JOSE MOURINHO’S CHELSEA face arguably their toughest game of the season this weekend, as they travel to the Etihad to play reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
The Londoners have been so impressive in sweeping aside everything that’s come at them in league so far that the club are currently most people’s favourites to triumph come the campaign’s culmination in May.
In Man City, they face a team with a formidable home record — indeed, Chelsea were the only team to take all three points off Manuel Pellegrini’s side at Eastlands last season, and by extension, the only side to do the double over the Citizens, having defeated them at home as well.
Yet, regardless of past records, one factor will undoubtedly prove crucial — Diego Costa is expected to be fit for the clash, and it’s vital that he does play, with the ageing Didier Drogba failing to impress in their aforementioned recent Champions League tie and the Blues noticeably suffering as a result.
2. Manchester United face mass reunion at Leicester
Manchester United travel to play Leicester on Sunday in what looks like being an intriguing clash for a number of reasons.
The Foxes have no fewer than eight ex-United players in their squad, while loan star Nick Powell is ineligible to play against his parent club.
As impressive as it was, Tottenham beat Harry Redknapp’s side by the same scoreline only to lose 3-0 to Liverpool the following week, so comprehensively defeating the newly promoted side is patently not necessarily a reliable indicator of exceptional ability.
That said, regardless of whether Louis van Gaal starts Radamel Falcao and irrespective of whether he opts to retain last week’s diamond formation, they should simply have too much class for Nigel Pearson’s men either way.
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3. Can Villa continue their incredible start?
David Davies
David Davies
Aston Villa have enjoyed an incredible start to the season, but even the most optimistic fan will find it hard to believe they can sustain their current run for much longer.
Their upcoming fixture list reads as if it were a who’s who of top Premier League sides, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Everton all to come over the next month.
Yet having achieved the rare feat of defeating Liverpool at Anfield — something only Chelsea and Southampton managed last year in the league — they won’t be short on confidence against the Gunners.
4. Will Balotelli compensate for Sturridge’s absence
While Mario Balotelli was influential during their midweek Champions League encounter, there is no doubt Daniel Sturridge is a big loss with or without the enigmatic Italian in their lineup.
The English striker isn’t expected to return for at least another week, so the responsibility in attack is currently firmly on the Italian’s shoulders, with alternative forward Rickie Lambert largely consigned to a bit-part role so far this season.
Having achieved the notable feat of scoring 101 goals last season — just two shy of Chelsea’s all-time record — without the electric pace of first Suarez and now (albeit temporarily) Sturridge, there were times against both Ludogorets and Aston Villa that Brendan Rodgers’ side look unusually short of ideas and creativity.
They could find it tough once more against a West Ham side that took points off teams of the calibre of Chelsea and Tottenham last year, unless Balotelli can come up with some of his customary magic in attack once again.
5. Can Everton achieve consistency?
A 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool aside, Everton largely held their own against the big sides last year.
Yet, tellingly, the game where they were widely considered to have ruined their Champions League hopes was a 3-2 loss against Crystal Palace.
As good as they were in Roberto Martinez’s first season in charge, the Toffees at times lacked consistency. There are signs that the trend may continue this year, with Everton having registered just five points so far, including a last-minute concession of a goal that cost them all three at Leicester.
Moreover, with the club at close to full-strength in the Europa League on Thursday, getting a result against Palace this Sunday should prove trickier than usual.
5 talking points ahead of this week's Premier League action
1. Much-hyped Chelsea face sternest test yet
JOSE MOURINHO’S CHELSEA face arguably their toughest game of the season this weekend, as they travel to the Etihad to play reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
The Londoners have been so impressive in sweeping aside everything that’s come at them in league so far that the club are currently most people’s favourites to triumph come the campaign’s culmination in May.
Yet their midweek Champions League draw with an under-strength Schalke suggested the Stamford Bridge outfit are by no means the perfect team just yet, despite being the only remaining Premier League side with a 100% record.
In Man City, they face a team with a formidable home record — indeed, Chelsea were the only team to take all three points off Manuel Pellegrini’s side at Eastlands last season, and by extension, the only side to do the double over the Citizens, having defeated them at home as well.
Yet, regardless of past records, one factor will undoubtedly prove crucial — Diego Costa is expected to be fit for the clash, and it’s vital that he does play, with the ageing Didier Drogba failing to impress in their aforementioned recent Champions League tie and the Blues noticeably suffering as a result.
2. Manchester United face mass reunion at Leicester
Manchester United travel to play Leicester on Sunday in what looks like being an intriguing clash for a number of reasons.
The Foxes have no fewer than eight ex-United players in their squad, while loan star Nick Powell is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Yet much of the focus will inevitably be on whether United can build on last week’s comfortable win over QPR.
As impressive as it was, Tottenham beat Harry Redknapp’s side by the same scoreline only to lose 3-0 to Liverpool the following week, so comprehensively defeating the newly promoted side is patently not necessarily a reliable indicator of exceptional ability.
That said, regardless of whether Louis van Gaal starts Radamel Falcao and irrespective of whether he opts to retain last week’s diamond formation, they should simply have too much class for Nigel Pearson’s men either way.
3. Can Villa continue their incredible start?
Aston Villa have enjoyed an incredible start to the season, but even the most optimistic fan will find it hard to believe they can sustain their current run for much longer.
Their upcoming fixture list reads as if it were a who’s who of top Premier League sides, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Everton all to come over the next month.
Yet having achieved the rare feat of defeating Liverpool at Anfield — something only Chelsea and Southampton managed last year in the league — they won’t be short on confidence against the Gunners.
The Villains will also be encouraged by Arsene Wenger’s men’s lacklustre midweek performance in the Champions League, as they were well beaten by a classy Borussia Dortmund outfit.
4. Will Balotelli compensate for Sturridge’s absence
While Mario Balotelli was influential during their midweek Champions League encounter, there is no doubt Daniel Sturridge is a big loss with or without the enigmatic Italian in their lineup.
The English striker isn’t expected to return for at least another week, so the responsibility in attack is currently firmly on the Italian’s shoulders, with alternative forward Rickie Lambert largely consigned to a bit-part role so far this season.
Having achieved the notable feat of scoring 101 goals last season — just two shy of Chelsea’s all-time record — without the electric pace of first Suarez and now (albeit temporarily) Sturridge, there were times against both Ludogorets and Aston Villa that Brendan Rodgers’ side look unusually short of ideas and creativity.
They could find it tough once more against a West Ham side that took points off teams of the calibre of Chelsea and Tottenham last year, unless Balotelli can come up with some of his customary magic in attack once again.
5. Can Everton achieve consistency?
A 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool aside, Everton largely held their own against the big sides last year.
Yet, tellingly, the game where they were widely considered to have ruined their Champions League hopes was a 3-2 loss against Crystal Palace.
As good as they were in Roberto Martinez’s first season in charge, the Toffees at times lacked consistency. There are signs that the trend may continue this year, with Everton having registered just five points so far, including a last-minute concession of a goal that cost them all three at Leicester.
Moreover, with the club at close to full-strength in the Europa League on Thursday, getting a result against Palace this Sunday should prove trickier than usual.
Predictions:
QPR 1-1 Stoke
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
Burnley 1-2 Sunderland
Newcastle 2-2 Hull
Swansea 2-2 Southampton
West Ham 1-2 Liverpool
Leicester 1-3 Man United
Tottenham 3-0 West Brom
Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace
Man City 1-2 Chelsea
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