Football News: Premier League Match Previews Sunday 17th September

Image from: businessinsider.com

Sunday 17th September 2017

Chelsea v Arsenal 1:30pm kick off

Drinkwater (calf strain) out

Chelsea have hit their stride earlier this season, following an opening day defeat against Burnley. They are once again looking like a genuine title challenger as they attempt to hold onto the Premier League trophy. Despite a summer of media speculation, Antonio Conte remains in charge and, despite the issues with Diego Costa, the team remains good enough to win the league. At the moment it is all plain sailing with little to worry them in midweek in Europe either. However, the Gunners have beaten them the last two times they faced each other, so it is important the team remain fully focused and Conte finds a way to deal with a team that copies their formation.
Most important player: David Luiz. The Pensioners need the Brazilian centre back to be on top of his game, as Arsenal have managed to beat them recently by the simple expedient of bypassing midfield when they get the ball, putting Kante out of the game completely. The defence needs to hold them up and give the diminutive Frenchman time to get back.

Coquelin (hamstring injury) out
Cazorla (plantaris injury) out
Walcott (calf injury) doubt
Chambers (groin injury) doubt

The Gunners recovered from a crushing defeat against Liverpool to pick up a couple of wins at home afterwards. One in the Premier League versus a team that had lost all their previous league matches, one in the Europa League, versus a team that had lost all of their previous league matches. Now they face a genuine test, but it is a test that they have passed twice previously, so they will enter the game full of confidence. However they will need more than confidence to beat a Chelsea team that is improving as the season goes on.
Most important player: Petr Cech. With the rotation policy that now seems to be the norm at every club, Cech sat out the midweek win. Arsenal will need him to be fresh and focused, organising their defence to keep out Chelsea.

Defining Battle: both teams will look to bypass midfield and get the ball quickly to their forwards, so they can get at the opposition defence quickly. The team that can best get their attackers the ball early, so the other team's wingbacks and midfield are unable to protect the defence, should win this game.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 2-0
Ed003 - 2-1
Ed004 - 2-1
Ed007 - 4-0
Ed018 - 2-1
Ed025 - ?
Ed033 - 1-0

Manchester United v Everton 4pm kick off

Pogba (hamstring injury) out
Shaw (fitness) doubt
Ibrahimovic (ACL injury) out
Rojo (ACL injury) out

The only blip in the Red Devils' season so far was a draw against Stoke City in their last Premier League match. The 2 goals they coceded to the Potters were also the first Man Utd have conceded in competitive football this season and they have scored at least 2 goals in all of those competitive matches. That is why they sit on top of the fledgling Premier League table. With Everton in poor form right now, Jose Mourinho will look to pour on the misery and pressure on Ronald Koeman.
Most important player: Romelu Lukaku. So far the Belgian forward looks like he was exactly what Man Utd needed. Now he gets a chance to show his previous club exactly what they are missing.

Barkley (hamstring injury) out
McCarthy (knee injury) major doubt
Funes Mori (ACL injury) out
Coleman (broken leg) out
Bolasie (ACL injury) out

The Toffees have faded after a good start to the season, suddenly their spending spree in the transfer window looks like wasted money. They went from 4 competitive wins in a row to 2 draws and now they are on a run of 3 defeats on the bounce. While it is too early to judge Ronald Koeman yet, there have already been the rumblings of discontent emanating from the Everton fans, who are unhappy at his tactics, particularly against the big sides. If he is going to quell the grumblings in the long term, Koeman will have to show more ambition when he faces a team like Man City reduced to ten men. In the short term, however, what he needs is a result. Badly needs in fact.

Most important player: Wayne Rooney. On his first return to Old Trafford since returning to Everton, Rooney will want to put in a good showing. With his present form being as poor as it has been over the last few years for United, the Toffees would also love him to put in a good showing. He needs to show that his return was not a case of the heart ruling the head in the decision making and that he really can still produce on a consistent basis.

Defining Battle: Gueye v Matic. That is the most important battle in this match. If Matic is given time and space he will control the game, Everton need Gueye to be buzzing around him constantly, using his pace to ensure Matic is unable to take his time on the ball the way he likes.

Editor's Predictions:
Ed002 - 4-1
Ed003 - 3-1
Ed004 - 3-1
Ed007 - 2-0
Ed018 - 2-2
Ed025 - ?
Ed033 - 2-0

Editor's Predictions Table
1. Ed007 - 14 points
2= Ed002 - 13 points
2= Ed018 - 13 points
4= Ed003 - 9 points
4= Ed025 - 9 points
6= Ed004 - 5 points
6= Ed033 - 5 points

*1 point is awarded for the correct result, 3 points for the correct score.

Written by Tris Burke September 17 2017 04:27:29