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SAVEPLAY SPORTS ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW Matchweek 4

SAVEPLAY SPORTS ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW
Matchweek 4

The fourth Week of the Barclays Premier League kicked off earlier today at the Etihad where Manchester City demolished 10 men Liverpool 5-0. Saveplay Sports is bringing to you wonderful previews to the matches slated for today. Enjoy yourself.


ARSENAL v. BOURNEMOUTH
Arsenal has been having a turbulent season and they have no excuse for this one. The morale at the Emirates is down currently. The Gunners managed a not convincing 4-3 win against Leicester City on the opening and lost two games in a row with the last one a scandalous 4-0 loss at Liverpool. The situation has not been helpful with the relative inactivity of the Arsene Wenger tutored team in the transfer window. The only positive for the North Londoners is being able to hold on to Alexis Sanchez and they really need to raise the morale by winning convincingly against the Cherries. Bournemouth will not be expected to be a walk in the park for the Gunners. The Cherries almost picked a vital point before the International Break against the Gunners title rivals Manchester City and were heartbroken in the 97th Minute by Raheem Sterling and will not want the same to be repeated this week    

VENUE: THE EMIRATES STADIUM, NORTH LONDON

KICKOFF: 3:00 PM SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

REFEREE: ANTHONY TAYLOR

PREDICTED LINE UPS:

ARSENAL: Cech, Koscielny, Monreal, Mustafi, Ramsey, Bellerin, Xhaka, Kolasinac, A. Sanchez, M. Oezil, Lacazette

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Bournemouth: Begovic, Cook, Ake, C. Daniels, A. Smith, Surman, H. Arter, J. King, R. Fraser, Ibe, Defoe

Manager: Eddie Howe

DOUBTS AND OUT

ARSENAL:
DOUBTS: Aaron Ramsey, David Ospina, Jack Wilshere, Alex Iwobi, Callum Chambers, Alexis Sanchez

OUTS: Santi Cazorla (ankle)

BOURNEMOUTH:

DOUBTS: Benik Afobe, Nathan Ake, Junior Stanilas

OUTS: Callum Wilson

Notable Statistics (Opta)
·                       Arsenal has remained unbeaten in the top flights against Bournemouth (W4 D1)

·                       Jermaine Defoe has scored against Arsenal in three different teams (West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland), a record only bettered by Darren Bent (5 teams)

·                       Arsenal has won the last 6 Premier League home games and has lost only once in the last 19

·                       Bournemouth won one of the last 10 Premier League away games.

·                       Bournemouth has lost four consecutive Premier League matches since promotion only twice

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

ARSENAL: ALEXANDER LACAZETTE

BOURNEMOUTH: JERMAINE DEFOE

OUR VERDICT: ARSENAL 2 BOURNEMOUTH 0

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION v. WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The new boys, Brighton are winless and without a goal yet in the Premier League, however they were impressive in the goalless draw against an in-form Watford side before the break and they would be seeking to turn the draw to a win today if they will be having a chance of staying in the Premier League after 38 games. The Baggies are in good form having 7 points from 3 games  and the kings of set-pieces would be looking forward to cause more damages to their hosts.  

VENUE: THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMMUNITY STADIUM

KICKOFF: 3:00 PM SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

REFEREE: CHRIS KAVANAGH

PREDICTED LINE UPS:

BRIGHTON: Matthew Ryan, Saltor, Dunk, S. Duffy, Suttner, Dale Stephens, Knockaert, Pascal Gross, Jose Izquierdo, Davy Proepper, T. Hemed

Manager: Chris Hughton

WEST BROM: Foster, Nyom, Jonny Evans, Brunt, C. Dawson, Morrison, Livermore, M. Philips, Gareth Barry, J. Rodriguez, J. S. Rondon

