Premier League: 10 things to watch this weekend | Soccer

1) Fernandinho returns to the ranks of Manchester City?

Manchester City could welcome Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones into the treatment room when they travel to Fulham for the first of their nine games in 30 days. Fernandinho is considered by many as the main actor of the city, including Pep Guardiola, who previously said that the Brazilian was indispensable. His team did well without him however, winning five games in three different competitions since limping in the final stages of the Carabao Cup final. In December, when he was dismissed by the 33-year-old, City lost both of his league games in his absence and needed shots to qualify for Leicester in the Carabao Cup. Despite maintaining a perfect record without him this time, they will be delighted to see him again at such a crucial time of the season. BG

2) All is not well with Attwell

This will be the fourth time this season that Stuart Attwell has refereed Manchester United, and the fourth time in history, he has refereed Watford. That's no coincidence: he's probably quite popular at Old Trafford, having inflicted a penalty on United three times out of four, he officiated in their matches. The first time he refereed a match in Watford, nearly 11 years ago, he awarded a "ghost goal" to Reading. He has been to Vicarage Road once since – five years ago. He was not well received and was not invited back. He officiated for the last time in December 2014 during a match in Watford. It is therefore more important than usual, he must be certain at the most important moments of Saturday and be right. Any decision that will change the situation in favor of United and prove to be inaccurate will surely prevent it from refereeing again in Watford. Will he be able to put this story in the back of his mind? SB

3) A record relegation for Huddersfield?

The defeat against the Crystal Palace on Saturday could allow Huddersfield to end up at the first joint relegation in the history of the Premier League. Recorded downward after 32 games of the 2007-08 season, Derby County holds the record, but Huddersfield will equalize it if it loses and Burnley and Southampton win it. Even if the shortage of international players largely explains the difficult situation of Huddersfield, the fact that only four members of their team – the Slovenian Jon Gorenc Stankovic and the three Danes, Jonas Lössl, Zanka and Philip Billing – were summoned for a international mission, Jan Siewert had time to convince the majority of his players after losing a two-goal lead over the loss to West Ham in the last defeat. Zanka and Billing, two first clbad players under David Wagner, have drastically reduced their playing time under Siewert and it will be intriguing to see if they will play after their stint in Denmark. Juninho Bacuna, almost always present under Siewert, leaves a doubt for Saturday. BG

4) Salah will be cooler than Son after the international break

After traveling the 11,000 round-trip miles of South Korea's two internationals, Son Heung-min was one of the Spurs players training for the first time on Thursday in the new Tottenham Stadium. There is no doubt that the 26-year-old will compete in Sunday's big game at Anfield, but 90 minutes could be one step closer to one of Mauricio Pochettino's biggest offensive threats. Liverpool has no such problem with Mohamed Salah, who has been allowed to miss Egypt's matches so he can rest before the end of the season. "He always played just about every game, all over the country, for us and everything else, so it was really important. [he could have a break]"Explained Jürgen Klopp. In a low margins, the advantage of the house and a new Salah against a jet lag should be an advantage for guests. MB

5) A potential of six pointers on the south coast

In simple terms, this is a huge game at the bottom of the table on Saturday, between 15th in Brighton and 16th in Southampton. Brighton occupies a much stronger position: three points ahead of Saints, five points over the last three and a match or two against the teams that surround them, because of their England Cup run. But their confrontation is dangerous: Chris Hughton players will play against Chelsea, Wolves, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City before the end of the season. Southampton has not kicked the ball for nearly three weeks and it's crucial for Brighton to capitalize on any rust and put a little distance between them and the last three. MB

6) Hammers far from being nailed for the seventh

Take off the top six and a thrilling fight to five for the title would develop. That says a lot about the failures of the Premier League, namely that the race for seventh place is one thing, but for the people involved, at 13 points away from Chelsea, sixth, an intense mini-league stands out. is developed. Four points separate the Wolves, Watford, West Ham, Leicester and Everton, while there are only four games left to pit two of these teams. West Ham will play in three of them on the first Saturday night against Everton. They are perhaps the seventh kingdom makers, but their chances of being crowned seem very low. With three other games played in the first six places, their room for maneuver decreases rapidly. This season was marked by inconsistencies that were saved by a series of six wins in nine league games in the middle of winter, in December and January. It is possible that their chances of finishing strong in the top half, of being able to look at the final table with satisfaction, are fatally compromised if they do not manage to win here. SB

7) Sarri must remain faithful to Higuain's retreat

Gonzalo Higuaín has not set fire to the Premier League since his loan in January and with the imminent ban on Chelsea transfers, his future remains uncertain. But the truth is that the Argentine has been a major threat: three goals in seven league games should not be sniffed. Only Mohamed Salah has taken more shots during this period and his 10 chances created place him among the top five forwards in the Premier League. With the exploits of Olivier Giroud during the international break, the French will be under pressure for his first start of the season in the league in Cardiff, but do not be surprised if Maurizio Sarri opts instead for the Argentinian well rested, who has announced its withdrawal from international functions to focus on Chelsea. MB

8) Nuno unleashes the wolves or mixes his bag?

When does Nuno Espírito Santo start resting the players for the semi-finals of the FA Cup next Sunday? If this sounds a bit cautious, it should be kept in mind that the match against Watford at Wembley is arguably the biggest game of the club since the final of the playoffs of the championship of 2003. The 33,000 tickets awarded were sold, and it's this match, and not Burnley's weekend trip, that makes the city talk. Just three days before Tuesday's championship game against Manchester United, Nuno must choose between the risk of injury or fatigue and the threat of losing the sharpness of his best players. Ask most Wolves fans and all that will interest them is the FA Cup, but the shape of the league remains important. If Manchester City wins the Cup, the team that finishes seventh will qualify for next year's Europa League qualifying round. Should Nuno stick or twist? MB

9) Bournemouth extend his winning streak

Although they may have beaten only Huddersfield, Bournemouth's last victory on the road has at least put an end to a diabolical series of nine consecutive Premier League defeats in which they conceded at least two goals. per match. Although they are not or in little danger of being relegated, this ugly form during their trip must be a source of frustration for Eddie Howe. Bournemouth is undefeated in seven Premier League games against his opponent this weekend, Leicester, has a draw and has won two victories over the past four seasons. They had a comfortable 4-2 win in the Vitality Stadium match, but it's unlikely that everything is going well now that Brendan Rodgers is in charge. Wes Morgan seems suspended with Harry Maguire suspended, but if Caglar Soyuncu, linked to a summer comeback in Turkey, wants to have a future in Leicester, this weekend seems like the perfect time for Rodgers. outside. BG

Photo: Chesnot / Getty Images Europe

10) Emery sweats on Xhaka's fitness

Arsenal fans will have to wait until Monday to see their team play against Newcastle, but this will at least give Granit Xhaka the best chance of recovering from the thigh injury that he suffered in an international match. The 26-year-old, who scored for Switzerland against Denmark (as he did earlier in Newcastle earlier this season), has become a key player for Unai Emery – Jorginho is the only midfielder to score more pbades in the league this season. While Lucas Torreira is still suspended, Emery will want to prepare him for Monday night. MB