Spurs aim to end City’s record run, as West Brom look to shock United – Premier League Preview

December 15, 2017
Henry Jackson

Ahead of another busy Premier League weekend beyond Liverpool, we take a look at the big talking points, clashes to watch and potential upsets.

It has been a bad week for Liverpool, with back-to-back home draws against Everton and West Brom killing their recent momentum.

A trip to Bournemouth awaits on Sunday afternoon, and it is essential that Jurgen Klopp‘s side get back to winning ways on the south coast.

Man City still lead the way, 11 points ahead of Man United, following wins for both in midweek, while Chelsea and Tottenham saw off Huddersfield Town and Brighton, respectively.

Elsewhere, Arsenal were held at West Ham, Crystal Palace beat Watford in dramatic fashion and Burnley won yet again, at home to Stoke City.

Here’s some of the action that may, or may not, catch your eye the most this weekend.

One To Watch: Man City vs. Tottenham

Without doubt, the standout game over the next few days takes place at the Etihad, as City and Spurs do battle on Saturday evening.

This should be a match for the footballing purists, with Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino among the most highly thought of, tactically astute managers in European football.

City have now won a staggering 15 games on the bounce—a new all-time record in the Premier League—and they are debatably on their way to becoming one of the greatest English club sides of the last 25 years.

They will be firm favourites to see off Pochettino’s men, but two wins in succession for the north Londoners has steadied the ship and seen them return to the top four.

Considering City have dropped just two league points all season, you feel that a slip-up must come soon—don’t be shocked if it’s this weekend.

When Spurs click, they can be as impressive as anyone.

One To Avoid: Brighton vs. Burnley

Burnley deserve unbelievable credit for what has been a wonderful campaign to date, with Sean Dyche’s side sitting sixth in the table.

That being said, the Clarets are not a team you would flock to see if entertainment value and goals is what you’re looking for.

There have been just 28 goals in the 17 league games involving them in 2017/18—scored 16, conceded 12—with 1-0 wins and a rock-solid defence their recipe for success.

Because of this, Burnley‘s trip to Brighton on Saturday looks like a fixture you may want to swerve, and it has ‘last game on Match of the Day’ written all over it.

The Seagulls are a more attack-minded outfit, but any game involving them still doesn’t exactly set pulses racing.

This could easily finish 0-0.

Potential Upset: West Brom vs. Man United

United may have got back to winning ways in midweek, following defeat to City, but their 1-0 victory at home to Bournemouth was far from impressive.

On Sunday afternoon, prior to Liverpool’s trip to Dean Court, Jose Mourinho’s side visit West Brom in a potential Premier League banana skin.

The Baggies deserve credit for their performance at Anfield on Wednesday, with their defensive solidity and set-piece threat proving to be a thorn in the Reds’ side all evening.

They can be a similarly tricky opponent for United if they approach the game in the same manner, and there are definite signs of improvement since the appointment of Alan Pardew.

Like so many matches involving a heavyweight and a lesser side, the first goal is absolutely crucial, but if it stays 0-0 for a while or West Brom take the lead, United will find it really tough.

Mourinho has the annoying knack of grinding out victories against teams below the top six—let’s hope he fails in that respect this weekend.