Manager: Tony Pulis

DOUBTS AND OUT

BRIGHTON:
DOUBTS: None

OUTS: Izzy Brown (Harmstring) Bong (Muscle strain) Baldock (Calf) Kayal (Leg) Sidwell (Back)

WEST BROM:

DOUBTS: McAuley

OUTS: Robson-Kanu (Suspended)

Notable Statistics (Opta)
·                       Brighton has never beaten West Brom in a top flights clash (D5 L3)

·                       Under Tony Pulis, West Brom has won just 3 of their 15 Premier League Matches against newly promoted sides (W3 D7 L5)
PLAYERS TO WATCH:

BRIGHTON: DAVY PROEPPER

WESTBROM: J. S. RONDON

OUR VERDICT: BRIGHTON 1 WESTBROM 0

LEICESTER CITY v. CHELSEA
The last three Premier League Champions are squaring up today at the King Power Stadium in the battle of the blues. Leicester has not done well this season with two losses from three games both being a trip to Arsenal and Manchester United. However, Chelsea needs all three points to keep up with the title challenge. Chelsea are currently parading two central figures of the Leicester’s title winning team in N’golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater.   

VENUE: THE KINGPOWER STADUIM

KICKOFF: 3:00 PM SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

REFEREE: LEE MASON

PREDICTED LINE UPS:

LEICESTER: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Maguire, C. Fuchs, M. Albrighton, Okazaki, M. James, O. Ndidi, R. Mahrez, J. Vardy

Manager: Craig Shakespeare

CHELSEA: Courtois, Ruediger, C. Azpilicueta, D. Luiz, M. Alonso, N. Kante, Bakayoko, Moses, Pedro, Willian, A. Morata

Manager: Antonio Conte

DOUBTS AND OUT

LEICESTER CITY:
DOUBTS: None

OUTS: Huth (Match fitness) Iborra (Groin)

CHELSEA:

DOUBTS: Hazard, Bakayoko

OUTS: Cahill (Suspended)

Notable Statistics (Opta)
·                       Leicester has lost 11 of their last 13 games against Chelsea

·                       Chelsea won 5 of their last 6 away games at Leicester, scoring at least 3 goals in each win
PLAYERS TO WATCH:

LEICESTER: RIYAD MAHREZ

CHELSEA: ALVARO MORATA

OUR VERDICT: LEICESTER 1 CHELSEA 3

EVERTON v. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The two teams have had a disappointing starts to the season. With Everton being one of the biggest spenders of the transfer window, 3 points out the possible 9 was not what the fans ever wanted. Spurs have not done better either, especially with the loss at Wembley and the disappointing draw at home against Burnley. Both teams will be expected to go for a win but if Ronald Koeman boys put up the type of performance they showed against Chelsea, Spurs will take them to the sword before their own fans.

VENUE: THE GOODISON PARK

KICKOFF: 3:00 PM SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

REFEREE: GRAHAM SCOTT

PREDICTED LINE UPS:

EVERTON: Pickford, M. Keane, A. Williams, P. Jagielka, Schneiderlin, Baines, Rooney, I. G. Gueye, Sigurdsson, Holgate, Calvert-Lewin

Manager: Ronald Koeman

TOTTENHAM: H. Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, B. Davies, H.M. Son, E. Dier, M. Dembele, D. Alli, C. Eriksen, H. Kane

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino

DOUBTS AND OUT

EVERTON:
DOUBTS: Holgate, McCArthy

OUTS: Barkley (Groin) Bolasie (Knee) Funes Mori (Knee) Coleman (Leg)

TOTTENHAM:

DOUBTS: None

OUTS: Nkoudou (Foot) Wanyama (Knee) Rose (Knee) Lamela (hip)

Notable Statistics (Opta)
·                       Everton are winless in their last nine Premier League games against Spurs (D5 L4) and they last won Spurs 2-1 in 2012

·                       Tottenham Hotspurs have only won once at Goodison Park in their last 10 visits

·                       Wayne Rooney has scored 11 goals in his last 16 Premier League games against  Spurs

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

EVERTON: WAYNE ROONEY

TOTTENHAM: HARRY KANE

OUR VERDICT: EVERTON 2 TOTTENHAM 2

SOUTHAMPTON v. WATFORD
The two teams haven’t had a bad season so far with fair results. Southampton fought the battle of their lives to hold on to Virgil van Dijk amid interests from Champions League teams and despite the player’s transfer request. Watford has been the better side of the two teams with 5 points each from three games considering the quality of opponents they had faced and the number of goals they have scored.

