By WEEK 15 ROUND OF FIXTURES
CHELSEA VS NEWCASTLE
Chelsea will be hoping for their second Premier League home win in four days as Newcastle head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, though the champions may have to do it without Antonio Conte.
The Chelsea coach was sent to the stands by referee Neil Swarbrick after ranting at fourth official Lee Mason during the Blues’ 1-0 win against Swansea on Wednesday night, and faces the prospect of an FA ban despite apologising after the match.
The champions were less than impressive as the edged a close encounter with the Swans, with Antonio Rudiger the unlikely hero on the night as the Blues kept their faint title hopes alive.
Manchester City’s last-gasp win over Southampton means Conte’s men still trail the leaders by 11 points after 14 games, but they host a Newcastle team who are winless in their last five matches.
Eden Hazard started Wednesday’s game on the bench and is expected to return to the starting eleven.
Victor Moses could make his first start since recovering from a hamstring strain.
David Luiz remains sidelined with a knee injury, as does Charly Musonda.
Michy Batshuayi has a slight chance of recovering from an ankle injury and could return to the bench.
Benitez made four changes on Tuesday night, with Jonjo Shelvey, Javi Manquillo, Dwight Gayle and Mo Diame all dropping to the bench. At least some of those players are expected to start on Saturday.
Former Chelsea winger Christian Atsu is expected to miss out, as is captain Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummet. Benitez said it would be “very difficult for all three” to return.
WATFORD VS TOTTENHAM
Tottenham are in something of a rut at the moment, losing three of their previous five Premier League games and face an impressive Watford on Saturday.
Since beating Real Madrid in the Champions League, Mauricio Pochettino team have picked up just four points from five games.
Tuesday’s loss to Leicester City was Tottenham’s fourth in the league this season, matching their total defeats from the entire of the 2016-17 season before December.
Watford were blown away in the first half by Manchester United on the same evening, but Marco Silva is no fool and Spurs will have to improve drastically to come away with a much-need three points.
Watford are set to be without Will Hughes for the visit of Tottenham on Saturday.
After scoring in back-to-back Premier League victories over West Ham and Newcastle, the summer arrival was forced off with a hamstring injury against Manchester United.
Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns but will hope Harry Winks recovers from an illness to play a part after missing the loss to Leicester City.
Erik Lamela made his long-awaited return, assisting Harry Kane’s goal with only his third touch, but should again take his place on the bench.
MANCHESTER CITY VS WEST HAM
Manchester City are full of confidence and on a club record winning run. They also have incredible firepower and know every win is morale sapping for their rivals.
West Ham have been woeful under David Moyes. Their display at Everton was shocking.
It is not a question of whether Man City will win, but how many goals they will score.
On paper this feels like one of the biggest mismatches in Premier League history.
Manchester City are blitzing all before them, winning and scoring goals at a rate rarely seen in English football before.
Meanwhile, West Ham are on a huge downer, look set for relegation and should sack David Moyes if they have any hope of staying up. After just three games in charge.
There was already a lot to admire about Manchester City before they went and showed their bottle again with two late wins in a week.
Huddersfield were dispatched in what was a slog away from home whilst Southampton were defeated on Wednesday night amidst memorable scenes at the Etihad.
Manchester City have now won 12 Premier League games in a row: A club record. Only Chelsea (13) and Arsenal (14) have gone on longer Premier League winning runs.
With their next Premier League game at Manchester United on Sunday week, it just feels impossible that Manchester City will take their foot off the gas.
And, even if they do, plus rest plenty of key players, there is surely only one winner here.
The “new manager bounce” has simply not happened for West Ham.
David Moyes took over from Slaven Bilic during the international break and proceeded to lose to Watford, draw with Leicester at home and then came a seriously damaging night at Everton.
Yes, Everton had momentum under the lights and with new manager Big Sam Allardyce in the crowd. In addition, David Moyes has a poor record against his former club and Everton like to get one over their former long serving boss.
But, this was a shambles from West Ham. Pronounced as amongst the worst displays ever seen by Hammers fans.
Many predicted West Ham would be listless under David Moyes. It is difficult to see how Moyes won’t take them down.
It would be such a surprise, that even a draw at Manchester City could drastically change the mood around the London Stadium.
OTHER WEEK 15 ROUND OF MATCHES
Brighton & Hove Albion VS Liverpool
Everton VS Huddersfield Town
Leicester City VS Burnley
Stoke City VS Swansea City
West Bromwich Albion VS Crystal Palace
AFC Bournemouth VS Southampton
Manchester City VS West Ham United
Arsenal VS Manchester United
