+ Will “The Bottlers” hold up this time?
“Bottler” is English slang for someone who gets nervous when it really matters. “The Bottlers” is the nickname that has once again been applied to Arsenal. The risk is clear that the club will again lose its way in the league and end up second for the fourth season in a row. Arsenal had been at the top of the table for around 200 days when Manchester City slipped past on Tuesday. The fight for the title is wide open with five rounds remaining. Both clubs are on 70 points.
+ “The Special One” returning to the league?
Eddie Howe’s position as Newcastle manager is under threat after a poor season, opening the door for José Mourinho, 63, who is said to be a potential candidate for the club if Howe is allowed to leave.
+ The Big Club – from feared to ridicule
From feared and admired powerhouse to ridicule. That journey went quickly for Chelsea – and suddenly the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich is no longer the owner. The Americans who run the club have spent money on players and hired and fired coaches. The last to leave was Liam Rosenior, after five straight losses and zero goals scored. The club’s worst streak since the Titanic sank in 1912. There is some hope for the future. Chairman Todd Boehly and his cronies promise “a process of self-reflection”.
+ Who is snoring?
Nowhere is the crisis greater than at Tottenham. Roberto De Zerbi, the third manager of the season, is thinking outside the box and turning over every stone to save the club from relegation. Now a “leading performance psychologist” is being sought to help Lucas Bergvall and his teammates. Spurs are two points ahead of West Ham on safe ground.
+ Will the successful coach be allowed to stay at United?
Manchester United have won eight games and lost just two in former player Michael Carrick’s 12 games as boss at Old Trafford. But will he get the job on a permanent basis? Or will United look elsewhere?
+ Will the Swede of the season play at Elland Road?
Opinions differ on whether Viktor Gyökeres is the right man at the top of Arsenal; Bergvall’s season is marred by injuries; Dejan Kulusevski has not played at all; Alexander Isak has just returned to Liverpool; Anthony Elanga is mixing and matching at Newcastle; and Hjalmar Ekdal is leaving with Burnley. Victor Nilsson Lindelöf is appreciated at Aston Villa for his role as a defensive reserve, Yasin Ayari is trusted at Brighton and Melker Ellborg was given his debut at Sunderland. But one player stands out. In Leeds, Gabriel Gudmundsson is a success — a regular in the starting eleven and a favorite with the fans.
Friday: Sunderland – Nottingham (9 p.m.)
Saturday: Fulham – Aston Villa (1:30 p.m.), Liverpool – Crystal Palace (4:00 p.m.), West Ham – Everton (4:00 p.m.), Wolverhampton – Tottenham (4:00 p.m.), Arsenal – Newcastle (6:30 p.m.)
Monday: Manchester United – Brentford (9 p.m.)
In the FA Cup semi-finals, Manchester City will play Southampton (Saturday, 6:15 p.m.) and Chelsea will play Leeds (Sunday, 4:00 p.m.).
