Preview: 3 things to look forward to this weekend

PREMIER LEAGUE Preview: 3 things to look forward to this weekend

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 13:42 - 10.02.2023

Sean Dyche has a chance to increase the pressure on Klopp in the Merseyside derby, Arteta aims to get his Arsenal side back on track and Guardiola must rally his City troops through the storm

Liverpool vs Everton - Dyche eyes another scalp

Everton boss Sean Dyche (L) with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Having beaten Liverpool at Anfield under Carlo Ancelotti two years ago, ending a run of more than a decade without a victory in the Merseyside derby, Everton fell back into bad habits under Frank Lampard.

They are now without a win in three against their old rivals, though they did manage to eke out a goalless draw at Goodison Park in September. 

Liverpool are in a truly horrible slump, however, scoring just twice in their past five games in all competitions and conceding eight. 

The odds still favour the hosts on Monday, but good luck to all those in the post-match press conference if Klopp’s side, like Arsenal last weekend, succumb to the new manager bounce of Sean Dyche.

Manchester City v Aston Villa - Guardiola rallies City after tough week

Pep Guardiola will have reached for his best firefighting act this week to douse any concerns his players had when Monday’s seismic news broke of the Premier League’s charges against Manchester City for alleged financial wrongdoing.

Pep Guardiola needs to guide his team through a tough period
Pep Guardiola needs to guide his team through a tough period

The champions deny all counts yet the manager has to work with human beings who cannot help but ponder what the long-term future might be for the club and thus their own. 

The short term, though, is Aston Villa’s visit and the need to shove all extraneous issues aside and focus on a title defence that had a latest hiccup in last Sunday’s loss at Tottenham. 

Erling Haaland has been under scrutiny in recent games

This came after Arsenal had gone down the previous day to Everton so that was a glaring opportunity missed for Guardiola and his men. The first proof of how they might respond to his counselling will be known on Sunday. 

Arsenal v Brentford - Arteta aims to get side back on track

It may not have been their first loss of the season, but Arsenal’s misstep at Everton presents them with an unfamiliar psychological challenge.

Mikel Arteta searching for answers

 While their only other league defeat – the 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in September could be rationalised as a setback against direct rivals at a ground where they have often struggled, they will be bitterly disappointed to have fallen into Sean Dyche’s earthworm-infested trap. 

While one surprise defeat might seem like a bump in the road, two on the bounce would threaten a burst tyre. 

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Unbeaten in the league since October, a run which has included impressive wins against Manchester City and Liverpool, Brentford will offer a stern test of endurance, even if they last beat Arsenal away in 1938. 

Full list of Premier League fixtures for this weekend

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Expert predictions for Premier League game week 23

In-house betting expert Kolawale Babatunde gives the best predictions from each game in the Premier League round 23 with odds from Bet9ja.

West Ham United vs. Chelsea - Under 2.5 @ 1.66
Arsenal vs. Brentford - Arsenal to win @ 1.46
Crystal Palace vs. Brighton & Hove Albion - Both teams to score @ 1.80
Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest - Fulham to win @ 1.92
Leicester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur - Tottenham Hotspur to win/draw @ 1.31
Southampton vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers - Under 2.5 @ 1.62
AFC Bournemouth vs. Newcastle United - Newcastle United to win @ 1.58
Leeds United vs. Manchester United - Manchester United Over 1.5 Goals @ 1.74
Manchester City vs. Aston Villa - Manchester City to win @ 1.26
Liverpool vs. Everton - Under 2.5 @ 2.10

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