By ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW
SAT. 14TH OCTOBER FIXTURES
LIVERPOOL VS MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United face the first real test of their Premier League title ambitions against rivals Liverpool at Anfield on October Saturday.
United sit second in the table level on points with leaders Manchester City after a superb start to the season, winning six of their seven opening games and scoring 21 goals in the process.
But Jose Mourinho’s side are yet to face any other realistic title contenders, and Liverpool will be desperate to make a statement against the Red Devils.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been thrilling and infuriating in equal measure, with the brilliance of Liverpool’s attack being hamstrung by a soft defence to sit seven points off the pace.
Still, form counts for little whenever United head to Anfield, and Liverpool know a win in their famous ground against Mourinho’s men will send a message to the rest of the top flight.
Mourinho is still set to be without Paul Pogba after confirming that he thinks of the midfielder as a “long-term” injury problem, while Marouane Fellaini will also miss out after damaging his knee ligaments on international duty for Belgium.
Fellow Belgian Romelu Lukaku will likely recover from an ankle problem in time to face Liverpool.
With United lacking the height of Fellaini and Pogba, Mourinho could be tempted to play a three-man defence, bring Ander Herrera into midfield for added security before throwing on the likes of Anthony Martial to make an impact in the second half.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS CHELSEA
Life will not get any easier for Crystal Palace after the international break as they host Premier League champions Chelsea on October 14.
Palace’s 4-0 defeat at Manchester United ensured the Eagles ended September without a single League goal or point in their opening seven games of the season.
Roy Hodgson has his work cut out to keep Palace in the top flight, but Antonio Conte’s champions are also heading into the Selhurst Park clash under pressure.
Chelsea were comprehensively outplayed in their 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City break the international break, and Conte knows the Blues can ill-afford further slip-ups if they are to mount a successful title defence.
Wilfried Zaha is back in training following his knee injury, and is winning his fitness race ahead of Saturday’s match.
With Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham currently out, that means either Bakary Sako or Freddie Ladapo will likely lead the attack against Chelsea given that Ruben Loftus-Cheek cannot face his parent club.
Alvaro Morata is confident he will be fit to face Palace despite pulling out of Spain’s squad for the international break with a hamstring injury.
Conte may make a number of changes given that Chelsea play Roma in the Champions League four days after they face Palace, with the likes of Davide Zappacosta pushing for starts.
N’Golo Kante could also miss out after picking up a hamstring problem on international duty for France.
Burnley VS West Ham United
Manchester City VS Stoke City
Swansea City VS Huddersfield Town
Tottenham Hotspur VS AFC Bournemouth
Watford VS Arsenal
SUN. 15TH OCTOBER FIXTURES
Brighton & Hove Albion VS Everton
Southampton VS Newcastle United
