Spurs face must-win game at Wolves, Arsenal fight to keep title hopes alive and Chelsea step into a post-Rosenior world
Maybe it is a case of fourth time lucky for Nottingham Forest. Certainly Vítor Pereira – manager No 4 in the most chaotic of seasons – is doing something right. The Europa League semi-finalists are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games and will arrive at the Stadium of Light knowing victory would move them within touching distance of safety. Their visit should provide an interesting tactical challenge for Sunderland. Régis Le Bris’ side often excel on the counterattack but Forest are likely to sit deep and invite their hosts to unpick their packed defence while hoping to hurt them on the break. Le Bris will surely need Nordi Mukiele to advance with typical verve from right-back, while, in midfield, Noah Sadiki and Enzo Le Fée will be required to demonstrate precisely why they are being watched by several leading clubs. This Sunderland team often plays with real and refreshing personality. Can Forest subdue it? Louise Taylor
Sunderland v Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Friday 8pm (all times BST)
There are 15 sides Unai Emery has faced more than twice as a manager and beaten every time. His teams have played 12 of those more than three times and retained that 100% record. Five clubs have come up against him more than four times and lost every game. Two have done it more than five times, and just one more than six. That club is Fulham: this will be the ninth time Emery has faced them, and he has so far banked eight wins and a 22-6 aggregate scoreline. And he hasn’t just enjoyed coming up against Fulham, he owes his job to them: the last time Villa dropped points to this weekend’s opponents was in October 2022, when they lost 3-0 at Craven Cottage. Steven Gerrard was promptly sacked, and Emery appointed four days later. His first game against Fulham as Villa manager was played three years to the day before this one. At least Marco Silva has managed to avoid defeat against him in the past, if only once in eight attempts since Estoril scored a last-minute equaliser in the group stage of the 2013-14 Europa League to earn a point at Sevilla. Simon Burnton
