Chelsea has broken its winless streak but can the Blues overturn in-form Tottenham Hotspur to ascend the Premier League table?
Jose Mourinho must still be feeling the pressure with Chelsea only five points above the relegation zone.
Tottenham Hotspur VS Chelsea
Harry Kane is once again the man of the moment for Spurs, having grabbed a brace in the last match, against West Ham. (Photo: CHEN WS / Shutterstock.com)
No one would have expected to see Tottenham Hotspur sitting 10 points above Chelsea in the table after 13 matches. Both clubs are coming off victories last weekend but the North Londoners were far more impressive as they crushed West Ham 4-1 for their fourth win in seven home matches this season.
Harry Kane grabbed a brace in that game and looms as a massive threat to Chelsea’s inconsistent defence that has conceded 23 goals — more than Watford, West Brom and Swansea. Spurs haven’t lost since the opening day of the Premier League season and are likely to continue their knack of scoring late, to grab another crucial three points in their push for a top-four position.
Mourinho may avoid the sack before the end of the season but a mid-table finish won’t be enough to keep his job beyond that.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea
Leicester City VS Manchester United
Jamie Vardy has scored 13 goals in 13 games, leading Leicester to top spot — can the Red Devils stop the high-flying Foxes? (Photo: mooinblack / Shutterstock.com)
“We’re staying up,” says the sign in the Leicester City store at Bangkok International Airport. Yet, the Thailand-owned club is doing a lot more than merely avoiding relegation by leading the Premier League — one point above second-placed Manchester United.
Jamie Vardy now has 13 league goals, which is more than the combined total of Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata.
The Red Devils aren’t exactly blowing opposing teams off the park as they did in the days of Sir Alex Ferguson and they were fortunate to get all three points against Watford last weekend. They will need to shake off the shackles in this game at the King Power Stadium where the Foxes have no fear of the Devils.
Prediction: Leicester City 2-2 Manchester United
Liverpool VS Swansea City
Less than two months into his tenure, new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already made a positive impact at the club. The 4-1 victory over Manchester City last weekend puts the Reds just six points outside the top four.
England midfielder James Milner has promised that there is more to come from the Merseyside club, who could throw Daniel Sturridge into action against Swansea after the injury-prone striker was an unused substitute at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Swansea City
Norwich City VS Arsenal
Arsenal missed its chance to go top of the table after its nightmare loss at West Brom, which exposed its lack of depth in midfield. Substitute Mikel Arteta conceded an own goal that turned out to be the winner.
Santi Cazorla slipped as he missed a late penalty in what was a game to forget for manager Arsene Wenger.
Nonetheless, if the Gunners can get all three points at Carrow Road during a Champions League week, they will be back on the warpath.
After the defeat against Chelsea, Norwich is in danger of being sucked into a relegation fight as it sits just three points above the drop zone.
Prediction: Norwich 1-3 Arsenal
Manchester City VS Southampton
Manuel Pellegrini made a grave tactical error when he started with his two important South Americans, Fernandino and Nicolas Otamendi, on the bench against Liverpool last weekend. His reason was that they were both tired after coming back from international duty on the other side of the world but the their absence from the starting lime-up resulted in a disjointed City performance.
The visit of Southampton won’t be easy. During a Champions League week, the Saints will be fresher than the home side and will be determined to put last weekend’s surprise home defeat to Stoke behind them.
With Sergio Aguero finally back in action, City should have more than enough firepower to secure victory in
a free-flowing game.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-2 Southampton
By Jason Dasey
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About Jason Dasey
Jason Dasey is Senior Editor for ESPN FC in Singapore, Southeast Asia’s No. 1 football website.[/su_note]
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