Premier League storylines to watch out for: Gameweek 14
By Tom Gott
The relentless Premier League action continues this weekend as we roll into the 14th round of fixtures.
There are big games going on at either end of the table and plenty for you to sink your teeth into regardless of your allegiances.
Here are ten things to watch out for during the weekend's action.
1. The true test of Leicester's resurgence
Three wins and a draw from five games has lifted spirits through the roof at Leicester, but their next test is about as tough as they come.
The Foxes welcome Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to King Power Stadium early on Saturday, with Brendan Rodgers previously touted as a potential successor to Guardiola. But his focus, as you'd expect, will be on ensuring he doesn't lose his current job for now.
City are the obvious favourites, but Leicester fans will expect a competitive performance after their recent upturn.
2. Who hates VAR more?
Antonio Conte and Gary O'Neil have publicly blown their respective lids over their hatred of VAR this week.
O'Neil claimed Bournemouth have been on the wrong end of ten big calls this season, while Conte was apoplectic after Harry Kane's late strike against Sporting CP was ruled out this week.
If the technology comes out when Tottenham travel to the Vitality Stadium, expect major groans from both sides.
3. Wolves in with a shot of scoring
Brentford have perhaps the most confusing defence across the entire division. They've recently kept Chelsea and Brighton out, sandwiched between two nine-goal slices of bread in defeats to Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Are the Bees that chaotic that even Wolves could have a chance of scoring?
The division's worst attack has mustered up just five goals in 12 games this year - none of which have come from strikers - so they could do with the bad version of Brentford turning up.
4. The return of the prodigal Seagull
Graham Potter returns to the Amex Stadium to face the Brighton side he walked away from last month to join Chelsea.
The Blues come into this one on the back of perhaps their best team performance of the season against Red Bull Salzburg, but you know Potter will demand even more against his former employers.
As for Brighton, they've had some fun moments under new boss Roberto De Zerbi, but they've struggled to score goals and are still without a win under the Italian.
5. The Saints are doing it for Sunak
Southampton's trip to Crystal Palace will be blasted on the Downing Street big screen as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak follows his beloved Saints.
Like Sunak, Ralph Hasenhuttl's job is cleaning up the mess he has found himself in. Southampton ended a four-game losing streak and are now unbeaten in three, becoming just the second team all season to take points off Arsenal.
They're up against a Palace side who need to avoid slipping into their own crisis after being comprehensively thumped 3-0 by Everton.
6. Emery sees what could have been
Unai Emery had the chance to return to the Premier League with Newcastle United last year but snubbed the move and left the door open for Eddie Howe to take control on Tyneside.
Now, Emery is back in England with Aston Villa, and his first task is heading up to the place he could have been calling home.
Newcastle are flying right now and Howe has his side dreaming of European football once again, whereas Villa's priority is making sure they don't end the weekend in the relegation zone.
7. Willian & Lampard's reunion
Willian walked away from Frank Lampard's Chelsea in 2020 after rejecting a new contract. Since then, it's safe to say life hasn't gone to play for either.
The Brazilian struggled at Arsenal and abruptly left Atletico Mineiro earlier this season to seal a return to London with Fulham, who will host Lampard's Everton side on Saturday evening.
He scored last time out for Fulham but may have a tougher time against an Everton side flying after their thumping of Palace.
8. Marsch's march towards the exit door
Jesse Marsch has stressed he has his sights set on Leeds' next four games, but he may well be lucky to make it that far.
Leeds travel to Anfield to face an objectively beatable Liverpool side in Saturday's final game, and while three points may not be a must, Marsch's men must produce some form of positivity and inspire hope among the supporters once again.
Another flat showing, and it could be curtains for the boss.
9. They couldn't do it again, could they?
Fresh off their victory over Liverpool, Nottingham Forest's next job is to repeat the feat against league leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners are in a mini-slump at the minute, having drawn with Southampton before being picked apart by PSV in midweek, so Forest may see a wounded animal capable of being bested.
Mikel Arteta will demand improvement from his side. There'll be pre-match diagrams and speeches aplenty as the hosts fight to keep top spot their own.
10. The battle to be the (second) best United
Manchester and West Ham have been the dominant Uniteds in recent seasons, but now, they're battling for the silver medal as Newcastle are flying high.
Man Utd come into the weekend in sixth, one point behind Newcastle having played one game fewer, while West Ham are up to tenth after correcting their slow start to the campaign.
Will Erik ten Hag turn to Cristiano Ronaldo once again? Stay tuned.