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EPL Preview: Tottenham ready to compile Liverpool’s woe

 

Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in the last game of the weekend in the pick of the Premier League’s Week 9 fixtures, while Chelsea will look to bounce back from their defeat to Crystal Palace against a Watford side fresh from beating Arsenal.

The Gunners’ own attempt to bounce back will see them travel to Everton, while Palace will look to build on their first win of the season when they meet Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

Manchester United plays away at Huddersfield Town, while Manchester City welcomes Burnley to the Etihad Stadium.

Here are the previews of the matches.

Tottenham v Liverpool

Spurs have won their last three Premier League games in succession and should feel confident against a Liverpool side who have won just once in their last eight matches in all competitions.

Liverpool set a record with their 7-0 win at Maribor the biggest winning margin recorded by an English side in the competition.

The Reds have shipped 12 goals in the English top flight this season—only Watford have conceded more in the top 14—so Harry Kane and Co. will no doubt be eyeing this fixture as one in which they could have a lot of joy.

Liverpool has struggled going forward, despite the attacking talent they possess. As Squawka Football demonstrated, they have no problem creating chances:

However, their finishing has not been up to the same standard, and just 13 of those chances have been converted into goals.

Rafael Hernandez noted their struggles as they drew 0-0 with Man United:

Against Tottenham’s excellent defence, whose record of five goals conceded is bettered only by United and Man City, they likely won’t have as many opportunities, so it’s vital they take any chances that come their way.

Chelsea v Watford

The champions are in trouble and their strugglers are all too apparent.

Antonio Conte’s side are winless in three games in all competitions and they are well off the pace domestically.

Watford on the other hand has been putting in some fine performances.

They are sitting fourth in the league, two points ahead of Chelsea and will be relishing getting at a side displaying such defensive weaknesses.

This would usually be a game the Blues would be expected to win comfortably, but given they couldn’t beat lowly Palace last weekend, another loss is a possibility.

Huddersfield v Man Utd

Huddersfield’s early season form already feels like an age ago now.

They haven’t won in their last six league games, so a visit from second-placed Man Utd is the last thing they will want.

Jose Mourinho received widespread criticism for the way he set his side out last weekend against Liverpool.

That 0-0 draw certainly wasn’t for the purists, but it was job done as far as Mourinho was concerned. Expect a comfortable United win this weekend.

Man City v Burnley

Manchester City put seven past Stoke last weekend but can they do same against Burnley this weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s sides have been spectacular this season and they are cable of scoring many goals, especially against smaller team.

They’ve scored 17 goals in their last three home league games, notching seven last time out.

Their squad depth is proving to be making the difference so far this season and they’re scoring freely. Burnley, like just about every Premier League side, will not be looking forward to visiting the Etihad.

While some will say City’s outrageous form will have to take a dip at some point, it looks unlikely for that to be this weekend.

Newcastle v C/Palace

Newcastle fans are buoyed with the news that their controversial owner Mike Ashely is looking to sell the club.

The atmosphere this weekend will be as impressive as ever and they will expect to pick up three points against the Premier League’s bottom side.

Crystal Palace pulled off the unthinkable last weekend with a home win over Chelsea. While that result will no doubt lift spirits and give them the platform to build upon, it would be a surprise to see them make it back-to-back wins.

Stoke vs Bournemouth

Stoke and Bournemouth hasn’t got going yet. They’re eight games in but they’ll both be looking at this game as a great opportunity for three important points.

The Potters let seven in at Man City last week and will be looking forward to getting back in front of their own fans.

They’ve picked up seven of their eight points at home so far and have played some tricky games. Bournemouth hasn’t got a single point on the road yet.

They’ve only scored four goals in total all season and look set for a long season. There could be goals here but Stoke look poised to take the win.

Swansea vs Leicester

Craig Shakespeare’s Leicester reign is over following his sacking this week.

The Foxes haven’t looked threatening enough so far this term and it sums up their problems that they come into Saturday’s game two points behind Swansea.

The Swans have lost as many games as Leicester this term but picked up their second win of the campaign to Huddersfield last weekend.

They should be able to stay up this season, as long as they keep their home form strong. For Leicester, it’s difficult to predict what sort of performance they’ll put in, but don’t be surprised to see them land in more trouble down in Wales.

Southampton vs West Brom

Neither Southampton nor West Brom has started the season very well. But they’re not in trouble either.

They will both be hoping for a top-half finish this season and that’s obtainable. But both need to start scoring more goals.

The Saints scored twice against Newcastle last Sunday but that was only enough for a 2-2 draw.

West Brom also had to settle for a draw as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Leicester on Monday. This one should be hard-fought but there’s nothing to separate them on paper.

Everton vs Arsenal

Everton and Ronald Koeman are in trouble following their lacklustre performance in all competition this season.

Time might run out for the Dutchman if they lose on Sunday. Arsenal isn’t exactly a force to be reckoned with at the moment.

They lost 2-1 at Watford last weekend and need to pick back up. But the Toffees have shown very little to prove they are going to be a side challenging for European football so far this term. The Gunners beat Everton 3-1 back in May and we see the same scoreline occurring here.

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