Two of the oldest derby’s in England center stage in England this weekend as Liverpool host Merseyside neighbours Everton and Tottenham Hotspur visit north London enemies Arsenal.
The two merseyside teams into the match, both struggling to reach last season’s heights. Liverpool narrowly lost out to Manchester City in last season’s title race and Everton finished fifth with a record points tally, but they are currently 11th and 14th respectively ahead of their showdown at Anfield. Liverpool have lost three of their opening five games and needed penalties to see off second-tier Middlesbrough in the League Cup on Tuesday, edging a remarkable shoot-out 14-13 after a 2-2 draw.
Everton, meanwhile, have won only once in the league and saw their League Cup hopes ended by a 3-0 defeat at Swansea City.
Arsenal go it into the North London derby having lost two of their last three matches, after losing 2-0 at Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League and then being dumped out of the League Cup in mid-week by Southampton.
Spurs are not playing any better though as they have now gone three league games without victory, but the midweek League Cup win over Nottingham Forest will give them some confidence.
Three points clear after a 1-1 draw at defending champions Manchester City last weekend, leaders Chelsea host third-place Villa. Second-place Southampton, level on points with Villa, tackle Queens Park Rangers. City, meanwhile, visit Hull City, having demolished second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 7-0 in the League Cup in mid-week.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal faces an injury crisis in central defence ahead of his side’s home game with West Ham United. The Dutchman will hope to see a vastly improved defensive display after United let slip a 3-1 lead to lose 5-3 at Leicester City last weekend. But with Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling injured, and Tyler Blackett suspended following his dismissal at the King Power Stadium, Marcos Rojo is United’s only available senior centre-back.
Second-bottom Burnley will go in search of their first win of the campaign when they visit West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, while under-pressure Newcastle manager Alan Pardew takes his side to Stoke City on Monday.
English Premier League fixtures
Saturday
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace v Leicester City
Hull City v Manchester City
Liverpool v Everton
Manchester United v West Ham United
Southampton v Queens Park Rangers
Sunderland v Swansea City
Sunday
West Bromwich Albion v Burnley
Monday
Stoke City v Newcastle United
