The Premier League is back and the highly-anticipated showdown between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford will be the highlight of the weekend. Here are some Things to look out for in the Premier Lague: Matchweek 9. Bet on the Premier League here.
Manchester United v Liverpool
Manchester United host arch-rivals Liverpool in a late Premier League kick-off on Sunday, as they seek to bounce back from an embarrassing defeat at Newcastle in their last match. Liverpool couldn’t ask for a better time to face their bitter rivals. The Reds have won all of their eight matches this season and sit eight points clear at the top of the pile. However, United should be confident heading into this tie given they are unbeaten in five matches against Jurgen Klopp’s side at Old Trafford. A win will also be important for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who is under pressure following his side’s poor start to the season. Can he inspire a famous win over favourites Liverpool?
Another giant-killing from Palace?
After a shocking defeat at home to Wolves, Pep Guardiola’s men head to Selhurst Park on Saturday to face Crystal Palace. The Eagles have proven to be City’s unlucky charm in the past fixtures. One wouldn’t have to go too far back to witness Palace’s last win
over the City. The Eagles’ last win over City came in their fixture in December last year. Roy Hodgson’s side also came close to beating City in New Year’s Eve in 2017 but Luka Milivojevic missed an injury-time penalty. The Eagles have already beaten the red half of Manchester this season and should be bustling with confidence heading to this encounter.
Last chance for Silva and Pochettino?
Marco Silva will be sweating over his job, in possibly his last chance as Everton boss as his team host West Ham United at Goodison Park. The Toffees will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the Premier League. After accumulating just seven points this season, they find themselves in the relegation zone in October which isn’t good enough for Everton’s standards.
Meanwhile, Spurs are almost in the same predicament as Everton. They have won just three matches in eleven this season in all competitions, putting Mauricio Pochettino under severe pressure. Spurs followed up their embarrassing 7-2 defeat in the Champions League with a 3-0 loss in the league. Can Pochettino steady the ship?
Norwich City’s poor form to continue?
Norwich’s return to the top flight hasn’t been great. Two wins and six defeats in their first eight games is relegation form. The Canaries were the first team to beat reigning champions Manchester City this season, producing a magnificent display to win 3-2. Since then, they’ve suffered three successive defeats conceding nine goals and scoring just once, meaning they have the worst defence in the league. Much of that can be pointed to their growing list of injuries. They will be facing a Bournemouth side that has started the season strongly. Can they bounce back?
Burnley’s poor away form
Despite starting the season strongly, Burnley are yet to win away from home this term. In fact, since April 2018, Burnley have won just four away matches in the league. They’re winless in their last six away matches. The Clarets have built a reputation of being a stubborn team away from home. They pushed Arsenal to the limit earlier this season eventually suffering a narrow 2-1 loss. This weekend, they face a Leicester City team that has been solid at home. Can they get their first away win over a wounded Foxes side?
Blades sharpened for Arsenal visit?
Since November last year, Arsenal have won just four away matches in the league which is poor for a side with top-four ambitions. They’ve won once away from home this season, lost one and drawn two. Moreover, they lost 1-0 to their matchday nine opponents Sheffield United back in 2006, when the pair last met in the top flight.
Chris Wilder’s side have been formidable since returning to the Premier League. If it wasn’t for a goalkeeping howler, they would be the only side to take points off Liverpool, and should, therefore, have no fear against Unai Emery’s soft touch side. How will the Gunners fare this time round?