11-08-2020, 01:28 PM
Premier League Sunday preview: Trio out to claim top spot
By Matt Hill
8 November 2020,Â
8 November 2020
Three different sides will be hoping to move to the top of the Premier League table throughout what promises to be a mouth-watering day of action.
In-form Tottenham get first crack when they travel to the Midlands to take on struggling West Brom, before high-flying Leicester welcome Wolves to the King Power Stadium.
The Sunday blockbuster sees Manchester City and Liverpool lock horns for the first time this season in a game that could put Jurgen Klopp's champions back in pole position.Â
And Arsenal and Aston Villa round off the day in an evening kick-off at the Emirates.Â
West Brom vs Tottenham (midday, Sky Sports Box Office)
Tottenham can reach the summit — at least temporarily — with three points at lowly West Brom.
Jose Mourinho’s men have recovered from a shaky start to rack up 14 points from seven games and the Londoners have a perfect record on the road so far this term.
Slaven Bilic’s Baggies are languishing in the relegation zone and suffered a bitterly disappointing 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Fulham last weekend — leaving them winless after seven outings.
There are no fresh injury concerns for the home side but changes are likely, with Kieran Gibbs and Callum Robinson in contention to start.
Both Serge Aurier and Sergio Reguilon could return from minor knocks for the visitors, while Harry Kane (pictured above) will be licking his lips at this fixture considering he has netted seven times against West Brom in as many career games.
Leicester vs Wolves (2pm, Sky Sports)
Leicester will be hoping they can extend an excellent recent record over Wolves when the two sides clash at the King Power Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes thumped Portuguese side Braga 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday to make it five straight wins in all competitions and they have only lost one of their last 23 home matches against today's visitors.
Wolves have been in a rich vein of form themselves recently, claiming 10 points from their last four games and only conceding a solitary goal.
Nuno Espirito Santo has no fresh injury concerns and could field an unchanged side from the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The same starting XI would mean another start for French full-back Rayan Ait Nouri, who scored on his full debut against the Eagles. Â
Jonny Evans could return from a back injury but the hosts are still without Timothy Castagne, Ricardo Pereira, Wilfried Ndidi and Caglar Soyuncu.
Manchester City vs Liverpool (4.30pm, Sky Sports)
Two heavyweights clash in a contest that could have huge ramifications in the title race as Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s side have made a slow start in their quest to snatch the title back from the Reds — taking only 11 points from their opening six games — and a defeat today would leave them eight points off the pace already.
Although Jurgen Klopp’s visitors have encountered a few issues themselves this term, they arrive in Manchester with 16 points and on a five-game winning streak across all competitions.
Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Joel Matip are all unavailable, meaning Klopp is likely turn to either Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips in defence.
Sergio Aguero is not yet fit for the hosts but Gabriel Jesus scored on his return to the side in the 3-0 victory over Olympiacos and could be handed a start.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa (7.15pm, Sky Sports Box Office)
Arsenal will look to make it four consecutive wins in all competitions when they host Aston Villa in the weekend’s finale.
The Gunners made it three wins out of three in the Europa League in midweek by beating Molde 4-1 and also claimed a 1-0 victory over old foes Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Dean Smith’s visitors were riding the crest of a wave with four wins from their opening four Premier League matches, but consecutive home defeats to Leeds and Southampton have provided a reality check.
Mikel Arteta’s men have conceded less goals than any side so far this season and could line up unchanged from the win at United.Â
Smith is likely to start Trezeguet in place of Bertrand Traore, who limped off against Southampton last time out, as he looks to snap his side’s losing streak.
By Matt Hill
8 November 2020,Â
8 November 2020
Three different sides will be hoping to move to the top of the Premier League table throughout what promises to be a mouth-watering day of action.
In-form Tottenham get first crack when they travel to the Midlands to take on struggling West Brom, before high-flying Leicester welcome Wolves to the King Power Stadium.
The Sunday blockbuster sees Manchester City and Liverpool lock horns for the first time this season in a game that could put Jurgen Klopp's champions back in pole position.Â
And Arsenal and Aston Villa round off the day in an evening kick-off at the Emirates.Â
West Brom vs Tottenham (midday, Sky Sports Box Office)
Tottenham can reach the summit — at least temporarily — with three points at lowly West Brom.
Jose Mourinho’s men have recovered from a shaky start to rack up 14 points from seven games and the Londoners have a perfect record on the road so far this term.
Slaven Bilic’s Baggies are languishing in the relegation zone and suffered a bitterly disappointing 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Fulham last weekend — leaving them winless after seven outings.
There are no fresh injury concerns for the home side but changes are likely, with Kieran Gibbs and Callum Robinson in contention to start.
Both Serge Aurier and Sergio Reguilon could return from minor knocks for the visitors, while Harry Kane (pictured above) will be licking his lips at this fixture considering he has netted seven times against West Brom in as many career games.
Leicester vs Wolves (2pm, Sky Sports)
Leicester will be hoping they can extend an excellent recent record over Wolves when the two sides clash at the King Power Stadium.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes thumped Portuguese side Braga 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday to make it five straight wins in all competitions and they have only lost one of their last 23 home matches against today's visitors.
Wolves have been in a rich vein of form themselves recently, claiming 10 points from their last four games and only conceding a solitary goal.
Nuno Espirito Santo has no fresh injury concerns and could field an unchanged side from the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The same starting XI would mean another start for French full-back Rayan Ait Nouri, who scored on his full debut against the Eagles. Â
Jonny Evans could return from a back injury but the hosts are still without Timothy Castagne, Ricardo Pereira, Wilfried Ndidi and Caglar Soyuncu.
Manchester City vs Liverpool (4.30pm, Sky Sports)
Two heavyweights clash in a contest that could have huge ramifications in the title race as Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s side have made a slow start in their quest to snatch the title back from the Reds — taking only 11 points from their opening six games — and a defeat today would leave them eight points off the pace already.
Although Jurgen Klopp’s visitors have encountered a few issues themselves this term, they arrive in Manchester with 16 points and on a five-game winning streak across all competitions.
Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Joel Matip are all unavailable, meaning Klopp is likely turn to either Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips in defence.
Sergio Aguero is not yet fit for the hosts but Gabriel Jesus scored on his return to the side in the 3-0 victory over Olympiacos and could be handed a start.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa (7.15pm, Sky Sports Box Office)
Arsenal will look to make it four consecutive wins in all competitions when they host Aston Villa in the weekend’s finale.
The Gunners made it three wins out of three in the Europa League in midweek by beating Molde 4-1 and also claimed a 1-0 victory over old foes Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Dean Smith’s visitors were riding the crest of a wave with four wins from their opening four Premier League matches, but consecutive home defeats to Leeds and Southampton have provided a reality check.
Mikel Arteta’s men have conceded less goals than any side so far this season and could line up unchanged from the win at United.Â
Smith is likely to start Trezeguet in place of Bertrand Traore, who limped off against Southampton last time out, as he looks to snap his side’s losing streak.