21-22 Premier League Preview Week 12
The Premier League returns this weekend after a two-week international break and several teams will want to notch maximum points in the run-up to Christmas. Chelsea remain at the top of the table, despite a setback against Burnley last time out. The Blues’ were fortunate as Liverpool dropped points at West Ham, while Man City kept chase with a 2-0 win against a dismal Man United.
There were sackings at the bottom of the table as Norwich parted with Daniel Farke and Aston Villa with Dean Smith, only for the latter to take over at Carrow Road. Newcastle are the only team in the division without a win as the Magpies await their new managerial appointment. Business resumes this weekend as Leicester host Chelsea, in-form Wolves, and West Ham face-off, Liverpool take on Arsenal and Antonio Conte’s Spurs welcome Leeds to North London.
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Leicester vs Chelsea
Leicester paused for the international break in patchy form following a 1-1 draw against Leeds and a 2-0 home loss to Arsenal. The results ended a four-match unbeaten run for Brendan Rodgers’ side, including an emphatic 4-2 home victory over Man United in mid-October. The Foxes have struggled to build any real form at the King Power this season, winning just three of their eight home matches in all competitions.
Chelsea were held to shock 1-1 home draw against Burnley before the international break. The West London side were punished for not taking their chances as they dominated the game with 25 shots and 70% possession. The draw ended a run of seven straight wins for Thomas Tuchel’s side in all competitions. The Blues remain in good away form, however, winning their last three on the road without conceding.
Leicester’s Youri Tielemans is doubtful with a calf injury. Wesley Fofana (ankle), James Justin (knee), Marc Albrighton (knock) and Ryan Bertrand (knee) are ruled out for Leicester. Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount and Marcos Alonso could return for Chelsea, but Mateo Kovacic and Timo Werner are out with hamstring injuries.
Leicester have been inconsistent this season and Chelsea will see this as an opportunity to bounce back from their Burnley disappointment.
Wolves vs West Ham
Wolves’ five-match unbeaten run was ended by a disappointing 2-0 away loss at Crystal Palace last time out. The Midlands side had previously won four of their last five, including home 2-1 wins against Newcastle and Everton. The back to back wins ended a run of four straight defeats to begin the season for Bruno Lage’s side, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in all of their six matches at Molineux this season.
West Ham entered the international break as the most in-form side in the Premier League, taking 15 points from their last 18 available. The Hammers defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the London Stadium last time out to hand the Reds a first defeat of the season. David Moyes’ side were deserved winners, taking their chances in a blistering display. It was a sixth win in seven in all competitions for the East Londoners, who have won their last four on the spin in the Premier League.
Hugo Bueno (hamstring), Yerson Mosquera (thigh), Pedro Neto (knee) and Jonny Otto (knee) are out for Wolves. Fernando Marcal may return to the squad. Declan Rice and Pablo Fornals should be in contention for West Ham after recent knocks.
Wolves could be hurt after their defeat against Palace. They may struggle against a West Ham side that is showing no signs of letting up this season.
Liverpool vs Arsenal
Liverpool’s 16-match unbeaten run to start the season came to an end before the international break as they lost 3-2 at West Ham. The loss leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side with just two wins in their last six in the Premier League. The Reds were previously held to a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton and dropped points with draws against Brentford and Man City recently. Liverpool will want to extend their unbeaten run at home after going 16 without loss at Anfield in all competitions.
Arsenal continued their recovery after a poor start to the season with a 1-0 victory over Watford last time out. The win extended the Gunner’s unbeaten run to ten in all competitions. Mikel Arteta’s side are also in good Premier League form, winning their last three on the spin. Only West Ham have a better record than the Gunners in the last six matches. The North Londoners have picked up 14 points from the last 18 on offer.
Andy Robertson is doubtful for the Reds with a hamstring injury. Roberto Firmino (hamstring), Curtis Jones (facial injury) and Harvey Elliot (leg) are unavailable. Arsenal duo Thomas Partey and Folarin Balogun may feature, but Granit Xhaka (knee) and Sead Kolasinac (ankle) are out.
Arsenal could well take a point from Anfield on Saturday as the Reds are missing some key players and they will want to steady the ship after the West Ham loss.
Tottenham vs Leeds
Antonio Conte was unable to get his Spurs side off to a winning start in the Premier League. They were held to a 0-0 draw away at Everton, following a 3-2 win against Vitesse in the Europa Conference League. Despite recording just two wins in their last six, Spurs find themselves in good form at home. Conte will take heart from the fact that Tottenham have won seven of their last nine in all competitions at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After a six-match winless run to start the new Premier League season, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds have become harder to beat in recent weeks. The Whites drew 1-1 with Leicester to extend their unbeaten run to three in the top flight. The draw followed a first away win of the season at Norwich (2-1) and another 1-1 draw at home with Wolves.
Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should be fit to feature. But Spurs will be without Cristian Romero (hamstring), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Oliver Skipp (suspended) and Bryana Gil (hamstring). Leeds’ Robin Koch is unavailable with a groin injury. Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo, Luke Ayling, Jamie Shackleton and Joe Gelhardt could return to the squad.
Conte will be desperate to get his first Premier League win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A defiant Leeds should make life hard for Spurs, but the home side may just edge the Yorkshire side due to their home advantage.
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