Playing for 90
Fansided

Premier League Talking Points – Old Lancs Derby Game of Weekend

By Kevin Kelly

facebooktwitterreddit

Following a week’s break from the damned international break the Premier League is back. Manchester United’s match with Liverpool is not only the match of the weekend but the season so far – at least from a historical perspective.

The two most decorated clubs in England meet on Saturday evening with both in turmoil following losses to West Ham and Swansea respectively. Elsewhere, Everton’s game at home to Chelsea certainly entices – especially if it produces anything half as good as last season’s match. Monday night football returns too, with West Ham hosting Newcastle in another intriguing tie.

Here, Kevin Kelly brings you all the latest talking points ahead of the weekend’s action.

Huge Match Highlights Woes for Old Foes

Liverpool and Manchester United are England’s most decorated clubs and still pull in the most viewers annually for any fixture – despite their decrease in quality recently. The derby itself is the biggest the Premier League has to offer in many respects; with Saturday evening’s edition highlighting two clubs – and managers especially – under big pressure.

Liverpool lost their last match 3-0 at home to West Ham; marring what was a tentatively encouraging start to the season from Brendan Rodgers’ men. With the loss, all the good has been washed away. Another loss and Rodgers could be back under the pressure of last season, when his side ended the campaign with an astonishing 6-1 loss away to Stoke City.

More from Playing for 90

Manchester United meanwhile also lost their last game – 2-1 away to Swansea City. Before the game the Red Devils had began the season in a similar fashion to Liverpool; light up front, but solid at the back. The pressure has now mounted on Louis Van Gaal like never before in his Man United tenure; a shocking last-minute acquisition of Anthony Martial on transfer deadline day further heaps the pressure on the fiery Dutchman.

While the game itself is always a season highlight for Premier League fans – fans of either side often look toward it with trepidation. This year, it seems, it will be the managers looking toward it as tentatively as the fans too.

Neutrals Hope for another Goodison Thriller

Surely neutrals will be hoping for another Goodison thriller – the last time Chelsea played away to Everton they won 6-3! It was over a year ago now – August 30 – and the Blue ran riot in a nine goal bonanza, with Costa scoring twice on the day. How far away do Chelsea look from such free-scoring form now – Mourinho’s men have scored six goals this campaign and conceded an eye-watering nine.

Everton on the other hand sit in 9th place having scored five and conceded four. There was much angst from Everton fans going into the new season – with the Merseysiders worried about their chances for the campaign ahead. Keeping John Stones was a huge coup for the board  – and team – but one wonders whether they’d have been better replenishing the squad with the money they’d have got for him.

Certainly all eyes will be on the young defender in Saturday morning’s clash as he faces the team he could well have been playing for. A tight affair is likely here, but both sides probably happy with a draw given their precarious circumstances.

More from Playing for 90

Monday Night Football Poses Intriguing Tie

Another intriguing game from game week five is Monday night’s game where West Ham will host Newcastle. What appeals here is certainly how the new players fare – it could easily be argued that both West Ham and Newcastle were among a small number of clubs to have bought best over the summer transfer window.

West Ham sit in 7th place following a superb 3-0 win in Anfield. The Hammers have already won at the Emirates this season yet have lost to Bournemouth in a game where they conceded four. Slaven Bilic’s side seem a sure thing to excite for the neutral this season; certainly with players such as Dimitri Payet at the fore of their dynamic attack.

Newcastle meanwhile sit in 19th place, having only accrued two points from four games. Steve McLaren’s men though have drawn with Manchester United recently, proving their no busted flush. Georginio Wijnaldum looks a sign addition to their squad – in contrast to the overweight and wild Aleksandar Mitrovic. Goals seems a certainty on Monday – which can only be a good thing for the neutral.

Home/Premier League