By Ryan Moran
- Liverpool take on Arsenal in the clash of the weekend.
- Chelsea hope for their first win away to West Bromwich Albion.
- Bournemouth and Sunderland are still looking for first points of the season.
The game of the week sees Liverpool travel to Arsenal. Chelsea look for their first three points while both sides of Manchester hope for a continued unbeaten record.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Both teams go into the game on a the back of awin, Liverpool’s being a questionable one at that. Brendan Rodgers’ men have a point to prove after disappointment last season, and what better way is there to put on a impressive showing against another top four contender. Christian Benteke and Olivier Giroud started their tallies last week and will hope to fire on all cylinders on Monday night.
West Bromwich Albion vs Chelsea
No one has a bigger point to prove than Chelsea. One point from two games and five goals conceded is no way to start a title retention. After receiving a thrashing on their last visit to the Hawthorns, this could be a blessing in disguise or a day to forget depending on the result. After two starts and no goals for Diego Costa, Rademal Falcao deserves his chance to lead the line from the first minute. Will he get the chance? We’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out.
Everton vs Manchester City
Both teams hit three goals against contenders around their position in the league, now Everton have the chance to test themselves against the current team to beat. Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart were all instrumental in their roles to overcome last season’s champions. Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley have two goals apiece, Hart will provide a much harder test to add to their records for the season.
Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Manchester United should ease past a Newcastle side yet to find their feet under new manager Steve Mclaren. One goal has been enough to see off the Red Devils’ previous opponents while claiming clean sheets and another one goal win along with a resolute defensive display should see them over the line.
West Ham vs Bournemouth
Bournemouth will be out of the traps like greyhounds on Saturday as they look for their first points of the season, after being denied of any points in their opening two games. Matt Ritchie looks a real threat for the Cherries, his movement and confidence on the ball will be an asset to his side’s fight against the drop. His performance will be a telling tale in whether Eddie Howe’s men can start their season this weekend with a win over the Hammers. Confidence will be lower in the Upton Park dressing room after being brought down to earth by Leicester City.
Sunderland vs Swansea
It’s too early to say relegation for definite, what is likely is that these two sides will be fighting for different rewards at the end of the season. Jefferson Montero and Bafetimbi Gomis look different players from last year, add Andre Ayew’s two opening performances to that trio and the Black Cats will have their hardest test against the Swans. Defensively, Dick Advocaat’s boys are shocking, no exaggeration, and the Welsh side’s attack has been threatening. It’s hard not to see a goal fest, all one sided in Garry Monk’s boys favour of course.
The other games in the Premier League are as follows:
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Norwich City vs Stoke City
Watford vs Southampton
The action kicks off when Manchester United welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford for the Saturday lunch time game which starts at 12:45 on Saturday 22nd August.
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