- There are some major matchups at both ends of the table as the Premier League resumes with a full midweek slate.
- Here are the major Premier League talking points to consider before the action begins.
There are some major matchups at both ends of the table as the Premier League resumes with a full midweek slate.
Here are the major Premier League talking points to consider before the action begins.
Struggling Kompany meets his past
Vincent Kompany meets his former team as Burnley travel to Etihad. Photo/ iNews
Vincent Kompany is expected to get a standing ovation when he returns to Manchester City this week, as the Burnley manager leads his struggling team to the Etihad. Kompany, a key figure in Manchester City’s recent success, will be well-received on the Etihad Stadium terraces.
However, the Belgian is unlikely to gain favor with his former club, who are gaining traction under Pep Guardiola. The Citizens have won seven consecutive games in all competitions, and they have recently displayed character in a hard-fought victory over Newcastle and Tottenham.
Burnley has only won three games this season and has a terrible record in this encounter. Manchester City has won the past 12 matches, while Burnley has scored only one goal and conceded 43. With Kevin De Bruyne returning to full fitness and Erling Haaland in contention to play for the first time in over a month, Clarets fans will go with hope rather than expectation.
Will Aston Villa upset Newcastle?
Douglas Luiz celebrates with his teammates after scoring from the penalty spot at Villa Park. Photo/ Loop News Caribbean.
Newcastle shocked the Premier League’s normalcy by finishing in the top four last season, only the sixth time a non-Big Six team has made it into the Champions League this century.
Aston Villa are looking to make it six following a fantastic start to the season under Unai Emery, with the Villans only five points behind the leaders as February approaches. Villa have not finished among the top four of the Premier League since 1995/96 and have not contended among Europe’s best since the early eighties.
Tuesday night’s match between Villa and Newcastle might be the last straw for Newcastle in the Champions League. Eddie Howe’s club would almost be out of the running if the home team defeated the Magpies at Villa Park, taking Emery’s team 17 points ahead of them.
Villa will be eager to avenge their 5-1 humiliation at St James’ Park on the first weekend of the season.
Liverpool face Chelsea
Liverpool, who are still in the running for four trophies this season, will take on Chelsea on Wednesday night in an attempt to hold onto or increase their advantage at the top of the Premier League standings.
However, in their most recent matches, the Blues have proven to be troublesome for Liverpool; in eight attempts, Jurgen Klopp’s team has failed to defeat Chelsea in under 90 minutes.
Liverpool’s last victory over Chelsea during the regular season was in September 2020, while the previous seven meetings have all been in draws.
A Chelsea club in transition will be buoyant going into Anfield after recently improving under Mauricio Pochettino, winning four of their last five Premier League games.
But, Liverpool, who hasn’t lost at home this year, can’t afford a mistake in front of this weekend’s trip to title rivals Arsenal.
Arsenal look to cement Title hopes against Forest
Arsenal will look to solidify their title hopes this weekend. Photo/ 90Mins
Arsenal’s title hopes were revived by their recent thrashing of Crystal Palace at the Emirates when the Gunners’ first two goals came from corner kicks. Arsenal, who has scored more goals (13) from set-piece scenarios (apart from penalties) than any other club this season, maintained its lead as the most productive set-piece team in Europe with those goals.
The Gunners also lead the Premier League in goals scored from corners (10), and Gabriel Magalhães is a great target for assists.
On Tuesday, the North Londoners will visit Nottingham Forest, and considering their record when it comes to dead balls, the host team will undoubtedly be terrified. Forest has let up the second-most headed goals this season (9) and the league-high eleven goals from set pieces.
Arsenal’s attacking threat is versatile, which will boost their chances of staying in the championship battle even though they haven’t always been linked to such pathways to goal.
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