Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Big Sam returns to Newcastle, Southampton are nearing their end and will City risk things at buoyant Everton?

Sam Allardyce arrived at St James’ Park for his May 2007 unveiling as Newcastle’s manager by helicopter. Eight underwhelming months later, Big Sam was sacked – and immediately had to hand his top-of-the-range company car to security, leaving him requiring a lift home to County Durham in his press officer’s somewhat more modest vehicle. Allardyce’s hefty payoff from Mike Ashley, Newcastle’s then-owner, enabled him to buy a lavish villa on Spain’s Costa Blanca, swiftly dubbed ‘Casa St James’ but the current Leeds manager has not forgotten what he describes as a “massive, massive career setback”. Allardyce has played down any talk of old scores being settled when Eddie Howe’s Champions League-chasing team visit Elland Road on Saturday but there is little doubt that Allardyce would enjoy sticking a metaphorical two fingers in the directions of those travelling Newcastle fans whose lack of enthusiasm for his tactics arguably prompted that dismissal. Much more importantly, this is a game Leeds surely cannot afford to lose – and quite possibly need to win – if they are to avoid falling into the Championship. Louise Taylor

Leeds v Newcastle, Saturday 12.30pm

Manchester United v Wolves, Saturday 3pm

Chelsea v Nottingham Forest, Saturday 3pm

Everton v Manchester City, Sunday 2pm

Aston Villa v Tottenham, Saturday 3pm

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from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/12/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend