include both Chelsea and Tottenham, who, despite spending big this summer, sit mid-table with just four points from a possible nine.
Ipswich Town is also in pursuit of three points, but they have faced a challenging start to the season with matches against Manchester City and Liverpool. This weekend could serve as a turning point for them.
It is still early in the season but an international break could be exactly what these struggling sides needed to fully introduce new signings as well as a tactical approach that can get them back up to scratch.
