Another Premier League weekend is upon us, which means more screaming from Sky Sports ‘pundits’ and plenty of seriously over-reacted hot takes on the weekend’s action. What more could you want, really?

Things are gradually becoming clearer at both ends of the table. Chelsea’s path towards the league title is getting shorter, clubs are being sucked into the relegation battle and there are some vital clashes in regards to the European spots approaching. Everything gets that bit more tense around this time of year and it tends to mean that we get the odd hot-headed reaction from players or managers.

It’s a time for players and managers to remain cool, calm and collected, though. Keep your heads and make sure you can turn in the performance or make the right decisions that your team need.

This is when players can write themselves into the annals of Premier League history with a good run of form or a crucial goal.

This weekend there are five, in particular, we’ve picked to keep an eye on and here they are,

Adama Traore

Matching up against the sluggish Erik Pieters on Middlesbrough’s right flank, Adama Traore must deliver an end product if Aitor Karanka’s side are to secure some vital points.

Completing a mesmeric 5.3 dribbles per game this season, Traore has been the one player who looks like terrorising an opposition defence. Mixing electric pace with upper body strength, he is the outlet Middlesbrough will look for.

Without a win in nine Premier League matches and only outside of the bottom three on goal difference, Traore is the man to watch at the Bet365 Stadium.

Nacer Chadli

Nacer Chadli has been West Brom’s most creative player for much of this season. With Matt Phillips absent through a hamstring injury, Chadli has to bear more of the attacking responsibility.

Wilfried Zaha and Joel Ward will be on Crystal Palace’s right, with Zaha needed to track back to support Ward against Chadli. The Belgian could drift centrally at times if he can find space with Allan Nyom comfortable overlapping.

The Baggies are favourites to continue their excellent home form, but Chadli will have to be at his best if they are to come out victorious.

Idrissa Gueye

 

All the talk ahead of Spurs and Everton’s encounter will be about the two strikers.

The real battle in this match, though, is in the heart of the pitch. Spurs’ formidable duo of Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama take on Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Scheniderlin, this is where the match will be decided.

Gueye has been given more freedom in the Everton side now he is paired with Schneiderlin, it is down to him to upset the rhythm of Wanyama and Dembele. His fierce pressing along with unbelievable engine make him the perfect extra man in midfield.

Manolo Gabbiadini

Having made a stunning start to his career in English football, Manolo Gabbiadini is the key man to watch from Southampton’s trip to Watford.

The Hornets have drawn three of their last six, but have kept only one clean sheet in their last 19 matches. Defensively they are vulnerable and Southampton rely on Gabbiadini to expose that vulnerability.

The Saints have been struggling in front of goal this season with the worst goal scoring record outside of the bottom six.

No player other than the injured Charlie Austin has scored more than four league goals, Gabbiadini will need to reproduce his recent finishing efforts if Claude Puel’s side are to leapfrog their hosts this weekend.

Abel Hernandez

Visiting a supposedly rejuvenated Leicester, Hull are in need of a positive result after the late heartbreak at home to Burnley last weekend.

Abel Hernandez is a key figure in the Hull attack and he has the pace to trouble Wes Morgan and Robert Huth. With Kamil Grosiciki and Lazar Markovic on either side of him, the Uruguayan will not be short of support in the final third, but remains the main goal threat.

Hernandez must add to his three league goals if Hull are to come out victors from the King Power.