PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEWS – 22ND - 23RD OCTOBER

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur – Saturday 1230

Positions: Bournemouth 11^th, Tottenham 3^rd

Form (league matches only – earliest matches first):

Bournemouth DWLWDW (11pts)

Tottenham DWWWWD (14pts)

• Bournemouth scored six last time out to double their goals tally for the season. However, they will surely find Tottenham’s defence in less forgiving mood than Hull’s. Lewis Cook, Max Gradel and Brad Smith are all expected to miss out for the Cherries with injury once again. Although the absence of Toby Alderweireld is a blow for Spurs, Eric Dier looks a more than capable deputy in central defence.

Arsenal v Middlesbrough – Saturday 1500

Positions: Arsenal 2^nd, Middlesbrough 17^th

Form:

Arsenal WWWWWW (18pts)

Middlesbrough DLLLDL (2pts)

• A meeting of a team with a perfect record in their last six league matches and a team who haven’t won in six. With Arsenal having scored 16 goals in that time, plus six in their latest European fixture, it’s difficult to see anything other than a home win here.

Burnley v Everton – Saturday 1500

Positions: Burnley 14^th, Everton 6^th

Form:

Burnley LDLWLL (4pts)

Everton WWWLDD (11pts)

• Burnley have found goals difficult to come by so far, and last season’s hot shot Andre Gray remains suspended for this one. It’s hard to see Burnley having too much joy against Everton’s well organised defence.

Hull City v Stoke City – Saturday 1500

Positions: Hull 16^th, Stoke 18^th

Form:

Hull LDLLLL (1pt)

Stoke LLLDDW (5pts)

• Although Hull are higher in the table than their opponents, the momentum is definitely with Stoke. Hull have now conceded 17 goals in their last four matches. Stoke meanwhile secured creditable draws with Crystal Palace and Manchester United, before recording their first win against Sunderland last week. Hull have provisionally agreed a £130 million takeover deal with a consortium from South East Asia.

Leicester City v Crystal Palace – Saturday 1500

Positions: Leicester 13^th, Crystal Palace 9^th

Form:

Leicester WLWLDL (7pts)

Crystal Palace DWWWDL (11pts)

• Leicester will certainly be disappointed with their season so far. However, after last week’s defeat at Chelsea they return to their King Power Stadium, where they are unbeaten with just one goal conceded in four matches. Leicester will also be hoping to build on their latest good result in the Champions League in midweek. With Palace having lost to West Ham last week, Leicester maybe start as slight favourites.

Swansea City v Watford – Saturday 1500

Positions: Swansea 19^th, Watford 10^th

Form:

Swansea LDLLLL (1pt)

Watford LWWLDW (10pts)

• Swansea showed some spirit in losing 3-2 at Arsenal, and if they can produce more of the same, this could be a chance to get their season going again.

West Ham United v Sunderland – Saturday 1500

Positions: West Ham 15^th, Sunderland 20^th

Form:

West Ham LLLLDW (4pts)

Sunderland DLLLDL (2pts)

• West Ham will have been cheered by their win last weekend, and particularly by the fact they recorded a clean sheet in doing so. With Sunderland still without a win, after losing the bottom of the table clash with Stoke last week, this is an excellent opportunity for the Hammers to record a second win.

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion – Saturday 1730

Positions: Liverpool 4^th, West Brom 12^th

Form:

Liverpool DWWWWD (14pts)

West Brom DLWDDD (7pts)

• Liverpool’s goalscoring form came to an end in the goalless draw with Manchester United. Although West Brom may not have as good a defence as United’s on paper, the Baggies have shown so far that they are a difficult side to beat, and will perhaps fancy their chances of getting a point from this one.

Manchester City v Southampton – Sunday 1330

Positions: Man City 1^st, Southampton 8^th

Form:

Man City WWWWLD (13pts)

Southampton DLWWDW (11pts)

• Some people are starting to see defensive frailties in the City side, after they failed to beat Tottenham or Everton in their last two league matches, and lost 4-0 to Barcelona. After threw wins and a draw in their last four matches, and with Charlie Austin in goalscoring form, Southampton may think they can get something out of this match.

Chelsea v Manchester United – Sunday 1600

Positions: Chelsea 5^th, Man Utd 7^th

Form:

Chelsea WDLLWW (10pts)

Man Utd WLLWDD (8pts)

• Neither side will be totally happy with their season so far. This could be a cagey encounter, but there are plenty of players on either side who can produce a moment of magic that could break the deadlock.

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