Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Watford and Chelsea are looking to return to winning ways, while West Ham and Bournemouth are aiming to continue with their good run of form in the Premier League this weekend. Here are some of the Things to look out for in the Premier League: Matchweek 7. Bet on the Premier League here.
Manchester United v Arsenal – Who will lift the gloom?
This fixture was once one of England’s fiercest rivalries, but years of underinvestment and mismanagement has made it meaningless. A match between Arsenal and Manchester United was one of the biggest matches in English football which would determine who lifts the coveted Premier League title. These two meet on Monday but that rivalry, although it still retains some glamour, it is a distant memory. Now, it’s a fight of who will get into the top four and who will avoid social media banter. Both have made poor starts to the season and whoever wins on Monday will at least bring some much-needed delirium to the fans.
Bottom of the table clash: Wolves and Watford
Both Wolves and Watford are winless in the Premier League this season. The Hornets have already fired their manager Javi Gracia and replaced him with former boss Quique Sanchez Flores. Wolves’ boss Nuno Espirito Santo is a man under pressure ahead of their clash against Watford. The Hornets suffered a chastening 8-0 defeat away to champions Manchester City last time out. The home team have failed to win any of the last five league meetings between these two since the Hornets triumphed 2-1 at Vicarage Road in November 2012
Marco Silva’s last throw of the dice
Everton suffered yet another defeat against newly-promoted Sheffield United putting more pressure on Marco Silva. A clash against rampant Manchester City is not a fixture Silva would want to use to bounce back. Everton spent over £100m in the summer transfer window but currently sit 14th and hopes of breaking into the top six look bleak. A win over City might save Silva’s job, but can he stop Pep’s men?
Lampard to gain first home win?
Chelsea are yet to taste victory in the league at Stamford Bridge. They’ve drawn two and lost once of their three home games. On Saturday, they face Brighton, a team that have taken only one point from 13 Premier League away matches at last season’s top six sides and lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge last season. If they produce a performance as they did against Liverpool, they shouldn’t have a problem dispatching the Seagulls.
Clash of top six contenders: Bournemouth v West Ham
Both Bournemouth and West Ham have made decent starts to the season and they sit sixth and fifth respectively. Both teams registered huge wins last week and their consistency should be put to test when they meet. The Cherries are unbeaten in five meetings against the Hammers and have won three of those five matches. Moreover, both teams are looking to break into the top six this season given the huge summers they had. Can Eddie Howe’s men continue with their good record against the Hammers?
Pochettino to ease the pressure
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure following a poor start to the season. Spurs have won just three of their last ten league matches and the Argentine is aiming to alleviate some of the pressure when they host Southampton this weekend. Spurs have won just once this season and have lost to Leicester and Newcastle. They have blown leads against Arsenal, Olympiakos and the Foxes. Can they bounce back this weekend?