Gameweek 10 turned out to be a high-scoring one, with several managers putting up totals of over 70 points. With great displays from Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, none of the top 3 showed any sign of slowing down and a single point separates them.
Managers who kept faith in Sergio Aguero were repaid lavishly as the Argentine scored twice and set up another goal, providing managers with a staggering 16 point from a single player.
Trending
This brings us to the much-awaited Gameweek 11, which features the highly anticipated North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Elsewhere, Manchester United will be hopeful of finally getting a win against Swansea, as the Red Devils have failed to get 3 points in their last 4 matches.
Their arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City will be hopeful of getting wins against minnows Watford and Middlesbrough respectively.
Here’s the gameweek preview for the important fixtures of this gameweek.
Arsenal – Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal have been truly impressive this season and the credit goes to the solid backline and the brilliant football that they’ve been playing. Alexis Sanchez has comfortably slotted in the #9 role after initial problems.
At the back, the new centre-half pairing of Koscielny and Mustafi has been very impressive. Arsenal will be counting on their defence to get them all 3 points at home against their North London rivals.
October was a bad month for Spurs as they drew 3 games in a row which significantly slowed down their title charge. This makes the derby a must win for the club, not only to get one over their arch rivals at home but also to get back to winning ways.
Spurs will definitely need to pull up their socks in the attacking department, as the team has just scored once from open play in their last 3 games.
Picks: Sanchez, Bellerin, Son, Alli
Manchester City – Middlesbrough
After 3 consecutive winless games, Manchester City bounced back and thumped West Brom as they scored 4 goals away from home. A special performance by Aguero was exactly what Citizens were hoping for as the prolific striker scored 2 goals and set up another.
City look like they are back in form and should win against Middlesbrough and continue to lead the table.
Middlesbrough won their last match after a series of draws and defeats. The team got a convincing win against Bournemouth, who had put up a good display against Tottenham.
If the club wants to win their fixture, they will definitely have to be organised and observe the countless attacks that Manchester City will launch on them. Manchester City have kept just one clean sheet in the league this season, and Middlesbrough should try their level best to exploit the vulnerable backline.
Picks: Aguero, Ramirez, de Bruyne, Gundogan
Hull City – Southampton
The Tigers have lost all of their last 6 matches in the league and their miserable form doesn’t look like it will end soon. Hull City started off the season very well but lost their way due to shambolic defending, conceding heavily in a few matches.
Manager Mike Phelan will have to definitely sort out the backline to get back to winning ways.
Southampton may have lost their last match against Chelsea but otherwise look solid. Claude Puel’s team has impressed even though this is his first season in charge of the club. Puel will be counting on his frontline to exploit Hull City’s susceptible backline.
Picks: Austin, Tadic, Fonte, Van Dijk Misses: Hull City defenders
Swansea City – Manchester United
The Welsh club has not won a single game in the league except for their opening fixture against Burnley. At the moment, the club sits just above Sunderland at 19th position and things don’t look good for them.
Against a team like Manchester United, who are creating a host of chances and movement up front, the Swansea defence will have to be at their best. The club needs a serious turnaround and the fans will be counting on new manager Bob Bradley to help them do the same.
Manchester United may not have won their match against Burnley thanks to some brilliant goalkeeping by Tom Heaton, however, the game showed a remarkable change, as the team took a total of 37 shots in the match.
If The Red Devils are able to maintain this, they can be rest assured that the goals will start coming soon. Mourinho will definitely want his ace striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to put on the scoring boots as the Swede has now gone 6 matches without scoring.
Picks: Ibrahimovic, Mata, Shaw, Routledge Misses: Swansea defenders
Chelsea – Everton
The London club has had a turn in form and are well and truly back in the title race after 4 consecutive wins. The Chelsea defence has played a major part as the Blues have not conceded a single goal in these games.
Chelsea’s frontline has also got their scoring boots on as Diego Costa has showed no signs of stopping along with fellow teammate Eden Hazard who has now scored in 3 successive games.
Everton, under new manager Ronald Koeman, have been largely successful and sit comfortably in 6th position on the points table. The Merseyside team will look towards their ace striker Lukaku to continue his impressive form against his old team Chelsea.
Picks: Costa, Hazard, Azpilicueta, Lukaku, Bolasie
