Now that the international break for the year 2016 is out of the way, we can get back to the thrilling drama of the Premier League. Given the number of games lined up on Saturday, one can expect a lot of change in the league standings through the course of this weekend.
Saturday’s early kick-off takes a special significance given the Manchester United-Arsenal rivalry, and the renewal of hostilities between Mourinho and Wenger.
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The host of games after that sees Liverpool in action against Southampton at St. Marys and it will be interesting to see if they can extend their stay at the top of the table. Chelsea will rub their hands in glee if Liverpool do indeed slip up. The Blues visit Middlesbrough on Sunday (the only fixture for the day).
Monday night football will see this round of games wrapped up at the Hawthorns where West Bromwich Albion will welcome Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
Here is a look at some of the things to watch out for the fixtures in the Premier League this weekend.
#1 Manchester United – Arsenal: Can Pogba keep Ozil and co. quiet
Arguably, the game of the week and there are a host of issues to watch out for. However, the key battle will be in the midfield as Pogba will look to make a statement. The warring relationship of the opposing managers is another of those subplots which make the match more interesting.
In recent weeks Mourinho’s Manchester side have been better to watch and the 3-1 victory was a deserved result. Whether Pogba can put a spanner in the works of a steady Gunners side and prevent the likes of Ozil will be the key to the game.
However, Pogba’s performance was on the back of a solid Carrick display, which enabled the team to take up more attacking positions. The onus may be on the Frenchman to grasp the grab the game by the scruff of its neck, but Carrick’s flawless passing is the master key.
Match Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
#2 Crystal Palace – Manchester City: Guardiola needs to convert draws into victories
Both teams were victims of late goals in their respective fixtures before the international break and will be looking for redemption. Pardew’s team has been sliding down the table in recent weeks and after the Burnley defeat, the manager spoke about the need for a result.
Individuality has often been encouraged by managers and both opposing managers at Selhurst Park have managed some of the best talents in the world. Pardew managed the eccentric Ben Arfa during his Newcastle days and now has talents such as Zaha, Benteke and Townsend at Palace.
As for Guardiola, his track record has been well documented. However, his ability to harness an individual’s talent to the entire team’s benefit and vice versa has been the most laudable quality. His time at City has been interesting, to say the least. With young talents such as Sterling and De Bruyne gelling with the experienced heads Silva and Fernando, they have been easy on the eye.
However, the win ratio has dropped and the Spaniard will be keen to address the stuttering form of City. Having dominated the match completely against Middlesbrough, they were denied all three points via an excellent equaliser in their last fixture.
Match Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester City
#3 Everton – Swansea: Better organised side to prevail Goodison Park
Emulating a like for like formation didn’t work out for Ronald Koeman’s Everton last time around. However, the Dutchman has never been one to shy away from changing things around.
The Dutchman is slowly adding steel to the Everton squad. They might have been bamboozled at Stamford Bridge last time around but they have a chance to make amends this weekend.
Swansea have lost their way and a steady decline has set in since Gary Monk’s departure. Worrying times for the club and the American manager, Bob Bradley, who will hope to steady the ship and Goodison Park will be a good place to start to avoid the dreaded drop.
Match Prediction: Everton 2 – 0 Swansea
#4 Southampton – Liverpool: Tempo key to Reds run
Plaudits have been pouring in at Anfield to the way of Jurgen Klopp, who has rejuvenated the Liverpool team and there is a certain romanticism in the air. However, this weekend, they will be away from familiar surroundings.
Liverpool visits St. Marys hoping to extend their stay at the top. Southampton fell victim to a hard-working Hull City before the international break and Claude Puel’s side will look to bounce back. The Saints have been in constant evolution and have been one of the most enterprising sides.
Having churned out the likes of Bale and Walcott, they have become a feeder Premier League club. Anfield has been the preferred destination in recent years and a return for these players always makes it an emotional occasion.
Nevertheless, the tempo of the game will be interesting to watch as Liverpool’s Brazilian pair of Coutinho and Firminho makes the long journey back from South America. One can expect, Liverpool to play more on the counter so as to conserve their attacking duo.
Match Prediction: Southampton 1 - 2 Liverpool
#5 Stoke – Bournemouth: Potters on the up
Mark Hughes welcomed back Bojan from injury last time around and the form of Joe Allen has meant that the Potters are not too far from a Europa League place. Hughes has spent a considerable amount of money on the squad and has enriched the attacking side of the squad.
