Lovers of the “Best league in the world”, my foot, will be secretly praying that President Cyril Ramaphosa will declare a lockdown for this weekend to allow them to watch the football on display on telly in peace.
Of course, there won’t be much peace for Manchester United fans after their team was dumped out of the Carabao Cup on Thursday, 11-12, on penalties. The game had ended 2-all.
Grim for the Red Devils and manager Ruben Amorim indeed.
United should have far too much for promoted Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday at 4pm. But only a fool would place a bet on that.
Chelsea at home
Earlier, Chelsea opened this third English Premier League round playing hosts to Fulham, fresh from a 5-1 West Ham United drubbing away from home last time out.
The Cottagers’ manager, Marco Silva, will hope that his boys will show the same fortitude they did to earn a 1-all draw against United at home last weekend. Indeed, Marco’s men played silver football in the second half.
Chelsea are strange this season — they have the potential to annihilate their opponent. Yet they appear uncertain in all areas of the park. From goalie Robert Sanchez to whoever plays upfront on any chosen Sunday except for João Pedro. The new recruit has been excellent.
Fulham will be no pushovers, for sure, at 1.30pm at Stamford Bridge. And to add extra spice, this is also a derby.
If you are a romantic and have been rooting for the underdog from nowhere to scoop the title, you must watch out for Nottingham Forest against West Ham United at the City Ground on Sunday at 3pm.
Losing Anthony Elanga to Tottenham Hotspur has not removed the prickly spurs from Forest at all. With their opponent in the doldrums, Forest will be keen to blanket Graham Potter’s boys with goals and expedite his ouster from the London Stadium. It feels as though the beleaguered Chelsea reject and former Brighton mentor is one loss away from the sack.
Brighton out of steam
Talking about Brighton and Hove Albion – who gives a team such a long name? Little wonder Fabian Hürzeler’s men seem out of breath so far this season. The 32-year-old US-born German is starting to show inexperience.
Brighton will hope they catch Manchester City on a bad day or their man in the dugout finds his mojo before kickoff. Otherwise, the limping Pep Guardiola’s men will take their frustrations out on him.
Though City lost at home to Hotspur last weekend, one should never read too much into this. City have historically struggled against this Daniel Levy-controlled side as well as Wolves and Crystal Palace. However, should they lose to Brighton, fans should fear a repeat of last season.
The blockbuster for the weekend, though, opens at Anfield at 5.30pm. In the red corner, Liverpool take on Arsenal, who should come out of the dressing room in white, for early league supremacy.
There’s still too much green grass ahead to the end of the season. So this game won’t decide the title. But if Mikel Arteta’s men lose, he will have much to answer for for his defensive tactics.
If you aren’t paying much attention, you would think you are watching Diego Simeone’s Atleti. A lot of huffing that ends with a poof.
Arsenal will most definitely pack the back and play on the counter.
Defensive Arsenal
The Gunners have a scoring problem, even though they have netted six times in two outings. They put five past Leeds United last weekend. But they were outplayed by a profligate Manchester United the weekend before. Even though they nicked that result 1-nil.
Because Liverpool’s struggles are not in attack but defence, should Arsenal fail to show an improved intent this Sunday, they have no chance. There can only be one winner between a goal-shy team and one that can’t defend.
Other games of interest:
Hotspur vs Bournemouth on Saturday at 4pm.
Leeds vs Newcastle United on Saturday at 6.30pm.
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace on Sunday at 8pm.
