The only team with a perfect five match record in the Premier League is Arsenal and before Thursday’s Europa League match against Sporting in Lisbon they had won ten matches in succession in all competitions. Crystal Palace have lost their last three fixtures in the Premier League so on form will struggle to avoid defeat against Arsenal in the early match on Saturday. Arsenal can still be backed at 33/1 to win the title and despite some relatively easy fixtures in the run of wins that looks a big price.
The odds-on favourites to be champions of England this season are Manchester City. The defending champions have dropped just four points in nine matches and have scored 26 goals and conceded three. City have the best goal difference in the Premier League by 10 goals but Liverpool are still level on points and are still unbeaten after a quarter of the season. A home match against Cardiff should provide three points which will take them to the top of the table at least until Monday night.
Next week’s Monday Night Football is City’s match away from home against Tottenham. If the building had gone to schedule this match would have been played at the new White Hart Lane. However, there have been delays which means Tottenham are still playing their home matches at Wembley. It will be interesting to see the state of the pitch after the NFL match last Sunday. It is unsatisfactory that a key Premier League fixture could be played on a poor surface due to another sport using the pitch.
The delayed move to the new stadium is one of a number of issues at Tottenham. Its one thing to be satisfied with your squad and not buy new players in the summer but leaving yourself short is another matter. Dele Alli is one of a number of injury absentees which have revealed a thin squad. Tottenham played a crucial match against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday after losing on both the first two match days. Real Madrid may be in the market for a new manager and Mauricio Pochettino could be in the frame. With all this going on the last team you want to meet is Manchester City.
The current league leaders have scored eight goals in their last two matches without conceding. The 5-0 home win against Burnley last Saturday is typical of last season. City never looked in any danger and once a couple of marginal decisions went their way it was just a question of how many goals. The champions are averaging almost three goals per match in the league and have let in just one goal in four matches on the road. Tottenham could be facing a crisis because City can win the meeting at Wembley which would leave them five points adrift of leaders.
Jose Mourinho seems to be surviving as the manager of Manchester United on a game-by-game basis. However, they were close to beating Chelsea in the league and were not disgraced against Juventus in the Champions League. A number of ex-players are having their say but a home win against Everton could steady the ship. The league title has now gone but Mourinho may target the Champions League and winning that would justify his appointment. United can beat Everton at Old Trafford.
Leicester gave Arsenal a game in the first half but were eventually outclassed. However, there was no shame in being beaten by a team in great form. West Ham had the chances to share the points against Tottenham. Hugo Lloris was in inspired form and Tottenham kept a clean sheet and scored the only goal. Leicester can make home advantage count and beat West Ham at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
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