Leaders Liverpool lock horns with Chelsea at Anfield
Premier League leaders Liverpool lock horns with Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night less than a month before the two teams renew hostilities in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.
Mauricio Pochettino welcomed Jurgen Klopp‘s side to Stamford Bridge for his first home game in charge of the Blues back in August last year when the two teams played out an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Liverpool marked their first match since Jurgen Klopp’s bombshell announcement to step down at the end of the season with an emphatic 5-2 home victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
Klopp’s men have extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 games, while they have only lost one of their last 17 matches over the last two-and-a-half months, but their mettle is set to be tested in back-to-back home league fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal in the space of five days.
As has been a common theme at Chelsea this season, Mauricio Pochettino’s side lacked a cutting edge in the final third and squandered a number of chances in front of goal, before an inspired display from goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic thwarted Aston Villa’s late efforts to snatch a winner when the Blues ran out of steam in the final 20 minutes.
While Chelsea deserve the plaudits that come their way for putting together a 10-game unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge, there is little to be desired about their recent away form as they head to Liverpool having lost five of their last six games on the road in all competitions, conceding at least twice on five of those occasions.
Taking into account the aforementioned seven-game drawing streak between these two teams, another closely-fought contest could be on the cards on Wednesday, although Liverpool’s impressive record at Anfield will likely give them the edge.
Chelsea can ill-afford another frustrating spell in front of goal if they are to come away with a positive result at Anfield,
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Vincent Kompany returns ‘home’ to face Manchester City
Vincent Kompany will return to his former stomping ground when he takes his Burnley side to the Etihad Stadium for a tricky test against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday night.
The two teams meet for the first time since the opening weekend of the campaign back in August last year when the Citizens cruised to a 3-0 victory at Turf Moor.
Following a five-game winless streak without scoring a goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Man City managed to finally end their hoodoo on the white side of North London.
Pep Guardiola‘s men have certainty found their groove in trademark fashion heading into the second half of the season, as they have won nine and drawn one of their last 10 matches across all competitions.
Man City have received a triple injury boost as Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji and John Stones are all available for selection on Wednesday, although it remains to be seen whether the Catalan boss will decide to immediately name any of the trio in his starting lineup.
Burnley will have had 19 days to rest and prepare for Wednesday’s trip to Man City, with their last outing ending in disappointing fashion as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to fellow relegation-threatened side Luton Town.
Kompany will hope that his side can frustrate the hosts and avoid making any crucial errors at the back while attempting to play an expansive brand of football against one of the best possession-based and goal-hungry teams around. However, Guardiola’s men should have few problems breaching a leaky Burnley backline, even if Haaland is not quite ready to make his impending return from injury.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Tottenham Hotspur take on London rivals Brentford
After exiting the FA Cup last week, Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League duty on Wednesday, when they take on London rivals Brentford.
While the Bees were enjoying their mid-season break, Spurs lost at home to Manchester City last time out and will now seek their first league win of 2024.
Having beaten their opponents on all five previous occasions they had met at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs were ready to relinquish that streak and settle for an FA Cup replay last week, but the clubs’ fourth-round tie ultimately went the way of Man City.
A 16-year silverware drought goes on, so Spurs now turn their attention to staying in touch with the top four – and holding off challengers from behind, such as Manchester United, who held them to a 2-2 draw earlier this month.
Spurs have scored in each of their last 33 top-flight matches, which represents the club’s longest streak throughout their whole league history – and the fourth-best run by any side in the Premier League era.
They have also lost just one of their last nine league games against Brentford ahead of this week’s home contest, though that defeat did come in the equivalent fixture last season.
Although the personnel may be more or less the same, a ‘different’ Spurs side should tackle Brentford following their subdued defeat to Manchester City. As the Bees are rarely at their best away from home, Tottenham can take maximum points.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