They will look to kick on when they take on Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side. Bojan’s presence and a fit Shaqiri can mesmerise opposing sides and Hughes will be hoping the duo are on song this weekend.
However, the Cherries are not a side which rolls over easily and Eddie Howe’s side can be expected to take the fight to Stoke City.
Match Prediction: Stoke 2 – 2 Bournemouth
#6 Sunderland – Hull City: Relegation worries at the Stadium of Light
“Things can only get better from here”, quipped some of the home fans after the dismal home defeat against Arsenal in October at the Stadium of Light. But much needed wins for both teams before the international break ensured that this “relegation six-pointer” now has an added edge.
Moyes’s team have finally won a league game and Hull curtailed their run of six straight league defeats; the encounter at Stadium of Light promises to be a feisty affair.
Most importantly, it will be an intriguing affair as both teams are aware that a win will enhance their chances of survival. However, a defeat for the Black Cats will leave them further adrift of the safer reaches of the Premier League table.
Defoe was more effective in the presence of Victor Anichebe last time around and given the importance of the fixture, it will be interesting to see what team Moyes puts out.
Irrespective of the defeats and the club’s internal problems, Mike Phelan, the Hull City manager continues to be fiercely optimistic and he recently stated, “Although we’ve had some soul-destroying defeats, there remains an inner belief.” A
nd why not? A statistical review of the past 5 games between both teams reveals a splendid record for the Tigers, who have won 4 of them bar one. Given their recent track record, Hull will be quietly optimistic when they walk into a hostile atmosphere on Saturday Afternoon.
Match Prediction: Sunderland 1 – 1 Hull City
#7 Watford – Leicester: Hornets in the mood to sting
Having been at the end of a rout at Anfield, Watford will look to bounce back. The Hornets were battered last time around by and they welcome reigning Premier League Champions, Leicester City. The Foxes are having their own troubles this season but their fairytale story continues in Europe this season.
Troy Deeney, the Watford’s captain has been a talismanic figure at the club and he will look to lead by example as always. However, he will require the assistance of his strike partner, Ighalo, who has been very quiet in comparison to last season.
Mazzari has shown faith in the duo and will hope that the Hornets can take advantage of the atmosphere at Vicarage Road to get a leg up on their opponents.
Match Prediction: Watford 2 – 1 Leicester City
#8 Spurs – West Ham United: Resurgent Spurs look to continue unbeaten run
Tottenham take on West Ham at White Hart Lane in the London Derby in what is expected to be a feisty fixture. Spurs put in an improved performance against Arsenal in the second half of their game to earn themselves a point and continue their unbeaten record.
Though the aim of Mauricio Pochettino is now to convert these draws into victories. The return of Harry Kane makes this Spurs side look a more threatening side and the Englishman will look to continue his scoring touch against a not so cohesive Hammers side.
Payet’s murmuring of discontent is just another addition to a list of disturbances this season for Bilic’s side. However, with international disruptions out of the way and a continuous run of fixtures means Bilic will be under pressure to ensure results start going their way.
Match Prediction: Spurs 1 – 1 West Ham United
#9 Middlesbrough – Chelsea: Defensive Discipline instrumental to Middlesbrough’s survival
Aitor Karaka’s side had the best defensive record in the Championship last season on their way to the Premier League and they haven’t been too bad this season either, having conceded 12 goals, the least among the bottom half of the Premier League.
Defensive discipline holds the key to survival for clubs in the bottom half and Karanka’s side are well equipped to battle it out.
Conte, on the other hand, is never one to shy away from a challenge and the calculating Italian’s tactics will be interesting if his side are without the presence of Costa and Hazard, who are carrying knocks.
Match Prediction: Middlesbrough 0 – 2 Chelsea
#10 West Bromwich – Burnley: Rondon’s airy ways gives them the edge
Rondon has been an inspired signing for Tony Pulis’s side and the forward is proving his worth to the Baggies. In their last outing against Leicester, Rondon was impressive as he dominated in the air against a robust defence comprising Huth and Morgan.
The current Burnley side looks better equipped to deal with the rigours of the Premier League this time round. However, if their defending is as generous as against Palace, Rondon is sure to punish them. However, Matt Phillips’ inspired form has also earned him words of praise from his manager, “I had a good chat with him last week. He’s got all the tools and he has to understand that he’s a good player.”
Alongside Chadli, the Baggies have found some attacking verve this season and they will look to capitalise on the form of the Venezuelan.
Match Prediction: West Bromwich 2– 0 Burnley
