EPL Weekend: Gunners Seek Redemption At Old Trafford

After an action packed midweek of Champions League football, the Premier League is set to return this weekend in all its beauty and excitement. Top Premier League clubs had impressive outings in Europe (Champions League and Europa League) except for Tottenham that were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by Antwerp in the Europa League. The most eye catching victory was Manchester United’s 5-0 victory over German Club RB Leipzig (last season’s UEFA Champions League semi-finalists) in the Champions League, capped off with a hat trick from English man, Marcus Rashford.

Matchday 7 of the Premier League is here already, with action packed games to keep you glued to your TV. The star fixture will take place on Sunday when Arsenal travel to Manchester to take on the Red Devils at the Theatre of Dreams. Here is a preview of this weekend’s games to give you a tip of what to expect from your favourite teams heading into Matchday 7.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Crystal Palace
A feisty game, with both teams known for their deadly counter attacking football and strong defensive awareness, so a low scoring game is  expected. Both teams are currently levelled at 10 points on the table, and Wolverhampton Wanderers have the home advantage as the game will hold at the renowned Mollineaux stadium. No key player ruled out for either team, so a strong lineup is expected from both teams.

Head to Head record (last 4 meetings):
Wolves – 2 Wins 1 Draw 1 loss
Crystal Palace- 1 win 1 Draw 2 losses

Manchester City Vs Sheffield United
Manchester City have been shaky this season, with their defensive issues still persisting to an extent, and the goals haven’t really come for them as easily as they used to. The Cityzens have gathered just 8 points from 6 games so far, but considering they’re facing a Sheffield United team that’s been off it so far this season, with just one point so far and a meagre 3 goals, it should be a fairly easy fixture for the boys from the blue side of Manchester.

Head to Head record (last 4 meetings):
Manchester City-  3 wins 1 draw 0 losses
Sheffield United-  0 wins 1 draw 3 losses

Key omissions
Manchester City – Aguero, Mendy and Fernandinho
Sheffield United – Mousset, John Fleck

Burnley Vs Chelsea
Burnley welcome Chelsea to the Turf Moor, a ground where Chelsea has witnessed good fortune, with wins in their last 3 visits. Considering Burnley’s poor form so far this season, a Chelsea win is a very realistic outcome. 20 goals have been scored in the last 5 encounters between both sides, so a high scoring fixture isn’t farfetched.
Head to Head record (last 5 meetings):
Chelsea- 4 wins 1 draw 0 losses
Burnley 0 wins 1 draw 4 losses
Key omissions
Burnley – Ben Mee

Liverpool Vs West Ham United

West Ham have started this season in fine form, with 2 wins to their name, gaining unexpected draws against Manchester City and Tottenham, and just slightly losing to Arsenal by a goal difference. West Ham will however be without their talisman Michail Antonio, who is ruled out with an injury. Liverpool have had an injury plagued season so far, and will be without 3 key players in their defence, having Joe Gomez as the only senior central back fit to play. It’s definitely going to be a tough affair for the Reds, but considering their 3-year unbeaten run at Anfield, a win for Liverpool might just be on the cards. The last time both teams faced, it took a late goal from Sadio Mane to give Liverpool a 3-2 win over West Ham.

Head to Head record (last five meetings):
Liverpool- 4 wins 1 draw 1 loss
West Ham- 0 wins 1 draw 4 losses

Key omissions
Liverpool- Van Dijk, Fabinho, Joel Matip (doubtful)
West Ham: Michail Antonio

Aston Villa Vs Southampton
Aston Villa are, so far, one of the top performing teams in the Premier League this season, 3rd on the table with a game in hand, having the best defensive record of 5 goals conceded, and gaining a memorable 7-2 win over Liverpool, with their only loss coming against Leeds United. Southampton have done well for themselves too despite not many expecting much from them, racked in 10 points, 7th on the table, and gained a surprise win over Everton last Sunday.
Head to Head record (last five meetings):
Aston Villa- 0 wins 1 draw 4 losses
Southampton- 4 wins 1 draw 0 losses
Key omissions
Southampton – Moussa Djenepo

Newcastle Vs Everton
Newcastle will welcome the Toffees to the St James’ Park on Sunday. Both teams will be eager to get a win, having not won their last 2 Premier League games. Everton especially need a win to protect their position at the top of the table, and prove they have what it takes to push for top honours this season under Carlo Ancelotti after a brilliant start to the season.

Head to Head record (last five meetings):
Newcastle-1 win 2 draws 2 losses
Everton- 2 wins 2 draws 1 loss
Key omissions
Newcastle – Jonjo Shelvy, Matt Ritchie, Martin Dubravka, Dwight Gayle
Everton – James Rodriguez, Seamus Coman, Lucas Digne (suspended), Richarlison (suspended)

Manchester United Vs Arsenal
The star fixture for this weekend in England. Manchester United will play host to Arsenal to Old Trafford, a ground where the Gunners have had a hard time over the years, having not won there in over 7 years in the league. The Red Devils need a win to elevate them to the top half of the table, as they currently sit 15th on the log, albeit with a game in hand. Arsenal on the other hand, 11th on the table, have succumbed to back to back losses in their last two Premier League games, and will be desperate to get a win on Sunday, especially after coming under immense criticism from their fans over their lacklustre style of play.
Head to Head records (last five meetings):
Arsenal- 2 wins 2 draws 1 loss
Manchester United-1 win 2 draws 1 loss
Key omissions
Manchester United – Anthony Martial (suspended)
Arsenal – David Luiz, Rob Holding

Tottenham Vs Brighton
After starting the season with a loss, Tottenham have undergone a resurgence, 5th on the table with 11 points, scoring more goals than any other side in the league so far, their most notable win coming at Old Trafford, a 6-1 win over Manchester United.
Brighton have been a fun team to watch, beautiful attacking football being played, but their defence has being their greatest undoing so far, scoring 10 and conceding 12, with only 1 win so far and 5 points gained.

Head to Head record (last five meetings):
Tottenham- 3 wins 1 draw 1 loss
Brighton- 1 win 1 draw 3 losses
Key omissions
Brighton – Lewis Dunk (suspended)

Fulham Vs West Bromwich Albion
The teams with the worst defensive record so far go head to head with each other at the Craven Cottage. Both teams gained promotion to the Premier League last season, and have found it hard coping with the intensity. West Brom is currently placed at 17th and Fulham is positioned at the bottom, 20th. A win for either side will serve as a huge confidence booster going forward.
Head to Head record (last five meetings):
Fulham – 1 win 4 draws 0 losses
West Brom – 0 wins 4 draws 1 loss
Key omissions – None

Leeds United Vs Leicester City
Arguably the two most exciting teams outside the top 6 clubs this season, locking heads with each other at Elland Road. Under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United have played one of the most attractive style of football you’ll ever see, and they’ve settled right into the Premier League, currently 6th on the table, despite just recently gaining promotion from the Championship. Leicester City haven’t disappointed so far, as Brendan Rodgers continues his fine work with the side, gaining unexpected victories over Manchester City and Arsenal away from home on both encounters, and currently sit 4th on the table. A high scoring fixture is expected as both teams will look to have a go at each other.

Head to Head record (last five meetings):
Leeds United- 1 win 2 draws 2 losses
Leicester City- 2 wins 2 draws 1 loss
Key omissions:
None

Source

Sofascore

Featured Image Source: The Telegraph