Premier League Preview 1

ANOTHER week has flown by, another weekend of exciting Premier League action set to come.

Manchester United host Tottenham in the pick of the weekend action - which is also the Saturday lunch-time kick-off... talk about starting strongly. Elsewhere, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all in action on Saturday.

There are some intriguing plot-lines on Sunday and Monday too - mostly surrounding the recent managerial drama.

But what are the main stories to look out for this weekend? Find out the top ten, below...

Manchester United vs Spurs

Matchweek ten gets under way on Saturday lunchtime with a humdinger at Old Trafford with both sides looking to recover after shock defeats recently. You can guarantee that after a week where Jose Mourinho has torn into his troops United will be a different side to the one that surrendered to Huddersfield last weekend. Likewise Spurs who after that Carabao Cup reverse to West Ham will have their full-strength team back in action. With home advantage and a record of 20 wins in their last 25 league games against Spurs, United will start as marginal favourites. But the visitors did triumph the last time these sides met with a 2-1 win in the final ever game at White Hart Lane. If they win again it’ll be the first time they’ve ever managed consecutive Premier League victories over United. But bad breaking news! Spurs are going to have to do it without Harry Kane. He’s been ruled out of the game. You can almost hear Victor Lindelof’s sigh of relief from here.

Arsenal vs Swansea

Fresh from their 5-2 mauling of Everton, Arsene Wenger’s side host Swansea on Saturday in what will be the Frenchman’s 800th Premier League game in charge of the Gunners. Only Fergie has more than that (810) so assuming Wenger will stay put at the Emirates he will eclipse that total in the next three months. Will it be a day to celebrate for Wenger? Quite possibly. Although Swansea have won three times away at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League and only Chelsea have beaten Arsenal more often at their soulless home (four). Might Olivier Giroud get a start this time around? After all, the French striker has been directly involved in five goals in seven league starts against Swansea (three goals, two assists). That’ll be Alexandre Lacazette starting again then.

Crystal Palace vs West Ham

Anybody who watched the second half of West Ham’s preposterous comeback win against Spurs in the Carabao Cup in midweek must be wondering this...

Why can't the Hammers muster at least something similar every week in the Premier League? The answer’s simple. They’re West Ham. That said, their fans must be hoping that their win at Wembley reignites a season that’s looked increasingly doomed in recent weeks. The fact that they’re unbeaten against Palace in the league under Slaven Bilic (W3, D1) should give them reason to be optimistic. Keep an eye out (or two, it’s your call) for Manuel Lanzini... the sprightly Argentinian loves playing Palace. In fact, he’s scored in each of the four league games against the low-flying Eagles.

Liverpool vs Huddersfield

The big question here is will Dejan Lovren start for Liverpool this weekend or will Jurgen Klopp mix things up by playing an ironing board in central defence instead? It’s a big call. Actually, it isn’t at all. Lovren was dreadful against Spurs last Sunday, adding to a succession of dodgy performances that have enraged Reds’ fans this season.

Mind you, Liverpool have lost only one of their last 42 Premier League home matches against newly-promoted sides.

They’re unbeaten in each of the last 19 so they probably could give the ironing board a run-out.

But all that assumes Huddersfield are still resting on their laurels after that mammoth, Aaron Mooy-inspired victory over Manchester United last weekend.

If they can win, though, then they’ll become only the fourth side in the history of the known universe to defeat both Liverpool and Manchester United in the same season.

From The Sun