Arsenal host Liverpool in a gargantuan Premier League clash this weekend
Gunners fell to shock Bournemouth defeat last time out
Reds can move seven points clear of Arsenal with victory
The biggest test of Arne Slot’s reign arrives on Sunday afternoon as Liverpool travel to Arsenal in a mouth-watering Premier League clash.
Both sides are looking to dethrone Manchester City come the end of the Premier League season and the outcome of this weekend’s encounter will have a major impact on the early stages of the title race. Liverpool are already four points ahead of Arsenal after eight matches and can extend that to seven with victory at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners will be eager to bounce back from last weekend’s surprise defeat to Bournemouth but will have to do without some key players. William Saliba is suspended, Martin Odegaard is sidelined and there will be late fitness tests for Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori.
Liverpool’s midweek victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League means they have won ten of their 11 matches under Slot. Seven of those have come in the Premier League, with last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea the biggest of the new era to date.
Arsenal team news
Bukayo Saka has missed the last two matches /GettyImages
Arsenal have a number of injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash, with influential defender Saliba also missing through suspension following his straight red card against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Martin Odegaard, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are guaranteed absentees, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is “very, very uncertain” on the availability of Saka, Calafiori and Jurrien Timber.
Saka has been missing since the international break with a hamstring problem, while Timber was injured in the Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the start of October. Calafiori picked up a knee issue midweek against Shakhtar Donetsk and could miss out.
Liverpool team news
Diogo Jota was injured against Chelsea last weekend /GettyImages
Liverpool have a handful of absentees ahead of Sunday, although they did avoid sustaining any fresh injuries during the victory over Leipzig on Wednesday evening.
Alisson is still sidelined with a hamstring injury and Caoimhin Kelleher, who sparkled midweek, will retain his starting berth. Conor Bradley is also likely to miss out in the backline after picking up a knock over the October international break.
Harvey Elliott has been missing since the September internationals and won’t return until mid-November, while Federico Chiesa continues to struggle with fitness setbacks at the start of his Liverpool career.
Slot confirmed that Diogo Jota will miss out at the weekend after being withdrawn before half-time against Chelsea last weekend. Darwin Nunez, who scored and impressed in Leipzig, will lead the line.
Arsenal vs Liverpool score prediction
This should be a belter. Both sides have been weakened by injuries but still boast a ludicrous amount of quality within their starting XIs and on their benches. They have both started the season positively and Sunday will be an opportunity to land a first psychological blow in the title race.
The absence of some key players in both lineups does add an element of uncertainty to this one and Slot’s more measured approach means it may not be quite the same energetic thriller seen more regularly under Jurgen Klopp.
With both teams desperate not to lose this one, they may settle for a valuable point.
Chelsea face Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League
Blues suffered defeat to Liverpool last time out and Magpies beaten by Brighton
Two sides face one another again in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday
Chelsea face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon just three days before the clubs meet again in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
The Blues will travel to St James’ Park on Wednesday evening and will aim to do so having tasted victory in the weekend’s Premier League duel. After a draw with Nottingham Forest and defeat to Liverpool in their most recent domestic encounters, Enzo Maresca’s side will be keen to get back to winning ways.
The west Londoners did secure a second successive Europa Conference League victory against Panathinaikos on Thursday, lifting them to the summit of the recently expanded 36-team table. An entirely changed XI strolled to a 4-1 victory, leaving a number of first-team stars well rested for the weekend.
Newcastle’s form has taken a concerning dip in recent weeks and they are now four Premier League matches without victory. A goalless draw with Everton before the international break was followed by a disappointing home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last time out. Eddie Howe’s side lost both their trips to Stamford Bridge last season but did beat the Blues 4-1 on home soil.
Chelsea team news
Cole Palmer will be key for Chelsea / Carl Recine/GettyImages
Chelsea have no significant injury concerns heading into Sunday’s clash with Newcastle but will name a much-changed side from the team that won in Greece midweek.
Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana return from their suspensions – the former did play against Panathinaikos – and Reece James should feature again at right-back after making his first start of the season against Liverpool last time out.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix all impressed midweek but are unlikely to displace Jadon Sancho, Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer in the starting XI. Enzo Fernandez’s 70-minute outing on Thursday means he may only make the bench this weekend.
