10 Premier League talking points ahead of crucial weekend for Arsenal's hopes
This weekend could prove to be yet another crucial one in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City to move to the top of the division following a 1-0 win over Brentford last time out. The Gunners pounced on City's 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the early kick-off, with Aston Villa moving up to fourth after beating Tottenham, who drop down to fifth.
At the other end, Burnley sit rock bottom are winning just one of their opening 13 top-flight matches. Following their 10-point deduction, Everton are 19th, while Sheffield United make up the bottom three. Luton sit just above the dreaded drop zone, with Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest languishing just above. Ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures, Mirror Football have taken a look at the talking points from each match.
Arsenal vs Wolves (Saturday 3pm)
With no early kick-off scheduled, Arsenal's game against Wolves is among the first games of the matchweek. The Gunners are currently top of the table and have an opportunity to move four points clear of Manchester City before Pep Guardiola's side travel to Tottenham on Sunday. Mikel Arteta's men have lost just one game all season and earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Brentford last Saturday.
VAR has been Wolves' worst nightmare all season. Gary O'Neil was left scratching his head after his side were left to rue four decisions that went against them in the 3-2 defeat at Fulham on Monday. This has been a common theme throughout the campaign, though Wolves still remain well above the drop on 15 points.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table (Getty Images)Brentford vs Luton (Saturday 3pm)
This feels like another massive game for Luton in their hopes of staying in the Premier League. Rob Edwards' side picked up a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last time out to move them four points clear of the drop zone. The Hatters had previously gone five matches without a win but will fancy themselves to record back-to-back top-flight successes for the first time in their history.
As for Brentford, Thomas Frank's side currently sit 11th but have lost their last two matches against Liverpool and Arsenal either side of the international break. Although they are games the Bees will not expect three points from, Frank will no doubt be disappointed they left both outings empty handed.
Burnley vs Sheffield United (Saturday 3pm)
What a pivotal game this is. Burnley simply have to win - there is no doubt about it. Vincent Kompany's side are yet to win at Turf Moor since their return to the Premier League, with their only victory coming away at Luton. The Clarets sit rock bottom of the table on four points and are five points adrift of safety.
(Getty Images)Meanwhile, after last weekend's drab 3-1 defeat against Bournemouth, Paul Heckingbottom will be demanding a response from his Sheffield United side. The Blades sit 18th on five points from 13 matches and haven't really got going yet, despite picking up four points from two games before the international break.
Nottingham Forest vs Everton (Saturday 5:30pm)
Another crucial weekend at the foot of the Premier League table, Nottingham Forest could be starting to look over their shoulder if Everton beat them on Saturday evening. Steve Cooper is under pressure at The City Ground after back-to-back defeats against West Ham and Brighton, with the Reds four points above the drop zone.
Everton, however, are firmly in the mire right now. Everything was starting to look rosy for the Toffees before the two-week hiatus, as Sean Dyche's men earned a fourth win in six by beating Crystal Palace. This had moved them well clear of danger, but the decision to hand Everton a 10-point deduction for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules has brought them back into danger. The Merseyside outfit currently sit 19th on four points after last weekend's 3-0 defeat against Manchester United.
Everton travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend (PA)Newcastle vs Manchester United (Saturday 8pm)
Manchester United are the most in-form team in the Premier League at the moment. No team have collected more points than Erik ten Hag's men in their last six matches (15). Although performances have not been convincing, the Red Devils have jumped up to sixth and can move above Tottenham with a victory at St James' Park.
It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Newcastle, who seem to be flawless at home but disappointing on their travels. In their last two matches on Tyneside, the Magpies have beaten Arsenal and Chelsea, while their last victory away actually came against United - a 3-0 Carabao Cup win on November 1.
Chelsea vs Brighton (Sunday 2pm)
Moving into Sunday's fixtures and Chelsea will be eager to bounce back from last week's mauling at Newcastle when they host Brighton. Mauricio Pochettino's side have made a mixed start and sit 10th after winning just four of their 13 games, but will have hopes to tighten the gap on the European places.
Chelsea were thrashed 4-1 at Newcastle last time out (Getty Images)You could tell how much last Saturday's win over Nottingham Forest meant to Brighton, who had gone six without success in the Premier League prior to that game. Despite that downturn in form, the Seagulls are still eighth and have ambitions of their own to finish in Europe once again.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Liverpool vs Fulham (Sunday 2pm)
After last weekend's 1-1 draw at Manchester City, Liverpool will no doubt have real belief they can challenge for the title this term. Jurgen Klopp ’s side have begun the season well and currently sit third, and with Fulham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace to come within six days, the Reds will be eager to put a run together to pile pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City.
You don't really know what you're going to get with Fulham. Marco Silva's side have been inconsistent all season but returned to winning ways against Wolves on Monday. They have collected 15 points from their 13 league matches but face the daunting task of a trip to Anfield - a ground where they've won once in 11 years.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have won 10 straight home games (Getty Images)Bournemouth vs Aston Villa (Sunday 2pm)
Three wins in four in the Premier League have propelled Bournemouth away from the drop zone and it feels as though Andoni Iraola is starting to instil his philosophy. The Cherries have beaten Burnley, Newcastle and Sheffield United in that run and they will now be looking up, not down.
As for Aston Villa, they are flying under Unai Emery right now. Villa are potential dark horses to win the title, having picked up 28 points from their opening 13 matches. They sit two points behind top spot, and despite facing Manchester City and Arsenal up next at Villa Park, a trip to in-form Bournemouth is arguably the toughest out of the three for Emery's men, given their flawless home form.
West Ham vs Crystal Palace (Sunday 2pm)
After four games without a top-flight win, West Ham really needed to beat Nottingham Forest before the international break - and they did just that. The Hammers backed that up by earning a comeback 2-1 win over Burnley which has moved them up to ninth in the table.
It's safe to say Crystal Palace are struggling at the moment. They have lost four of their last five Premier League matches and have dropped down to 13th. Roy Hodgson is under pressure and the veteran boss will be desperate to get a victory on the board at the London Stadium.
Manchester City vs Tottenham (Sunday 4:30pm)
Manchester City's clash with Tottenham is arguably the game of the weekend and it feels like a gigantic match in the context of both teams' seasons. As for City, they are without a win in two Premier League outings, having been held to draws against Chelsea and Liverpool either side of the international break.
Spurs, meanwhile, have lost their last three matches and Ange Postecoglou is having to deal with somewhat of an injury crisis at the moment. They dropped out of the top four after last weekend's defeat at Aston Villa and will be keen to bounce back at the Etihad.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
