By Gbenga Isaac
Abuja
Liverpool and Man United will renew their rivalry when they face off at Anfi eld this afternoon. Both sides have had very diff erent starts to the season, with United level on points at the top with city rivals Man City, while Liverpool are on the back of another draw, this time against Newcastle. United also boast the League’s top scorer in Romelu Lukaku, while Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford’s double act on the wings has had the desired eff ect on Premier League defences. Liverpool will be missing Sadio Mane through injury, a very big blow for Klopp who needs a good result if has to keep his future in check. Fireworks are expected with both sides feeling they have a point to prove. While a win for United will under-line their title credentials, a win for Liverpool will be a statement of intent as they aim to climb back up the table. Crystal Palace will be desperate to end a 7-game losing streak when they host champions Chelsea at Selhurst Park.
Palace are yet to win a game all season and bizarrely have also failed to score a goal. It has seen them lie rock bottom of the table, having conceded 9 goals in their last 2 games. Chelsea will hope to continue their fi ne run of form but they will have to do it without midfi elder Ngolo Kante who picked up an injury on international duty. With the current state of their opponents, however, his absence shouldn’t be badly felt. Top of the log Manchester City take on Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium. City are arguably the team to beat this season, as witnessed at Stamford Bridge where they won 1 – 0, thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s fi ne strike.
Th e Citizens remain undefeated in their 7 games, scoring 25 goals but will be missing striker Sergio Aguero through injury sustained from a road crash. Stoke will have memories of Mame Biram Diouf’s wonder goal in a 1-0 stunner against the Citizens back in 2014. Th ey will aim to do something similar this time around, even though they were thrashed by Chelsea not so long ago. Arsenal will travel to Vicarage road to take on Watford. Two wins in their last two games has seen the Gunners climb up to 5th, level on points with Chelsea and just a point behind London rivals Tottenham.
Th ey now come up against a Watford side who have won 3 of their 7 games, with the only defeat so far coming against the impressive Manchester City. Th e progress Marco Silva has made is there to see, and victory over Arsenal will show just how much his team has improved. Arsenal will have to do without Shkodran Mustafi , who was injured on international duty. Tottenham will take on Bournemouth at Wembley Stadium.
Th e Lilywhites will be desperate for a home win, having failed to win at their new home this season. Th ey will be hoping Harry Kane’s form can fi re them to victory, especially as Bournemouth are yet to win on the road this season. Left back Danny Rose is nearing a return to the fi rst team after a long injury lay-off , while Bournemouth will have Callum Wilson available. An in-form Burnley will take on West Ham at Turf Moor. Swansea will tackle new boys Huddersfi eld town at the Liberty Stadium. Tomorrow, Brighton and Everton will battle it out for points at the Falmer Stadium, while Southampton will entertain Newcastle at St. Mary’s Stadium.