Newcastle team news
Kieran Trippier is among those missing / Matt McNulty/GettyImages
Newcastle’s injury woes seemingly never disappear and the Magpies are still without an array of first-team players. In defence, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Martin Dubravka are all sidelined, although Dan Burn should be fit to feature despite suffering a knock against Brighton.
Up front, Callum Wilson’s return has been further delayed after Howe confirmed that the England international would miss the next three games at the very least.
Cobham graduates Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are likely to face their former employers, while Anthony Gordon features for the first time since signing a new long-term contract with the Magpies.
Chelsea vs Newcastle score prediction
Newcastle’s disappointing form in recent weeks doesn’t offer the Magpies much hope of securing a result in the capital. Considering that they haven’t beaten the Blues on the road since Papiss Cisse’s memorable double in 2012, a draw would be a great result for Howe’s side.
However, with Chelsea fielding an entirely changed XI midweek and boasting some of the division’s most devastating attacking players, they will be rightful favourites on Sunday. It’s unlikely to be a commanding victory up against an energetic Newcastle but the Blues should earn all three points.
Man Utd travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon
Red Devils have won just once in their last seven outings in all competitions
Hammers battered by London rivals Tottenham last weekend
Two managers under growing pressure go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon as West Ham United host Manchester United in the Premier League.
Julen Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag are currently struggling in their respective dugouts as results and performances fail to inspire. The former has been unable to build on David Moyes’ stellar work, while the latter hasn’t managed to turn the tide after an underwhelming second season at the helm.
Man Utd’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur several weeks ago felt like a new low for the Red Devils under Ten Hag. The fact that there are so many low points to choose from is deeply concerning but the Dutchman has steadied the ship slightly since Spurs’ visit. Three draws and a victory against Brentford last weekend have eased the suffering.
Just like Sunday’s opposition, West Ham have won just once in their last seven matches in all competition. The Irons have particularly struggled against the division’s traditional ‘big six’, conceding 15 times in four meetings with these lofty opponents this term. Lopetegui’s men imploded in last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Spurs and will be desperate to avoid similar embarrassment on Sunday.
West Ham team news
Mohammed Kudus is suspended /GettyImages
Mohammed Kudus was rightfully sent off last weekend for lashing out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he serves the first match of a three-game suspension.
However, in terms of injuries, West Ham find themselves much fitter than their upcoming opponents, with summer signing Niclas Fullkrug the only absentee as he continues to battle with an Achilles injury.
Lopetegui is unlikely to make sweeping changes after last weekend’s defeat but there could be alterations in defence and midfield to help shore things up.
Man Utd team news
Kobbie Mainoo is among Man Utd’s absentees / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages
Ten Hag has blamed injuries for Man Utd’s difficulties this season and the Dutchman certainly has a lengthy list of absentees unavailable for selection.
In defence, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia are still out of action, while Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are also unavailable in midfield. In the forward line, Antony is a fresh concern after he injured himself in the draw with Fenerbahce.
Jonny Evans should return to the squad after missing Thursday’s trip to Turkey and youngster Toby Collyer is also likely to be fit after a knock. Bruno Fernandes was serving a suspension against Fenerbahce in the Europa League but will captain Man Utd this weekend.
West Ham vs Man Utd score prediction
It’s difficult to know which versions of these two sides will turn up on Sunday afternoon. Both have shown glimpses of their quality in recent weeks but consistency is the issue when it comes to turning the corner for good.
West Ham won this exact fixture last season but have struggled against so-called ‘bigger’ teams. Their home record is actually worse than their away record, although Man Utd have struggled on their travels this term.
In all honesty, this really could go either way. West Ham could blow the Red Devils away or vice versa, but the safer bet is an entertaining score draw.
Tottenham travel across London to face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon
Eagles still without a victory in the Premier League after dismal start to 2024/25
Ange Postecoglou’s side have won seven of their last eight matches
Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to exacerbate Crystal Palace’s woes on Sunday when they visit Selhurst Park in the Premier League.
Spurs have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions and head into their weekend battle with Palace in impressive form. A 4-1 victory over fellow capital side West Ham United last weekend was followed by a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The Lilywhites have shown their fragility at points this season, especially when it comes to their defence, but they will understandably be strong favourites against a Palace side still yet to earn a Premier League victory.
