PREMIER LEAGUE WEEKEND MATCH PREVIEWS

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS SATURDAY

OCTOBER 17 – MONDAY OCTOBER 19

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool – Saturday 1245

Positions: Tottenham 8^th, Liverpool 10^th

Form:

Tottenham

(last six League matches – earliest first): DDDWWD (10pts)

Liverpool

DLLDWD (6pts)

• Neither side is amongst the early pacesetters, but Tottenham are unbeaten in six, and Liverpool may benefit from a ‘new manager bounce’ as Jurgen Klopp takes charge for the first time. However, Danny Ings and Joe Gomez have both been ruled out for the entire season this week.

Southampton v Leicester City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Southampton 9^th, Leicester 5^th

Form:

Southampton

DWDLWW (11pts)

Leicester

DDWDLW (9pts)

• Leicester have still only lost one match, to Arsenal, but face a tough trip to Southampton, who have won their last two matches, and have scored eight goals in their last three. The Saints had scored just five goals in five matches prior to that.

Chelsea v Aston Villa – Saturday 1500

Positions: Chelsea 16^th, Aston Villa 18^th

Form:

Chelsea

WLLWDL (7pts)

Aston Villa

LDLLLL (1pt)

• Diego Costa says he is lean and hungry after the completion of his suspension. Chelsea will surely improve at some point, and a home match against Aston Villa, who are in wretched form, may provide the perfect opportunity.

West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland – Saturday 1500

Positions: West Brom 17^th, Sunderland 19^th

Form:

West Brom

LWDWLL (7pts)

Sunderland

DDLLLD (3pts)

• Equal lowest scorers in the Premier League, West Brom, host Sunderland, who have conceded the highest number of goals. Both sides will be targeting this match to start climbing the table. Sunderland are still to win, and it remains to be seen what effect on morale the recent surrendering of a two goal lead at West Ham will have.

Crystal Palace v West Ham United – Saturday 1500

Positions: Crystal Palace 4^th, West Ham 6^th

Form:

Crystal Palace

WWLLWW (12pts)

West Ham

LWWWDD (11pts)

• A match that not many people would have seen as a top six clash when the season kicked off. Credit is certainly due to Crystal Palace, but their four wins in the last six have all been against teams in the bottom half. So although West Ham – unbeaten in five - are the away team, and are lower in the table, they may fancy their chances.

Manchester City v Bournemouth – Saturday 1500

Positions: Man City 1^st, Bournemouth 15^th

Form:

Man City

WWWLLW (12pts)

Bournemouth

WDLWLD (8pts)

·         Bournemouth are clearly enjoying life in the Premier League, and are winning many friends with their style of play. This trip to the Etihad does of course represent a very stiff test of their credentials. However, City have a long injury list, including Sergio Aguero, who scored five in the blitz of Newcastle in the last round of matches.

Everton v Manchester United – Saturday 1500

Positions: Everton 7^th, Manchester United 3^rd

Form:

Everton

LDWDWD (9pts)

Man Utd

DLWWWD (11pts)

• Everton have coped admirably with several injuries to key defenders, and have lost just once this season and are unbeaten in five. United however were in excellent form themselves until their defeat at Arsenal.

Watford v Arsenal – Saturday 1730

Positions: Watford 12^th, Arsenal 2^nd

Form:

Watford

DLWWLD (8pts)

Arsenal

DWWLWW (13pts)

• Watford are proving very difficult to beat, with just two defeats in eight matches so far, and have only conceded seven goals. Arsenal will need to be wary, but the Gunners will be confident of taking the points, having won four out of five and having scored eight goals in their last two matches.

Newcastle United v Norwich City – Sunday 1600

Positions: Newcastle 20^th, Norwich 13th

Form:

Newcastle

DLLLDL (2pts)

Norwich

DLWDDL (6pts)

·         After a pummelling at Man City, Newcastle might try and reflect on the fact they were the better team in that game for most of the first half. If Newcastle lose this one, St James’s Park really will be an unhappy place at 6pm on Sunday.

Swansea v Stoke City – Monday 2000

Positions: Swansea 11^th, Stoke 14^th

Form:

Swansea

DWLDLD (6pts)

Stoke

DLLDWW (8pts)

• Are things improving for Stoke after winning the last two? Despite the long trip to Swansea, they may be confident of beating a side who haven’t won in four.

Martin - Blog Writer