The Premier League is back after the international break, which by itself saw some brilliant game-play (maybe the after effects of World Cup is still lingering). Back to the league, this weekend is going to be another goal fest with Tottenham Hotspurs opening the proceedings against Liverpool.
Here’s what to expect this weekend, game on:
Tottenham Hotspurs vs Liverpool
Stadium: Wembley Stadium, London
Pretty easily this fixture can be regarded as THE fixture of the weekend. This is the first big test for Liverpool who have remained unbeaten so far. Both teams have a good attack, supported by creative centre backs. Although Spurs have a defensive edge, the contest is expected to be an exciting one. This is a difficult and important fixture for both teams.
Players to watch:
Christian Eriksen (Midfielder, Spurs)
Andrew Robertson (Defender, Liverpool)
Probable lineups:
Vorm, Davies, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Alderweirald, Trippier, Dembele, Alli, Eriksen, Son, Kane(c)
Alisson, Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Keita, Milner(c), Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Salah
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AFC Bournemouth vs Leicester City
Stadium: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Bournemouth started the season on a good note until they faced Chelsea. They will be looking to put that match behind and continue their good form. Leicester remain favourites to win, they have a good record against teams outside of the top-6 and are expected to win the game easily.
Players to watch:
Asmir Begovic (Goalkeeper, Bournemouth)
James Maddison (Midfielder, Leicester)
Probable lineups:
Begovic, Francis(c), Cook, Ake, Gosling, Lerma, Ibe, Rico, Fraser, Wilson, King
Schmeichel, Chilwell, Maguire, Morgan(c), Pereira, Ndidi, Mendy, Albrighton, Ghezzal, Maddison, Gray
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Chelsea vs Cardiff City
Stadium: Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea till now has been the most settled team in the Premier League – they have played all their games with great quality and have looked great as a unit. Newcomers Cardiff gave Arsenal all kinds of troubles and is expected to play similarly against Chelsea. Chelsea’s defence is not as strong as their midfield and that might cause some problems.
Players to watch:
Eden Hazard (Midfielder, Chelsea)
Danny Ward (Forward, Cardiff)
Probable lineups:
Kepa, Alonso, Rudiger, Luiz, Azpilicueta(c), Hazard, Kovacic, Jorginho, Kante, Willian, Morata
Etheridge, Bennett, Bamba, Morrison(c), Manga, Ralls, Camarasa, Arter, Reid, Hoilett, Ward
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Huddersfield Town vs Crystal Palace
Stadium: John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield
This is pretty much the best opportunity for Crystal Palace to put their season back on track as they travel to a face a troubled Huddersfield team. The return of Zaha and Tomkins will boost Palace. Huddersfield needs to win to create a spark and set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Players to watch:
Steve Mounie (Forward, Huddersfield)
Patrick van Aanholt (Defender, Crystal Palace)
Probable lineups:
Lossl, Lowe, Kongolo, Schindler(c), Hadergjonaj, Mooy, Billing, van la Parra, Diakhaby, Mounie, Depoitre
Hennessy, van Aanholt, Sakho, Tomkins, wan-Bissaka, Schlupp, McArthur, Milivojevic(c), Townsend, Ayew, Zaha
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Manchester City vs Fulham
Stadium: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Manchester City are missing Otamendi and De Bruyne, thereby lacking the creative edge. Mahrez is also striving for form since his transfer. City, however, are big time favourites but Fulham may pose a threat as they have been impressive since their promotion to the top flight.
Players to watch:
Raheem Sterling (Midfielder, Manchester City)
Luciano Vietto (Forward, Fulham)
Probable lineups:
Ederson, Mendy, Kompany(c), Stones, Walker, David Silva, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Sane, Sterling, Aguero
Fabri, Marchand, Mawson, Odoi, Fosu-Mensah, Seri, McDonald(c), Anguissa, Vietto, Scheurrle, Mitrovic
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Newcastle United vs Arsenal
Stadium: St. James’ Park, Newcastle
Arsenal have been pretty comical since the start of the season. Playing Lacazette and Aubameyang together was a great idea, but Arsenal need to think about how to solve their defensive worries. Newcastle need to take a page out of Cardiff’s book and take the gun from the Gunners.
Players to watch:
Joselu (Forward, Newcastle)
Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang (Forward, Arsenal)
Probable lineups:
Dubravka, Dummett, Clark, Fernandez, Lascelles(c), Yedlin, Diame, Ki, Perez, Kenedy, Joselu
Cech(c), Monreal, Sokratis, Mustafi, Bellerin, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Aubameyang, Ramsey, Mkhitariyan, Lacazette
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Watford vs Manchester United
Stadium: Vicarage Road, Watford
In a nutshell, this match can decide Jose Mourinho’s career at Old Trafford. Watford have been performing pretty well and must try to carry on their momentum. There will be pressure on United to win the game.
Players to watch:
Jose Holebas (Defender, Watford)
Romelu Lukaku (Forward, Manchester United)
Probable lineups:
Foster, Holebas, Kabasele, Cathcart, Janmaat, Capoue, Doucoure, Hughes, Pereyra, Deeney(c), Gray
De Gea, Shaw, Smalling, Bailly, Valencia(c), Pogba, Matic, Fred, Sanchez, Lingard, Lukaku
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Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Burnley
Stadium: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
Wolves have so far been the most impressive team this season and credit goes to the manager for making such a strong unit, that too from so many new signings. Burnley have problems of their own and need to bounce back in the Premier League.
Players to watch:
Joao Moutinho (Midfielder, Wolves)
James Tarkowski (Defender, Burnley)
Probable lineups:
Patricio, Boly, Coady(c), Bennett, Castro, Moutinho, Neves, Doherty, Jota, Helder Costa, Jiminez
Hart, Taylor, Mee(c), Tarkowski, Bardsley, McNeil, Cork, Westwood, Lennon, Barnes, Wood
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Everton vs West Ham United
Stadium: Goodison Park, Liverpool
Everton have so far been a strong and organised unit and will look to capitalize on West Ham’s shaky start to the season. On the other hand, West Ham would look to put some points on the table. Richarlison would be missed. West Ham defence also looks pretty weak.
Players to watch:
Lucas Digne (Defebder, Everton)
Felipe Anderson (Midfielder, West Ham)
Probable lineups:
Pickford, Digne, Zouma, Holgate, Coleman, Baines(c), Davies, Dominic, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Tosun
Fabianski, Cresswell, Diop, Balbuena, Fredricks, Sanchez, Wilshere, Snodgrass, Anderson, Antonio, Arnautovic(c)
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Southampton vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Stadium: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
The match is important for both sides as this might just establish the bully among the lower table teams. Southampton will be riding on the form of Danny Ings as Brighton will look to capitalize on their past performances.
Players to watch:
Danny Ings (Forward, Southampton)
Pascal Gross (Midfielder, Brighton)
Probable lineups:
McCarthy, Bertrand(c), Hoedt, Vestergaard, Cedric, Redmond, Lemina, Hojbjerg, Elyounoussi, Long, Ings
Ryan, Bong, Dunk(c), Duffy, Montoya, March, Propper, Stephens, Knockaert, Gross, Murray
