Premier League Preview Week 8
With just one Premier League game left before the November international break, teams are bunching up towards the top of the table as three points separate Liverpool in first and Wolves in sixth.
At the bottom of the table, Fulham won their first game of the season last weekend, beating West Brom 2-0 while the Baggies, Sheffield United, and Burnley are still without a win. This weekend, Manchester City host Liverpool in one of the biggest matches of the season so far. Pep Guardiola’s side must win to keep chase with Jurgen Klopp’s table topping side. Stuttering Everton will be hoping to bounce back against a poor Manchester United and surprise packages Newcastle and Southampton face each other on the south coast. Strugglers Burnley and Brighton face each other in the early kick-off while Fulham will be eager to add to their maiden win in their London derby with West Ham.
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Southampton v Newcastle United
Southampton survived a late Aston Villa comeback to win their second consecutive Premier League match. The Saints are on a five-match unbeaten run in the league and have won four of their last five – the best form of any team in the division currently. Despite their good run, the Saints have the second worst defence in the top half of the table, conceding 12 in seven.
Newcastle have lost just one of their last five league matches, winning two and drawing three. The Magpies have scored in six of their seven Premier League games so far, but Steve Bruce’s side have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since their 2-0 win on the opening day against West Ham. Newcastle have won three penalties in their last five league games.
Danny Ings (knee) and Jake Vokins (knock) will both be unavailable for the Saints. Ibrahima Diallo (thigh), Mohamed Salisu (knock), Ryan Bertrand (thigh), Jan Bednarek (facial injury) and William Smallbone (thigh) could all return. Jonjo Shelvey (groin), Matt Ritchie (shoulder), Dwight Gayle (knee), and Martin Dubravka (calf) are all ruled out for Newcastle.
Both sides come into this match in good form and they are two teams that are hard to beat. Southampton, however, seem impossible to beat of late and should secure all three points with a narrow victory.
Everton v Manchester United
Carlo Ancelotti lost two consecutive league games for the first time since 2014 following Everton’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle. It was the Toffee’s second defeat of the Premier League campaign and they have now conceded 11 in their last six and not kept a clean sheet since the opening day when they beat Tottenham 1-0.
Man United’s inconsistent start to the 2020/21 season continued with a 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal last weekend and leaves the Red Devils in 15th and just four places off the relegation places. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side have failed to score in their last two league games. They have fared better away from home though, winning both of their two fixtures on the road, scoring seven and conceding three.
Everton will be without Richarlson (suspended), Seamus Coleman (thigh), and Mason Holgate (ankle) but James Rodriguez, Andre Gomez could return and Lucas Digne will be back in contention after a recent suspension. Phil Jones (knee), Alex Telles (coronavirus), and Eric Bailly (knock) remain side-lined for United but Jesse Lingard could return to the squad following a recent knock.
This will be a huge fixture for both sides and could determine the fate of their respective seasons. With so much at stake, a low scoring draw could be likely as neither team will want to add to their two-game winless streak.
Leicester v Wolves
Leicester’s season is back on track following their emphatic 4-1 win over Leeds last weekend, where Jamie Vardy scored his 110th Premier League goal. It was the Foxes’ second league win in a row, following a 1-0 win over Arsenal and their fourth win in all competitions. Leicester have made their best start to a Premier League campaign since the 2001/01 season, securing 15 points from a possible 21 so far.
After a poor start to the season, Wolves have racked up two wins in a row and are unbeaten in four league matches following their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last Friday. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have rediscovered their defensive solidity of late, conceding one in their last four, giving them the joint-second best defence in the Premier League. Wolves’ last nine wins have come without conceding a single goal.
Jonny Evans may return for the Foxes after a recent back injury but Timothy Castagne (thigh), Ricardo Pereira (knee), Wilfred Ndidi (groin), Daniel Amartey (thigh), and Caglar Soyuncu (groin) are all ruled out. Fernando Marcal (fitness) and Jonny (knee) will be unavailable for Wolves.
Both Leicester and Wolves will be a tough proposition. However, Wolves’ solidity will give them the edge in this match and could lead to another victory without conceding.
Manchester City v Liverpool
Manchester City made it four games unbeaten with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United last weekend. In all competitions, Pep Guardiola’s side have not lost in their last eight matches, winning six and drawing two. They have won their last three matches in the Premier League and Champions League without conceding and they scored seven goals in these matches.
Liverpool have won five of their last five matches in all competitions and have only suffered one defeat in full-time this season. Jurgen Klopp’s side are the highest scorers in the Premier League (17) but have also conceded the most goals in the league (15). The Reds have only lost one of their last five matches against City, a 3-1 loss in November last season.
Sergio Aguero, Benjamin Mendy, and Fernandinho will all be out for City until after the international break. Liverpool will be without Virgil Van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin, who both remain out long-term with respective knee injuries. Thiago Alcantara could return from a recent knee injury.
This game is set perfectly with both teams in fine form. Liverpool may just have the edge though as they look unstoppable while City have already dropped a lot of points this season.
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