The Barclays Premier League is back in action this weekend and although the match-ups are not as intense as we would have hoped, it will be a fight for key positions for many teams. Many teams will be fighting for that famous 4th position as twelve teams are within 3 points from current position holders, Manchester United. Two of those teams are within 2 points; four teams are just 1 point behind and two teams are even with United but are behind on goal difference.
Let’s look at some of the fixtures from this weekend’s action.
Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion
(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
This match won’t be played until Monday, so the table will be skewed for United after Sunday’s matches. United are in good form since acquiring Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao. Blind has strengthened up their defense and midfield. Di Maria has been playing in top form with 3 goals and 5 assists since transferring from Real Madrid. Falcao has had a slow start, but last week saw his first goal, winning the game against Everton. United will have to play this match without skipper, Wayne Rooney because of a red card and will be missing Ander Herrera on account of a fractured rib. Should Manchester United win the match and both Southampton and Manchester City lose, United would push forward into second place. Mind you, this is a team that last season was out for the count and this season seemed to be not getting up. Louis Van Gaal was quoted earlier this week that he knows West Bromwich is never easy to beat and that he wants a more balanced style of play, not just a great attacking team.
Key players:
Manchester United- Angel Di Maria, Robin Van Persie, Juan Mata
West Bromwhich- Saidio Berahino, Graham Dorrans, Stephane Sessegnon
Manchester City vs. Tottenham
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
City sits in second place on the table 5 points behind Chelsea, but only 1 point ahead of Southampton. City are coming off a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and have scored 14 goals conceding only 3 in the past 4 games including their 7-0 smashing over Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup. City’s squad is healthy and running on full steam. It will take all of Tottenham’s strength to push over these giants. Tottenham on the otherhand are coming off a win over third place Southampton. Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli, Danny Rose, Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier and Christian Eriksen will have to play at their very best to score on Joe Hart and topple a midfield consisting of Yaya Toure, David Silva, Fernandinhio and James Milner.
Key players:
Manchester City- Yaya Toure, David Silva, Vincent Kompany
Tottenham- Christian Eriksen, Danny Rose, Eric Dier
Arsenal vs. Hull City
(Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Arsene Wenger and Arsenal have not had the best of luck when it comes to healthy squads (as seen in an article by Joel Nunez). Arsenal were delivered a blow during the International Break when they found out that Mesut Ozil will be out for at least 10 weeks with a knee injury and Laurent Koscielny will be questionable because of a heel problem that saw him missing his Euro 2016 qualifiers with France. Alex Oxalade-Chamberlain or Thomas Rosicky should replace Ozil on the field. Arsenal’s full list of Injured players now consists of Serge Gnabry, Theo Walcott, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Nacho Monreal, Yaya Sanogo, Mathieu Debuchy, and Olivier Giroud. Hull is coming off a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace and currently sit 11th on the table just 1 point behind Arsenal. Arsenal will struggle to find rhythm with many players out, but should come out on top of this one.
Key players:
Arsenal: Per Mertesacker, Alex Oxalade-Chamberlian, Alexis Sanchez
Hull City:Nikica Jovetic, Stephen Quinn
Other notable matches:
Everton vs. Aston Villa
Southampton vs. Sunderland
Swansea vs. Stoke
Featured Image Photo Credit: Premierleague.com