Page 17 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

FALL BIG MATCHES
SEPTEMBER 24
Arsenal v Tottenham ( North London Derby)
SEP 30
Tottenham v Liverpool
OCT 7
Arsenal v Manchester City
OCT 21
Liverpool
v Everton (Merseyside Derby)
Chelsea v Arsenal
OCT 28
Man United v Man City (Manchester Derby)
NOV 4
Newcastle v Arsenal
Tottenham v Chelsea
NOV 11
Chelsea v Manchester City
NOV 25
Manchester City- Liverpool
Newcastle v Chelsea
DEC 2
Newcastle v Manchester United
DEC 6
Manchester United v Chelsea
DEC 9
Tottenham v Newcastle
DEC 16
Liverpool v Manchester United
DEC 23
Liverpool v Arsenal
DEC 30
Liverpool v Newcastle
Brentford
In a very short space of time, Brentford have become one of the toughest opponents the Premier League has to offer, and their amazing progress looks set to continue in 2023-24. The loss of star striker Ivan Toney to suspension for the first half of the season is undoubtedly a major setback, but Thomas Frank’s side have shown both the quality and the tactical flexibility to suggest that great things can still be achieved in his absence. After a summer of stability which saw highly rated goalkeeper Mark Flekken and defender Nathan Collins arrive in West London, they’ll hope to improve on last season’s best-ever finish of ninth place.
NICKNAME:
The Bees
MANAGER:
Thomas Frank
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Premier League, 9th
Brentford’s Head Coach Thomas Frank reacts during the English Premier League match
Brighton & Hove Albion
Nobody underestimates Brighton anymore. They’ve been a wonderful footballing side for a few years now, but manager Roberto De Zerbi’s achievement in stylishly guiding them to a top-six finish and a place in the Europa League finally earned the Seagulls the recognition they deserved.
It might be more difficult this time with the loss of top-class midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, but you can expect them to at least be in contention for Europe again.
After all, Brighton still possess some of the Premier League’s most exciting talents such as Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson, and have also have bolstered their ranks with the signings of versatile forward Joao Pedro and former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud.
NICKNAME:
The Seagulls The Albion
MANAGER:
Roberto De Zerbi
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Premier League, 6th
Brighton have one of the Premier League’s most exciting players in Kaoru Mitoma
SOCCER360 MAGAZINE 17
5 WHO
CAN
THRIVE
STEPHEN DONOVAN PICKS OUT FIVE PLAYERS WHO COULD ALL HAVE A MASSIVE INFLUENCE FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE CLUBS IN 2023-24
LUIS DIAZ - LIVERPOOL
After missing most of last season due to injury, Luis Diaz is looking to make up for lost time. The explosive winger adds an extra dimension to Liverpool’s attack with his lightning
pace and dynamism, and will surely have an important part to play if the Reds are to reclaim a place in the top four.
JOSKO GVARDIOL - MANCHESTER CITY
In many people’s eyes Josko Gvardiol is the best young defender in world football, and he’s arrived at Manchester City to make last season’s treble winners appear even more formidable. During his career to date, the Croat has shown great maturity, confidence on the ball, and a natural reading of the game - all qualities which suggest he should be the perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s side.