The Premier League is back after the international break and the random generator responsible for the fixtures has been awfully kind to us this weekend with a number of must-not-miss matches to look forward to. Here’s a look at some of the potential talking points ahead of matchday nine.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
The Merseyside Derby
Everton have a terrible record against Liverpool at Anfield having won just once there since the turn of the century. Sean Dyche’s men haven’t had the best start to the season either and find themselves in 16th position ahead of the early kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
However, they might fancy their chances of causing an upset against the Reds. The Toffees actually have decent underlying numbers this term. For example, they rank joint-third for Big Chances created with 21 and are ninth for Expected Goals with a total of 14.9. Poor finishing has prevented them from turning chances into goals though, having found the back of the net on just nine occasions. They have scored three or more in two of their last three outings though.
They also have a better defensive record than their hosts when looking at Expected Goals Conceded (10.4 to 11.6).
Jurgen Klopp is still without the suspended Curtis Jones while Andrew Robertson is expected to have a long-term stint on the sidelines after picking up an injury while playing for Scotland. A weakened Liverpool starting XI in an early kick-off could be the perfect storm for the blue half of Merseyside.
Can City get back to winning ways?
Manchester City have lost back-to-back matches in the Premier League and in doing so lost their spot at the top of the table. The reigning champions welcome Brighton to the Etihad and a win for the visitors would see them leapfrog their hosts.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side come into this game as the stronger team too, at least statistically in a number of attacking metrics. They’ve created more Big Chances, they have a higher Expected Goals total and they’re scoring more goals.
Brighton have looked to dominate the ball this term and are ranked third for passes completed on a per 90 basis. Unfortunately for them, they’re up against the team ranked first for this particular stat. It is going to be interesting to see how the Seagulls adapt to not being the ball-dominant side.
De Zerbi took a point off City last season in a game that Brighton actually out-shot Pep Guardiola’s men in. It will no doubt be a fascinating match-up once again.
Pochettino has a point to prove
Prior to the international break, Chelsea won consecutive matches for the first time in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino. The former Spurs tactician has had a strange start to life at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have been playing well and creating chances but they just haven’t been able to turn these performances into wins.
They actually rank second for passes completed and possession while also coming in at joint-second for Big Chances Missed. Chelsea have an Expected Goals total of 15.2, the same number put up by Manchester City and the team they are hosting on Saturday evening, Arsenal.
The Blues need a big result as well as a big performance against a top team to really alert the world to the work Pochettino is doing. The game against the joint-league leaders is the perfect opportunity for them to lay down a marker.
Arsenal head into this game full of confidence having finally picked up a win against Manchester City. The task at hand for Mikel Arteta’s side is to ensure they back that victory up with another one. Stamford Bridge isn’t an easy ground to visit but if they want to be champions, the Gunners need to come away with a positive result.
A chance for Manchester United to build momentum
Erik Ten Hag has watched his side struggle this season. Man United find themselves in 10th position in the Premier League having won four and lost four of their opening eight matches. The Red Devils haven’t managed to pick up a resounding, comfortable win either. They eked out a narrow 1-0 win over Wolves and needed to come from behind to claim maximum points against Nottingham Forest and Brentford.
They have lacked consistency but a trip to Sheffield United on Saturday night gives them an ideal opportunity to make it consecutive wins in the English top-flight ahead of next weekend’s Manchester Derby.
United are facing off against the team rooted to the bottom of the table. The Blades have picked up just a single point this season and have conceded 22 goals in just eight outings. This should be a formality for the Red Devils if they have any aspirations of a top-four finish.
The pressure is now on Spurs
The final game of this matchday sees table toppers Spurs host Fulham on Monday evening. Up until this point, it had been a case of let’s just see what happens with Ange Postecoglou and his players with no real pressure on them in the early stages of the project.
But they’ve probably done too well. They’re only one of two unbeaten teams in the Premier League this season and expectation is growing. As a result, the pressure on them is increasing. This change, subconsciously, impacts the dynamic of the crowd and this could impact the players as their mindset changes from wanting to win matches to not wanting to lose them. After all, top spot is theirs to lose.
It is going to be interesting to see how Spurs handle the pressure of being the favourites to win these matches.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.