Home Premier League Arsenal PREVIEW: Premier League game-week five

PREVIEW: Premier League game-week five

2
0

A look ahead to this weekend’s fixtures

Game-week five of the Premier League is almost upon us with games being played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Action from England’s top flight returns after the international break which saw the majority of the home nations do well in their bid to qualify for Euro 2016.

Saturday’s fixtures

Everton vs Chelsea

Seven of the ten matches over this weekend will take place on Saturday, the first of those being an early 12:45pm kick-off at Goodison Park as Everton host Chelsea.

When these two sides met in Merseyside at the beginning of the last campaign, Diego Costa scored a brace and inspired Jose Mourinho’s men to a high-scoring 6-3 victory.

Arsenal vs Stoke City

Moving on, there are six games that kick-off at the traditional Saturday time of 3pm. Arsenal host Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners still searching for their first home win of the season after they lost to 2-0 to West Ham United on the opening day, as well as drawing 0-0 with Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool.

On the other hand, Mark Hughes’ Stoke are searching for their first win of the season, the Potters have suffered two 1-0 home defeats and have drawn twice away from home at Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

Elsewhere, it’s first versus second as Manchester City travel to Crystal Palace. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have started this term on fire, winning all four games and making top spot theirs. City are the only Premier League side to maintain a 100% record so far and it has put them in the driving seat for the early stages of the title race.

BUT their hosts are in fantastic form themselves. Alan Pardew’s Palace have won three of their four matches so far this term, including an excellent 2-1 victory away to the champions Chelsea.

Norwich City vs AFC Bournemouth

The three newly promoted teams have found their feet well in the early parts of the 2015/16 season and all three will play on Saturday at 3pm. Two of them face each other as Norwich host AFC Bournemouth, whereas Watford host Garry Monk’s Swansea City.

The meeting at Carrow Road between Norwich and Bournemouth is an interesting one. Alex Neil’s Canaries are looking for their first home win since being promoted and the only win for Eddie Howe’s Cherries has come on the road at West Ham.

Watford vs Swansea City

Watford are still searching for their first win under Quiche Sanchez Flores after drawing their first three games and more recently losing 2-0 away at Manchester City.

They have a tough battle in store as they welcome Swansea to Vicarage Road. The Hornets are yet to score a Premier League goal at home having drawn 0-0 to West Brom and Southampton; and Swansea are travelling in confident mood after defeating Manchester United 2-1 before the international break.

West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton

On the back of the Saido Berahino saga, Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion are still searching for their first win at the Hawthorns as they host Southampton. Ronald Koeman’s Saints are still looking for their first three points on their travels, but a recent 3-0 home win over Norwich may just give them the boost they have needed.

Manchester United vs Liverpool

Saturday’s fixtures end with one of the most historically fierce rivalries in football, as Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford.

They may be the two most successful clubs in England, but both are desperate for points and their respective managers are under pressure to deliver success after spending big money in the transfer window.

Louis van Gaal’s United are back at home after losing 2-1 away at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium, but Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool travel on the back of an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to West Ham.

Something’s got to give.

Sunday’s fixtures

Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland host Tottenham Hotspur in the early kick-off on Super Sunday. Dick Advocaat’s side have steadied the ship somewhat after a poor start, but they continue to leak goals. The Black Cats have conceded 10 goals in their opening four games and are still without a win.

Spurs have also struggled early doors, Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs are also yet to win having drawn three and lost one so far. Young striker Harry Kane has also yet to replicate the scintillating form he produced last year.

Leicester City vs Aston Villa

Leicester City host Aston Villa in the late kick-off on Super Sunday, with Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes sitting third in the Premier League table after a great start.

They are unbeaten in their four games so far and have several in-form players, the stand-outs being England international Jamie Vardy and winger Riyad Mahrez.

Tim Sherwood’s Villa have been inconsistent this season and ideally need another win. Last year’s FA Cup runners-up have recorded just the one win this season and that came on the opening day at Bournemouth.

Monday’s fixture

West Ham United vs Newcastle United

West Ham United welcome Newcastle United to Upton Park for Monday Night Football.

It’s been a real Jekyll and Hyde start to the season for Slaven Bilic’s Hammers, Leicester and Bournemouth have been the two visitors to East London so far and have took all three points with 2-1 and 4-3 score lines respectively.

However, West Ham’s away form is a complete contrast to that of their home form. They have took comprehensive victories away from Arsenal and Liverpool already this season; the win at Anfield was their first there since 1963.

Newcastle travel to West Ham in need of three points after not picking up a victory in their opening four games. Steve McLaren’s Magpies have also shown poor discipline in their early matches, with both Daryl Janmaat and Aleksandar Mitrovic seeing red already.

Although, they can be encouraged by the fact they drew 0-0 at Old Trafford in their most recent away fixture.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here