The Premier League returns this week with important fixtures in both the relegation battle and race for the top four.
A six-pointer between Newcastle and Everton kickstarts the midweek action as the two clubs try to drag themselves towards safety following a busy January transfer window.
Further up the table Wolves and Arsenal will round off the games in a clash that will go some way to determining who is playing European football next season.
Several new signings could be sporting new kits this week with most teams in Premier League action for the first time since transfer deadline day.
More from Football
West Ham criticised for 'strange' decision to pick Kurt Zouma after his cat-kicking shame08 February, 2022
Chelsea will be forced to face Lille without unvaccinated players under new Uefa rules08 February, 2022
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma 'deeply sorry' after video shows him kicking and slapping his cat08 February, 2022Newcastle vs Everton
- Date: Tuesday 8 February
- Kick off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Extra 1
- Live stream: BT Sport app
New manager Frank Lampard will be hoping Everton can transfer the momentum gained from the 4-1 FA Cup victory against Brentford in his first match into the Premier League as they take on fellow strugglers Newcastle.
Both teams are aiming to restructure themselves and demotion to the Championship would be a huge dent to their aspirations.
Everton are in the process of building their new stadium and Newcastle need to stay clear of the second-tier as the club’s new owners target European football as soon as possible.
Lampard and opposite number Eddie Howe made several signings during the transfer window and fans are eager to see how much they have improved their squads.
West Ham vs Watford
- Date: Tuesday 8 February
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Extra 2
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Roy Hodgson will be hoping to build upon his first game as Watford manager against Burnley that ended in a 0-0 draw.
Emmanuel Dennis will return after his one-game suspension, which he earned with two yellow cards against Norwich City. However, doubts remain over Afcon champion Ismaila Sarr, who was already nursing a knee injury when he headed to the tournament.
Watford could climb out of the relegation zone with a win, but a trip to the London Stadium is no easy task. David Moyes rested some key players in the FA Cup tie with Kidderminster, prioritising their league games with the Hammers currently sat fifth (though Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham all have games in hand and Moyes’ men could soon slip down to seventh).
Burnley vs Man Utd
- Date: Tuesday 8 February
- Kick-off: 8pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Sean Dyche’s Burnley currently sit 20th in the Premier League, but with games in hand that could serve as a safety net above the Championship.
In response to Newcastle’s £25m purchase of Chris Wood, Burnley signed Wout Weghorst, who scored 25 league goals for Wolfsburg last season. Clarets fans will be hoping the 6’7″ striker can trouble Manchester United, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough in their last outing.
Man City vs Brentford
- Date: Wednesday 9 February
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Extra 1
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Brentford have lost four league games in a row and will be fearing more of the same as they travel to the Etihad stadium to face league-leaders Manchester City, who have not lost a game since October.
The recent draw with Southampton was a reminder that Pep Guardiola’s side are not perfect, but they have never been top of the league at Christmas and not gone on to lift the trophy.
Meanwhile, it is unclear yet whether Christian Eriksen is in line to make his first appearance for the Bees. The Danish international only started training with his new club on Monday.
Norwich vs Crystal Palace
- Date: Wednesday 9 February
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: BT Sport ESPN and BT Sport Extra 3
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Norwich sit just above the relegation zone but they will need to extend their winning streak to three against Crystal Palace to prevent falling back into a place that has become all too familiar.
Dean Smith has overseen a change of fortunes for the Canaries but the teams below them have games in hand, so there is no room for complacency.
More on Premier League
Premier League, EFL and FA are losing the battle on English football's pitch invader problem08 February, 2022
Salah in contention to make Liverpool return against Leicester after Afcon final defeat07 February, 2022
Rob Green lifts the lid on Kepa's Chelsea theatrics, World Cup heartache and 'turning to God'07 February, 2022Patrick Vieira is yet to entirely stabilise Crystal Palace but Palace fans are excited about his project, with Michael Olise continuing to impress.
The Eagles also have Wilfried Zaha back from Afcon and he will slide back into the front three.
Tottenham vs Southampton
- Date: Wednesday 9 February
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 3 and BT Sport Extra 2
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Antonio Conte has delivered some harsh truths about Tottenham’s ability to challenge the top teams, though he was handed reinforcements on deadline day in the form of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski.
The pair made their debuts in the FA Cup against Brighton and Spurs now face Southampton, who had a rocky start to the season but will have been boosted by a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
Armando Broja is a doubt for the trip to north London after being helped off against Coventry in the FA Cup.
Aston Villa vs Leeds
- Date: Wednesday 9 February
- Kick-off: 8pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Steven Gerrard enjoyed a successful transfer window, bringing in Lucas Digne and Philippe Coutinho as Aston Villa look to improve upon last season’s finish of 11th.
They face Leeds, who are bolstered by the news that Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are “in the final stages of their recovery”. Marcelo Bielsa could have to call upon academy players to fill the bench again.
Liverpool vs Leicester
- Date: Thursday 10 February
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Liverpool look to pile the pressure on former manager Brendan Rodgers. who crashed out of the FA Cup losing 4-1 to Nottingham Forest.
Leicester are plagued by injuries and desperately need Jonny Evans, Jamie Vardy and Wesley Fofana to return.
Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane are expected to be back in time to make the squad but it is not confirmed if they will play.
Despite the absence of their star players, Liverpool managed to remain unbeaten in January and Salah is still the league’s top scorer.
Harvey Elliott returned from his ankle injury sustained against Leeds in September and may start alongside Naby Keita, who returned from Afcon earlier than Mane and Salah (both the latter reached the final).
Despite Manchester City still being heavy favourites to clinch the league, Liverpool are still keeping pace and doing their best to close the gap.
Wolves vs Arsenal
- Date: Thursday 10 February
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Extra 1
- Live stream: BT Sport app
Arsenal, who are still looking for their first win of the calendar year, take on Bruno Lage’s Wolves, whose efforts have gone under the radar somewhat despite them four points away from top four.
The Portuguese has transformed Wolves into a unit no longer heavily reliant on the output of Raul Jimenez.
Arsenal spent the transfer window reducing their squad numbers as the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ainsley Maitland-Niles moved on.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/TCn62dm
Post a Comment