Premier League: A major test for Carrick as Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield
This week’s Premier League fixtures include two standout matches: Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday, while Liverpool meet Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday in a game that could affect the title race. Attention is also on United manager Michael Carrick, who kept his job despite the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
This week’s Premier League fixtures include two standout matches: Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday, while Liverpool meet Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday in a game that could affect the title race. Attention is also on United manager Michael Carrick, who kept his job despite the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Reports say he spoke with captain Bruno Fernandes after leaving him out of the previous match.
Chelsea come into the match after a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham and Cole Palmer’s sending-off, followed by their exit from the League Cup on penalties against Liverpool. With João Pedro out injured and Palmer suspended, Xabi Alonso will have to make changes in attack, with Danny Welbeck among the options to lead the line.
Liverpool have shown signs of improvement in recent matches as their players adapt to manager Andoni Iraola’s style; a win over Arsenal could be an important step towards establishing themselves as title contenders. Arsenal arrive after being knocked out of the League Cup on penalties by League Two side Fleetwood Town, and Bukayo Saka is also absent. Mikel Arteta is expected to change his team from the midweek match as he seeks a positive response at Anfield.
Manchester City host Brighton, who are third despite losing 2-0 to Liverpool last week. Antoine Semenyo and Matheus Nunes are unavailable for City, whose perfect league record ended with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. Bournemouth host Leeds United after winning their last two league matches, while Leeds have not won in four games.
Newly promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town meet, with Hull seeking to maintain their unbeaten home record and Noble Mendy potentially returning after missing the last two matches through injury. Second-bottom Coventry City also host bottom side Sunderland, who reached the League Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 win over Brentford.
Brentford host Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with pressure mounting on the latter’s manager, Oliver Glasner. Forest are third from bottom with six points from eight matches and have the league’s worst rate of converting expected chances into goals. In another match, Tottenham host Crystal Palace after two consecutive wins, while Palace manager Pierre Sage is also under pressure.
The programme concludes with Aston Villa hosting Fulham at Villa Park, where Unai Emery will seek to test how much Álvaro Arbeloa’s team has improved after consecutive wins over Hull City and Coventry.