Article by Joe Musker
The Premier League returns on Saturday, which means the last international break until March is behind us. Hallelujah.
Can The Gunners end their wretched record at Old Trafford? Arsenal have not won a league match at Old Trafford since September 2006. The likes of Sunderland, West Brom, Swansea and Southampton (twice) are just some of the sides who have won away at United in the last few seasons. Arsenal however, are without victory there for over a decade. Victory would see Arsenal, who currently occupy 4th spot go top of the table for a few hours at least, a win would also see The Gunners go 9 points ahead of United, who are in desperate need of points if they are to get anywhere near the title race this season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss out through suspension, while Paul Pogba will be looking to build on his stunning goal away at Swansea last time out. The £86m midfielder has just 2 goals and is yet to register an assist in the Premier League. Another facet of this usually fiery fixture will be Mourinho vs Wenger on the sidelines.
Hazard to continue his renaissance? If last season was below average for Eden Hazard, this campaign has been anything but. The Belgian has been in brilliant form, with Antonio Conte's new system giving Hazard a new found freedom. He may have only scored 4 league goals last season, but 5 goals in his last 4 league games shows Hazard is well and truly back to his best.
Can Spurs stop the rot and heap pressure on Bilić? Most club managers detest the international break, but Mauricio Pochettino and Slaven Bilić may be two bosses who saw it as a welcome breather. Tottenham have drawn their last 4 league matches, and have failed to win their last 7 games in all competitions. The return of Harry Kane from injury is a timely boost for a side who are struggling to score goals.
Their opponents on Saturday teatime are West Ham, who sit just a point above the relegation zone. There have been more headlines about their fans fighting amongst themselves than there have about the team so far this season. The Hammers face Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in their next 3 games, while Spurs have become draw specialists of late, so a point wouldn't really do either side any favours.
Can Defoe to continue his one man mission to keep Sunderland in the Premier League? Sunderland face Hull City on Saturday, in what looks to be an early season relegation battle. Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League with just 5 points, however Jermain Defoe has scored 6 of the 9 goals The Black Cats have registered this term. Sunderland ended last season just 2 points above the drop, however Defoe enjoyed an excellent campaign, scoring 15 goals which virtually single handedly kept Sunderland in the division. He will have to do something similar if they are to avoid the drop again. Hull are also in the relegation zone at present, but sit 5 points above Sunderland. There is a lot at stake for both sides this weekend, but as the home side this is one Sunderland simply can't afford to lose.
Can City tighten up at the back? Man City are many people's favourites for the title, and rightly so. In Ilkay Gündogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero, Pep's side are blessed with some of the leagues best players. Many in the media think Liverpool's defence may be their undoing this season, but with just two clean sheets this campaign, Manchester City have been anything but convincing defensively. New signings Claudio Bravo and John Stones have failed to hit the ground running, while Nicolás Otamendi is yet to convince and Vincent Kompany continues to struggle with fitness.
This weekend sees Guardiola's men travel to Crystal Palace, who sit just a point above the relegation zone. Man City started the season winning their first 6 matches, but have won just 1 of their 5 games since. If City are to win the title and go the distance in the Champions League, they will need to tighten up at the back, and Saturdayrepresents the perfect opportunity to begin that against a Palace side who have lost their last 4 matches
