5 talking points ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action
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Four of the top five meet on Sunday
This weekend brings two huge games on Sunday, as Manchester City face Arsenal and Chelsea host Manchester United.
If results go their way, City could find themselves eight points clear at the top of the table.
There could be plenty of movement at the other end of the table too.
Before the games kick-off, here’s the Coral News Team with the big talking points…
Will Arsene Wenger drop Mesut Ozil?
Arsene Wenger is the only manager to have beaten Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City teams.
But if he sends Arsenal out to try and play City at their own game on Sunday, he’ll surely come off second best. City are 2/5 favourites.
City have won all but one of their games in all competitions this season. And they’ve scored 35 goals in just 10 league outings.
Wenger was without Mesut Ozil for the trip to Chelsea earlier this season. Alex Iwobi played instead and he delivered the sort of disciplined display that often seems beyond the German. The game ended 0-0. It was the Gunners’ first point at Stamford Bridge since 2011.
Iwobi was noticeably absent from the Europa League game against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he started ahead of Ozil at the Etihad.
How will Jose Mourinho approach Chelsea?
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has attracted criticism in recent weeks for his supposedly defensive tactics.
He’ll point to the draw away at Liverpool and the win over a Tottenham Hotspur side that blew away Real Madrid as justification for his approach.
His current club takes on his former side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
A trip to Chelsea is usually a daunting task. But they’ve looked vulnerable at the back in recent weeks.
The Blues have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight games. And Roma ran them ragged in a 3-0 win on Tuesday.
If United go for it, they could reap the rewards at 21/10.
More woe for Everton?
Everton’s season took another miserable turn in midweek as they were dumped out of the Europa League at Lyon.
As well as being bottom of their group in Europe, the Toffees are down in 18th in the league.
David Unsworth has been unable to turn things round as caretaker manager so far.
They host Watford as 23/20 favourites on Sunday. But they can’t take anything for granted now.
The upcoming international break offers a chance for the club to appoint a new manager. They need to get it right.
Is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain having any regrets?
Liverpool have been without Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum recently. But £40m summer signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still hasn’t started a game for his new club in the league.
He’s likely to be on the bench again against West Ham United on Saturday evening. The midfielder’s lack of football cost him his place in the England squad this week.
The 24-year-old will still be adapting to Jurgen Klopp’s demanding tactics. But it’s hard to see where he fits in this team. He’ll face even more competition when the imperious Naby Keita arrives next summer.
Will Demarai Gray be unleashed again?
Claudio Ranieri and Craig Shakespeare both kept promising winger Demarai Gray waiting for an extended run in the Leicester City side.
But Claude Puel started the 21-year-old in his first game in charge of the Foxes. He was rewarded with a man-of-the-match display against Everton.
His driving run that led to Jamie Vardy’s opening goal showed what he can do when given a chance. Gray signed a new deal at the King Power Stadium this week. He’ll be hoping for another opportunity to impress against Stoke City.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
