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On Saturday afternoon, the Premier League returns after a short hiatus for the third round FA Cup ties last weekend. As usual, there are a host of top-flight fixtures on Saturday, here are the picks of those clashes:
Chelsea heads into this clash as favourites for victory. However, Antonio Conte have drawn their last three games in all competitions, including drawing 0-0 with Arsenal in their last outing in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg.
The Blues do have a strong home record in recent seasons, though. In fact, Conte’s side have won their seven Premier League games on home soil, while keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Leicester’s recent record in the Premier League is a mixed one. A 3-0 home win over Huddersfield in their last top-flight game saw the Foxes end a run of four league games without a win, a run that saw Claude Puel’s side suffered three defeats. Puel’s side have lost their last two away games in the Premier League while winning just three of their last nine league games on their travels.
Huddersfield will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host West Ham at the John Smiths Stadium in a game that could have big implications at the bottom of the table.
The Terriers have failed to win in their last four Premier League games and last time out in the league suffered a 3-0 defeat at Leicester. A 2-1 win at Bolton last weekend in the FA Cup may lift spirits though. David Wagner’s team have won just one of their last five home games in the top-flight. The Yorkshire need to get back to winning ways to avoid being dragged into the relegation dogfight.
West Ham head into this game three games unbeaten in the Premier League after a respectable 1-1 at Tottenham in their last Premier League. However, David Moyes side are still just two points clear of the relegation zone.
The Irons are now also three games unbeaten on their travels in the Premier League, having recorded one win and two draws. A victory in Yorkshire would certainly ease their relegation worries. The Irons have received the boost in the fact that forward Marko Arnautovic is fit to feature.
In the late kick-off, Tottenham welcome Everton to Wembley, as the home side look to get back to winning ways in the league after a frustrating 1-1 home draw with West Ham in their last league outing.
The draw rather hindered Spurs building up some momentum, as it ended a run of three consecutive wins for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the league. A win would move the north London side level with fourth-place Liverpool on points.
The honeymoon period is well and truly over for Everton boss Sam Allardyce. His team have failed to win in their last five games in all competitions and have suffered three straight defeats.
A 2-1 defeat at Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup third round last time out was perhaps the most galling for the Everton fans. The Merseysiders have struggled for goals of late, failing to find the net in three of their last four league games. The £27million signing of Turkish international striker Cenk Tosun should increase their attacking threat, but the former Besiktas striker may need time to adapt to his new surroundings.
Saturday’s other Premier League games:
Crystal Palace v Burnley
Newcastle v Swansea
Watford v Southampton
West Brom v Brighton
Who will produce the big performance in the Premier League on Saturday?