Oliver Glasner transformed Palace when he arrived at the end of last season but that hard work has been undone by a woeful beginning to 2024/25. Last Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest has left the Eagles on just three points as they struggle to escape the relegation zone.
Crystal Palace team news
Adam Wharton should be available /GettyImages
Glasner admitted that influential young midfielder Adam Wharton could undergo surgery in the near future but he will be available for the next three games, starting with Sunday’s battle with Spurs.
Cheick Doucoure will return from injury soon after featuring in training this week but Sunday is likely to come too soon for the midfielder. Chadi Riad, Matheus Franca and Chris Richards are all sidelined.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been dropped from the last two starting XIs but could feature from the start against Spurs in Eddie Nketiah’s place. Daichi Kamada was also included alongside Eberechi Eze at Forest and should retain his spot.
Tottenham team news
Heung-min Son will miss out on Sunday /GettyImages
Despite returning from injury against West Ham, Heung-min Son is back on the sidelines for the short-term. “Sonny’s still not right, still not feeling 100 per cent. He won’t train today [Friday], so he’s unlikely for this weekend and we’ll see after that,” admitted Ange Postecoglou in his press conference.
Djed Spence will return to full team training next week but will be absent for Sunday. Wilson Odobert returned to the team against AZ Alkmaar from the bench and should feature among the substitutes again at Selhurst Park.
James Maddison’s position in the starting XI is under threat after his half-time substitution last weekend. Dejan Kulusevski’s impressive performances in an attacking midfield role could force the England international to miss out against Palace.
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham score prediction
Tottenham have won their last five meetings with Palace and should make that six on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles certainly have the personnel to cause Spurs issues but their confidence has taken a significant hit in the opening weeks of the season and goals have been frustratingly hard to come by.
Meanwhile, Spurs can’t stop scoring and should have enough in the tank even without skipper Son to claim all three points against the winless Eagles. They were able to rest players midweek against AZ and flexed their creative muscles in last week’s demolition of West Ham.
Robert Lewandowski’s brace powered Barcelona to a 4-0 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico. Lamine Yamal shattered a 77-year record while Kylian Mbappe capped off nightmare Clasico debut.
Photo:Getty Images
Hansi Flick has Barcelona dreaming
Hansi Flick simply can’t put a foot wrong as Barcelona boss. The German was at it again on Saturday night, overseeing an incredible 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu to round off a magical week.
The German once again named a young side, starting six players under the age of 22 years for the first time in 108 years of Clasico history. The kids did alright too. Pau Cubarsi continues to astound, Marc Casado put in another unreal performance and Lamine Yamal made more history with his goal.
Flick also made a key change at half-time. After a tricky first half, off went Fermin Lopez and on came Frenkie de Jong. The impact was felt straightaway as Barca began to dominate. The goals then started to flow with Flick kicking (and heading) every ball on the touchline.
Barcelona now sit six points clear of their fiercest rivals, while Flick has given fans a week that will live long in the memory. The Catalans have smashed Sevilla, Bayern and Madrid in the space of a week – scoring 13 goals in those three matches and conceding just twice.
Offside FC strikes again
A key theme of the match was, once again, the sight of Barcelona’s crazily high backline catching Madrid offside. And again, and again, and again. By half-time there had been eight offsides, with Kylian Mbappe a serial offender.
Flick’s tactic came as absolutely no surprise to anyone who has watched Barcelona this season but worked time and time again.
The German spoke about his tactics after the game and explained why he doesn’t think it’s “risky” to play such a high line.
“We started very well. In the first half, we did well. The defence was high up. It seems dangerous and risky, but it isn’t. It worked. In the end, we made the right changes at half-time,” he told reporters.
“The players did very well. The players showed their quality in front of goal. Everyone knew what to do, in defence and in attack. I always say that we like to improve. Today wasn’t easy, but we defended well. We believe in our idea. But we have to keep going.”
Lewandowski shows up Mbappe
Robert Lewandowski was on target again in El Clasico to continue his brilliant form this season. The striker added two more goals to his tally, although he probably should have ended the match with four.
Barcelona’s striker now has 14 goals in 11 appearances this season to lead the Pichichi standings. He is far clear of Kylian Mbappe – who was supposed to take La Liga by storm – but in contrast has managed just six league goals since arriving in Spain.
