By SATURDAY WEEK 13 FIXTRUES
MANCHESTER UNITED VS BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
After a shock midweek loss in the Champions League to Basel, Manchester United will be keen to get back to winning ways when they face Brighton at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho’s men look the most likely team to challenge leaders Manchester City but there is still an eight point gap between the two rivals meaning every game is of importance now.
However, the Red Devils will be confident of a victory against the newly-promoted side as they have won all five games at home so far, conceding just once in the process. The ground is becoming a fortress for United and they have scored four goals on three occasions so far this season against West Ham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle last week.
Mourinho will welcome back the return of Paul Pogba who was influential in their 4-1 thrashing of the Magpies and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic also in the frame, it seems they are well equipped to maintain a serious title challenge over the Christmas period.
Not many people would have predicted such a consistent start to life in the Premier League for newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion. Manager Chris Hughton’s team have shown fine form since their arrival which has seen them climb comfortably into the top half of the table.
One of the main reasons for the Seagulls convincing displays has been the performances of Pascal Gross who arrived for £7 million from German side Ingolstadt in the summer. The midfielder has scored three times and provided five assists so far in his short spell in England and Hughton will be hoping there’s more to come from the 26-year-old.
Brighton go into the clash at Old Trafford on the back of a five game unbeaten run and they have only conceded six goals in as many matches away from home. However, they have also failed to score in three of those games and it will be difficult for them to come away with anything on Saturday.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS WEST BROM
Tottenham will be hoping to pile more misery on managerless West Brom at Wembley this weekend.
Tony Pulis was sacked during the season for the first time in his career on Monday, paying the price for failing to oversee a Premier League win since August.
Spurs are smarting after losing the north London derby 2-0 to Arsenal, and will want to put down a marker to silence any critics and keep pace with the rest of the title contenders.?
Whilst the European journey has been going in a pretty decent style for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, their Premier League ambitions have suffered a blow with two losses in last three outings.
The defeats did come away from home against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, but given that the runaway leaders Manchester City are already nine points clear of Spurs at the top, the victory here against the struggling Baggies is an imperative for Pochettino’s side.
Harry Kane bagged a beauty to level the score at Signal-Iduna-Park and he should have plenty of room to add to his already impressive Premier League tally against the vulnerable defense of WBA’s.
The Baggies did clinch two wins at the very start of the campaign, but they are on a horrendous spell of form at the moment.
The negative run which sees their previous competitive win dating back to August and a League Cup success against lower-division Accrington Stanley has sacked their long-term head coach Tony Pulis.
WBA have failed to find the back of the net in three of their last four league matches, each of which they ended up losing.
The Spurs have terminated the streak of three consecutive draws in their H2H matches with West Bromwich in some style back in mid-January this year.
It was Harry Kane who stole the show back then when he completed a hat-trick at White Hart Lane.
LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA
Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield in the weekend’s heavyweight Premier League clash.
The Blues have not beaten Liverpool in the league for over three years, however they will be buoyed by their return to form in recent weeks.
Chelsea have won their last three games, and have been boosted by the return of N’Golo Kante.
The Frenchman has been instrumental in liberating Chelsea’s attacking players such as Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard.
Both have been magnificent recently, and Hazard scored twice last weekend at West Brom.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five matches, but gave away a three goal lead to Sevilla in the Champions League.
They will be hoping Premier League top goalscorer Mohamed Salah can inspire them to victory once again.
Liverpool will be sure to start with Sadio Mane, who started against Southampton, and their 3-3 draw with Sevilla in midweek.
Right-back Nathaniel Clyne is out with a long-term back injury until next year and Adam Lallana is still absent too.
Joel Matip is a slight doubt with a thigh strain.
Michy Batshuayi (ankle) and Victor Moses (hamstring) will be missing for the Blues.
April 2014 and the scene was set for Liverpool to tighten their grip on what looked like being a first league title in 24 years. A day to forget though for Steven Gerrard as the trophy all but slipped through his fingers.
These two clubs are Premier League ever-presents and have met 50 times previously in the competition. There is nothing to split the two clubs with both Liverpool and Chelsea having won 38% of all the top flight encounters since 1992.
Liverpool have not lost to Chelsea in the Premier League since November 2014.
OTHER SATURDAY WEEK 13 FIXTURES
Crystal Palace VS Stoke City
Newcastle United VS Watford
Swansea City VS AFC Bournemouth
SUNDAY WEEK 13 FIXTURES
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN VS MANCHESTER CITY
Huddersfield will look to become the first team to prevent Pep Guardiola’s title-favourites from taking three points since August when Manchester City visit the John Smith’s Stadium.
The key battle is likely to come in midfield, where former City player Aaron Mooy is Huddersfield’s main man. He will have his hands full trying to stifle the threat of the in-form Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian is on a remarkable run of 23 appearances without losing for either club or country. Since featuring in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Arsenal in April, De Bruyne has played in 20 wins and three draws, while his recent form in the Premier League has been outstanding.
Sunday’s fixture also represents the start of a hectic period for table-topping City with the side set to play 12 games between now and New Year’s Eve.
And with John Stones joining Benjamin Mendy on the injury-list and question marks remaining over the long-term fitness of captain Vincent Kompany, it could prove a glimmer of hope for Town.
OTHER WEEK 13 FIXTURES
Southampton VS Everton
Burnley VS Arsenal
