PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS (SAT NOV 7 – SUN NOV 8)

Bournemouth v Newcastle United – Saturday 1245

Positions: Bournemouth 17^th, Newcastle 18^th

Form (League matches only – earliest matches first):

Bournemouth

WLDLLL (4pts)

Newcastle

LDLWLD (5pts)

• A meeting of two sides in very poor form, but will the fact that Bournemouth have lost three on the bounce give Newcastle the edge? With both sides conceding an average of at least two goals per game so far, this could be a high-scoring encounter.

Leicester City v Watford – Saturday 1500

Positions: Leicester 3^rd, Watford 11^th

Form:

Leicester

DLWDWW (11pts)

Watford

WLDLWW (10pts)

• There’s still no stopping Leicester, who are the division’s second top scorers as a team, and have the two highest individual goalscorers in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. If Vardy scores here it will be the ninth match in a row he has found the net, and only Ruud van Nistelrooy has enjoyed a longer scoring run in Premier League history. So in spite of last week’s excellent win over West Ham, Watford face a tough task here.

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion – Saturday 1500

Positions: Man Utd 4^th, West Brom 12^th

Form:

Man Utd

WWLWDD (11pts)

West Brom

WLLWWL (9pts)

• For all that United’s fans bemoan their lack of goals and perceived lack of attacking intent, they are enjoying a run of three successive league clean sheets (five in all competitions). With West Brom short of goals, United could be well placed to get back to winning ways if they can get their noses in front.

Norwich City v Swansea City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Norwich 16^th, Swansea 13^th

Form:

Norwich

DDLLLL (2pts)

Swansea

DLDLWL (5pts)

• With no win in six and no point in four matches, Norwich must try and take heart from how much they tested Man City last time out. Swansea, seen as having underachieved so far, will be looking for three points to get them up the table.

Sunderland v Southampton – Saturday 1500

Positions: Sunderland 19^th, Southampton 7^th

Form:

Sunderland

LLDLWL (4pts)

Southampton

LWWDDW (11pts)

• Few are expecting a repeat of Southampton’s 8-0 win over the Black Cats from 12 months ago. But Sunderland have the worst defensive record after shipping six at Everton last week, and the Saints will fancy their chances.

West Ham United v Everton – Saturday 1500

Positions: West Ham 6^th, Everton 9^th

Form:

West Ham

WDDWWL (11pts)

Everton

DWDLLW (8pts)

• An intriguing clash, as West Ham were doing very well until their last match, when they lost to Watford. Conversely, Everton had experienced a fallow period until they thumped bottom of the table Sunderland. Will the teams carry on from where they left off last week, or revert to their form of a few weeks before?

Stoke City v Chelsea – Saturday 1730

Positions: Stoke 14^th, Chelsea 15^th

Form:

Stoke

DWWWLD (11pts)

Chelsea

WDLWLL (7pts)

• After some pundits’ predictions of the sack for Jose Mourinho failed to be realised last week, commentators are now speculating if the manager can afford to lose this one. Mourinho himself is banned from attending the Britannia Stadium for disciplinary reasons. Chelsea average two goals against per game, and may be fortunate that their opponents are the lowest scorers in the league.

Aston Villa v Manchester City – Sunday 1330

Positions: Aston Villa 20^th, Man City 1^st

Form:

Aston Villa

LLLLLL (0pts)

Man City

LLWWDW (10pts)

• A true baptism of fire for new Villa manager Remi Garde. There may not be too much money staked on Villa ending their seven match losing run here.

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur – Sunday 1600

Positions: Arsenal 2^nd, Tottenham 5^th

Form:

Arsenal

LWWWWW (15pts)

Tottenham

WWDDWW (12pts)

• Arsenal will be hoping to continue their excellent league form, and forget about Wednesday’s trip to Munich, where they conceded in one match (five goals) more than half their Premier League goals against total for the entire season (eight). Tottenham remain unbeaten in 10 and will not give that up willingly, but with both sides having conceded only 17 between them in the league, this may not be a goal fest.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace – Sunday 1600

Positions: Liverpool 8^th, Crystal Palace 10^th

Form:

Liverpool

DWDDDW (10pts)

Crystal Palace

LWWLLD (7pts)

• Liverpool are unbeaten in six, and after dominating Chelsea last week, may be confident of continuing their run here.