Mbappe did get the ball in the back of the net, and celebrated extravagantly, only to see it correctly adjudged for offside. The Frenchman then found himself regularly caught in Barca’s offside trip, or foiled by Inaki Pena on an underwhelming night.
Yamal already into Clasico record books
There was plenty of talk about Lamine Yamal ahead of El Clasico and, initially at least, the teenager struggled to make much of an impact.
Yet this is a player who has already shown he can rise to the biggest of occasions and did so again at the Bernabeu to score Barcelona’s third goal.
It was the goal that finally finished off Los Blancos and is the first, surely, of many for Yamal in this famous fixture.
Pena passes his biggest test
Inaki Pena came into Saturday’s match with plenty of question marks still hanging over him ahead of a test against the likes of Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe.
The arrival of Szczesny has fuelled the suspicion that Barca are simply waiting for one mistake from Pena to replace the youngster but it simply didn’t happen at the Bernabeu.
The goalkeeper then went on to produce what is surely the best performance of his career to date to deny Mbappe on several occasions and come away with a clean sheet.
We all know that Szczesny is still waiting in the wings, but Flick has placed his trust in Pena so far and was rewarded with a brilliant Clasico performance.
Erik ten Hag will be forced into changing his Manchester United lineup when they face Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
The Red Devils will be targeting their first Europa League win of the season when they face Fenerbahce in Turkey on Thursday evening.
Manchester United have been warned that Jose Mourinho will want “revenge” when they are reunited to face the former manager.
United’s European campaign has been underwhelming so far with Erik ten Hag‘s side down in 21st in the Europa League table after back-to-back draws with FC Twente and Porto.
Thursday’s clash is a huge opportunity for United to get their European journey back on track while relieving more pressure around Ten Hag’s future.
Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes suspended for Fenerbahce clash
United picked up a much-needed three points after their 2-1 comeback victory against Brentford, but Ten Hag will have to mix things up against Fenerbahce.
That is because club captain Bruno Fernandes is suspended vs Fenerbahce after being sent off in the chaotic 3-3 draw against Porto.
It was Bruno Fernandes‘ second red card in the space of a week after he was also sent off against Tottenham just days prior.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has insisted his team are ready to compete for major silverware as they prepare to host Bologna in their third Champions League game of the season.
The Birmingham-based side have won both of their games in the competition so far having qualified for European football’s elite competition for the first time since the 1982-83 season.
“I don’t want to waste my time here, that is my message. You can’t waste your time here,” Emery told a news conference on Monday.
“My objective here is to keep the same level we have now, Champions League and add more to be contenders for titles.
“This is the message, we love football, we love our work and we want to be successful.”
Villa Park is set for its second Champions League game — the competition was rebranded from the European Cup at the start of the 1992 season — having played host to Jhon Durán’s stunning winner against Bayern Munich in the previous game.
Emery said he doesn’t want his team to merely be making up the numbers, and restated his intention to qualify for the competition on a regular basis.
“We want to achieve the objectives and one of them is to play in the Champions League. It is not about playing there only because of some circumstances — I want to us to stay there for a long time,” the Spanish coach said.
“But it is difficult. Maybe sometimes you can have some problems or struggle in our way, but you have to be resilient. We want to be strong in the idea in our mind and create a strong mentality to always break barriers.
“We can believe, working like we are doing, we can keep it. This is my challenge, this is my objective now.”
Bologna also qualified for the modern version of the Champions League for the first time after finishing fifth in Serie A last term.
They have one point from their two matches thus far, having drawn with Shakhtar Donetsk before succumbing to defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has been working hard on his rehabilitation on Carrington since sustaining a serious injury during our pre-season tour of the United States.
Yoro, who joined from Lille in the summer, has shared a video of himself training at Carrington as a teaser for what’s to come when he returns to full fitness.
The highly-rated French defender has reached the next phase in the process, as the photographers at Carrington gathered to show off the club’s new signing as he steps up his efforts to recover in training.
According to ManUtd.com, Yoro was put through his paces in the gym at Carrington on Thursday, under the watchful eye of the team’s medical staff.
United We Stand editor Andy Mitten adds that this marks the start of Yoro’s initial individual training in the outdoors since his injury. It’s encouraging news but he will be carefully managed throughout the rest of the recovery process.
