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Preview: Winnable games for Liverpool and Arsenal, test for Man City

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, October 4, 2024
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LONDON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The leadership of the Premier League is up for grabs again in the last weekend before the second international break, with Liverpool and Arsenal both having very winnable games, while Manchester City have an interesting game at home to an in-form Fulham.

Liverpool open the weekend with the league leaders making the trip to southeast London to visit Crystal Palace, who have been one of the big disappointments of the season so far.

Palace ended last season in flying form, but the loss of Michael Olise to Bayern Munich over the summer has taken the wind from their sails and they go into the weekend third from bottom and one of four teams still without a win.

Liverpool are at full strength for the game and the main issue could be tiredness after their midweek Champions League win at home to Bologna.

Arsenal also had an excellent win over Paris Saint Germain in midweek with the sort of ease that shows a team brimming with confidence despite the continued absence of Martin Odegaard.

Mikel Arteta's side are clear favorites to take three points from a Southampton that lost 3-1 away to Bournemouth on Monday to remain second from bottom and also winless on their return to the top-flight.

Manchester City's home game against Fulham looks to be more interesting, with Fulham travelling to the Etihad Stadium sixth in the table following wins over Newcastle United and away to Nottingham Forest.

Marco Silva's men are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches and although Erling Haaland is in flying form with 10 league goals, Manchester City are still adapting to the loss of Rodrigo Hernandez, with Kevin de Bruyne also likely to miss out with a groin injury.

Wolverhampton are another team searching for their first win of the season, with Gary O'Neil's side visiting Brentford. Brentford have got a long injury list including Yoane Wissa, but have scored in the first 60 seconds of their last three matches and their high press will cause problems for a side prone to defensive lapses.

Ipswich Town haven't won yet this season, but with Liam Delap on form, they seem to be adapting to life in the top-flight and could be a potential banana skin for West Ham at the London Stadium as Julen Lopetegui looks for his first home win as coach after defeats to Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Everton came from behind last weekend for a big win at home to Crystal Palace, with the return of Jarrad Branthwaite giving them more bite in defense. Branthwaite will also be vital as Everton face Newcastle United, who are reaching a higher level of fitness after a slow start to the campaign.

Bournemouth entertain Leicester City with Leicester's defense a clear problem after conceding a staggering total of 53 shots at goal in their last two games against Everton and Arsenal.

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag faces a potentially decisive moment as his side visit an in-form Aston Villa. Harry Maguire's late header saved a 3-3 draw in Porto on Thursday night, but defeat at Villa Park could see Ten Hag face the sack.

Brighton and Tottenham play what could be a thrilling game between two teams that play very high defensive lines. This is a game that probably won't end goalless.

Nottingham Forest suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend, but will welcome back talismanic Morgan Gibbs-White back after suspension for their visit to Stamford Bridge, where Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are giving Chelsea fans reasons to be positive about the season. Enditem

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