Premier League Preview Week 6
There were more twists and turns in the Premier League last weekend with comebacks, feisty derbies, and goals all featuring in Gameweek five. The Merseyside derby didn’t disappoint as Everton continued their unbeaten start to the season thanks to VAR ruling out Jordan Henderson’s inner for Liverpool in the dying moments to keep the score at 2-2. Tottenham were stunned by a West Ham comeback despite leading by three goals in 16 minutes. The Hammers raced back and Manuel Lanzini scored a thumping equaliser with seconds left in the game. Chelsea struggled to hold on to a 3-1 lead and eventually drew 3-3 with a positive Southampton while Villa also continue their 100% start after a 1-0 win against Leicester.
Burnley, Sheffield United, and Fulham are all off the mark too with all teams drawing last weekend. In Gameweek 6, Man United v Chelsea is the pick of the fixtures while Arsenal v Leicester and Aston Villa v Leeds should make for interesting contests as the Premier League starts to take shape.
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Aston Villa v Leeds
Aston Villa are the only team in England’s top four divisions to have a 100% record following their 1-0 win over Leicester last weekend, their best start to a top-flight campaign since 1930-31. Dean Smith’s side have only conceded two goals and scored 12, giving them the best goal difference in the league currently (+10). Villa are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games, winning six and drawing two.
Leeds’ three match unbeaten run came to an end after losing 1-0 to Wolves last weekend. Their 13 shots on goal was the third highest amount without scoring in the Premier League this season and it was the first match this season where Leeds have not scored. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have only lost two of their last six away games, winning four.
Tom Heaton and Wesley remain out long-term with respective knee injuries for Villa but Keinan Davis and Kortney Hause could be back in contention this weekend. Leeds will be without Kalvin Phillips (shoulder), Gaetano Berardi (knee), Adam Forshaw (groin), Diego Llorente (knock), and Liam Cooper (groin).
Villa are full of confidence at the moment and they will make things difficult for Bielsa’s Leeds side. However, this will be a tough test and Villa may drop their first points of the season with a score draw.
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Fulham won their first point of the season following a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United last weekend. The Cottagers have lost four of their opening five games and sit bottom of the Premier League on goal difference (-8) the worst in the league. Under Scott Parker in the Premier League, Fulham have only won three games, lost 11 and drawn one. They have lost three of their last four home games, conceding eight.
Crystal Palace earned their first draw of the season last Sunday, holding Brighton to a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. Palace became the only side in Premier League history to have one shot on goal as a penalty in an entire game and have the lowest shot count in the league this season (32). The South London side have won just one of their last six away games, losing six.
Kenny Tete and Joachim Andersen are ruled out for Fulham while Harrison Reed could be back in contention. Palace will be without Jordan Ayew (COVID-19), Wayne Hennessey (knock) and Nathan Fergusson (knee) but James Tomkins and James McCarthy should be available after respective thigh injuries.
This will be an even match so a draw is likely. In their last five meetings, each team has won two, lost two and drawn one. However, Palace’s lack of attacking threat may play into Fulham’s hands so the home side could gain their first win of the season this weekend.
Manchester United v Chelsea
Manchester United bounced back from their heavy loss to Spurs before the international break with back to back wins. Firstly, dispatching Newcastle 4-1 away in the Premier League, then beating Paris St Germain away in the Champions League. Overall, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side have won five of their seven games in all competitions this season, scoring 17 goals. However, their two losses have come at home. The Red Devils have conceded nine goals in their two home games this season.
Chelsea have made an inconsistent start this season and threw away the lead to draw 3-3 with Southampton last weekend. They have only won two of their opening five Premier League games and conceded nine. Under Frank Lampard, the Blues have conceded 63 goals in 43 matches, the highest amount under any Chelsea boss in the same time frame. Chelsea have only beaten United once in their last seven meetings – a 3-1 win in the FA Cup semi-final last season.
Jesse Lingard, Harry Maguire, and Mason Greenwood should return for United after missing their mid-week Champions League fixture. Edinson Cavani may be fit to play but Eric Bailly (knock) and Phil Jones (knee) are ruled out. Billy Gilmour is Chelsea’s only player unavailable player due to a long-term knee injury.
Both of these sides have been inconsistent in the early stages of the season. But United will be flying after back to back wins this week and will turn around their dreadful home form this weekend with a win over Chelsea.
Arsenal v Leicester
Arsenal’s away loss to Manchester City last weekend was their second in three Premier League games. However, the Gunners home form is cause for optimism as they are unbeaten in their last 11 at the Emirates in the Premier League. During this run, Mikel Arteta’s side have won nine and drawn just two. Despite winning their last two Premier League away matches, the Foxes’ failed to win in their previous eight towards the back end of the 2019/20 campaign.
Leicester’s late loss to Villa last weekend was the first time since 2017 where the Foxes’ have lost two consecutive Premier League games without scoring. Brendan Rogers’ side have made an inconsistent start to the season, winning three and losing three in all competitions. Despite scoring 12 in all competitions, they’ve also shipped 10 goals, including four in their last two.
Arsenal will be without Rob Holding (thigh), Calum Chambers (knee), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle), and Shkodran Mustafi (thigh). Jamie Vardy could return for Leicester this weekend but Caglar Soyuncu (groin), Daniel Amartey (thigh), Wilfred Ndidi (groin), and Ricardo Pereira (knee) are all ruled out.
Arsenal’s home form will give them the edge over Leicester in this match on Sunday. Leicester may find the net for the first time in three games, but the Gunners should win comfortably.
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