The medical team had a busy weekend in the middle of a controversy at Old Trafford, as United overcame Brentford at Old Trafford.
Brentford opened the scoring while Matthijs de Ligt was receiving medical attention on the side of the pitch, despite needing any after having his cut cleaned up for a second time during the first half.
Leny Yoro has to put in the hard work
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
There is still plenty of work to do for the 18-year-old as he has yet to join group training.
He appeared against Rangers during the pre-season tour before picking up a foot injury against Arsenal.
Hopefully, Yoro can make his competitive debut before Christmas but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Yoro is not expected to start games immediately but he will provide cover at centre-back for Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt. The duo were joined by Jonny Evans for another star performance at the back against Brentford on Saturday.
The rest of the United squad is preparing to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Despite undergoing something of a revival in form for Manchester United this season, Christian Eriksen may now be playing to attract potential suitors ahead of his 2025 release.
Indeed, the experienced Dane is poised to depart Old Trafford next June when his terms officially expire with the club.
That’s because, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils have not initiated talks with Eriksen regarding a potential extension, meaning ‘it’s likely’ he will bid the side farewell upon the culmination of the 2024/2025 campaign.
Yet, the news is unlikely to come as much of a surprise to supporters. While the midfielder has indeed proven to be a dependable figure when called upon this term, he’s now 32 years old and is far past the peak witnessed during his Tottenham Hotspur tenure – a time when United would’ve been better going all-out for his signature.
Having just made his seventh start in all competitions, Eriksen is already halfway to equalling his total starts from the entirety of 2023/2024 – a campaign in which he was forced to settle for a significantly reduced role when Kobbie Mainoo broke through into the first-team setup.
Eriksen enjoying significant upturn in form
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
In his nine appearances thus far, he has returned three goals and three assists; two goals and one assist came during United’s 7-0 thrashing over Barnsley in last month’s third-round Carabao Cup tie, after which he was hailed as ‘unbelievable’ bySjy Sports pundit – and ex-Spurs teammate – Michael Dawson.
“He is unbelievable, he’s a gifted player, I’ve seen it with my own eyes on many occasions. He can see a pass, he brings calmness, he keeps the ball when you need to slow the game down, he can speed it up, he’s just a really, really intelligent footballer,” Dawson told the panel following the full-time whistle.
Last time out, Eriksen was deployed from the off against previous club Brentford, partnering fellow veteran Casemiro in the middle of the park.
He proceeded to record an impressive 100 per cent long passing accuracy and 98 per cent regular passing accuracy while registering five passes into the final third, five defensive actions and creating four chances, per StatmanDave.
Such exploits would undoubtedly make him a welcome addition to most top-flight clubs.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has confirmed that “discussions with the right people” have begun and are ongoing regarding his contract situation at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk speaks about Liverpool contract talks
Reds skipper currently on course to become free agent in 2025
Dutchman’s future one of the main talking points for supporters
Van Dijk’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, by which time he will be just a few days away from his 34th birthday. It has brought uncertainty as to whether he will continue at Liverpool beyond then, especially with relatively recent admissions that nothing has been happening.
Now, in what feels like a more positive update for fans, the centre-back, regarded by many to be among the world’s best, still has no firm answer on where he is going to be playing in 2025/26 but is actively talking with the club.
“I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know, we will see what happens in the future,” Van Dijk explained this week ahead of facing RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
“My full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else. What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started and we will see. I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun.
Van Dijk is currently due to become a free agent in 2025 /GettyImages
“Discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it’s time to make a decision or whatever, I think [the media] will know it as well.”
The Athletic report that sporting director Richard Hughes is the one ‘leading negotiations’ with Van Dijk’s agent over a possible extension.
Van Dijk isn’t the only senior Liverpool player who has been facing an uncertain future. Mohamed Salah is also out of contract next summer and remains heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. In recent days, league director Michael Emenalo has confirmed, “the stories that one of our teams went after him are true”, not ruling out a possible approach from a Saudi club again.
Resolving Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-term future at Liverpool is another priority for many supporters. The 26-year-old, who has played 320 games for the club in all competitions, is also out of contract this summer and is thought to be a primary transfer target for 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid.
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