Sports Desk
LONDON: The Liverpool derby which kicks off the round of matches in the Premier League, is the standout tie of the weekend, but there is a lot more than just Merseyside to keep football fans enthralled over the coming days in England.
Everton entertains Liverpool as league leader with four wins from four games and with seven victories from seven in all competitions and their fans will be thinking that the time has finally come for them to end a 10-year wait since their last win against their neighbors.
Everton’s last triumph over Liverpool was on October 17th, 2010 – exactly 10 years from Saturday’s game and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez in exceptional form, this could be their moment. Liverpool has to react following its incredible 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa a fortnight ago and although that result was almost certainly a one-off, Saturday will show if the defeat was the sign of a more lingering malaise among the league champion, who has conceded a worrying 11 goals so far.
Chelsea impressed in its win over Crystal Palace before the break and will be optimistic of three more points at home to Southampton, although the ‘Saints’ will also think their pacey attacking duo of Danny ings and Che Adams will pose problems for Chelsea’s solid, but less than express speed central defense. Thomas Partey will make his Arsenal debut as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal visits the Ethiad Stadium as Arteta looks to show his former boss, Pep Guardiola that his side can be among this season’s title challengers. Arsenal has impressed at the start of the season, while City’s long term defensive woes have again been a problem and they need recent arrival Ruben Dias to adapt to live in England as soon as possible. Manchester United was humiliated 6-1 at home to Tottenham before the break and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to consider changes in midfield and defense ahead of their visit to Newcastle United.
Nemanja Matic and Luke Shaw are likely to drop out of the side, while there are also calls for Dean Henderson to replace David de Gea in goal as another defeat will only increase the pressure for Solskjaer to be replaced. There is speculation that Gareth Bale could make his first appearance for Tottenham following his return from Real Madrid when Spurs takes on West Ham, who went into the break with an impressive 3-0 win at Leicester.
Sheffield United and Fulham meet in a game between two sides who have so far lost all of their matches this season, while Crystal Palace and Brighton renew their bitter and intense rivalry, despite not being near neighbors.
Brighton is continually praised for its attractive football, but three defeats in four games implies they need to do more to escape another season of struggles.
Sunday ends with Leicester City entertaining Aston Villa which will see Jamie Vardy up against Jack Grealish, while other players on display such as James Maddison and Hervey Barnes, means this should be a game that doesn’t disappoint.
