Premier League Weekend – Five Things to Watch
The Premier League is back underway this weekend with plenty of match action to look forward to, and Scott Stewart breaks down the five things to watch heading into the fixtures:
1) Everton look to prove a point
After last weekend’s unimpressive opening draw with Watford, Everton look to turn things around on Saturday as they travel to St. Mary’s for a clash with Southampton.
Ross Barkley’s stunning goal to open his season account was only a consolation as the Blues failed to take three points off newly promoted Watford, and Saturday’s game with Southampton may prove no easier. The Saints are coming off a draw with Newcastle last Sunday and the return of first team manager Ronald Koeman to the bench is sure to provide a needed boost.
2) Tottenham take Stoke
Though Tottenham could have taken a point from Old Trafford last weekend and been pleased with it, they failed to come away with anything as a Kyle Walker own goal spelt a season-opening loss for the Spurs.
Stoke hosted Liverpool last weekend in hopes of recreating their 6-1 demolishing of the Reds in last season’s finale only to lose 1-0 to a Phillipe Coutinho stunner. Now they travel to White Hart Lane where Tottenham need three points to put their season on the right track early on.
3) Arsenal bounce back
A 2-0 loss at the Emirates last Sunday was not the way Arsene Wenger, nor his new keeper Petr Cech, envisioned starting the season, and yet that’s the way the script played out and the Gunners are without a point in the opening weekend as they prepare for Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Palace new boy Yohan Cabaye grabbed a goal last weekend after his move from PSG as Palace secured three points, but Alexis Sánchez is fit and ready to take his place in the starting XI, spelling potential trouble for the other London side in this contest.
4) Chelsea v. City
El Ca$hico, as it’s becoming known, has a place in the early Premier League fixtures this year and provides an early clash between two strong title contenders this season.
Chelsea have been all over the headlines this week after their 2-2 draw with Swansea, Mourinho’s clash with his own medics, and more, but City are confident that they can make their headlines with Sergio Aguero at the helm Sunday afternoon.
Manchester City secured an opening three points over West Bromwich Albion in the first Monday game of the Premier League season, and after six days rest the City-Chelsea clash promises to be an early favorite for PL game of the season.
5) Cherries spoil a party?
AFC Bournemouth are one of the new crowd favorites in the Premier League this year after earning promotion from the Championship last season, but they face a Monday trip to Liverpool in a promising fixture.
The Cherries’ manager Eddie Howe says that LFC man Brendan Rodgers is an “idol,” but that his side are traveling to Anfield to “do a job,” a similar mentality that many lower league sides had when traveling to Merseyside last season, but Liverpool are keen to keep up their (one match) winning run and hold off Bournemouth who have never beaten Liverpool.