The Premier League is back this weekend after a week of FA Cup and Champions League drama.
Here are 3 things to look out for ahead of the weekend’s action.
Rosenior faces goalkeeper dilemma
The pre-PSG talk suggested Filip Jorgensen was Chelsea’s new No. 1. Liam Rosenior had decided Jörgensen’s passing outweighed Robert Sánchez’s recent “wobbly” outings. It was a gamble; while Sánchez isn’t elite, he hadn’t been disastrous. Conversely, Jörgensen has failed to convince since his 2024 arrival, struggling during a Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln and blundering against PSG.
The inevitable poor pass that led to Vitinha’s goal meant Rosenior’s biggest selection call backfired. Does he stick with Jörgensen, who was berated by Enzo Fernández as the team unravelled, or return to Sánchez for Saturday’s home fixture against Newcastle? Such uncertainty is unhealthy, and whoever starts will face intense scrutiny.
Can Haaland rediscover scoring touch?
Erling Haaland’s English debut came at the London Stadium, where he scored twice against West Ham. It has remained a happy hunting ground, including a hat-trick last season, but he enters Saturday’s must-win game in patchy form.
Pep Guardiola’s side need three points to keep Arsenal in sight, yet Haaland is enduring a remarkable slump. After scoring 38 goals for club and country by late December, he has managed just four in 17 games since. Struggling with injuries and isolation in attack, he has relied on Antoine Semenyo to share the load. Guardiola needs his star to fire during the run-in; Haaland will hope a favorite opponent gets him going again.
Carrick must be confident against Villa
Third v fourth, with Manchester United above Aston Villa solely due to a six-goal difference, sets this up as a cracker, particularly as only nine games remain in the quest for Champions League qualification.
Michael Carrick will have had 11 days to stew over United’s first defeat under him, the last-gasp 2-1 loss at Newcastle on 4 March, by kick-off against Unai Emery’s visitors.
This is a long time, too, to plot how to outwit the usually tactically astute Spaniard. But Villa have won only one of their past six league games, so United, at home too, should be confident.
