21-22 Premier League Preview Week 9
The Premier League returned with a bang last weekend with some high-scoring matches throughout the league. Liverpool prevented a new manager bounce at Watford as the Reds beat the Hornets 5-0. Leicester ended their patchy form with a 4-2 home win against Man United, and a fierce West Midlands derby took place as Wolves fought back to defeat Aston Villa 3-2.
Chelsea, however, remain top of the table after edging past Brentford 1-0. The Blues take on Norwich this weekend in a top vs bottom of the table clash on Saturday. West Ham take on Tottenham in a London derby, with both sides ticking along nicely in the Premier League. The showpiece fixture takes place on Sunday afternoon as United will look to bounce back a Old Trafford against a rampant Liverpool.
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Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Arsenal’s three-match winning run in the Premier League was ended by back-to-back draws against Brighton and Crystal Palace recently. Mikel Arteta’s side went 1-0 up against Palace last time, and they almost gave up the points before Alexandre Lacazette’s late equaliser earned them a 2-2 draw. The Gunners remain unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches, and they have not lost at the Emirates in three.
Aston Villa have come crashing back down to earth since their 1-0 win at Old Trafford in September. The Villans suffered consecutive losses against Spurs (2-1) and Wolves (3-2). Dean Smith’s side led Wolves 2-0, heading into the final ten minutes, but three late goals handed them a disappointing loss to their Midlands rivals. Villa are now winless in five of their last seven in all competitions. They have only kept two clean sheets in this run.
Granit Xhaka is ruled out for Arsenal, and Bukayo Saka is doubtful after sustaining an injury against Palace. Leon Bailey, Keinan Davis, Matty Cash and Bertrand Traore could all return for Villa. Trezeguet remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Arsenal have been hard to beat of late, and Villa will want to bounce back with at least a point after their loss to Wolves. A score draw is likely at the Emirates.
West Ham vs Tottenham
West Ham bounced back from their disappointing 2-1 loss to Brentford with a solid 1-0 away win against Everton. Angelo Ogbonna scored late on to give the Hammers their fifth win in seven in all competitions. Despite their recent form, West Ham have struggled at home in the Premier League. The Hammers have failed to win in their last three and lost their last two matches 2-1, against Man United and Brentford.
Tottenham have turned a corner following a humiliating North London derby loss last month. Spurs have won their last three matches in all competitions, and they came back from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-2 on Sunday. The away win ended a four-match winless run on the road for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who have won just two of their last eight away in all competitions.
West Ham trio Vladimir Coufal (groin), Alex Kral (Covid), and Ryan Fredericks are doubtful. Spurs’ Matt Doherty could be in contention, but Ryan Sessegnon is ruled out.
West Ham are inconsistent at home, and Tottenham have struggled for wins away. A draw could be on the cards in this London derby.
Brentford vs Leicester
Brentford almost produced another heroic performance on Saturday in a 1-0 loss against Chelsea. The Bees dominated with 17 shots and hit the woodwork twice but couldn’t find the equaliser against the Blues. Despite positive performances at home, Thomas Frank’s side are winless in their last three at the Brentford Community Stadium. They fell to a 1-0 loss against Brighton before an emphatic 3-3 draw against Liverpool.
Leicester bounced back from their four-match winless streak in the Premier League with a comprehensive 4-2 home win against Man United. Brendan Rodgers’ side created plenty of chances and three goals in the last 15 minutes earned the Foxes all three points. Leicester have struggled away in the Premier League recently, losing three of their last five on the road and winning just one, a 2-1 win against Norwich.
Vitaly Janelt should return for Brentford this weekend. Shandon Baptiste (shoulder), Josh Dasilva (groin), Mads Sorensen (knee) and Yoane Wissa (ankle) are unavailable. Leicester trio Wilfred Ndidi (thigh), Wesley Fofana (ankle) and James Justin (knee) are sidelined.
Brentford will be a tough side to beat and the Bees should take a point against a Leicester side who haven’t been at their best away from home.
Man United vs Liverpool
Man United’s poor run of form continued with a 4-2 loss against Leicester, leaving them winless in their last three Premier League matches. The Red Devils have also failed to win in three of their last four home matches in all competitions. A last minute Ronaldo winner in a 2-1 win against Villareal was their only recent win at home, a result that came either side of 1-0 loss to West Ham and Aston Villa and a 1-1 draw with Everton.
Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 18 Premier League matches with a comfortable 5-0 win against Watford last time out. Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick, while Mo Salah and Sadio Mane also got on the scoresheet in the one-sided encounter. The Reds have been in impressive form on the road recently, winning nine of their last 11 away from Anfield and they have kept clean sheets in four of their last five.
United defender Raphael Varane is ruled out with a groin injury. Anthony Martial (knock) and Amad Diallo (thigh) are doubtful. Curtis Jones should be in contention for Liverpool after a recent knock. Harvey Elliott (leg) and Thiago Alcantara (calf) are both unavailable.
United are really struggling for form and Liverpool are full of confidence. The Reds should edge United at Old Trafford.
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