Rivals to drop points as Chelsea host United and Spurs face tricky trip – Premier League Preview

October 21, 2016
Henry Jackson

After midweek European action, the Premier League is back this weekend, as Liverpool look to overcome Tony Pulis’ stubborn West Brom side at Anfield.

The Reds finished off last weekend’s league schedule with a much-anticipated home clash with Man United, but a poor match saw the two rivals battle to a goalless draw on Monday night.

There were a few surprise results that worked in Liverpool’s favour, however, with Man City held at home to Everton and Spurs drawing 1-1 at West Brom.

Arsenal kept their impressive winning run going with a 3-2 victory at home to Swansea City, while Chelsea overcome champions Leicester City with ease.

At the bottom, Sunderland lost 2-0 at Stoke City, further increasing the pressure on David Moyes, but West Ham picked up a much-needed win away to Crystal Palace.

This weekend, there are 10 top-flight matches to look forward to – we’re here to preview the best of the action.

Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge

Jose Mourinho has enjoyed two successful spells at Chelsea in the 2000s, winning three Premier League titles along the way.

Now Man United manager, the Portuguese returns to his former club on Sunday, in a crucial game at the top of the table.

Mourinho was typically negative in his tactics at Anfield on Monday night, but there is nobody better at grinding out results away to rival teams.

His approach will be no different against Antonio Conte’s men, and it could well make for another rather drab affair.

Chelsea have recovered well after a wobble, playing very well against Leicester, and another three points against United would get them right back in the title mix.

Southampton Search For Shock Win At The Etihad

It doesn’t seem to matter who their manager is, Southampton have consistently exceeded expectations in recent years, playing some attractive football along the way.

The Saints eased to victory at home to Burnley last weekend and they are a side capable of troubling the top teams on their day.

Man City are not invincible under Pep Guardiola, as they showed against Everton last weekend and in their 4-0 defeat at Barcelona in midweek – they could have their work cut out against Claude Puel’s side.

You would still expect City to pick up all three points though and could strike back in style with Sergio Aguero back in the starting 11 after being sub at the Nou Camp.

This should be a nice open game – an antidote to the Chelsea-United game that will follow it – and one that is not as much of a foregone conclusion as some think.

Arsenal Primed For Another Home Victory

Arsenal have been quietly going about their business since their opening weekend defeat to Liverpool and are yet to taste defeat in the two months since.

Admittedly, the Gunners are in the middle of a kind run of fixtures, but there does appear to be more substance to their play this season.

Defensively, the signing of Shkodran Mustafi has made them look far more solid, while Granit Xhaka has added some steel in the middle of the park.

Theo Walcott is in impressive form, Mesut Ozil continues to dazzle and Alexis Sanchez is infectious in his playing style.

Arsenal should have no trouble overcoming a limited Middlesbrough side at the Emirates, with Aitor Karanka’s men struggling for goals and looking increasingly like relegation candidates this season.

Tricky One For Spurs

No result last weekend was as eye-catching as Bournemouth‘s 6-1 mauling of Hull City and it further outlined what a superb job Eddie Howe is doing as manager.

The Englishman’s side plays football in the right way and as each week passes the more they look like an established Premier League side.

The Cherries welcome undefeated Tottenham to Dean Court on Saturday lunchtime and Howe will feel his team can cause an upset.

Spurs are made of far sterner stuff these days, as Dele Alli’s late equaliser at West Brom last weekend showed, but they will have to be at their best against Bournemouth.

Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane are huge losses through injury, but the north Londoners should still have enough quality to squeeze past their opponents.

Everton Look To Avoid ‘Doing A Liverpool’

Much like Spurs, Everton look a different animal this season, with their soft underbelly starting to look a thing of the past under Ronald Koeman.

They battled their way to a 1-1 at City last time around, with Maarten Stekelenburg saving penalties from Kevin De Bruyne and Aguero, and they sit sixth in the Premier League table.

On Saturday, they make the testing trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley – the scene of Liverpool’s lowest moment this season to date.

While the Clarets look fairly hopeless on their travels, they are very hard to beat at home, and Everton will have to break down a stubborn rearguard.

Koeman will believe his players have an enough ability to register a victory, but the longer it stays 0-0, or if Everton fall behind early, the more concerned he will become.