The English Premier League’s gameweek 5 is upon us with Chelsea versus Liverpool headlining the fixture list.
Chelsea come into the match following last week’s 2-2 draw with Swansea and will be without captain John Terry. The Chelsea veteran is expected to miss at least two matches. David Luiz will slot into Terry’s place and the Brazilian will start his first match for the club since returing from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the transfer window.
Liverpool are red hot after their 4-1 drubbing of Leicester City last weekend. The two teams come into the fixture quite even over the last five league and cup fixtures. In that time, both have won once while drawing the remaining three matches. The teams are nearly equal on goals with Liverpool just shading it six goals to five.
Top of the Premier League Manchester City host Bournemouth after last week’s derby win and their midweek Champions League victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.
Kevin De Bruyne is in outstanding form, however, all eyes with be on Kelechi Iheanacho after his performance in the Manchester derby. He will start as Sergio Aguero is still out following his red card for an elbow on Winston Reid.
City have scored at least two goals in each of their last five home Premier League matches. In addition, the team have been drawing or winning at halftime of each league match this term. Expect a big day from the team’s front three of Raheem Sterling, Nolito and Iheanacho.
Crystal Palace host the terminally awful Stoke City at Selhurst Park. Palace are unbeaten in their last six matches against Stoke, winning five of them. The Potters have been held scoreless in their last two Premier League matches, giving up five goals in that timespan.
Tottenham face second from bottom Sunderland at White Hart Lane in Sunday’s late game. Spurs are on fire in the Premier League, and defensively have given up a mere two goals this season. Their defence has played outstanding and all four defenders, plus goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, deserve a spot in anyone’s Fantasy Premier League side.
Tottenham have dominated the last six fixtures between the two teams, outscoring Sunderland 16-6.
Manchester United travel south to Watford to take on the league’s 10th place team. The Red Devils have dominated Watford in the teams’ last six matches, winning all six.
Jose Mourinho’s United will have a lot to prove after last weekend’s defeat to Manchester City and midweek Europa League lose to Feyenoord. Mourinho will hope the “missing” Paul Pogba returns and adds something to a United side that lacked quality in their last two matches.
Premier League surprise package Everton host Middlesbrough in Saturday’s late match up. Under Ronaldo Koeman, Everton have been highly impressive, claiming 10 points from 12. Romelu Lukaku is hitting form and notched a hat-trick last weekend against Sunderland.
Middlesbrough have started decently, obtaining five points from 12. Though it isn’t fantastic form, it is definitely something to build on. Everton have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven matches against Middlesbrough. This season Everton have been slow starters and have been drawing at halftime before going on to win their last three fixtures.
Arsenal travel to Hull to play the upstart Tigers. Hull City are winless against Arsenal in their last six matches. The Gunners have been excellent at the KCOM Stadium and have won their last five games there.
Hull have been solid this season, in their own right, and are level with Arsenal on seven points. This could be the year Arsenal’s dominance at the KCOM ends.
Finally, Leicester City will welcome Burnley to the King Power Stadium. Leicester defeated Belgium’s Club Brugge midweek in the Champions League 3-0. Despite their best efforts, however, the Foxes have failed to get up and running in the Premier League.
The good news is, Leicester are undefeated in their last nine home matches against Burnley, a run that extends to the English Championship.
Neither team is scoring many goals in the Premier League currently. If Burnley bunker down like they did against Liverpool, don’t expect Leicester to tally many on Saturday.
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