Football News: Premier League Previews 19 August 2018
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Burnley v Watford
Burnley may well have to get used to this Thursday/Sunday schedule. A win over Istanbul Basaksehir means only Olympiakos stand in their way from reaching the group stages of the Europa League - something that will seriously test out their squad to the maximum.
Burnley have won three of their four Premier League games against Watford, and the Hornets were one of only two sides against which Burnley pulled off a league double last season (also Everton).
In fact, Watford are winless in their last 10 visits to Turf Moor, last winning there in April 2004 in the second tier. So it is not a happy hunting ground for them by any means.
However, the Clarets are winless in six in the Premier League, including a goalless draw with Southampton on the opening day, and they have lost two of their last three at home, so their league form requires improvement.
Mind you, as does Watford's away from home. They are yet to score a single goal on their travels under Gracia, and have earned just one point from a possible 21 in away games under him. In fact, they haven't won a league game away from home since November 2017 against Newcastle, losing 11 of 12 such matches since then. Form like that again this season will see them in a relegation fight, regardless of how good they can be at Vicarage Road.
Key players:
Sam Vokes - The forward, whilst largely used a substitute by Sean Dyche, has scored four goals in 10 previous league appearances against Watford, including three as a substitute. Indeed, he only has more in English league football against Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic, so his record against the Hornets could prove pivotal again should he come on late again here.
Roberto Pereyra - Who else could possibly be picked here? Involved in all of Watford's last six league goals, scoring five of them and assisting the other, his form and quality is vital for Gracia's side. If they are to get anything here, he needs to continue his strong run.
Manchester City v Huddersfield Town
Since beating Huddersfield 10-1 in November 1987, Manchester City haven't even scored against the Terriers at home in a league match. In four games. Including a goalless draw last season. Despite breaking the goal scoring record in a single Premier League season last term (106 goals), City couldn't break down a dogged and determined Huddersfield side at the Etihad. They scored at least once against every other side they played at home in the league last season, but not Huddersfield.
In fact, Man City managed fewer shots on target in two league games against Huddersfield last season (seven) than they did against any other team.
Few would predict that again here though. Normal service resumed for the champions in their season opener away at Arsenal, a day after Huddersfield had been soundly beaten 3-0 by Chelsea.
Away from home, Huddersfield have won just once in their last 10 Premier League games, and that was against West Brom, who went on to be relegated. Meanwhile, Man City have only lost once in their last 31 home league matches, against Manchester United in April.
And whilst City have been hit by news of an injury to Kevin De Bruyne, they will be confident they have more than enough in their squad to cope without him, and Huddersfield will find it a tall order to get anything at all here.
Key players:
Sergio Aguero - A lethal finisher, Aguero has bagged 11 goals in his last seven league games at the Etihad Stadium. He reached the 200 goal landmark for Man City in the Community Shield, so confidence won't be an issue for him here.
Christopher Schindler - Huddersfield will have a lot of defending to do against the defending champions, and Schindler will no doubt be at the heart of that. No player blocked more shots on the opening weekend than him, and last season, he was second of all Premier League defenders for interceptions, behind only his teammate Zanka. No doubt his numbers will increase even further after this match.
Brighton and Hove Albion v Manchester United
Brighton's 1-0 win over the Red Devils in May was their first against them since 1982. Manchester United had won four straight games against them in all competitions before that match, and will be hoping that it was nothing more than a minor stumble.
But Brighton survived last season based on a strong home record. They won four of their last seven home league games, losing just once in that time, and will look to their form at the Amex Stadium to help them on their way again this season.
As for Man Utd, they suffered five of their seven Premier League losses last season away from Old Trafford, so will be looking to improve upon that to close the gap between themselves and their city rivals. They conceded only nine goals at Old Trafford but 19 away, more than double, so the disparity there is clear.
United should have more of their players fit and available after late World Cup returns for this game, having benched the likes of Romelu Lukaku in their season opener against Leicester, so that will certainly help them going into their first away game of 2018-19.
Key players:
Pascal Gross - I mentioned last week about Gross having the second highest goal involvement of any player for any side in last season's Premier League, and with all seven of his Premier League goals coming at home, this is his first chance to pick up where he left off last season at the Amex. He even scored Brighton's winner against Man Utd here in May, in what was Brighton's last home league game.
Paul Pogba - Linked with a move away from the club this summer, Pogba has had a direct hand in 26 league goals for Manchester United under Jose Mourinho (12 goals, 14 assists), more than any other player. He scored on the opening weekend, the first Premier League goal of this season of course, and will be looking to silence a few doubters this campaign.
Written by Reid the Red August 19 2018 08:36:05
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