Premier League Preview Week 9
After a week absence due to the November international break, the Premier League returns with games coming thick and fast in the lead up to Christmas. A clear pattern is emerging in the league table with Leicester leading the table and the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Southampton making up the chasing pack.
At the bottom, it’s do or die time for Burnley, West Borm, and Sheffield United, who are all still without a win in their first seven or eight fixtures. Many teams will be keen to pick up where they left off before the international break and Leicester and Liverpool head into their fixture in excellent form. Man City will also be looking to get their title challenge back on track but face a solid Spurs side. Over-achievers Southampton and Wolves face each other on Monday evening – a match that could be the outsider for entertainment in game week nine.
All odds are from bet365 and subject to change.
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Tottenham v Manchester City
Following their 1-0 win over West Brom before the international break, Spurs are one of the most in form teams in the league. The North London side have picked up 14 points for their last 18 available and sit just one point behind Leicester in the table. However, Jose Mourinho’s side have only won one of their four home games this season, losing one and drawing two.
City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool last time out extended their unbeaten run of games in the Premier League to five. But Pep Guardiola’s side have only taken nine points from their last 15 on offer. Despite their struggles this season, City are unbeaten on the road, winning two and drawing one of their four away games.
Matt Doherty (coronavirus) and Erik Lamela (calf) are ruled out for Spurs but Japhet Tanganga, Steven Bergwijn and Tanguy Ndombele could all return after respective injuries recently. City could be without Sergio Agureo (calf) and Fernadinho (knock) while Benjamin Mendy, Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake are likely to return.
This will be a tight match with both teams looking to gain more stability in the top half of the table. A score draw is likely.
Leeds v Arsenal
Leeds lost two successive games 4-1 before the international break and their defensive woes have been highlighted recently. They have the worst defence in the Premier League after shipping 17 in eight games so far. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have lost three of their last four matches and haven’t won at Elland Road in their last three matches.
Arsenal have started their 2020/21 campaign inconsistently, winning four and losing four of their eight games. Before the international break, the Gunners only picked up one win in their last four including a 3-0 home loss to Aston Villa last time out. Mikel Arteta’s side have continued their inconsistent trend away from home, winning two and losing two of their four away fixtures.
Diego Llorente, Adam Forshaw and Gaetano Berardi are all unavailable for Leeds with long-term injuries. Jamie Shackleton and Rodrigo Moreno Machado could return but are unlikely to feature. Arsenal will be without Mohamed Elneny (coronavirus), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Pablo Mari (ankle), and Reiss Nelson (knee) but Thomas Partey and Calum Chambers may return.
Both Leeds and Arsenal will have plenty to prove heading into this fixture. Leeds won’t sacrifice their attacking, high-tempo philosophy which could play into Arsenal’s hands for a narrow victory.
Liverpool v Leicester
Liverpool have put together a four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League since their humbling 7-2 loss to Aston Villa. The Reds have picked up eight points from the last 12 available. Jurgen Klopp’s side continue to be a juggernaut at home. The Reds have won all four of their home matches this season and extended their unbeaten run at Anfield to 63 matches after beating West Ham during their last home fixture.
Following a wobble in form with back to back defeats to West Ham and Wolves recently, the Foxes have responded with three straight wins to head the Premier League table after eight matches. Brendan Rodgers side have scored six and conceded just two in their last three fixtures. They have also won all four of their away games in the 2020/21 campaign, the joint best away record in the league.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin, Mohammed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomes, and Fabio Tavares are all ruled out for Liverpool. Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson, Rhys Williams, Thiago Alcantara and Trent Alexander-Arnold could be in contention for the Reds. For Leicester, Daniel Amartey (thigh), Wilfred Ndidi (groin), Ricardo Pereira (knee), and Caglar Soyuncu (groin) are all unavailable through injury.
With so many players absent currently, Liverpool face a tough test against one of the most in form teams in the league. This could be the weekend where the Reds long-standing home record ends.
Wolves v Southampton
Wolves looked like they turned a corner recently after going four matches unbeaten and conceding one goal in this run. However, a narrow 1-0 loss to Leicester before their international break dented their good run. Wolves are unbeaten in their last three home games and have only conceded four goals at home this season. But they have only scored five at Molineux too.
After a poor start to the season, Southampton have responded by becoming the most in-form side in the Premier League of late. During their last six games, the Saints have not lost, dropped only one point, and scored 14 goals, which lifted them to the top of the league for a short period two weeks ago. Southampton have dropped four points away from home and one just twice on the road this season.
Jonny remains out long-term for Wolves but Rayan Ait Nouri, Conor Coady, and Leander Dendoncker could return. Danny Ings is out for Southampton with a knee injury. Ryan Bertrand, Theo Walcott, James Ward-Prowse, William Smallbone, and Mohamed Salisu are likely to return for the Saints.
Both Wolves and Southampton have been hard to beat of late. However, the Saints are on a roll and showed no signs of letting up before the international break.
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