Premier League Preview Week 7
After weeks of exciting results full of goals in the Premier League, games are starting to become cagier as the league table takes shape. Previously unbeaten sides Everton and Aston Villa suffered their first defeats of the season last weekend, losing to Southampton and Leeds respectively.
Manchester City also continued their disappointing start to the season after they were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham. Liverpool are not joint top of the table after securing a late win over strugglers Sheffield United. The Blades are one of four teams still without a win in the Premier League this season and join West Brom, Fulham and Burnley at the foot of the table.
With some big teams looking to claw their way back up the table there is plenty at stake this weekend. The biggest fixture takes place at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Arsenal on Sunday while Liverpool will be looking to extend their mammoth unbeaten streak at Anfield on Saturday evening.
All odds are from bet365 and subject to change.
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Liverpool v West Ham
Liverpool bounced back from their 7-2 drubbing against Villa a few weeks ago with a four-match unbeaten run, including a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Anfield last weekend. The win extended the Reds’ unbeaten record at home to 68 league games where they have won 51 and drawn 17. They have also won 28 of their last 29 at home. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight matches against West Ham and have won their last three meetings at Anfield.
West Ham extended their unbeaten run to four Premier League matches after holding Man City to a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium last weekend. The Hammers have only lost two of their last 10 league matches. This season, they have scored 11 goals in their last three matches and are the joint third top away scorers in the league with seven goals in three games
Virgil Van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin are both ruled out for Liverpool with long-term injuries and Fabinho will also be unavailable after picking up an injury in mid-week. Joel Matip (knock), Thiago Alcantara (knee), Naby Keita (knock), and Konstantinos Tsimikas (knee) could all be back in contention for the Reds. Michail Antonio is being assessed for West Ham after a thigh injury.
West Ham face a difficult task of gaining points at Anfield this weekend. However, the Hammers have put together an impressive run of form and may spring a surprise for Jurgen Klopp’s side so this one could end in a draw.
Aston Villa v Southampton
Aston Villa suffered their first loss of the season last week, losing 3-0 to a rampant Leeds. It was Villa’s first loss in nine league matches, winning six and losing just two prior to the Leeds match. Despite conceding three goals, Dean Smith’s side still have the best defence in the league, conceding five from their opening five games and keeping three clean sheets.
Southampton extended their unbeaten run to four games after comprehensively beating table-toppers Everton last weekend. The Saints have gained 10 points from their last 12 available, kept three clean sheets, and scored eight in their last four matches. Their only away loss this season came against Tottenham where they lost 5-2.
Wesley (knee), Tom Heaton (knee), and Kortney Hause (groin) remain out for Villa. Southampton will be without Moussa Djenepo (thigh), William Smallbone (knock). Mohamed Salisu (match fitness) is also doubtful.
Villa are strong at home, but Southampton are a tough side to play against when in form. Expect goals in this fixture that the Saints may just edge.
Manchester United v Arsenal
Following their 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford last Saturday, United have failed to win their opening three home fixtures for the first time since the 1972/73 season. They have drawn three and lost two of their last five at home, stretching back to last season, and only scored two in their last three home matches. United have drawn with Arsenal in their last two meetings at home.
Arsenal have made an inconsistent start to their Premier League campaign and have lost their last two matches in a row without scoring a goal. The Gunners have also lost two away games in a row against Liverpool and Man City respectively and sit 16th in the Premier League away form table – only non-winners Fulham, Sheffield United, Burnley, and West Brom have fared worse this season.
Jesse Lingard (knock), Phil Jones (knee), Anthony Martial (suspended), and Eric Bailly (knock) are all unavailable for United this weekend. Willian could return for Arsenal after a recent calf injury but Rob Holding (thigh), Calum Chambers (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle), David Luiz (thigh), and Gabriel Martinelli (knee) are still unavailable.
Neither United or Arsenal are inspiring confidence this season. Both have made poor starts to the season and the Red Devils have struggled at home. Expect a cagey affair with a low scoring draw likely in this fixture.
Leeds v Leicester
After beating Villa 3-0 last Friday, Leeds rose to third – their highest Premier League position since September 2002. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have put together a strong run of form, losing just once in their last five Premier League games and have failed to score just once in their opening six matches of the season. Most of their points have come away from Elland Road, however, and Lees have lost and drawn their last two home games.
Despite losing two of their last three matches, Leicester bounced back with a 1-0 win against Arsenal last weekend. It was the first time the Foxes have won four of their opening six matches in the top-flight. They also have one of the best away records in the league this season, winning three, scoring nine, and conceding just two on the road.
Leeds are without Kalvin Phillips (shoulder), Gaetano Berardi (knee), and Adam Forshaw (groin). Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper could return this weekend from respective groin injuries. Caglar Soyuncu (groin), Daniel Amartey (thigh), Wilfred Ndidi (groin), and Ricardo Pereira (knee) are all ruled out for Leicester.
Leeds emphatic win over Villa showed how clinical they can be in attack, while Leicester desperately needed a win over Arsenal to put an end to their poor run of form. This game could produce goals with both teams full of confidence and favouring quick, attacking play but Leeds may just edge it.
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