With 2023/24 of the Premier League still going on, we’ve seen a lot of trends and developments from several clubs which have stood out. While Crystal Palace continues to be one of the weakest defenses in the league, Tottenham have become a dangerous attacking threat from set pieces under new management. Chelsea’s lack of creativity has raised concerns, and Brighton’s defensive vulnerabilities have become apparent. As teams prepare for another round of action, Aston Villa’s next match is a home fixture against Burnley. At the same time, the competitive landscape in the league continues to change.
Crystal Palace’s Defensive Woes
Palace has been dealt some tough hands this season, especially defensively. It’s important to remember that in the 13 Premier League games leading up to the World Cup break, they gave up 1.6 expected goals against per game. This one is even more shocking — it’s the lowest per 90 figure for any team that hasn’t been relegated during the stretch. It’s a sign of how badly they’re doing. The unit as a whole is under fire for their defensive mistakes. That makes one wonder how they’ll manage to get points in their upcoming games.
Those issues have been exacerbated by injuries and general inconsistencies in form. The home side’s defence has looked shaky at the best of times, especially towards direct counter-attacks and set-piece scenarios. Related Posts Crystal Palace look ahead to a busy schedule Crystal Palace are preparing for a big set of fixtures They’ll need to address their defensive issues to shore up their backline.
In sharp opposition, their foes in the next few matches will be hoping to take advantage of these holes. Tottenham are an intimidating outfit in dead balls situations. To prevent falling any further down the league table, Crystal Palace need to turn things around in a hurry.
Tottenham’s Offensive Threat and Chelsea’s Predictability
Tottenham Hotspur must be the most feared team in Europe in recent weeks, especially since Thomas Frank took over as manager. The team’s attacking output has dramatically improved, especially their focus on set pieces. One other player who has stepped up big this season is Micky van de Ven. Specifically, he’s scored three goals and shown a bulldozing stature on offensive set-pieces. He’s performed well consistently at scoring from corners and free-kicks. This underrated skill is what’s made him an essential cog in the team’s playoff strategy going forward.
Chelsea Orlando has been challenged to find its groove so far this season. With Cole Palmer recently departing, the forward line lacked creativity and invention, making it very easy for the opposition to figure out and stifle their attacking tactics. Although they’ve had some of the best players in their positions over the last few years, Chelsea’s lack of goal-scoring chances produced was the quintessential Achilles heel. In order to be real contenders in a grueling MLS season, this squad has to get back to forming its predatory attacking identity.
The more Tottenham comes up against opponents with defensive issues, the more they will be able to leak poor positional play and press miscommunications. And while Chelsea has been completely stagnant moving forward, Tottenham’s vibrant and electrifying attack couldn’t be more opposite. This sizable gap further amplifies the struggle clubs face in the cutthroat world of the Premier League.
Brighton’s Defensive Vulnerabilities and Bournemouth’s Identity
Brighton & Hove Albion lost out on all three of their prominent defensive struggles. Worryingly, they’ve only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last 18 Premier League matches. This lack of rock-headedness at the rear has been delighting supporters but horrifying broadcasters. Brighton is second in the league for high turnovers conceded that result in shots. This is a further indication that their midfield is unable to hold onto possession well enough.
The potential for those defensive problems to be exposed further looms large with their next opponents, as these guys are tactically disciplined and aggressive in duels. In defence, Wolverhampton Wanderers understand the way to take Brighton’s momentum away from them within the center. That would make things even harder on the home team.
Far from the picture of Brighton’s woes, Bournemouth tells a very different story. Their coaching staff has imparted a fierce identity that revolves around an extreme high press and rapid transition play. This way of playing not only allows them to score goals but dictate the tempo to antagonize opponents. Meanwhile, Bournemouth prepare for their fixtures down the road. They will look to replicate their approach that has seen them pick up notable wins against the likes of Brighton.
Key Player Insights: Tonali and Florentino
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali is making waves this season with his impressive performances at St James’ Park. He’s netted just five goals in his past 17 home starts. On top of that, he averages a solid 1.62 shots per 90 minutes. This attacking addition boosts him to key player territory for Newcastle as they look to scrap out points in vital relegation six-pointers.
Burnley’s Florentino is quickly becoming one of my favorite assets in the fouls committed markets. At the same time, he has forced his opponents into 13 fouls over those five starts – all while dribbling past nearly five defenders per game. Further, his elite skill at drawing fouls gives Burnley a potent route to set-piece chances. They have to take advantage of these chances, particularly against other top 10 sides like Aston Villa.
As the season progresses, individual performances will significantly impact team success across the league. Players such as Tonali and Florentino have painted a picture as to how important clutch performances help swing games in your favor.
Leave a Reply