VENUE: ST. MARY’S STADIUM

KICKOFF: 3:00 PM SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

REFEREE: LEE PROBERT

PREDICTED LINE UPS:

SOUTHAMPTON: Forster, C. Soares, J. Stephens, Wesley Hoedt, R. Bertrand, S. Davis, Tadic, O. Romeu, Mario Lemina, N. Redmond, M. Gabbadiani

Manager: Mauricio Pellegrino

WATFORD: H. Gomes, Y. Kaboul, Kiko, J. Holebas, C. Kabasele, T. Cleverley, N. Chalobah, A. Doucoure, Richarlison, Andre Carrillo, Andre Gray

Manager: Marco Silva

DOUBTS AND OUT

SO’TON:
DOUBTS: None

OUTS: Van Dijk (Match fitness)

WATFORD:

DOUBTS: Pereyra, Prodl

OUTS: M. Zarate (Knee) Cathcart (Knee) Hoban (Knee) Britos (Suspended)

Notable Statistics (Opta)
·                       So’ton has been unbeaten against Watford in the last 5 Premier League matches(W3 D2)

·                       Southampton has failed to score in 8 out of their last 11 Premier League games

·                       Nathan Redmond has had a hand in 5 goals in his last 3 matches against Watford (4 goals 1 Assist)

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

SOUTHAMPTON: NATHAN REDMOND

WATFORD: RICHARLISON

OUR VERDICT: SOUTHAMPTON 1 WATFORD 1

STOKE CITY v. MANCHESTER UNITED
United has been the only team with 100% record so far in the EPL, having scored 10 and concedes none. Jose Mourinho tutored side has found the missing link in their game this season, which is burying the chances they create. However, they will have to work very hard for the three points at the Bet365 Stadium today.

VENUE: BET365 STADIUM

KICKOFF: 5:30 PM SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2017

REFEREE: NEIL SWARBRICK

PREDICTED LINE UPS:

STOKE: J. Butland, K. Wimmer, Zouma, Martins Indi, E. Pieters, J. Allen, G. Cameron, X. Shaqiri, D. Fletcher, Jese Rodriguez, Crouch

Manager: Mark Hughes

MAN UTD: De Gea, Bailly, P. Jones, Blind, Valencia, P. Pogba, J. Mata, Matic, H. Mkhitaryan, M. Rashford, Romelu Lukaku

Manager: Jose Mourinho

DOUBTS AND OUT

STOKE CITY:
DOUBTS: Choupo- Moting, Birame Diouf, D. Fletcher, Zouma

OUTS: S. Ireland (Leg) Shawcross (back) Afellay (Knee) Ngoy (Thigh) 

MAN UTD:

DOUBTS: Luke Shaw, Ashley Young

OUTS: Rojo (Knee) Ibrahimovic (Knee)

Notable Statistics (Opta)
·                       Jose Mourinho has not won his last 4 games against Stoke City (D3 L1)

·                       United has won only 3 out of 8 meetings against Stoke City since 2013

·                       Stoke City has been unbeaten against United in the last 4 home games (W2 D2)

·                       Jose Mourinho has lost his 4th game of the Premier League season in 4 out of the last 5 seasons

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

STOKE: JESE RODRIGUEZ

MAN UTD: ROMELU LUKAKU

OUR VERDICT: STOKE 1 MAN UTD 1

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