Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and City are all in action this weekend… here’s our preview
SunSport's Phil Thomas previews this weekend's key Premier League clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal also in action
ONE month in, the transfer window shut and the chance for managers to focus on the football rather than who stays and who goes.
Well, at least those without unsettled stars, those with mystery illnesses and injuries and those in trouble for off-field shenanigans. Which, come to think of it, covers most clubs.
It all means a mouth-watering return to domestic action this weekend…here’s a glance at what makes five of them more intriguing than ever.
MAN CITY v LIVERPOOL
AN OPPORTUNITY for one of these to go top…or handing Manchester United the chance to pull four points clear if it ends in deadlock.
If the defences on show are anything to go by, this will end up around 4-4, because you wouldn’t back either to keep a clean sheet against a set of training cones.
Both sides are great going forward, both as dodgy as a nine pound note at the back.
Liverpool may mark their recent anniversary – 10,000 days since they last won the title – by recalling Philippe Coutinho, now his chance of Barcelona has gone.
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Assuming he doesn’t suffer a migraine, muscle pull on the private jet back from Brazil duty or something similar.
For City, Sergio Aguero gets the chance to prove they don’t need Alexis Sanchez after all. And for Raheem Sterling, the opportunity to show he has an Etihad future, instead of being bandied about as a potential pawn to sign the Arsenal striker.
Just one thing – don’t expect to see Pep Guardiola laughing and smiling whatever the outcome. He’s too cool for that.
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ARSENAL v BOURNEMOUTH
WHEN the fixtures came out, Gunners fans will have viewed this as a likely home banker.
Now it has the look of a last-chance, must-win clash for Arsene Wenger, between two of the bottom five. Those banner-flying rent-a-plane companies will be licking their lips.
The armchair psychologists will be watching Alexis Sanchez’ every move, after his move to City broke down.
Wenger has no fears about his attitude, but the proof of the pudding, etc…
Arsene has insisted again he wants the window to close before the season starts. Presumably so he can decide against bringing in new faces even earlier.
But aside of all that, it is unthinkable to see how he can survive if Bournemouth nick the points.
Ironically Cherries chief Eddie Howe finds the heat rising, with his side in the relegation zone.
Lose heavily and that pressure will grow, yet get a result and he will be one of the favourites as next Arsenal manager. Funny old game.
BURNLEY v CRYSTAL PALACE
ON the face of it a game that would see many shutting the curtains if it was played in their back garden – but a match which may have massive repercussions.
Frank de Boer has lost all three games since taking over at Palace and knows another defeat will see him packing his bags.
At least he’s lasted longer than the 85 days he was in charge of Inter Milan in his last job.
De Boer’s big problem has been trying to introduce a new 3-5-2 system to Palace too quickly, which clearly the players aren’t comfortable with.
Guilty of changing too much, too soon? Well slip up again at Turf Moor and they’ll be making the biggest change of all – the nameplate on the manager’s office.
Burnley will be relishing this, too. They’ve won at Chelsea and drawn at Spurs and been good value for both results.
If they add Palace to the notches on the bedpost, de Boer may as well head straight to the airport back to Holland and have his stuff shipped out later.
STOKE v MAN UTD
TOO early to start thinking of yourselves as title winners? Well if the stats are anything to go by, and United avoid defeat on Saturday, then not a bit of it.
It’s an incredible fact that NO team has won the Prem after losing at Stoke, in their nine years back in the top flight. That puts the nail in Arsenal’s hopes this year then!
The way United are playing, it’s unthinkable to fancy anything but another win for Jose Mourinho’s superstars.
Yet then again, no team relishes their bogey-man, spoil-the-party reputation more than Stoke, don’t expect a stroll.
Mourinho says he has never enjoyed working with a set of players as much as he does this current crop.
To be fair, there’s been nothing to wipe the grin off his face so far – the chances are he’ll be cracking another smile on Saturday evening.
LEICESTER v CHELSEA
THE reigning champions visiting the previous year’s shock champions. And likely to be at full strength for the first time as well.
A quick return to Leicester for Danny Drinkwater, another return for N’Golo Kante, the fitness return of Eden Hazard…you wouldn’t relish being Wes Morgan or Robert Huth this weekend.
Antonio Conte’s men were written off by all quarters – yes, I know, guilty m’lud – after losing to Burnley and being in apparent disarray as the Diego Costa row rumbled on.
But two huge wins since that opening day debacle have steadied the ship, Alvaro Morata has hit the ground running, and Champions League action back at Stamford Bridge three days later.
Happy days are here again…unless you’re a Leicester supporter.