Premier League Week 8 Preview

As the Premier League returns from international break, Liverpool will try to get back on track versus a traditional rival on Sunday. The defending champions have dropped back-to-back league matches and are on a three-match losing run across all competitions. The attack has yet to hit on all cylinders with its revised cast and Mohamed Salah has strangely gone quiet. All the talent available up front for Manager Arne Slot promises of better things to come. A vulnerable defense which has given up more goals than any other club in the top six of the table could be a longer-term fix.

A short-term elixir could be arriving this weekend, however, in the form of Manchester United and its traveling drama show. The Red Devils are tenth in the table with their manager justifiably under continual fire from supporters and pundits. Ruben Amorim has delivered little during his time in charge though his fingerprints were on the victory over Sunderland two weeks ago. The embattled manager benched summer acquisition Matheus Cunha in favor of Mason Mount and was rewarded when the former Chelsea man scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory. That win was home versus Sunderland however and Saturday’s match is at Anfield where the Red Devils have not won in a decade.

There is just one match this weekend between clubs currently in the top six and that unlikely matchup takes place at Selhurst Park where Crystal Palace will host Bournemouth. The ascent of the Eagles as a force to be reckoned with has been well publicized after two cup wins and a 19-match unbeaten run which ended in the last match before the international break. Bournemouth, however, has largely flown under the radar. The Cherries have lost but once in a season which now sees them fourth in the Premier League table. Forward Antoine Semenyo is second in Premier League scoring with six goals. Manager Andoni Iraola is on every list compiled for the potential replacement of less successful Premier League managers. Palace manager Oliver Glasner is also on those lists as he faces off with Iraola in what should be a great watch for neutrals  and supporters alike.

Tottenham Hotspur Manager Thomas Frank is succeeding in early days as Spurs manager after his laudable run at smaller fish Brentford. Frank has instilled tactical discipline to a side that was chaotic under the “Ange ball” philosophy of his predecessor Ange Postecoglou. Third place Spurs play host to Aston villa on Sunday. The Villans recorded their first two league victories of the season in back-to-back matches before the break. Striker Ollie Watkins could be a question mark after colliding with a post in England’s victory over Wales last week.

League leading Arsenal has a short trip to Fulham for a London Derby on Saturday. The Gunners have dropped their league match at Craven Cottage in  each of the last two years but look a measurably improved side this season. Arsenal is second in goals scored and has conceded a league best three goals after seven matches.

Manchester City is fifth in the table, only three points behind Arsenal after winning three of its last four league matches. The Citizens, who are on a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions, will host Everton on Saturday. The Toffees coincidentally put an end to Crystal Palace’s much longer unbeaten run in their last outing.

Ange Postecoglou will try to end a more onerous streak when he tries to win for the first time in his eighth match as Nottingham Forest manager when the Tricky Trees host Chelsea on Saturday. Postecoglou is in familiar territory as he has his current squad in 17th place, the exact same place that Tottenham Hotspur finished last season under Postecoglou.

Newcastle and Brighton are part of a three-way tie with Aston Villa just outside the top half of the Premier League table. The Seagulls travel to St. James this weekend in a match which could signal which, if either of these clubs, is destined for a finish in the European places this season. Goal starved Newcastle scored two goals for just the second time in league play this season in a win over Nottingham Forest before the break. The Seagulls, meanwhile, have shipped ten goals this season, double that allowed by their stingier Saturday opponent.

Leeds will visit Burnley and Brentford will host a London Derby with West Ham in two clashes of bottom six clubs. Sunderland, still a surprising ninth in the Premier League table, will have a golden chance to recover from its defeat at Manchester United as the Black Cats return home to host bottom of the table Wolverhampton. Wolves could give the Cats a battle, however, after clawing to two consecutive draws versus Spurs and Brighton before the break.