AFTER A BRIEF hiatus for a fortnight of international action, the Premier League returns and, as per usual, there are no shortage of compelling sub-plots set to unfold this weekend.
1. Can Tottenham redress their Eastlands hoodoo?
Tottenham fans could be forgiven for having a few sleepless nights in the build-up to their sides’ trip to the Ethiad Stadium. Their record against Manchester City, and indeed all of the top four, has been dire in recent years. Spurs leaked 25 goals in six games against the eventual top three last season and there has been no evidence under Mauricio Pochettino that they have addressed their defensive deficiencies.
A faltering Liverpool side put three past them at White Hart Lane in the opening weeks and it would take a brave, or foolish, punter to put money on the visitors coming away with the points from the early kick-off.
Memories of the 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Manuel Pellegrini’s rampant charges will be all too fresh while the North Londoners faired little better in this fixture last season as the hosts ran out 5-0 winners. Edin Dzeko has scored six goals in six appearances against Spurs while Sergio Aguero has five in five.
If Tottenham are to harbour any hopes of wrestling their way back into the coveted Champions League spots or even showing signs of progression under their new manager, then they’ll need to start picking up points against those around them. Saturday would be a pretty good time to start.
2. Can Pardew safeguard his Newcastle post?
It must have been an interminable ten days for Alan Pardew. On the face of it, an international break affords the perfect opportunity for a club to dispense of their underachieving manager and allow the successor time to attune to the surroundings. As it turned out, however, a battling draw at Swansea before the break was enough for Pardew to keep hold of his job but he is on thin ice.
Despite spending as much as £35 million during the summer on new recruits, Newcastle find themselves languishing in the bottom three without a win as the fans’ discontent with the current regime is swelling. You can’t imagine anything other than three points at home to Leicester on Saturday will be enough for Pardew as he looks to avoid being the first managerial victim of the season. The Foxes, however, have punched above their weight on their return to the top-flight and will scent an opportunity to take advantage of the uncertainty at St. James’ Park.
3. Fatigued Sterling centre of attention at Loftus Road
Raheem Sterling received very little sympathy this week when England manager Roy Hodgson admitted he left the Liverpool winger out of the side that beat Estonia because he was tired. The whole issue reopened the club v country debate with Brendan Rodgers furiously denying he had demanded his player was given a rest.
Sterling will be determined to remind his cynics of his true worth and let his on-field exploits do the talking after a week of claims and counter-claims. Putting everything aside, Liverpool could do with their fledging winger returning to the heights he hit last term.
They’ve been a shadow of the side that managed to break into the top four and Sunday’s trip to the capital marks the start of another important week with Real Madrid coming to Anfield three days later.
Mario Balotelli continues to fire blanks on front of goal but the Reds will be boosted by the return of Daniel Sturridge. The striker has been sidelined since September but Rodgers faces a dilemma whether or not to select him ahead of Balotelli or deploy two up top. Either way, it’s set to be well worth watching.
4. Everton will want to avoid becoming entangled in sticky situation
A lot can change very quickly in football. Last season, Everton were vying for Champions League qualification as they thrived under the guidance of Roberto Martinez. Now, on the back of a string of disappointing results, the Toffees find themselves just above the drop-zone.
It’s still early days yet and while the fixture list hasn’t been kind to them, they’ll want to start climbing up the table sooner rather than later. Their home form was the foundation of a solid first season under Martinez but they’re winless at Goodison Park thus far and the visit of Roy Keane and Aston Villa will be no walk in the park.
Both Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy are unlikely to have recovered from their respective injuries in time and given no team has conceded more than Everton in the league (16), there is no doubt where their problems lie. A clean sheet and three points would be most welcome for the hosts on Saturday.
5. United seek to build up head of steam
It’s been one step forward, two steps back for Manchester United over the past eighteen months. Just as it looked like they had turned a corner in defeating QPR at Old Trafford in the third game of the season, Louis van Gaal’s side then went and spectacularly capitulated at The King Power Stadium.
Successive home victories – over West Ham and Everton – have suggested they may just be finding a formula under the new regime but their inability to shut out the opposition has thus far threatened to offset all their attacking prowess. That said, United fans will be adopting the mantra of attack is the best form of defence and while injuries continue to leave their defensive ranks depleted, an overwhelming air of optimism has engulfed Old Trafford once more.
That could all change come Monday evening, however, if United can’t overcome the challenge posed by Alan Irvine’s industrious Baggies. This fixture has produced goals in recent years with Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge two seasons ago yielded ten in a 5-5 thriller. There could be just as many on Monday given the gaping holes in the United defence but di Maria and co will fancy their chances at the other end.
Predictions
Man City 3-1 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-0 Hull
Burnley 1-1 West Ham
Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea
Everton 3-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle 1-0 Leicester
Southampton 2-0 Sunderland
QPR 1-3 Liverpool
Stoke 0-0 Swansea
West Brom 2-4 Man United
